8.35pm Newton Abbot Tips & Betting Preview 27/06/2017

A field of eight handicappers close off the action at Newton Abbot on Tuesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Vendredi Trois and Archie Rice are likely to be big dangers but LAKE SHORE DRIVE justified market support when landing a handicap at Hexham on his latest start and had quite a bit in hand that day. A seven pound rise is very unlikely to stop him going in again with similar conditions, as he remains with potential at the age of five for a yard in good form. Sizing Sahara is out of the weights but a further step up in trip could see him reaching the frame.

1 DECIUMUS – Ten year old who is still capable of a good run at his best, as proven by his second three starts ago at Taunton but in the main he has proven very frustrating to follow. He has been well beaten the last twice, weakening out of things tamely at Fontwell when last seen and he’s only down two pounds in the handicap. Conditions will suit and he should enjoy this trip, but others are far more solid options.

2 GENEROUS CHIEF – Reliable sort who had form figures of 42232 since his latest win up until his latest run at Stratford, where he was a disappointing eighth at Stratford in May which gives him something to prove as he never looked right on that run. A bounce back would be no surprise though and he looks sure to play his part for the places under Daniel Hiskett who takes off 5lbs, though others are better treated and he looks likely to be playing second fiddle to at least one of these.

3 VENDREDI TROIS – Left his recent form well behind him when making most at Worcester two weeks ago despite a big top weight, staying on gamely under pressure and a result he’s up 6lb in the handicap. He’s back up in class now and he’ll need to improve again if he’s to be taking this, but that cannot be discounted as he retains the services of Richard Johnson with conditions to suit. Likely to give it his all from the front and is respected.

4 OUR FOLLY – Won four starts ago at Uttoxeter but the subsequent rise has caught him the last thrice for Stuart Kittow, last seen at Worcester where he was well beaten and tailed off as the final finisher and the handicapper has only dropped him two pounds. This extra distance isn’t certain to suit and despite having conditions to suit, he looks set for another struggle under Tom Scudamore. Others make far more appeal.

5 LAKE SHORE DRIVE – Returned to form with a bang on his latest start to win at Hexham when justifying strong market support and a seven pound rise could be lenient as this five year old should relish this trip and he remains with potential at the staying distances for Johnny Farrelly. Conditions are to suit and he clearly had something in hand on that latest Hexham start so with Brendan Powell retaining the ride, he should be very tough to beat.

6 THELOBSTERCATCHER – Very inconsistent thirteen year old who has only completed on two of his last six starts and his latest completion on his penultimate run at Clonmel was nowhere near the required standard for a race like this. He makes his debut for Matt Shepherd today on the back of a first fence unseat at Wexford and he makes his first hurdling start since December 2014 today. Not hard to avoid him on this occasion.

7 ARCHIE RICE – Ran a good race three starts ago at Fontwell and although this course and distance winner was disappointing the last twice he got back on track for Jimmy Frost when scorching away to win a point to point at Flete Park 52 days ago by 25 lengths. Clearly in good heart and today’s conditions will suit him, with him now being only a pound above his last winning mark, which makes him hugely interesting under a 7lb claimer.

8 SIZING SAHARA – Lightly race nine year old for Paul Henderson who has been performing well of late, finishing third at both Wincanton and Newton Abbot the last twice and he’s an interesting prospect upped to this trip. His latest run suggests he could appreciate it and a mark of 86 isn’t necessarily out of reach if he does improve for the step up in trip, so he’s considered for each way placings.