FIFTH 3:20PM

FIFTH RACE 3.20 THE NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE ON FACEBOOK HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4)

3m 1f 170y

for five yrs old and upwards, Total race value £8000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £2754, 2nd £1377, 3rd £688, 4th £345, 5th £280. (Penalty Value £3594.36) Weights lowered 6lb. .

RACE ANALYSIS LEADING COURSE TRAINER (16-21): P Nicholls (41 wins from 148 runners, 28%) runs EASYRUN DE VASSY TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): P Nicholls (3 wins from 8 runners, 38%) runs EASYRUN DE VASSY LONGEST TRAVELLER: MR MAFIA trained by M Keighley, Cheltenham, 137 miles.

Br BREEDING O OWNER B BREEDER J JOCKEY T TRAINER S SPONSOR

COLOURS NO HORSE

AGE ST-LB JOCKEY 1 EASYRUN DE VASSY (FR) (288)4P/4210-D 7 11-3

Br B g Muhtathir - Royale The Best (FR) O The Brooks Family & Mr Paul Nicholls

Harry Cobden J Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T B E.A.R.L. Lechenault Vincent Morson Group S TIMEFORM VIEW Made a winning start over fences at Fontwell (3 1/4m) last August. Not in the same when last of 7 back there 19 days later but taken to bounce back up on his return up against much older opposition. TFRHHHHH BHA114

2 MR MAFIA (IRE) (16)25P5-25CD 12 11-2

Br B g Zerpour (IRE) - Wizzy (IRE) O Mr Peter Boggis

James Bowen J Martin Keighley, Cheltenham T B Ivan Hamilton Fbc Manby Bowdler S TIMEFORM VIEW Veteran who put a string of inauspicious efforts behind him when second at Worcester last month. Better than the result when fifth back there since and treated as if still in form. TFRHHHII BHA113

3 OPTIMISTIC BIAS (IRE) (71)2//U1P43- 12 11-2

Br B g Sayarshan (FR) - Dashers Folly (IRE) O Elegant Clutter Ltd

Philip Armson (7) J James Evans, Kinnersley T

B Mr David Foy TIMEFORM VIEW Veteran chaser who regained winning thread at Uttoxeter (3m) in November. Bounce back from a couple of lesser efforts when third at Plumpton (3 1/4m) in April. Needs to back that up now. TFRHHHII BHA113

4 GANGSTER (FR) (21)PP615-5 11 11-1

Br Ch g Green Tune (USA) - Dahlia’s Krissy (USA) Tom Scudamore J O Jim and Claire Limited Warren Greatrex, Upper Lambourn T B Newsells Park Stud Ltd 1Account Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Capitalised on a much-reduced mark in convincing fashion at Hexham in March but has merely underlined inconsistency with 2 poor runs since. Can make mistakes. TFRHHIII BHA112

5 BALLYEGAN HERO (IRE) (16)554-316 10 11-0

Br B g Oscar (IRE) - Kelly Gales (IRE) O Mrs J. L. Chappell B Pat Tobin Tom O’Brien J Paul Henderson, Whitsbury T

TIMEFORM VIEW Confirmed promise of Plumpton third when ending losing run at Stratford in May. Never really going after an early blunder at Hexham since and likely he’s still in form. TFRHHHHI BHA111

DECLARED RUNNERS 5 2020:NO CORRESPONDING RACE LAST YEAR Tongue Strap worn by No. 4. Blinkers, Tongue Strap worn by No. 1. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2. Stewards Note: BALLYEGAN HERO: Following its run on 5/6/2021 it was reported that the horse made a mistake at the 3rd fence. Probable S.P.’s: 2-1 Easyrun de Vassy (FR), 7-2 Mr Mafia (IRE), 4-1 Ballyegan Hero (IRE), 5-1 Optimistic Bias (IRE), 7-1 Gangster (FR)

PLAY SMARTER The vote goes to the reappearing EASYRUN DE VASSY who has scope for better still as a 7-y-o from a top yard and is taken to see off a bunch of older and much more exposed rivals on his return to action. Last month’s Stratford-scorer Ballyegan Hero had an excuse at Hexham since and may give Paul Nicholls’ charge most to do.

RACE RESULT

1ST RACE TIME DISTANCE 3RD