Racecards
15:00 Newton Abbot
South West Racing Club Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good
- Form P/00P-F0
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey C O'Dwyer
mid-division, closer order to join leaders 6th, lost place 14th
- Form 42-U013
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up rear, closer order 10th, tracked leader from 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on
- Form FU3F16-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer Mrs L Taylor
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
held up rear and keen, hit 8th, rapid headway to lead 16th, ridden when headed approaching 2 out, held when mistake last
Auburn Spirit
219- Form 221432-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
tracked leader, led briefly after 7th, led again 15th, headed when jumped slowly next, ridden and kept on one pace
- Form PP3P-14
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer N Mitchell
- Jockey J Tizzard
towards rear, closer order 10th, ridden 5 out to chase leaders, weakened 3 out
- Form 5364-P4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
led, headed 3rd, dropped rear 4th, soon well behind
Two Tears
629- Form 111P4P/
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N Hawke
- Jockey A Honeyball
tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped right throughout, headed 15th, pulled up approaching next
In depth
Verdict
Colourful Life can get back to winning ways at the expense of Lucky Leader, Mini Sensation, Jaloux d'Estruval and Auburn Spirit. Fitness will be a key factor here over today's trip, and Colourful Life makes some appeal on that score, having finished third to Monkerhostin and Vodka Bleu at Stratford in October. That was only his second outing over fences in three years, his earlier return at Bangor resulting in a bloodless victory. He meets nothing of the calibre of the subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup third or Martin Pipe's runner here, and can make that count for his in-form stable. It must be remembered that he was a high-class hurdler for Mary Reveley, and with the step back up in trip in his favour, he can account for Lucky Leader who should help force the pace. Mini Sensation has paid the penalty for his sterling efforts in top staying company in the past, including the Welsh National. He really needs softer ground and could do with some help from the handicapper. Jaloux d'Estruval has some scope as a seven-year-old but may be best watched today as well, while Auburn Spirit also returns from an absence. For reasons mentioned earlier, Colourful Life, with plenty going for him, is a confident choice.