Newton Abbot prepares for second July meeting ahead of summer break

Monday sees the second of three meetings at Newton Abbot this month before the summer jumps programme takes a near three-week break, beginning on July 27.

The last meeting marked the halfway point of the course's 2026 season, and there have been several notable highlights so far. Among them are three-time chase winner Rickety Bridge and Beorma, who recorded her sixth consecutive victory when successful last month.

Arctic Voyage, Lady Kara, Outmaster and Supreme Yeats have all landed two hurdle victories this season, while a double aboard Viroflay and Golden Son in May saw Olive Nicholls bring her riding career to a close before joining her father as assistant trainer. The longest-priced winner of the season has been Winning Paddy at 28/1, closely followed by He Is A Cracker, who scored at odds of 25/1 just a week ago.

The six-race card gets underway at 2.42pm with the Sun Racing – The Home of Racing Maiden Hurdle over two and a quarter miles. Leading trainer Dan Skelton has entered former point-to-pointer Fine Thing, Gambino—who is also entered at Stratford on Sunday—and Jasper Glory among the 13 entries. Jonjo and A.J. O'Neill, who trained the winner of the opening race at the last meeting, have entered God Of Fire and Nightflyer, although both could instead head to Stratford.

Gore Point, an impressive winner over the course last time out, holds entries in the Racing To School Reaches 250,000 Handicap Chase and later on the card. He won in the style of a progressive horse and could prove too strong for fellow course winner Ellerton, who beat Cobbler's Boy by five lengths in May. Miss Denver has been a model of consistency throughout the season, while former French runner Ras Kassar, also entered twice on the card, could make his debut for trainer David Pipe.

There are 26 entries for the Racing Club Handicap Hurdle, including course winners Best Night, Coupe De Gold, Get The Value, Jukebox Annie, Miss Kassiopi and Saucats. At this stage it looks one of the more competitive contests on the card, although the picture will become clearer when declarations are made on Saturday.

Byzantium, a course winner over hurdles last season, faded out of contention behind American Sniper here in May and may make his chasing debut for trainer Paul Nicholls in the Par Inn Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. He could face Gore Point, Ellerton and Limerick Leader, the latter having started favourite when beaten by Danny's Friend last month.

Both Byzantium and Limerick Leader are also entered in the longest race of the afternoon, the William Hill Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. However, they may find former Irish runner Muskerry Rock, who would be making his third appearance for the Skelton stable, a difficult rival to overcome.

Skelton also has two entries in the concluding Savanna Stevens Open National Hunt Flat Race. Park Hall, a course winner last month, would carry a penalty for that success, while Sparkling Water, formerly trained by Ralph Beckett, is another interesting contender. Thepassingtyphoon would likewise incur a penalty following his victory at the course in early June, while Lucy Glitters, who hung right in the closing stages when runner-up to Lady Of Tarsus at Worcester on her debut, is another worth noting ahead of Monday's meeting.