Racecards
15:15 Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot Racecourse Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,903
- 2nd: £1,146
- 3rd: £573
- 4th: £286
- Form 686-121
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey R Mahon
held up in touch, smooth headway to 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, driven and idled before 2 out, in command between last 2
- Form 53-U731
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer M Hill
- Jockey Jack Doyle
made most until headed 3 out, soon ridden, no impression between last 2, lost 2nd soon after last
- Form 13666
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey Donal Devereux
in touch, headway to 3rd before 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, stayed on to 2nd soon after last, no impression on winner
- Form 528-694
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs K M Sanderson
- Jockey Mr R Hawkins
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, beaten when hit 2 out
- Form 4/
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey T J O'Brien
chased leaders, ridden when mistake and weakened 3 out
- Form 38-8UP0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A J Whiting
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
held up tracking leading quartett, headway to 4th before 4 out, weakened and no impression after next
- Form 20/98-65
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey Paul Moloney
not fluent in rear, reminders before 3rd, fell next
Bachley Gale
34- Form P56-372
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer W K Goldsworthy
- Jockey R Flint
with leader until before 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
Wadham Hill
352- Form 884/346-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer W J Reed
- Jockey B J Toomey
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
THERE'S NO PANIC and Safe Catch are course and distance winners and we side with the first named given his impressive eighteen length victory last time out. Paul Nicholls' record at the course cannot be questioned with a 33% strike-rate over the past five seasons and we side with his option. Safe Catch has progressed with every run so far and poses the biggest threat after a strong finish to win here in his most recent attempt. Bachley Gale is worth a market check on her hurdling debut after a close bumper second last month.
Formwatch
There's No Panic (IRE) 5-2 (10-1) Tracked leading pair, 2nd from 4th, led going well 3 out, soon came well clear, very easily (no time taken), won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jul beating Saltagioo (10-9) by 18l, 6 ran.
Safe Catch (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, rallied next, led before last, stayed on flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Sadler's Star (11-12) by 3l, 12 ran.
Kings Riches (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 4th, struggling 6th, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 21l behind Safe Catch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Powerfullbeat 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, went 2nd 3rd, led approaching 5th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out where not fluent, 4th of 10, 24l behind Atlantic Coast (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Runaway Harry (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Keen, lost place over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 4, 36l behind Jordan (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Mar '08.
The Wee Midget 100-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, close up on outside, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind, 10th of 12, 45l behind Safe Catch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Yes Minister (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place approaching and mistake 4th, soon struggling, last of 5, well behind Wind Shuffle (11-5) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Bachley Gale 9-1 (10-7) Led early, tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Osmosia (10-7) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul.
Wadham Hill 66-1 (10-2) Lost ground at start, soon recovered, went second after 4th until after 3 out, weakened well before 2 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Mouseen (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 4yo mdn stks (5) gf in Aug '09.