Richard Birch's play of the day at Newton Abbot

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Fairlawn Skipper

3.30 Newton Abbot

Mickey Bowen, who has recently announced plans to move his training operation from West Wales to Worcestershire, is in cracking form.

Three of his last four runners over jumps have won – Pour Les Filles (6-1), Tamarind Bay (5-4) and Dexperts Opinion (10-11) – with the sole loser (King Roly, 5-2) finishing a close second after being worn down near the finish.

Bowen has two Monday runners, headed by Fairlawn Skipper, a lightly raced six-year-old stayer with the scope for plenty more improvement off a mark of 108.

Bred to stay extremely well, it is to Fairlawn Skipper’s credit that he was able to land a 2m½f bumper at Stratford on just his second run.

It has taken him a while to find his feet as a hurdler, but he made no mistake in a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Cartmel two starts ago.

After leading at the second-last, Fairlawn Skipper bossed the closing stages, powering six and a half lengths clear of Masterminding with tremendous zest.

He looked all about stamina that day, and Newton Abbot’s 3m2½f handicap hurdle (3.30) should play to his strengths.

An 8lb higher mark is of little concern, with the longer trip almost certain to bring out further progress.

Newton Abbot is not dissimilar to Cartmel, in that it is a sharp, left-handed track, and it should suit the still unexposed Fairlawn Skipper, who can continue Bowen’s red-hot spell.

Fairlawn Skipper15:30 Newton Abbot

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Jky: Shane Fenelon (5lb)Tnr: Mickey Bowen

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'Three of his last four jumps runners have won' - Richard Birch expects progressive stayer to continue trainer's red-hot spell  

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