Devon Delight: Newton Abbot Serves Up Friday Feast
What a cracking Friday afternoon we had down in Devon! Newton Abbot might not grab the headlines like Cheltenham or Aintree, but this seven-race card was absolutely stuffed with quality and talking horses. The good ground with soft patches played fair all day, and we witnessed some proper performances that'll have the form students scribbling furiously in their notebooks.
From novice hurdlers showing their class to seasoned handicappers plotting their next moves, this was Friday racing at its finest. The Bowen brothers were out in force, the Henderson stable looked sharp, and there were enough eyecatching runs to keep us busy for weeks ahead.
Highland National Headlines the Action
The £30,000 QuinnBet Highland National was always going to be the day's centrepiece, and what a field they assembled! Over three miles and six furlongs, this Memorial Trophy race for Julian Llewellen Palmer attracted a stellar cast of staying chasers all looking to book their tickets north.
Noble Birth carried the hopes of many punters off his mark of 125, and you can see exactly why. Ryan Mania knows this horse inside out, and their partnership has been building nicely through the winter. The way this gelding travels through his races suggests the step up to this marathon trip could unlock serious improvement.
El Granjero for James Bowen looked another with serious claims. Rated just a pound lower at 124, this one's been knocking on the door in similar company and has that crucial blend of class and stamina that these staying chases demand. The booking of Bowen tells you everything about connections' confidence.
But don't sleep on Fever Dream down at the bottom of the weights. Jack Tudor's mount carried just 113 but has been progressing nicely over fences, and these big-field handicaps can throw up surprises when the pace gets frantic.
Novice Hurdle Nuggets Worth Following
The opening GS Group Novices' Hurdle might have been 'just' a Class 4 affair, but it was packed with potential. Misterdoc stood out like a sore thumb with Harry Skelton aboard and a rating of 125 - the only horse in the field carrying an official mark.
When the Skelton team rock up to Newton Abbot racecard meetings with a horse like this, you sit up and take notice. This gelding has clearly shown enough at home to warrant such confident placement, and anything resembling a smooth performance here would mark him down as a serious player for better prizes.
Keep a close eye on C'Mon So with Derek Fox. Unrated novices can be tricky to assess, but Fox doesn't travel to Devon for no-hopers, and this one could easily be a future winner lurking in the pack.
Handicap Hurdle Heroes Emerge
The Perth Racecourse Handicap Hurdle over three miles and two furlongs was a proper test of stamina, and several horses caught the eye for future reference. Roaring Conquest with Sean Bowen looked the class act at the top of the weights, but it's often the ones further down the handicap that provide the value.
Whistle Stop Tour with Gregor Walkingshaw has been running some solid races in Scotland and could be very well treated off 124. The trip looked ideal, and Walkingshaw's 7lb claim suddenly makes the weight look very manageable.
Don't overlook Highland Fashion either. Callum Bewley takes the ride on this 116-rated sort, and anything with 'Highland' in the name running at this time of year screams Scottish National prep to me. File away for future reference.
The shorter handicap hurdle later on the card threw up some fascinating performances too. Skyjack Hijack looked the one to beat off 132, but Go Dante for Sean Bowen has been in cracking form and could easily follow up if connections find the right race.
Future Stars and Follow-Up Targets
Looking ahead, several of these horses screamed 'back me next time out' with their efforts. The Highland National runners will likely split between Scottish targets and the big spring handicaps, while the novice hurdlers showed enough to suggest they'll be winning races before the season's out.
Misterdoc looks ready for a step up in class - perhaps a Listed novice hurdle or even something at the Cheltenham April meeting if connections are feeling ambitious. The Skelton team know how to place their horses, and this one's progression curve looks steep.
From the staying hurdle division, Jupiter des Mottes caught my eye as one who could easily pop up in a valuable staying prize. The French-bred has that typical Gallic stamina, and Danny McMenamin's booking suggested connections fancy their chances of a big pot soon.
The bumper finale also threw up some interesting types for the future. These National Hunt flat races are all about education and experience, but several looked like they'll be winning over hurdles before long.
Newton Abbot Magic Continues
What a day! Newton Abbot once again proved that you don't need to be at the big tracks to witness quality racing. The variety on show - from novice hurdlers taking their first steps to seasoned handicappers plotting spring campaigns - epitomised everything great about National Hunt racing.
The going held up beautifully throughout the afternoon, allowing horses to show their true form, and we've definitely unearthed several to follow closely over the coming weeks. Whether it's Misterdoc stepping up in class, Noble Birth heading north for the Scottish National trail, or those progressive novices ready to strike in maiden company, Friday's action has given us plenty to get excited about.
Mark your cards, racing fans - we'll be seeing several of these names in much bigger prizes before the season's through!
