Newton Abbot Tips: Light N Strike can hit the target

There’s a six-race National Hunt fixture at Newton Abbot on Wednesday afternoon and the Devon track always delivers a terrific atmosphere.

The action is highlighted by a decent Class 2 handicap chase at 13:45 where Light N Strike looks capable of downing his rivals for trainer Emma Lavelle.

13:45 Light N Strike @ 4/1 

Racing gets underway with a two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase at 13:45 where trainer Emma Lavelle has two runners.

Ben Jones takes the ride on LIGHT N STRIKE and the nine-year-old looks the pick. Lavelle’s runner made smooth headway from the back of the field to chase home the useful Saint Segal at Chepstow last time out and that run suggests the gelding won’t be long in winning.

The good run in Wales followed a pretty eye-catching effort at Ascot previously, where Lavelle’s charge looked to have a little more to offer than the finishing position indicates.

Light N Strike has made steady progress since returning from a long absence and the strong-travelling nine-year-old can get his head in front in the feature race.

14:45 El Rojo Grande @ SP

Gwennie May Jem and EL ROJO GRANDE reoppose after finishing first and second at Warwick 13 days ago.

Gwennie May Jem came out on top on that occasion, but Dan Skelton’s charge has been bumped up 7lb for that success and El Rojo Grande has a 6lb pull in the weights this afternoon.

Weights and measures aside, El Rojo Grande was hampered by a loose horse when conceding track position to the winner at Warwick and Katy Price’s charge has been threatening to win for some time.

The eight-year-old stayed on well at Warwick and a left-handed track looks a must for the gelding.

El Rojo Grande was backed from 33/1 to 10/1 when running off a mark of 78 at Taunton earlier this season, while Price’s runner was a 5/2 chance off a rating of 77 three starts ago and it’s clear that the eight-year-old is thought capable of better.

15:50 Killer Kane @ SP 

KILLER KANE was once rated as high as 132 over fences and Joe Tizzard’s charge was good enough to finish third in the Topham Chase at Aintree.

Clearly, the 10-year-old isn’t at that level at this stage of his career, but his mark has dropped accordingly and he could be overpriced this afternoon.

Killer Kane finished last of four at Wincanton last time out, but was staying on well at the end of that contest and he looked to have responded well to the application of blinkers.

The headgear is on again today and Killer Kane could also benefit from a 179-day break and step up in trip this afternoon.

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