Newton Abbot Racecourse hosts an exciting afternoon of National Hunt action on Friday, 3 July, with a six-race programme offering £65,500 in total prize money. The Devon venue, renowned for its picturesque setting and sharp left-handed circuit, stages a balanced card featuring maiden hurdles, novice handicaps, mares’ races and two high-quality Class 3 feature contests, each carrying the day’s joint-highest prize fund of £15,000.
The meeting opens at 2:10pm with the Sky Sports Racing Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (Class 4) over 2 miles and 189 yards. Worth £10,000, this GBB contest gives promising mares aged three years and older an opportunity to secure a first victory over hurdles. Maiden events often showcase emerging talent, making this an intriguing start to the afternoon.
At 2:45pm, the Sun Racing Free Tickets With Sun Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) takes centre stage over 2 miles 2 furlongs and 135 yards. Carrying a prize fund of £7,500, the race is open to horses rated up to 105. Developing hurdlers will look to build on recent performances, with accurate jumping and consistency likely to prove decisive around Newton Abbot’s tight layout.
Newton Abbot racecards 3 july
The 3:20pm St. Austell Brewery Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) is run over 2 miles 5 furlongs and 150 yards for £8,500. Restricted to mares rated up to 100, the contest places a premium on stamina and fluent hurdling. The extended distance is expected to test endurance, particularly in the closing stages.
One of the afternoon’s feature races comes at 3:55pm with the Howden Insurance Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3), a GBB contest worth £15,000 over 2 miles and 92 yards. The field features several experienced chasers headed by King Turgeon, trained by Martin Keighley, who arrives after returning to winning form and carries the highest official rating of 123. Krak (FR), from Dan Skelton’s stable, finished runner-up on his latest outing and looks capable of another strong performance. Schmilsson (GB), trained by Olly Murphy, brings proven chasing experience, while Gore Point (GB) represents Anthony Honeyball after recording an impressive course-and-distance victory and competes under a 7lb penalty. With proven performers and in-form runners lining up, this promises to be one of the most competitive races on the card.
Another £15,000 highlight follows at 4:30pm with the Gordon Rowe Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) over 2 miles and 189 yards. The race features several high-quality handicap hurdlers, including Charlus (IRE) from Dan Skelton’s yard, who heads the weights with a mark of 124. Continuance (GB), trained by Martin Keighley, has shown consistent recent form and could be a leading contender. Max of Stars (FR), a previous course-and-distance winner trained by Ollie Pears, adds valuable course experience, while Arctic Voyage (GB) has already recorded two victories at Newton Abbot and arrives in encouraging form for Michael Blake. Emerald Time (GB), representing Dom Elsworth and Ryan Hatch, also comes into the race following a recent success and adds further depth to a highly competitive field.
The meeting concludes at 5:05pm with the William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5) over a demanding 3 miles 1 furlong and 198 yards. Offering ÂŁ9,500 in prize money, the staying contest is expected to provide an exciting finish to the afternoon as runners tackle the longest trip on the programme. Stamina, accurate jumping and race management will all be vital over the extended distance.
Established in 1866, Newton Abbot Racecourse has become one of Britain’s leading summer jumping venues. Its sharp, left-handed circuit rewards fluent jumpers and horses with the tactical speed to hold a good position before the home straight. The course regularly attracts competitive fields throughout the summer months and remains a favourite among trainers, jockeys and racing enthusiasts.
Friday’s meeting combines promising newcomers, progressive handicappers and experienced chasers across six competitive contests. With two feature Class 3 races sharing the day’s highest prize fund and several in-form runners set to compete, spectators can look forward to an afternoon of high-quality summer jumps racing in the heart of Devon.
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