Newton Abbot - English Riviera Course [page 2]

In the race Caspina Belugga, went well clear from the start, jumping well tired in the rain-softened ground on the home turn, but retained the lead despite the diminishing distance to win in the end, by five lengths. D’Naan jumping poorly was tailed-off. If only it was always so easy.
Newton Abbot’s greatest advantage is the superb viewing. The large grandstand only has seats at the top, the rest of it is built like the football stadiums of my youth - with steep terracing, so everyone can stand and get an unimpeded view of every inch of the course. In the middle of the course there is a tiny greyhound circuit used twice weekly. Torquay United, the local football team, also train within the circuit. You don’t go racing at Newton Abbot to see future stars, but enjoy crafty trainers outfox each other by placing moderate exposed horses to win races.		Newton Abbot offers superb natural viewing from its large Grandstand.
The second race was a classic of its type. A novice hurdle which looked a two horse affair between the only two previous winners Master Millfield and Keen Waters (Pipe/McCoy again). In the paddock I much preferred, the more athletic Master Millfield, which I decided to back, expecting the bookies to bet 5/4 on each of the two. But in fact Keen Waters was 4/7 and its rival was 5/2 - I pressed my bets with confidence. Everything went to plan, nearly. Jumping well under its inexperienced claimer, Master Millfield went two lengths clear at the second last, veered left at the last, losing ground and was caught in the shadows of the post by an inspired McCoy, going down by a head.
What better way to spend a beautiful summer's evening... than watching 'chasers at Newton Abbot?		My only other betting success under the cloudless sky was in the novice chase at 8.45. It was a four runner race, with all the runners having shown poor form. But the likely favourite Chief Gale had the least poor form and was by the successful sire Strong Gale. It was forecast 4/6 favourite and opened at that price. However it drifted in the betting to 15/8. Was there a physical problem? Did the bookies have inside information of an injury unknown to the betting public? Win or lose I carry on regardless, why agonise, its only money. In the race the tail swishing Chief Gale was only third turning into the straight, but the two leaders tired and he came through to lead at the last and won by an unimpressive 11 lengths.
By now I was feeling sleepy, and despite there being a final race at 9.15, not wanting to hear the chimes at midnight, I retired undefeated, and ambled back to my hotel on a perfect Devon summer evening.

NEWTON ABBOT - English Riviera Course cont...