SIMON NOTT ON COURSE: Newton Abbot Friday

Punters and seven bookmakers were back on course at Newton Abbot for tonight’s meeting. The bookies seemed very pleased to be back as did the lucky 340 odd paying racegoers that were allowed admission. Dave Spice on pitch three was delighted to be back and said that there was a ‘buzz’ about the place, as it indeed it seemed. Racegoers were limited to where they could go as the main bar beneath the grandstand was still being used for jockeys changing. Given the balmy summer’s evening most appeared to be happy to sit on the steps and bet with the racecourse bookies.

5:30 – Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 1f

Those looking for blood pumping excitement in the first event were left disappointed, there would be no palpitations as Bryony Frost on the Paul Nicholls’ trained Kilmington Rose won unchallenged. Punters were keen to get stuck in at the Star Sports office, bets included £3000 at 8/13, a couple of £600 bets and a brace of carpet, £300 wagers at 4/6. I’m guessing that odds-on punters don’t like ‘exciting’ races so this was the perfect start for them. Not so much for the punter who bet a £10,000 – £2000 Grumpy Freya whose bet ensured not too much damage was done in the book. Talking to Luke Harvey after the race Bryony Frost said that her mount had gotten a bit lonely out in front and that she’d decided that it was no time for fancy riding, just win. She added that the mare’s confidence was improving and that all the yard’s horses are fit and 110% ready to run.

6:00 – Watch Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) (4YO plus) 2m 1f

Next up and a 16-runner handicap reduced to 15. Well, this time at least, it didn’t turn out to be a bookie’s benefit. Brian Barr’s charge Manor Park was backed from 25/1 this morning into an SP of 8/1 and won doing handstands by 13 lengths under Patrick Cowley. Luke Harvey managed to collar the trainer on his way to the Stewards room to where he had been summoned. He said that the gelding had niggly problems but was OK today. He added that he told his jockey to ride him handy and was always going well. Pressed on the gamble the trainer said that it had nothing to do with him and that he didn’t bet elaborating that there were no easy races to win any more and that they were all competitive.

With trepidation I asked JB in the Star Sports office if there had been any big bets. He replied that there had been just the one, a monkey the winner at 12/1. There was better fortune for the racecourse bookies who to a man all appeared to have won on the race.

6:35 – Talk Tidy Marketing Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 2½f

It was all about Sainte Doctor in the next, at least in the betting. JB reported bets of £2000, £1500 and all sorts of smaller three figure wagers down. Those punters would have been quite rightly worried from a way out. Aidan Coleman never looked happy on the jolly which was well beaten before they turned for home. The race went to the David Weston trained 11/1 chance Solstalla under Page Fuller. The win appeared to take not only punters by surprise but the winning rider a little bit too. She said ‘She tanked me through the race so I knew she was on a going day, adding that a wind operation had helped her and that they had taken all the headgear off today so she was running free and appears to have found a bit of form. She concluded that she had been waiting for something to catch them but today she wasn’t going to be caught.

7:10 – Racing Partnership Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5YO plus) 2m ½f

Down in the ring the seven bookmakers allowed to bet all seemed fairly happy with their lot, ‘just about playable without being brilliant’ was their general consensus. Coole Well returning 6/4 but unplaced was another well-backed favourite that didn’t run up to expectations. Punters were keen to get involved with most of the business in the Star Sports office done at 13/8 including a bet of £2500 at that price along with several ‘bottles’ and other three-figure sums. Fergal O’Brien’s charge had been a warm order – Star had laid a monkey at 5/2 early on. Hatcher won the race at 9/2 for Dan Skelton under brother Harry. It had been the most competitive race of the day until the last where the winner asserted. It was OK for the books too, the biggest bet JB gave me was just one hundred quid on the winner, there didn’t appear to be queues of any substance on course either. Talking after the race Harry said that it was his mount’s 13th win and was a pleasure to have around. He added that they went a fair old gallop and but had sat there and been able to keep the tank filling, he did add the caveat that if his mount is off the bridle three out he wouldn’t be winning.

7:45 – Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase (Class 5) (5YO plus) 2m ½f

It was only a matter of time before another jolly obliged for the punters and duly did so in the race before the penultimate. Chris Honour’s Shortcross Storm did so by winning in good fashion under Brian Carver at odds of 5/2. The winning pilot said that his mount had been unlucky to get beaten last time out, he added that although not very big his mount jumps cleverly, and that trainer Chris Honour had done a great job and improved him loads. For those people who love to hear about bookies having to pull it up here’s your bit, JB at Star Sports said that the winner had been the worst in the book and that they’d laid a bet of £4500 – £2000 and £3750 – £1500 the winner. He also said that a bet of £5500 – £2000 the third placed Elios d’Or had eased the pain.

8:20 – newtonabbotracing.com Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5YO plus) 3m 2f

The penultimate boasted only three runners but proved to be the most dramatic race of the evening. The betting revolved around 10/11 favourite Eglantine du Seuil and and 11/8 Ballymay. It looked as if the race itself was going to work out that way too. The market leaders ridden by Bryony Frost and Daryl Jacob were locked together when the jolly took a crashing fall at the second last. This appeared to leave the race at Ballymay’s mercy. Ben Poste on 6/1 outsider of three Premier D’troice had other ideas and encouraged an inspired run from his mount getting up on the line to win a short head.

Talking after the race the winning jockey said that he’d thought he was booked for third but saw his chance when Bryony came down and Daryl looked a little nervous. He added that it worked out well and that his mount had a good grounding running in point to points and would be a good spring horse next year. It appeared the race hadn’t caught the imagination of the punters with very little business done, but most of what was traded was on the favourite. No outsider of three merchants bet with Star Sports it seems! I’m happy to report that horse and Bryony were on their feet and that Bryony was met back at the jockey’s changing area by her relieved looking dad Jimmy.

8:50 – newtonabbotracing.com Standard Open NH Flat Race (Class 5) (4YO to 6YO) 2m 1f

The bookies down on the course reported that business had dried up for the last. Sods law for them then the concluding bumper went to 25/1 chance Holerday Ridge trained by Claire Hitch and ridden by Ben Godfrey and do so in good fashion by a couple of lengths. It appeared that football fever had taken over at Star Sports. JB reported just the solitary big bet of £1250 at 9/4 on the third-placed favourite Fairy Rose. He added that the winner was an absolute skinner so was a good end to the meeting.

Great night it was too, people back at Newton Abbot after what’s seemed like an age – the best winner of the day, Aye Aye!

Simon Nott

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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Simon Nott is author of: Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring
available on Kindle CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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