8.00pm Newton Abbot Tips & Betting Preview 22/08/2017

A field of 11 go to post for the final race of the evening at Newton Abbot on Tuesday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Mont Choisy should make a bold bid after two narrow defeats, but this can go to the long-standing maiden ZEPHYR. Although he’s yet to get his head in front under rules, he was a good second off 2lbs lower back in April and hinted that he needed even further. He may have needed his latest run at Uttoxeter where he was pulled up, however he gets the extra distance today and has a more experienced rider on board in the shape of Lizzie Kelly, so he can take victory for the first time under rules.

1 SPORTING BOY – Course winner who made his return from more than two years off the track when last at Worcester earlier this month; he was leading at a slow pace and he immediately lost his place when challenged. He is entitled to have needed that, but he’s hard to trust as he’s clearly had his problems. Now he’s 4lbs below his last winning mark, but he’s not guaranteed to stay this far and others are readily preferred.

2 HORACE HAZEL – Course and distance winner who has gone close on a number of occasions since his last victory back in June 2016, although his latest fourth at Uttoxeter was no more than ‘okay’. He’s down another 2lbs which takes him to his last winning mark, but others arrive in better form and he’s likely to play a supporting role again here under Sam Twiston-Davies.

3 MONT CHOISY – Seven-year-old for the in form Peter Bowen yard who has finished third on his latest two runs, last seen at Carmel where he hung his change away late on. That effort can be marked up as he hit a flat spot before rallying very gamely to only go down by four lengths. He remains on the same mark and James Bowen continues to take 10lbs off his back, so he should run another good race and has to be considered.

4 MISS SERIOUS – Useful on her day for Jeremy Scott but she’s been out of form of late, last seen at Uttoxeter where she could only manage fifth behind Horace Hazel and weakening badly towards the last. The handicapper has given her a chance off 4lbs lower, meaning that she is now 11lbs below her last winning mark. However, that came a long while ago and she’s likely not up to that level anymore. Others preferred.

5 LADY OF LONGSTONE – Front running mare for David Pipe whose form has taken a nosedive since a respectable third at Uttoxeter in July. She has been well beaten in two runs since, last seen at Worcester where she weakened tamely when headed and was only just ahead of Sporting Boy who was returning from two years off the track. She’s been dropped a further three pounds in the weights, but that does little to tempt.

6 CALIN DU BRIZAIS – Six-year-old for Nigel Hawke who has been running well over fences of late, winning at this venue three starts ago off today’s mark. He then placed off an 11lb higher mark and returned to hurdling potentially very well treated under Ciaran Gethings. Today’s conditions and trip will be fine and he’s another to consider as an in form contender.

7 OUR FOLLY – Won over course and distance two starts ago with a comfortable success, however a 7lb rise was enough to catch him out when last seen. He was struggling from an early stage and, if you look at his overall profile, he’s not one to trust in terms of bouncing back from heavy defeats. Tom Scudamore takes the ride for the in form Stuart Kittow yard, but it’s best to look elsewhere.

8 GENEROUS CHIEF– Highly tried nine-year-old for Graeme McPherson who is very much in and out, last seen at Worcester where he was well beaten in fifth. He is now 2lbs lower here, but still 10lbs above his last winning mark and he’s not one to rely on heavily. Daniel Hiskett takes off 5lbs and conditions are fine, but others are preferred on this occasion as he doesn’t arrive here on form.

9 ZEPHYR – Son of Shirocco who was in good form earlier this year, finishing second at Taunton in April off a 2lb lower mark and he was entitled to need his latest run at Uttoxeter in a tough looking race. He’ll be happier now stepped back up in trip and he has the services of Lizzie Kelly for today’s outing. Conditions will suit and he looks set for a big run, with his maiden tag looking set to be finally broken.

10 RAINBOW HAZE – Arrives here on a hat-trick for Phillip Dando, taking his second victory in succession with a fluid success over shorter here in June. He now steps up in trip which is unlikely to be a problem; however, a probable issue is his mark of 100. Jordan Williams takes the ride as well as 7lbs off his back, but this rise in class may just be his undoing on this occasion.

11 IT’S A STEAL – Katie Stephens inmate whose last win came back in December 2014 and he’s not been looking like a winner in recent times. He was last seen at Worcester when well beaten in a lower grade and it’s hard to make a case for him based on that evidence alone. Paige Fuller takes off 5lbs, but he would be a shock winner.