Racecards
14:00 Newton Abbot
Westcountry Handicap Chase (Class F)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 3760-64
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leader, mistake 9th, soon ridden, weakened after next
- Form 321F/0U
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey R Thornton
held up, headway 7th, chased winner from 4 out, not fluent next, no further impression
- Form 3641-00
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Karen George
- Jockey R Young
mistake 3rd, towards rear, behind from 7th
- Form 8P4-324
- Age 12
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 85
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, led 9th, not fluent 3 out, soon drew clear, readily
- Form 4540-4F
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
led until 9th, soon ridden, weakened after next
- Form 67-77P0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T J Malone
chased leaders until 5th, soon tailed off
- Form 65UF-57
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 72
reminders after 3rd, lost touch from 6th
Riccarton
20- Form 24-F966
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer D C Turner
- Jockey R Greene
in touch, hit 2nd, outpaced approaching 7th, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders
- Form 34/12P2-
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
Nonrunner
- Form 4300-4P
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs D A Hamer
- Jockey B Hitchcott
Nonrunner
- Form 14P-8P3
- Age 11
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey James Davies
Nonrunner
Verdict
Saby has dropped to an attractive mark and, in the hope that he can recapture some of his former sparkle, the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding gets the vote ahead of Barnards Green and Master Henry. The last mentioned was well held in a four runner contest at Stratford when last seen in October but that was on a soft surface and today's ground should suit the Ian Williams-trained inmate better. Lack of a run is of concern though and the top weight is probably best watched. The Mighty Sparrow is a consistent performer and is entitled to be thereabouts again, while Get The Point showed signs of a return to form at Market Rasen last time and cannot be dismissed entirely. Power Unit is another coming back to a fair mark and should be better served by today's faster conditions than he has been tackling of late. Donatus and Sammagefromtenesse both have claims on the pick of their form although a bigger threat is likely to come from Barnards Green, who is probably best forgiven his latest start at Stratford. The vote though goes to the Philip Hobbs-trained Saby, who has dropped to an attractive mark and gave signs of a revival over course and distance under similar conditions last time.
Formwatch
Saby (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, hit 8th, ridden and one pace from 4 out, 4th of 7, 14l behind James Victor (11-0) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Donatus (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Mistake 3rd, always behind, 12th of 15, 43l behind Sunnyland (10-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hampered 1st, headway 7th, mistake next, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 15l behind Optimistic Harry (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs.
Barnards Green (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Prominent, 3rd when fell at the 6th in race won by Calon Lan (9-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Master Henry (GER) 6-1 (11-12) Led to 9th, weakened quickly, left poor 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 4, well behind Tarongo (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Oct.
Power Unit 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Papua (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jun, 5 ran.
Get The Point 12-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Ceannairceach (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf.
Sammagefromtenesse (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up well in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on flat, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Reach The Clouds (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) gd in Mar.