A Grand Day Out in Devon
Sweet Mother of Pearl, what a card they served up at Newton Abbot on Thursday! Seven races of proper National Hunt action that had more twists than a country lane through Dartmoor. The good to soft patches in the ground played their part too, separating the wheat from the chaff as only proper jumping can.
From the opening mares' novice hurdle right through to the conditionals' chase finale, this was the sort of afternoon that reminds you why we love the jumping game. Quality horses, shrewd trainers, and enough talking points to keep the bar busy until closing time.
Tommy's Oscar Takes Centre Stage
The feature River Tay Handicap Chase was the jewel in the crown, and by God, what a field they assembled. Tommy's Oscar, carrying top weight off a mark of 144, was the headline act that had punters reaching for their wallets. Danny McMenamin in the saddle for this one - a jockey who knows his way around a staying chase like a priest knows his prayers.
But don't be fooled by the obvious choice, because Harry Cobden on Slanagaibhgoleir looked like a horse with plenty in hand. That's a name that'll test the course commentator's sobriety, but the horse can gallop straight enough when pointed in the right direction. At 131, he looked well treated for a horse of his calibre.
The real eye-catcher for me was Classic Maestro with Luke Scott aboard. That's a combination that's been flying under the radar, and at 129, he could be the value play in what looked like a competitive renewal. Mark my words, this horse has been laid out for a race like this.
Ones to Follow From the Supporting Cast
The longer distance handicap chase threw up American Mike and Minella Drama both off 142 - now there's a clash of the titans if ever I saw one. Sean Bowen on American Mike suggests connections are serious about this one, while Theo Gillard getting the leg-up on Minella Drama tells its own story.
But the horse that caught my fancy was Mountain Mike at the bottom of the weights. Luke Scott again - this lad's having quite the afternoon - and at 117, he looked like a horse that could outrun his odds. Sometimes it's the quiet ones at the back of the field that make the most noise when it matters.
In the mares' novice hurdle opener, keep a close eye on Celtic Alliance. Sean Bowen doesn't waste his time on no-hopers, and this one looked ready to make her mark over timber. Dunsy Rock was the obvious choice with Harry Cobden and a rating of 120, but in a field full of unrated novices, anything could happen.
Jockey Power Plays and Trainer Tactics
Speaking of the Bowen brothers, Sean and James were splitting their fire across the card like generals deploying troops. When you see that sort of firepower concentrated on one afternoon, you know the big guns are taking this meeting seriously.
Harry Cobden's book of rides read like a who's who of quality horses - Someone's Wish in the later handicap hurdle looked particularly interesting. At 108, that's a horse that could be ready to strike, especially with Cobden's magic touch in the saddle.
The conditionals' chase finale was where the future stars get their chance to shine, and Lady In The Park with Jack Power looked like she had the class to see off her rivals. At 109, she was near the top of the weights for good reason, and Power's been riding with confidence that would make a peacock jealous.
Looking Ahead - Where Next for the Stars?
The beauty of a card like this at Newton Abbot is that it often serves as a stepping stone to bigger prizes. Tommy's Oscar, win or lose, looks destined for graded company before the season's out. That's a horse with serious Festival potential written all over him.
For the handicappers that caught the eye, the likes of Classic Maestro and Mountain Mike could be popping up at tracks like Exeter or Wincanton in the coming weeks. These Devon meetings have a habit of producing horses that go on to bigger and better things.
The mares from the opener, particularly Celtic Alliance, could be heading towards some of the valuable mares' races that dot the calendar. There's serious prize money to be won in that division, and connections will be eyeing up the opportunities.
The Verdict from the Grandstand
All in all, Thursday's card at Newton Abbot was the sort of afternoon that makes you fall in love with National Hunt racing all over again. Proper horses, proper races, and enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat from first to last.
The going played its part, the jockeys rode with skill and determination, and the trainers sent out horses fit and ready to do battle. That's what this game is all about - honest horses giving their all over fences and hurdles that demand respect.
Keep your notebooks handy for the names that emerged from this meeting. In six months' time, you'll be seeing them in much grander company, and you'll remember where you first heard about them. That's the magic of days like this - they're where tomorrow's stars are born.
