PPORA Race Preview: 10/05/25

Oliver Chamings after Wireless Operator won this race last year (Tim Holt)

By Jake Exelby

The PPORA Level 2 Conditions Race for Novice Riders at Holnicote on Saturday 10th May has attracted six entries and champion trainer Josh Newman, bidding to retain his title this year and currently two clear of Gina Andrews, appears to hold the key with the two top rated entries. Clondaw Drake has had a cracking campaign, winning five times, but he has been on the go since the first weekend of the season and pulled-up when odds-on last time. His other potential runner – Caspers Court – has been more lightly-raced, won for rider Hannah Morgan at Flete Park on Saturday, and may be the better option if making a quick reappearance here. Emma Summersby’s Liberty Rock scored at Kilworthy, ran better than his final position suggests at Cheltenham last Friday and has the assistance of champion novice rider-elect Rian Corcoran. Lily Bradstock’s Step Back won the Bet 365 (formerly Whitbread) Gold Cup as far back as 2018 – he may be 15 years young now but remains a great schoolmaster for young jockeys and ran well when second last month. Hannah Clarke’s Wireless Operator is another good schoolmaster and is bidding for a repeat victory, having given Oliver Chamings a first success in this race last year. Tanisha Little’s Doctor Doyen would have a better chance in the Maiden on the card.