Racing
Newton Abbot Place 6 preview | 31st July
14.10 – Racing Partnership Novices’ Hurdle – 2m5f
SONGO doesn’t jump the best but he more than makes up for it with his engine and that carried him to an easy success over C&D five weeks ago in this grade. Open to plenty more improvement in this sphere, the seven-year-old could outclass these despite being penalised. BLACKACRE shaped well on his debut in a bumper when third and is quickly sent over hurdles by Evan Williams. He could emerge as the main danger.
Tips: SONGO, BLACKACRE
14.45 – newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase – 3m1f
Christian Williams has two runners, who both have leading claims. JONY MAX won here last season and has held his form in defeat well, in which he came very close at Cartmel last month. This is a career-high mark for him but he should make a bold bid. His stablemate POWERFUL AMBITION was progressive early last year, winning three on the spin before two seconds. I know he was disappointing at Cheltenham last time but this is easier and he might get back on track.
Tips: JONY MAX, POWERFUL AMBITION
15.20 – attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle – 2m
SISTERANDBROTHER has advanced her smart Flat form to hurdles, with a win and three placed efforts from four starts. She was only beaten a neck three weeks ago and could resume winning ways here. ZABEEL CHAMPION is the classiest of these on the Flat though, rated in the 100’s, and won at Perth over hurdles last-time-out. He will take plenty of beating carrying top-weight.
Tips: SISTERANDBROTHER, ZABEEL CHAMPION
15.55 – John Bond 80th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase – 2m4f
FAT SAM has C&D-winning form off a 2Ib higher mark and ran well on his return to this sphere after a spell over hurdles when second over the same C&D which came in a higher-grade contest. The winner from that race has won again since, so he is a major player off the same mark. KAUTO THE KING has C&D-winning form as well and is more than capable off this mark at his best.
Tips: FAT SAM, KAUTO THE KING
16.30 – Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle – 2m5f
ERITAGE has returned to form of late, with two placed efforts, including when a strong-travelling second over C&D a couple of weeks ago. He is worse off at the weights in this race but should be thereabouts. MERRY BERRY would have needed her return last month and her half-a-length second to Ask Paddington last June is good enough form to win this contest.
Tips: ERITAGE, MERRY BERRY
17.00 – Talk Tidy Marketing Open Maiden NH Flat Race – 2m
DON’TMESSWITHME only found one too good, who had the benefit of experience, when second over C&D on debut. With more to come, Syd Hosie’s charge has place claims at least. Of the others, I will include debutant MUMFORD’S MAGIC from the Dan Skelton stable.
Tips: DON’TMESSWITHME, MUMFORD’S MAGIC
