newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 55.6s

Saffron Prince⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 104| CD

7/2

Dual winner last year with one of those victories coming over C&D but off a 12lb lower mark (given a chance by the handicapper at the time). Is capable of winning off this mark though (did so at Plumpton) and better for his first comeback run.

Form: 13221-3

Walden Prince^t,v²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 102| CD

4/1

Unreliable sort who finds winning hard and has spurned a couple of reasonable chances of late particularly at Ludlow in May (late mistake cost him). Finished a decent third last time but overall record is enough to spell caution.

Form: 363-2P3

Amalfi Doug^t¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 94

10/11

Looked far from a natural in two chases when with Sam Thomas but it may well be a different story now he has joined this yard that have a tremendous record with new recruits. Looks on a good mark on his hurdles form; expect strong market vibes.

Form: 535/4P8-

No No Cardinal^b1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: James Davies| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 81| CD

11/2

Has run some of his best races around here (dual C&D winner) and has been placed here the last twice; bumped into a couple of useful types last time. Blinkers are now tried for the first-time in a bid to extract a little more from him.

Form: 244-623

Forecasts

Amalfi Doug (10/11), Saffron Prince (7/2), Walden Prince (4/1), No No Cardinal (11/2)

Trainer Dan Skelton has played a numbers game all summer with horses he’s rejuvenated from other yards forming the backbone of his team here and Amalfi Doug is another one making his debut for the stable. He’s sure to be well found in the market but it’s arguable how much value he offers having looked anything but a chaser before and SAFFRON PRINCE is a much safer if less sexy proposition having now had a run under his belt and is also proven off this mark. The other two are a little unreliable Walden Prince is on a long losing run and No No Cardinal has already recently seen the rear of another Skelton improver (King’s Reste).