Newton Abbot stage an eight-race card this afternoon on good
ground which has been watered in recent days to maintain with no rain forecast.
In the extended 2m 5f handicap hurdle I hope to see Parody
(2.50) go one better than when runner up at Bangor-on-Dee having her first
start for almost 12 months. The Paul Nicholls‘ trained mare won twice over
today’s C&D last summer on fast ground and carries just 10st 4lbs this
afternoon.
Pagero made a mockery of two handicaps when last seen for
Jonjo O’Neill back in December but the handicapper has had his say, and he is
now 15lbs higher than when scoring at Doncaster. His subsequent absence from
the track is a slight concern and both wins were gained with plenty of cut in
the ground, but a market move would be worth noting.
Roar (3.20) shapes as if he will get a bit further
over timber than the minimum trip, but he had been in good form on the level in
recent weeks before finishing second at Bangor-on-Dee reverting to hurdles last
time. His flat mark of 74 suggests he could be well handicapped from a mark of
106 over hurdles and duel purpose trainer Ed de Giles had a good winner at
Goodwood last week.
For Good Measure (3.50) was never placed to challenge
on his reappearance in the Summer Plate at Uttoxeter but I hope to see Richard
Johnson put the nine-year-old in the race this afternoon. Trainer Philip Hobbs
has made a slow start to the new campaign, but he did have a winner at Market
Rasen last week and I hope to see a much-improved show from his none-year-old
this afternoon.
The Nicholls’ trained Soldier Of Love is a worthy favourite
having won his last couple, but his jumping did not impress over today’s
C&D last time and he has been raised another 4lbs for that success.
At Lingfield this evening I hope to see Publicist
(4.05) put behind a poor run on rain-softened ground at Doncaster back in June
when she was sent off Even money favourite but faded to finish fourth. The
filly had previously finished in the same position at Newmarket on debut
although that race is not working out as well as could have been expected. Her
draw in stall seven – of eight – is less than ideal and the Tate yard, despite
a winner at Thirsk last week, are not exactly firing in the winners, but she is
a half-sister to six winners and has been given plenty of time to get over her
moderate run in south Yorkshire.
There is significant rain forecast for Ayr on Tuesday with
further showers forecast for Wednesday ahead of today’s nine-race card. In the
1st division of the 7f handicap Big City (3.10) broke on
terms at Hamilton over a mile last time and ran his best race yet for Roger
Fell. The selection won on heavy ground as a juvenile for Saeed Bin Suroor and
is a son of Zoffany whose progeny often like plenty of cut in the ground. If
the rain arrives, he looks sure to run a big race having improved for the
application of blinkers in recent starts.
