14:40 Newton Abbot

Monday 26 July 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1015:45

NewtonAbbotRace On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 57.90s

Esprit De Somoza^t1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 116

11/1

One-time useful hurdler: left Gary Moore. Well below that level both starts this season, but has fallen to a good mark. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: P13P-33

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Chantecler^p,h²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis| OR: 112| CD

100/1

Dual winner last summer for Nicky Henderson but well held all 3 starts for present stable, including after a 5-month break at Worcester last time.

Form: 17P00-8

Manor Park^t³^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 103| BF| CD

9/4

C&D winner in June and resumed winning ways in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good) 3 days ago, keeping on well. Respected under a penalty.

Form: 960-131

The Raven's Return⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 108| CD

10/3

Temperamental sort who was below form when sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.2f, good to firm, 5/1) 74 days ago. Eased 4 lb and has gone well fresh before, so not dismissed.

Form: P634-56

First Quest^p,t⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106

3/1

Mixed record since joining this yard but did run one of his better races when close second at Chepstow (2m) in April. Failed to back that up at Southwell last time, though. Given a break since.

Form: 04872-6

Ayr Of Elegance^b³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 102| CD

16/5

Came good for current yard over 20.5f at Plumpton in March and confirmed reappearance promise when adding to her tally over C&D last time. Up 7 lb but can't be discounted in current mood.

Form: 8001-31

Antidote¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: J D Frost| OR: 89

50/1

Modest maiden on the Flat. Similar form when fifth at Wincanton on his hurdling bow but well held in novices both runs since. Into handicaps now with enough to prove.

Form: 5P0-

Non-Runners

Duc De Bourbon¹⁰⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Harry Cobden

Portentoso²¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: S Holdsworth J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Manor Park (9/4), First Quest (3/1), Ayr Of Elegance (16/5), The Raven's Return (10/3), Duc De Bourbon (5/1), Esprit De Somoza (11/1), Portentoso (33/1), Antidote (50/1), Chantecler (100/1)

DUC DE BOURBON shaped better than the bare result on both handicap starts last season and looks interesting now back in trip after 15 weeks off, so he receives the vote. Ayr of Elegance is 7 lb higher than for her C&D win last time, but can't be discounted in her current mood, with Manor Park also feared under a penalty.