July 31 / 16.30 Newton Abbot

16.30

Good

Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10075.1
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.10
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 3111-3 C

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Sprightly 12yo who returned from a break with narrow win at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April; not quite in same form when last in action but is probably still on a workable mark and has travelled from Cumbria for this; best on good ground but has form on soft/heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:02 Perth

Caius Marcius

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

led narrowly, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out

8/1

6th

7

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:25 Uttoxeter

Caius Marcius

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Admirable veteran with 17 wins to his name, the latest off today's mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) only last summer; may have needed his comeback run and wouldn't put it past him running well.

12/1

Form: 1723-1 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Not always an easy one to predict but has won three times from the front since December, most recently over C&D a fortnight ago; competes off career-high mark today but won't mind if there's rain about and has obvious claims if in the right mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

24th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner but he has yet to match that form in four runs on the Flat, coming in a never-dangerous fifth on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton (2m) 17 days ago; he may still do better.

9/2

0

7

(12)

7th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

dwelt start, towards rear, took keen hold after 4f

7/1

2

(12)

18th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thirtyfourstitches

9st 11lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Experienced 8yo who is a ten-time hurdles winner; has raced in two C&D events since switched to Flat, finishing third then sixth; the balance of that form gives him something to find.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: F-3P19 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on heavy ground at Cartmel last week but looked in very good nick when beating a next-time-out winner here (3m2f, good) two starts ago and that performance makes him of significant interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

24th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 3

19:50 Fontwell

Name In Lights

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

midfield, mistake 5th

14/1

3rd

6

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Name In Lights

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

pressed leader, not fluent 3rd, led with one circuit to go, not fluent 4 out

10/1

9th

6

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:25 Cartmel

Name In Lights

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent

8/1

Form: /5311-

Last run: 342 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
In excellent form last summer but was hiked up 13lb for his easy win at Bangor (2mf, good) and has fitness to prove after 342-day absence here; fine on good/good to soft ground but would have something to prove on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

5th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 7y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

One Touch

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

held up in rear, headway before 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, no impression before 2 out

11/4

5

30th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:20 Uttoxeter

One Touch

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Application of a tongue-strap saw him win twice last summer, including over C&D; shaped as if he needed the Newton Abbot outing after 11 months away and could be a live contender if that proves to be the case.

5/1

4th

8

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

One Touch

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

in touch with leaders, headway after 6th, went third after 3 out

8/1

Form: 46P-32 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Yet to win for current stable but, following a layoff, has rediscovered some form this summer, more recently when second to Thirtyfourstitches over C&D a fortnight ago; suited by good/good to soft ground; no surprise if he's on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:00 Worcester

Eritage

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Syd Hosie

0-8 for current stable; 312 days off before rediscovering some form this summer with two placed efforts over hurdles; not so good on latest outing; well treated judged on peak chase efforts but failed to complete last May/June on last two attempts in this sphere; below form sole run over this far.

20/1

5th

1

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Eritage

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

in touch with leaders

6/1

2nd

1

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

15:25 Newton Abbot

Eritage

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Generally very disappointing since switching to current stable last spring but returned from layoff with respectable third at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and has possibilities here if able to build on that performance; suited by good/good to soft ground.

11/2

Form: -51211

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle and dual chase winner from just six starts this year; upped significantly in grade today but seems versatile regarding trip/ground and may still be improving; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 4

15:18 Perth

Dicey Rielly

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Won four times last April-July (2m3f-2m7f, soft/good) and returned to form with close third of six at Fontwell (3m2f, good) three weeks ago; travelled well last time and could benefit from the drop back in trip.

3/1

3rd

2

12th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Dicey Rielly

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

jumped right on occasions, in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 6th, in touch with leaders with one circuit to go, went third going easily before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, pressed leaders approaching last, kept on run-in, no extra towards finish

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 16-611 C

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Three chase wins this year, the latest gained in four-runner race at Stratford (3m3f, good) last month; switches back to hurdling on 2lb lower mark but current ability in this discipline is hard to gauge, and today's drop back in trip is probably not ideal; effective on good and soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 1/12-6 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner who often makes the running; towards rear throughout at Worcester last month, after a long layoff, but a return to more positive tactics may show her in a better light here; seems best on good/good to firm ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Merry Berry

11st 9lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

in touch with leaders, headway before 5th

7/1

8

28th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:28 Worcester

Merry Berry

11st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Unbeaten in four races between May 2021-May 2022 but winning run came to an end with a narrow Hexham defeat, off this mark, a year ago; absence a concern but she has won after a similar break; makes the running but isn't the only in this field to do that; one of two runners for yard.

7/1

Form: 65117- D BF

Last run: 117 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Back in prime form when winning consecutive 2m5f races in February/March but ended last season with a duff effort in April and current mark demands a career-best performance; has form on good to soft but would prefer good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Last win was off 18lb higher in March 2023; returns to a more suitable trip than the 3m last time but ran just the one race of any real note last year and he's an 11yo now.

16/1

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

led

16/1

6

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Caspers Court

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Mark has never been more accommodating in seven seasons with these connections, and although winless beyond 2m6f under rules does stay further; diminishing returns since May's Newton Abbot second, however.

12/1

Form: 0/12-6

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with two good runs (including a 2m7f win) in the autumn but, following another layoff, was tailed off at Worcester this month; needs to bounce back here; has form on good to soft but would probably prefer good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

25th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

Go Chique

11st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, lost position 4th, dropped to last 6th, pulled up before 7th

16/1

5th

2

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Go Chique

11st 12lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bounced back to form to beat AJP Kingdom at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) in August but the form looks dubious, given that several flights were omitted and the race developed into a sprint; quickly back in the doldrums on latest outing; others look much safer.

14/1

0

1

11th Sep 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 2

16:25 Newton Abbot

Go Chique

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

led, headed and prominent 5th, weakened quickly after 3 out, soon pulled up

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.30
Straight Forecast £41.83
Tricast £502.54
Trifecta £778.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Dicey Rielly

POSTDATA:

Thirtyfourstitches

TOPSPEED:

Caius Marcius

LAMBOURN:

Go Chique

Daily Mail:

Tommie Beau

SPOTLIGHT:

Merry Berry

WEST COUNTRY:

One Touch

The Times:

Dicey Rielly

The Guardian:

Dicey Rielly

D Express:

Dicey Rielly

Daily Mirror:

Dicey Rielly

The Sun:

Dicey Rielly

Telegraph:

Thirtyfourstitches

Daily Record:

Thirtyfourstitches

The Star:

Caius Marcius