Newton Abbot

the Devon track at Newton Abbot does not race during the winter and starts its 2015 season today with the only jumps meeting of the day. Main event is the stayers handicap chase at 16.10 CET, in which Velator (Peter and Sean Bowen) is the only CD winner in the field; he is still 6 lbs higher than when winning here last September, but his good claimer´s (the trainer´s son) allowance takes care of most of that. The main dangers could be Golden Chieftain (Colin Tizzard/Brendan Powell) and Ballypatrick (Mick Channon/ Conor O´Farrell), both of whom have been below form on heavy going but should be suited by this return to better ground. One runner that interests here is German-bred Global Thrill (Barney Llewellyn/ Robert Williams) in the opening maiden hurdle at 15.10. A Group winner in Germany for Jens Hirschberger, he has shown a bit of ability in his 4 runs over hurdles and looks certain to win a race or two, although here he is up against a formidable opponent in Seven Nation Army (Tom George/ Denis O´Regan), who has been runner-up three times in strong company and was earlier a smart bumper horse.

The best race at today´s 3 all-weather meetings is the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.20 at Southwell. This looks tricky, but the CD specialists Frontier Fighter (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope) - who won the race last year off the same rating- and Two Moons (Brian Ellison/ Ben Curtis), up 4 lbs for winning here a fortnight ago, look the two to concentrate on.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Seven Nation Army - Act Now - Pengo`s Boy
2. Race: Otago Trail - Earthmoves - Drumlee Lad
3. Race: Achimota - Velator - Big Society
4. Race: Dont Call Me Oscar - Un Bleu A L`aam - Snowell
5. Race: Ballyegan - Bravo Riquet - Uhlan Bute
6. Race: Giveitachance - Bravo Bravo - Black Narcissus