Sport

Conditions have turned in St Ville's favour

HISTORY is set to repeat itself at Newton Abbot today

Mon Jan 20 1997 - 00:00

HISTORY is set to repeat itself at Newton Abbot today. St Ville is poised for a rerun of last year's victory in the Horserace Betting Levy Board Handicap Hurdle now that conditions have turned in his favour.

Stamina is the gelding's suit and he is always one to have on your side when tackling a marathon trip.

Recent heavy rain has made the going very testing, as it was when he ploughed through the mud to short-head Jadidh in this three-mile-three-furlong contest 12 months ago.

He comes here with almost identical credentials to last year.

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Bob Buckler has given him a warm-up in the same amateur riders' contest as last season, the 11-year-old again shaping well under considerate handling over a trip short of his best.

Brendan Powell is back in the saddle today when his mount runs off a mark only marginally higher than when scoring for him last year.

St Ville looks to have been laid out for this race by his underrated trainer and must go very close.

Wonderfull Polly can begin to make up for lost time by landing the Newton Abbot Handicap Chase.

The mare has the perfect physique for chasing and looked set for a big future when showing winning form over hurdles in 1994/95, only to be forced to miss the whole of last season.

She showed she is at least as good as ever when fourth on her belated chasing debut in a novice event here last month and should make light of 11st 2lb in this uncompetitive handicap.

Jacob's Wife was in the process of running a good first race of the season when she fell two fences from home at Towcester last month.

She'll have come on a good deal for the outing and will be hard to beat with a clear round in the Argyle Bookmakers of Plymouth Handicap Chase.

Top-flight staying hurdler Cyborgo should make a successful debut over fences in the Bet With The Tote Novices' Chase while classy Flat slayer Juyush can kick off his jumping career with a win in the Teignmouth Maiden Hurdle.

At Carlisle, Slotamatique can ensure Gordon Richards starts a busy week on a high note with victory in the Todd Hills Handicap Chase.