Racecards
14:50 Newton Abbot
River Teign Novices' Handicap Chase
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 1432/27
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer N M Babbage
- Jockey B J Crowley
held up in mid-division, mistake 6th, blundered 12th, lost touch 14th, pulled up approaching 16th
- Form F25343
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer P R Rodford
- Jockey A Honeyball
prominent, blundered 8th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off 16th
- Form 3P4212
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey R Young
chased leader, led briefly after 6th, clear leader 7th, ridden 16th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
- Form P/453U4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
led, hit 6th and headed briefly, headed 7th, ridden 16th, led and blundered 2 out, soon headed, rallied last, not reach winner
- Form 364F28
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up last, steady headway after 14th, ridden 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, drifted left approaching last, driven out flat
- Form P-P4701
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
in touch, ridden 4 out, every chance 2 out, hard ridden last, no extra
- Form 1P-70P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey J E Moore
prominent, ridden 14th, went 3rd 15th, weakened after 4 out
Sure Future
14- Form 320442
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R M Stronge
- Jockey N D Fehily
Nonrunner
- Form 75-P533
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Mrs L Williamson
- Jockey L Stephens
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Mandica deserves to win a race having been placed in three of his last four starts, latterly in a similar contest at Kempton, but Tom George's gelding may once again have to settle for a minor role and preference is for Graceful Dancer, who gets the verdict over Flying Fortune. The last mentioned holds solid claims on the evidence of his run behind Co Optimist at Lingfield two starts ago but his subsequent defeat behind Cinnamon Line at Chepstow last month tempers enthusiasm for Norman Babbage's gelding. General O'Keeffe has been given a chance by the handicapper and has to be respected under Andy Thornton, while Kim Bailey's Walking Sunday has more to do off his new mark than when winning at Plumpton last month. Sure Future is well treated on hurdles form but has yet to convince over fences and preference is for Graceful Dancer. He also is better know for his exploits over the smaller obstacles but has shown promised in limited opportunities over fences and looks well handicapped on a mark 9lbs lower than his current hurdles rating.