3.00pm Newton Abbot Tips & Betting Preview 16/08/2017

A field of seven go to post for the feature race of the day at Newton Abbot on Wednesday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Curious Carlos continues in good form for Peter Bowen and has to be respected, but this can go to GALIZZI. He is lightly raced over hurdles and he returns to the obstacles off a mark of 125, which is the same mark as when he placed second at Cheltenham in November 2015 for the John Ferguson yard. This is a much easier race and, now that he’s had a pipe opener on the flat at Royal Ascot, he should be ready to roll here. Richard Johnson is booked and Tim Vaughan does very well with these types, so he should be returning to the winner’s enclosure today.

1 CURIOUS CARLOS – Eight-year-old who has been in blistering form the last thrice, winning at Cartmel three starts ago under today’s ten pound claimer James Bowen. He subsequently bumped into one when second at Aintree and he had no chance to show anything on his latest start at Market Rasen in Listed company, falling at the first after being unsighted by another horse making an error. A mark of 134 is only three pounds higher than his Aintree mark and this doesn’t look any tougher, so he has to be considered a big danger with conditions to suit.

2 GALIZZI – Son of Dansili who returned from nearly a year off the track at Royal Ascot in June on his debut for the Tim Vaughan yard. He has, however, been over hurdles in the past with John Ferguson where he won one of his five starts, finishing second in a competitive race at Cheltenham in November 2015. He is on the same mark which makes him very interesting here as he’s well handicapped and unexposed in this discipline. Richard Johnson is a very good jockey booking and he looks set to bounce back to form here for a yard who do very well with these types.

3 REGULATION – Highly tried sort for Neil King who isn’t the most consistent of performers and his improvement seems to have stagnated. He finished a good third at Plumpton in April, although off a five pound higher mark, and he was far from disgraced off one pound higher when last seen at Market Rasen; he finished fourth in a competitive race where his early keenness was his downfall. Lizzie Kelly takes over the ride today and takes three pounds of his back so, if he can settle better, he should be on the premises.

4 NABHAN – Has been running well under both codes of late for Bernard Llewellyn, finishing third at Uttoxeter over hurdles in July before a win and a second place on the level. A mark of 117 isn’t harsh on the best of his hurdling form and he has conditions to suit. Robert Williams takes off three pounds which is another plus and he should be on the premises

5 BEALLANDENDALL – One win from 15 starts for this nine-year-old who is yet to win in handicap hurdles, failing to take victory on his six tries thus far. He was well beaten at Ffos Las on his penultimate start in December and he’s been off since a run at Chepstow in April where he dived at the first hurdle and fell. Hard to get excited about his chances off the same mark and others are readily preferred.

6 COEUR TANTRE – Won his only race so far over course and distance back in August 2016 and, although he’s been mainly poor this season, he’s clearly well treated on stable debut for Anthony Honeyball. Conditions will suit and he stays this trip well, so if ready to roll after a 187 day break he could be an each way contender under Aidan Coleman.

7 CILLIAN’S WELL – Won a weak looking Class 4 event over course and distance on his penultimate start, but a four pound rise proved enough as he was well beaten at Worcester in July. He remains on the same mark and this looks a big ask against some potentially well handicapped horses. John Flint’s string remain in good form which is a plus, but others make far more appeal on this occasion.