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I'm at my happiest on a racecourse. This is a list of meetings that I'm either booked to report...
Where do the owners of a flotilla of Caravans, some ironically marked Swift go when on holiday and it's not beach weather? Hopefully come to Newton Abbot. It was a bit 'dampy' out, which was a shame for the 1100 students that we here for a day at the races but didn't. threaten to spoil their day, though by the preliminaries for the opening 2.05 The Racing Partnership Novices' Hurdle is was chucking it down. In the ring there was an almost full compliment of bookmakers, none of whom appeared to have taken a lot of money, at least not in any large sums. The feature of the race was the weakness of Jamie Snowden's Knight's Affair which was as big as 3/1 at one point on course having been forecast at odds on last night, one punter found the 5/2 hard to resist having a monkey on at 5/2. The rest of the money, though not big had been for Paul Nicholls' Keel Strand which went off the 11/10 favourite. As it turned out, the market knew but it didn't, Keel Stand won the race, SP even money, but only after having to fight for it when Knights Affair came with a determined looking run and looked likely to win at the last but the Keel Stand had a bit more in hand, the wind op and tongue strap appeared to have done the trip.
Next up the Join Us On Ladies' Night Novices' Handicap Chase where Christian Williams' Illogical Logic was forecast favourite and rightly so as it turned out, winning after a bit of a scrap with Evan Williams' Backinaction. The biggest bet I was given in the ring was just £150 on Grand Sabre. There was a decent crowd in evidence though appeared to bit a bit ribby, those caravans don't come cheap you know. I had a bonus prior to the race, my old pal Armaloft Alex stood me a very nice Mr Whippy ice cream, the guy in the van appeared bored so was chuffed for the business. My turn next time Alex, Salisbury would be the best bet, though odds-against to be the next time I see him, racecourse regular that he is.
Next up, Visit The Wellbeing Show Novices' Handicap Chase which boasted six runners but looked a tight heat, the betting was once again quiet but there was another monkey £500 bet, this time on Culligran at bottle 2/1. You have to feel a little sorry for the bookmaker that laid that bet, especially if he's the type to stand them. To my untrained eye the mare looked beaten for most of the race only really looking like winning in the shadow of the post getting up to win a head for John O'Shea under and excellent ride by Kielan Woods. On the plus side, I'd imagine there had been hedging in running opportunities for the layer were he that was inclined. The winner returned 9/5, so I expect the winning backer was glad he came racing.
There were nine runners in the newtonabbotracing.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle and it looked a tough heat, so of course the punters got stuck in. The money on Arctic Angel was reportedly small but significant enough for it to be shortened from 3/1 into 9/4 but it was Portobello Girl that attracted some real money, one bookmaker laid £4000 - £1000 each-way and another £3500 - £1000 each-way. That looked to be a clever bet but the plucky bookmakers accommodated the punter with a smile, they are to encouraged. Fortune favoured that brace of brace bookies this time, Portobello Girl was unplaced but it wasn't good news for the majority of layers. There was a gamble of sorts landed, though most of it off course judging by the business when Evan Williams' Arctic Angel justified the support winning under Mr Barry Thomas Stone though his supporters would have been white knuckled for much of the race.
The racecourse was buzzing about the race before the penultimate, The Clearance Handicap Hurdle, Clearance being Michael Blake's prolific Newton Abbot of which this race was named after was also running in the race. The owning syndicate Racing For A Cause were here in force, the trainer was wearing a collar and tie and Harry Cobden was booked to ride. A fairy was anticipated, but sadly nobody told Clearance who decided to steadfastly refuse to race and spoil the party. It really did ruin the party not least because he was a well-backed 10/3 chance. The stake money had to be returned and a 20p rule four deduction made to all successful bets. The only saving grace was that the winner, Joe Tizzard's American Land had been a friendless drifter, 4/1 out to 7/1 beating the 11/4 jolly Get The Value in a cracking finish. It wasn't great news for the bookmaker that told me he laid a £2500 - £2000 bet at Nottingham which won at 6/5, come racing for value, it doesn't matter which track. Michael Blake looked smart presenting the prize to winning connections, but it was a shame things didn't go to plan. Oh, and I was haven't moaned about it, you might have guessed, the rain stopped shortly after the last.
I bumped into formidable punter Harvey Instance by the paddock, he told me that it had been like podding peas today including having a lump on the first winner, but got on early. Looks like his other half won't have to settle for a chippy tea as a treat tonight. Next up was The Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Hurdle where Seraphic and For You Buzz were both around the 7/2 mark depending where you looked. Neither of those troubled the judge in what was the closest finish of the day where 15/2 Gore Point beat 9/1 chance Hill Station by a nose for Anthony Honeyball under Sam Twiston-Davies, they bet 1-6 the winner in the photo, how do they know? Miss Marette was another to play silly buggers refusing to race, there was no rule four this time, she was a 28/1 chance when getting the hump. was a 28/1 chance when getting the hump. Nobody would have the needle with the 'Food To Go' prices on course at Newton Abbot, very good value for an event.
The students had been corralled into what is usually the public enclosure, I hope they had a great day, the DJ was certainly pumping out the beats, between races of course. Student days are a great thing, let's hope they're are back under their own steam. Next up and last on the card was The Visit Our Classic Car Show Open National Hunt Flat Race where Masked Mistress had been well touted but didn't feature, Usyk attracted a bet of £1125 - £500 but didn't win but 3/1 chance Alba Crus did win for Warren Greatrex under James Bowen concluding an excellent day at the races but not one of huge betting, I'll be at Epsom with Star Sports on Friday and Saturday where I'm guessing it'll be a different matter.
Finally, a mention to Terry from the PA whose bright, cheery and positive demeanour in the press room all afternoon kept spirits up, not that they needed keeping up but a bundle of unbridled joy in your presence is never a bad thing is it. Meanwhile, the beat went on.....
Simon Nott
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