Racecards
17:30 Newton Abbot
Babbacombe Scaffolding 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £7,500 added
- Winner: £4,874
- 2nd: £1,431
- 3rd: £716
- 4th: £358
- Form 335-112
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 129
made all, driven when joined 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on under pressure from last
- Form 3/7-131
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Dr R D P Newland
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, upsides when blundered next, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, kept on, held flat
- Form 11-2P35
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R C Harper
- Jockey Page Fuller
raced keenly, tracked winner from 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with clear pair, tailed off
- Form 6F60
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Christian Williams
- Jockey T J O'Brien
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind and pushed along, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
- Form 73-U74
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs R Ford
- Jockey R P McLernon
held up in last pair, went left 2nd, chased leaders in 4th approaching 5th, lost touch 3 out, tailed off
- Form 769P9/
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mark Gillard
- Jockey James Davies
held up in last pair, carried left 2nd, jumped left next, struggling 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
Verdict
This looks to be a match between the top pair on the card, and there doesn't appear to be a lot between WHOSHOTWHO and Gustave Mahler . The selection won very easily here in maiden company and, going up in trip, may be able to make the 6lb he receives count. Richard Johnson's mount meanwhile is going up in distance and showed a real determination to battle despite defeat at Worcester in his hat-trick bid last time. The remaining quartet have very little going for them, Irish import Fifty Shades perhaps having some scope for better in new surroundings.
Formwatch
Gustave Mahler (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 2 out, headed narrowly last, driven, rallied and led again flat, headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Listen To The Man (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Whoshotwho (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 6th, 2nd going well after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (4) gs in Jul beating Silver Quay (11-2) by 23l, 7 ran.
Poyntzpass (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Behind, went modest 4th at 6th, never near leaders, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Gettysburg Address (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Fifty Shades (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, jumped left 4th, detached from 3 out, tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Monarch (11-6) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Nenergy's Quest 33-1 (10-10) Chased winner, ridden and struggling to keep up from 5th, weakened after 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, lost 3rd close home, last of 4, dist behind Foxy Act (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gf in Jun.
Orbit Light (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always in rear, mistake 5th, never a factor, 9th of 11, dist behind Robins Reef (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.