SIMON NOTT: Newton Abbot Friday On Course Report

It was great to see a bookmaker, yes just the one firm, Ivor Perry and Co but it was a start, let’s hope there are some more in the near future. Jo and Wendy spoke to me before the race, rather than repeat it, here’s the video.

3:50 – Engage Undercarriage This Time Bob Pebble Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 5½f

The first race looked between three in the betting, that’s how it turned out, though not quite how the punters had envisaged. The Graeme McPherson trained and Kielan Woods ridden 9/5 chance (is it just me or does anyone else get a song running through their head when they return that price, if you don’t you will once watching the video below) Calum Gilhooley got the better of the favourite 11/10 favourite Templepark despite the saddle slipping at the last. The jockey laughed afterwards that he ‘got the job done anyhow’ and that he’d been looking forward to riding the winner today.

The office came off the wrong end of the race after laying a bet of £7313 – £4500 the winner, tempered by another of £5500 – £5000 the runner-up.

4:20 – Gareth Davis Owner Of The Month Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 1f

Next up Sovereign Duke was sent off the 6/5 favourite, the office reported laying a bet of £7500 – £5000 so that punter got some value. They may have got a winner too had the jolly not fallen at the second last when going well. He may still have not been able to cope with the eventual winner Twin Star, trained by Noel Williams and ridden by Paddy Brennan. After the race, Paddy told Josh Apiafi that the ground was perfect racing ground and that it was nice to ride a winner for the trainer. Pressed on future plans for the winner he just smiled and said ‘It’s won a race and that’s a start’.

4:55 – Old Gold Believe In Your Soul Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4YO plus) 2m 5f

Fox Pro made a gallant attempt to make all under Chester Williams, but the writing was on the wall when Adam Wedge and Coole Cody came cruising up to take over the running on the turn for home. The gelding eventually went on to win by 10 lengths from the long-time leader. After the race the winning jockey said that his mount had some good form a few seasons ago and that the change of scenery at Evan Williams’ yard had done the trick. The winner returned 13/2. The only bet of note was one of £9375 – £5000 Pacify which went off the 15/8 jolly but finished last.

5:25 – Old Gold Racing Brightens Everyone’s Day Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4YO plus) 2m 5½f

10/3 shot France de Reve won the next under Nico de Boinville who said after the race that Nicky Henderson’s charge enjoyed the going, did it well and could become a chaser in time, adding he’d rather be here that at York. And who wouldn’t! There were no lumps reported from the office so the hope was no damage was done.

5:55 – Remembering Dear Lauren Scott Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 1) (Class 5) (3YO plus) 2m 1f

Saintbury Lady won the next, returned 9/4 favourite, trained by ever-popular trainer Fergal O’Brien and ridden by Paddy Brennan. The winning rider was clearly thrilled after the race. He said that he was delighted to ride a winner for the owner [Doug Pocock] who drives him to the races a bit. He added that he’d had the mare since she was three and that it was great to get people into racing this way. The winner can now look forward to a bit of time off before being back next year.

6:25 – Remembering Dear Lauren Scott Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 2) (Class 5) (3YO plus) 2m 1f

Over in the ‘ring’ Ivor Perry and Co were doing modest business but enjoying their time betting with the owners. Luckily, they didn’t get filled in with the gamble. Pokari was backed from 9/1 into 5/1 before winning for Alan Jones under Tom O’Brien. Jo on the Ivor Perry joint said he’d spotted the move, adding it had been a bit obvious because there had hardly been more than £12 on the back or lay side of Betdaq at the meeting all night and suddenly someone wanted £400 on at 9.5. Sadly, for the office they weren’t so fortunate, they laid a bet of £13,500 – £500 each-way the winner. Tom O’Brien, who’d just scored a win from one ride said that the gelding had travelled and jumped well, the trainer had done well to get him fit having been off since October, the winner had had problems and was hard to train but liked the track.

6:55 – Good Luck Darling Maltaix Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) (4YO plus) 3m 2½f

The race before the penultimate. An office client waded in with a bet of £3000 – £1500 Sammylou but did his money. My Lady Grey justified being sent off 13/8f winning nicely under Adrian Heskin. He said post-race that Colin Tizzard’s 6yo stays well and that the race went as planned. There had been a headwind so he didn’t want to her make the running, the mare loved the ground and picked up well when asked.

7:25 – Buy Racehorse Shares For Your Lover Handicap Chase (Class 5) (4YO plus) 2m 5f

It was a treble for jockey Paddy Brennan in the penultimate when he scooted home on Fergal O’Brien’s 7/4 favourite Cheltenam De Vaige. Clearly over the moon the victorious rider said that it would be a happy car going home and that they might even stop off for a pint somewhere. Quite right too. Over at the Ivor Perry and Co pitch, Jo and Wendy were upbeat about being at the races and told me this.

7:55 – oldgoldracing.com Thrill Of Ownership Handicap Chase (Class 4) (4YO plus) 3m 2f

The punters still appeared to have some betting ammo left for the lucky last. The bigger backers were on Glengar including a bet of £10,000 – £5000 and a £700 – £400. Maybe prefixing the race ‘lucky’ is akin to the rubdown as the bogie parted company with his jockey Millie Wonnacott at the first. Harry Cobden steered home 85/40 favourite Sizing At Midnight to win providing a double for trainer Colin Tizzard on the night when bookies were back on course.

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 CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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