Racecards
16:00 Newton Abbot
Toteexacta Flexi Betting Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Winner: £3,252
- 2nd: £955
- 3rd: £478
- 4th: £238
- Form 185P-15
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey R Mahon
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, went modest 4th 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 4/62-921
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 110
held up in rear, headway after 6th, chased winner after next, kept on same pace approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
- Form 229070-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Miss C L Wills
towards rear, headway 5th, weakening when not fluent 7th, blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 3248-S6
- Age 10
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Mrs H R J Nelmes
- Jockey O Nelmes
niggled along in last, mistake 2 out, some late headway, never dangerous
- Form 2P0524-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Mat Salaman
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division, ridden after 6th, went remote 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance
- Form 11-6773
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer D Killahena & G McPherson
- Jockey J Mogford
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, not fluent next, plugged on approaching 2 out, no chance
- Form 1/68P7P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer P R Rodford
- Jockey K Burke
led until after 2nd, chased winner until approaching 7th, soon well behind, tailed off
- Form 143256
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey W Marston
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3rd, beaten 3 out
- Form 78-4176
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer N J Hawke
- Jockey D R Dennis
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
- Form 21U538
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J Candlish
- Jockey A O'keeffe
with leader, led after 2nd, clear 3 out, stayed on well
- Form 546P-05
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D F O'Regan
Nonrunner
- Form 10/82-53
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 102
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Pocket Too proved that he was no back number when a close second at Sandown in March and he is well handicapped on his old form but he's not been the easiest to predict and has been off the course since April; a market check is advised. More obvious claims are boasted by Benedict Spirit who opened his account over hurdles at Uttoxeter before finishing down the field on the level in a Shergar Cup event. It's taken some time for the penny to drop with OPENING MEET but there's been much more to like about his last two starts and he's marginally preferred with this step up in trip expected to suit. Armenian Boy could go well if returning to his best and Royal Max could also have a say in the outcome if his stamina holds out as he steps up in trip.
Formwatch
Opening Meet 3-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, rallied next, 5th and one pace when blundered last, no extra, 5th of 12, 8l behind Safe Catch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Always prominent, not fluent 2 out, challenging when jumped left and not fluent last, driven ahead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun beating Our Guardian Angel (10-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Princess Flame (GER) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place after 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind The Disengager (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Kristoffersen 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, hampered 8th, ridden 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 10l behind Midas Way (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Pocket Too 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hit 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on to take 4th flat, no impression on leaders, 4th of 17, 6l behind Master Eddy (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
The Good Guy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 6th, hard pressed 3 out, jumped right last, soon hung right and ridden, headed flat, no extra, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Golden Gem (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd.
Cashel Blue (USA) 9-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Cubism 11-2 (11-10) With leader, led 5th, jumped right and headed 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 41l behind Corso Palladio (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Vintage Fabric (USA) 12-1 (11-8) Led to 3rd, chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Rock Me (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Basford Lass 7-1 (11-5) Led, clear after 2nd, headed and hit 2 out, weakened quickly flat, 8th of 13, 34l behind Changing Lanes (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Armenian Boy (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 2nd, ridden and lost place before 5th, no impression, 9th of 12, 45l behind Paddleyourowncanoe (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Max (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up, 7th 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 18l behind Alph (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Party Palace 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, reminder after 5th, switched outside next, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Rock Me (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.