LAST MEETING REVIEW

Racing continued at Newton Abbot on a wet Monday afternoon.

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Our opening race, the Talk Tidy Marketing Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle was won by outsider Arty Campbell, giving trainer Bernard Llewellyn a welcome winner following their trip from Caerphilly in Wales. Held up right at the back of the pack by Robert Williams, Arty Campbell travelled well in the hands of his jockey, taking up the lead on the home turn and being ridden into the last by his jockey. He looked to have the race sown up but Kieren Buckley galvanised his mount, favourite Masteradream for Neil Mulholland, and he put up a mighty late charge. Had it not been for a mistake at the last he may have gunned down the leader, but Arty Campbell did enough to see out the race by half a length. A competitive six runner novice hurdle came next, with a smart field going to post in the Jan And Jeff Silver Wedding Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle. Evan Williams’ Loved Out and Paul Nicholls’ Wise Glory were sent off joint 11/8 favourites under Adam Wedge and Harry Cobden respectively, but it was the David Pipe-trained Flammarion who came out on top under Tom Scudamore. A recent acquisition from David O’Meara’s flat yard, Flammarion has a spin on the flat at Ffos Las under Hollie Doyle the time before and finished second but went one better over the longer trip and with a few obstacles in his way. Scudamore kept his mount in contention throughout and 5 made his challenge three hurdles from the finish, with the pair taking up the lead two out. Scudamore got to work on his mount and kept him going, and when extended he ran on well to win nicely by two- and three-quarter lengths in a promising performance. Favourite Fifrelet wasn’t hard pressed to open his account in the Bryan And Ilva Wescott Memorial Maiden Hurdle, with Ian Williams’ charge winning easily under five-pound claimer Liam Harrison. Despite jumping out to his left a few times and making a few mistakes, notably at the second

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3 - FIFRELET

last, he won comfortably by nine lengths. The Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap Hurdle was a great race on paper and didn’t disappoint in reality. The Harry Whittington-trained Docpickedme was sent off strong favourite under Daryl Jacob but could only manage a distant third, with Paul Nicholls’ Montys Medoc winning under Harry Cobden. Cobden had an easy ride in truth, with Montys Medoc jumping fluently and travelling well within himself throughout the race and had to only be shaken up to take the lead two hurdles from the finish. He stayed on well to see off the challenge of Mr Tambourine Man under Tom Scudamore, who did well to finish second from the front and be a length and three quarters behind the winner. Favourite backers were in clover again when Espinator bolted up in the Racing Partnership Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, running out an easy winner under Kevin Brogan for

Adrian Wintle. He travelled very strongly throughout and justified his short price, with Brogan continuing his fine form in the saddle. He travelled easily to two out and sealed the race with a fine jump there, settling the contest in a manner of strides. A mistake at the last did nothing to stop him and he bolted up from Master Tradesman in second and Alkademon back in third. A four-runner novice chase, the Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Novices’ Chase, was full of drama in the closing stages. Shang Tang came out on top under Tom Bellamy for Emma Lavelle after a battle with the Nicky Henderson-trained Hooper under Nico de Boinville. Shang Tang won the race with his smart jumping and easy manner, while Hooper was hampered by rival Ruthless Article four out and never found his rhythm again. Hooper went clear three out but carried himself left throughout the closing stages and threw all chance away when hanging badly left on the run in. Mick Pastor was a fine winner of the closing race, the Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap Chase, giving Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden a double on the day. In the colours of J P McManus, Mick Pastor could have been called the winner at halfway, and never looked like being caught as he cruised through the race. Dino Velvet was no match for the winner back in second an Mick Pastor looks a horse to follow in handicap company on this ground.

6 PHOTOS:

1 - ARTY CAMPBELL 2 - FLAMMARION 3 - FIFRELET 4 - MONTYS MEDOC 5 - ESPINATOR 6 - SHANG TANG 7 - MICK PASTOR