Conservative makes his third start over hurdles this afternoon in the Class 5 Maiden Hurdle (14:10) over two miles, two and a half furlongs at Newton Abbot.

Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Aspire To Glory lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).

Raceday LIVE Preview

Conservative has had four runs to date for dual-purpose trainer Joe Tizzard, with two coming on the flat before our five-year-old was switched to hurdling last month. In his two runs over hurdles so far, he's definitely shown some promise; firstly finishing sixth on his National Hunt debut at Worcester, and then coming home in fifth at Uttoxeter where he stayed on well in the latter stages of the race after getting caught out for pace early on.

In today's contest, Conservative will have an extra two and a half furlongs to see out, but his pedigree certainly suggests that he'll be able to perform over longer distances, with several of Churchill's (Conservative's Sire) progeny winning National Hunt Races, including More Felons and Comfort Zone who both won Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trials in the 2022/23 season. 

With the three-week summer break in the jumps calendar, our gelding has been at home schooling and he continues to impress Joe Tizzard with his work, with the trainer telling us that Conservative is in "fine form" on the gallops in his latest update.

WATCH: Conservative gets put through his paces on the new deep sand gallop at Venn Farm

Coral Racing Ambassador, Brendan Powell, has ridden Conservative in both of his efforts over hurdles so far, and he's set to be onboard again this afternoon which is great. The more he rides him, the better an understanding and relationship the pair will build together. Conservative hasn't been the easiest horse to ride in the past, and as mentioned already, he can hit a flat spot, so it'll be Brendan's job to keep him alert and focused during his races.


Brendan Powell (jockey) with Conservative at Uttoxeter last month

If Conservative can perform in a similar fashion to how he has in his first two starts over obstacles and come home safe, we'll be more than satisfied. He's still very much learning his trade in this sphere, so that's what it's all about in these first few runs for him. Following today's run, he'll qualify for his first handicap mark, and that's when he'll be able to start running against horses that are of a similar ability level. 

Raceday Message from Joe Tizzard

Conservative had two quick runs over hurdles, and we just ran out time to give him his third run, which would have seen him get his official handicap mark, but as it’s turned out, a mini-break of ten days or so worked well for him. We kept him ticking over during that short break to the jumps’ season, and he’s done well at home since, as always he’s schooled well, and I’m delighted we got into this Newton Abbot race, as I thought he may have been balloted out.

I think the sharper track will suit him better than Worcester and Uttoxeter, and he’s up a couple of furlongs in trip, which I think he will enjoy, as in time I can see him getting 2 and a half miles. The favourite here [Sirekoff] is rated 112, and there are a few others with bits and pieces of form, so if we can finish in the first half dozen or so again, I’d be delighted.

After this run he will get his mark, and all being well we can look to give him his handicap debut fairly quickly, Brendan [Powell] and I both like him, and there should be good opportunities for him.

Trainer and Jockey Statistics

Conservative is set to be Joe Tizzard's first runner over jumps following the conclusion of the three week break, so there isn't any recent form to look back on for the trainer.

However, with regards to course form, it's unsurprising to see that Tizzard has had a fairly successful time at Newton Abbot throughout his short career as an independent trainer given that it's one of the closest tracks to his base of operations at Venn Farm. He's scored 18 times at the Devon track from a total of 101 runners (18% SR), one of which came this season, and a further 32 of those horses finished either second or third.

Brendan Powell has had four rides since the return of the jumps, with a second place finish on one of those rides. Being based with Joe Tizzard in the south of England, Newton Abbot is also a track that he frequently rides at. Over the course of his career Powell has ridden there 240 times, being victorious on 27 of those occasions and finishing elsewhere in the places a further 67 times. He's had one winner at Newton Abbot so far this season from 18 rides, and has finished on the podium a further 8 times.

Conservative's Owners for the Day

As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Conservative's run at Newton Abbot this evening.

Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Newton Abbot Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Conservative and the Joe Tizzard team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Conservative.

Prize Money

Today's Class 5 contest is worth £9,909 in total, with the winner set to scoop £4,955.32 for their lucky owners.

2nd: £2,282.94 | 3rd: £1,141.01 | 4th: £571.42

Today's Opposition

• Sirekoff is the most experienced horse in the field, and heads the betting in today's contest as a result. The gelding, who recently moved to David Pipe's yard, has had six runs over hurdles on top of his three bumper starts and has finished second twice over obstacles. In-form jockey Jack Tudor takes the reins, looking to further improve his 20% two-week strike rate.
  
  
• Tribal Glory has had the most success out of the runners in today's race, having won his sole point-to-point race as well as one of his two bumpers. He makes his first start over hurdles this afternoon, after having exactly a year off the track since his last run. Ben Sutton claims seven pounds off his back, for his father who owns the horse. 
  
  
• Fourtowns also features prominently at the head of the market, having had five runs over hurdles to date, including a hat-trick of third place finishes which came earlier in the year. He made his return in July after two months off and finished a modest fifth, but could arrive today in a better position to perform.

    NEWTON ABBOT 14:10 – LATEST BETTING HERE    

We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:10 to watch Conservative's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.