08:39 It has been dry overnight and the official going is Good, Good to Firm in Places and the going stick at 06:30 was 7.4

The forecast says there is a possibility of showers during the day.

There are currently three non-runners, details on the right.

Our selections are:-

08:52 .... and a fourth non-runner.

10:22 A couple more non-runners.

15:00 Another non-runner to report.

16:53 Good afternoon from Newton Abbot where I am not going to venture any comment on the weather. In one direction there is blue sky and the other a horrible grey cloud.

I think the wind is coming from the sunny side but we shall have to wait and see.

We now have eight non-runners, details on the right hand side.

An hour to our opening contest and fairly quiet here.

17:30 Despite the 3½ hour drive I enjoy coming to Newton Abbot, it is a course with no pretentions – a lovely little National Hunt course with a friendly welcome.    
The Premier Enclosure also has one of the hidden gems of racecourse catering – pop upstairs to the Terrace Restaurant and you can get an excellent , home cooked, main course for £8.90. Usually half a dozen choices, so even the most fussy of eaters will find something to their taste.

17:38 A delightful sight – five rowing boats have just arrived and are mooring behind the press box and the rowers look as though they are planning to have an evening at the races.

17:44 It has just started raining.

17:47 Back to the racing, our opening contest is the Paddock Restaurant Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in which ten line up, with there being two non-runners.

18:14 An odds-on favourite in the opening contest with the added bonus of having the champion jockey AP McCoy on board.

McCoy had to be at his very best to take the contest as Synthe Davies came home the 1½ length winner, looking very unimpressive when hitting the front two out.

The early pace in the contest had been shared by Mangonel and Detriot Red, with the latter looking booked for second spot until dropping quickly out of contention inside the final half-furlong.

Way Back When had tracked the leaders and ran on to take second place in a photograph with Be My Light.

18:18 Race two is the Winning Post Selling Hurdle a 2m 3f contest in which 14 now line up.

18:21 Andrew Thornton now rides Pacte Noir in the next.

18:32 The sun is now shining.

18:46 Two races and two winning favourites, although this second contest was more of a procession than a race.

Helen Wood took up the running going down the back straight pulling well clear with only Cantability in pursuit.

Down the side of the course she was ten lengths clear of Cantability with the remainder some 25 lengths further back.

The favourite did idle in front and Cantability was slowly making ground as they came down the home straight. Luckily for favourite backers the run in is short here at Newton Abbot and Helen Wood held on by 1½ lengths.

Intac came with a late flourish to take third spot, albeit 27 lengths behind the runner-up, denying Go Free who had looked booked for minor honours.

Beautiful Vision had led for a long was before dropping out quickly and pulling up, to be taken away in the horse ambulance.

The winner was bought in for £4,800.

18:55 Just the four runners for our first chase of the evening, the extended two mile Champion’s 60:60 Charity Challenge Novices’ Chase.

As it has stopped raining time to venture down to the parade ring – not exactly sure why I bothered as nothing really special.

19:13 The perils of jump racing were clearly demonstrated in this chase.

King Caine blundered badly at the first fence and Christian Williams did well to stay on board, however he lost his irons in the process. It is not very far to the second fence an one wonders what was going through Williams mind as the second fence loomed and the jockey had no stirrups.

The inevitable happened and the pair parted company at the second, with Williams “head butting” the rail as he fell to earth.

We believe he is OK.

This left Cockney Trucker clear in front, probably under sufferance.

Lady An Co joined him and briefly led half way but as they exited the back straight for the final time Cockney Trucker regained the lead and pulled clear.

Simarian made some late progress to come to within 3¼ lengths of the winner.

Lady An Co was virtually pulled up.   

19:22 Back to hurdles for race four and the 2m 6f Sponsor’s Name Here Novices Hurdle, just the nine running as we have three non-runners.  

19:51 A shock winner as 33/1 shot  Red Twist takes the race, helped by a gap appearing, Red Sea like, as they turned for home and his rider taking full advantage.

Quelclasse set the pace with most of the others well bunched immediately behind and the eventual winner sitting almost in last place.

Avec Moi Ce Soir hit the front down the side of the course, with Acrai Rua upsides.

At this point Red Twist was hemmed in behind the pair. Inexplicably the front two drifted away from the rail as they turned for home and Red Twist needed no second invitation to hit the front.

19:56 This evening is positively flying by and we are already approaching our penultimate race, the 2m 6f Racecourse For Your Hospitality Requirements Handicap Hurdle, with 14 looking to win the £3,383 first prize.

Cranthorne is a little bit skittish and Sir Harry Cool is slightly on his toes.

20:13 A good little race with a cracking finish.

Sir Harry Cool was the early leader, until ceding that position to the favourite Haldibari.

Turning for home Nulato looked to be the biggest threat but he eventually flattered to deceive as the charge into second was the climax of the race for him.

Consulate was another running on well and looking a likely challenger, however he was only able to finish third.

Running on best of all, however, was Norisan – held up for most of the race coming upsides the favourite at the last and the pair battled to the line.

It was the 20/1 shot Norisan who gained the prize by half a length from the favourite, with Consulate 16 lengths back in third.

20:24 Our final race is the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hunters’ Chase over the extended 2m 5f, half a dozen compete.

Distant Thunder was on his toes, Ryeman was getting warm.

20:46 Plenty of “fun” at the start for the Hunters’ Chase as Doof planted himself in the collecting area and had to be led out.

Once on the track he looked none too keen and when the starter eventually released the tape he was reluctant to start, giving a big lead to his rivals.

Dutch Bill set the initial pace, tracked by Ryman, Blu Teen and Distant Thunder and there was little change in the order for the first circuit.

Doof soon came to join the bunch but ran in snatches.

Some Timbering was soon in rear and it was not great shock when he eventually unseated at the 11th.

By this stage Ryeman had taken up the running, with Blu Teen in pursuit.

Turning for home Distant Thunder had come to join in the action, taking up the running after three out.

20:50 That’s it from Newton Abbot, where it turned out to be a pleasant evening weather wise.

Some reasonable racing on offer but nothing to set the world alight and I'm not sure if it is just my memory playing tricks but the crowd this evening did not seem as big as last year.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

18:00
4 Miss Fleur (Cast In Box - SC 08:22)
7 Viking Gold (going - 10:19)

18:30
1 Calzaghe (Coughing - SC 07:52)
4 Hammer (Rash - VC 08:53)
10 Lesmoir (going - 16:21)

19:30
1 Five Star Wilsham (Going - 08:35)
2 Flanagan
3 Oursininlaw (Colic - VC 12:38)

20:00
6 Deep Pockets (Poor Blood Analysis - VC 16:30 Monday)

Results

18:00 Novices Hurdle 2m 3f

18:30 Selling Hurdle 2m 3f

19:00 Novices' Chase 2m 110yds

19:30 Novices' Hurdle 2m 6f

20:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

20:30 Hunters' Chase 2m 5f 110yds