UK Horse Racing Tips: Newton Abbot

Having landed his maiden at Exeter in March, PIRATES' TALE found only an improver too strong at the same venue later in the month. Jimmy Frost's gelding must compete under a penalty today, but this is not the deepest of contests and he might be up to the task. Impecunious struck the woodwork at Stratford 11 days ago and he ought to hold every chance if handling conditions, while Lud'or, a runner-up on soft ground last June when trained in France, warrants closer inspection in the betting ahead of his stable debut.
Prediction : 1st Pirates Tale 2nd Impecunious 3rd Ludor

FORTUNEFAVORSDBOLD has faced a couple of stiff tasks in class 2 company of late, but those two efforts have left Christian Williams' mare just 2lb above her last winning mark. The six-year-old remains open to improvement over the larger obstacles and may well be the answer now eased in grade. Lightonthewing and Puddlesinthepark score highly for their consistency and both are unlikely to be far away, although chasing debutant Danton is one to keep on eye on now tackling larger obstacles.
Prediction : 1st Fortunefavorsdbold 2nd Lightonthewing 3rd Danton

A few of these arrive with something to prove and only a tentative vote can to go BASHFUL BOY. David Pipe's charge has often reserved his best form for the summer months so, from 2lb below his last winning mark, he could be primed to strike. Master Dancer is another that finds himself competitively treated and first-time cheekpieces could elicit some improvement. Songo heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Bashful Boy 2nd Master Dancer 3rd Songo

A chance can be taken on OUT OF FOCUS, whose two chasing attempts have not been without promise. The son of Montmatre looked outpaced over an extended 2m3f at Ffos Las in April, so upped in trip and with stable jockey Adam Wedge back aboard, he could step forward. Duke Of Luckley was rewarded for his consistency when winning at Southwell last month and a 5lb rise does not look insurmountable, while Begin The Luck appeals most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Out Of Focus 2nd Duke Of Luckley 3rd Begin The Luck

WINTERWATCH was beaten six lengths into fourth when competing in this grade on his latest outing and he was dropped 1lb for that display. Harry Fry's six-year-old holds the most solid recent form in this contest and he just gets the vote. The main threat might be Lost In The Mist, who only found the favourite too good over 2m at Chepstow last month and he warrants a market check on his handicap bow. Of the remainder, Hour Star makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Winterwatch 2nd Lost In The Mist 3rd Hour Star

Switch Hitter sets the standard with a rating of 130 in this contest and he has to be respected, but he has been pulled up the last twice which raises concerns. With that in mind, the vote goes to last year's winner YOUNG BUCK, who struck on his penultimate start between the flags and he can take this race for a second successive year. Len Brennan completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Young Buck 2nd Switch Hitter 3rd Len Brennan

HURLEY GIRLY outran her big odds to reach the frame in a bumper on her debut at Plumpton last month and she would have learned a great deal from that experience. The daughter of Shirocco is likely to have plenty more to offer and she can strike for the in-form Neil Mulholland stable. Damekap finished second in a point-to-point in March before changing hands for 30,000 pounds and she would be foolish to dismiss on her debut under Rules, while any market confidence behind her stablemate, Springtime Legend, would also be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Hurley Girly 2nd Damekap 3rd Springtime Legend