WEDNESDAY sees the first of Newton Abbot's evening meetings this season with the first of seven races, the Classic Car Show On 9th June Novices' Hurdle, due off at 5.30pm, writes David Hucker.

Experienced on the flat and over jumps, Arctic Voyage stepped up on his previous efforts at Hereford last time to run out a 5½ length winner from Crystal Days, who franked the form when beating hot favourite Great Dance at Warwick earlier this month. Even with a 7lb penalty, a repeat of that run would, clearly, give him a good chance here. Lirone Du Seuil, trained by Dan Skelton, was withdrawn at the last meeting from a race in which another runner, Jubertilee, sent off a 25/1 shot, finished 30 lengths behind the winner Outmaster.

Skelton, who landed a treble last week, runs Evening Tess, runner-up at Uttoxeter 11 days ago, in the following Day Before Terry Wheeler's Birthday Mares' Handicap Hurdle. Owned by her trainer, she would be running in a handicap for the first time, as would Isabella Islay who opened her account in a maiden race at Hereford. Far more experienced are Blackwater Lilly, who has 19 runs under her belt on the flat and over jumps and making her first appearance for trainer Neil King, and course winner Reel Orange, runner-up to Belle Le Grand last time.

Move With The Beat and Plumpton winner Inca De Lafayette look to have the edge over the other two runners in the Racing Welfare Supporting Mental Health Awareness Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Isabelle Ryder, who had a breakthrough season in 2025/26 with 20 winners, has been on board Move To The Beat in his last five races, winning three of them, and they could strike again.

Skelton has opted to run Cobbler's Boy in the Come Racing On 27th May Handicap Hurdle, rather than over fences in the previous race where he would have carried a 7lb penalty. His rating of 105 over hurdles is the same as for chases, so this looks the better option and he can win again.

Viroflay weakened out of contention when unplaced in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences, but will find the St. Austell Brewery Handicap Chase an easier task. The veteran Certainly Red returned from a 455-day absence to run a blinder at Sandown Park, belying his odds of 50/1 to finish third to Calimystic. Skelton's Hoe Joly Smoke returned after wind surgery at Ayr last time, finishing 20 lengths behind Twinjets, but is slowly dropping down the weights and can't be ruled out.

Although racing across the River Dart ceased at the outbreak of the Second World War and the racecourse sold for development, the Totnes And Bridgetown Steeplechase Company continue to support hunter chases locally. This year's race has attracted six runners headed by Golden Sun, twice successful under Rules last season for jockey Olive Nicholls. Regatta De Blanc, the mount of Charlie Marshall, has won his last two point-to-points and, including his rider's allowance, will be receiving 20lbs in weight from Golden Sun.

Just three of the ten runners in the closing William Hill Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race have racecourse experience and the betting market will be a guide as to the chances of the newcomers, who include Flora Hobbs, winner of a point-to-point flat race at Lower Machen in Wales.