May 08, 2026

Race preview: Wednesday 13th May 2026

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Wednesday sees the first of Newton Abbot’s evening meetings this season with the first race, the Classic Car Show On 9th June Novices’ Hurdle, due off at 5.30pm.

The opener has attracted 16 entries including Lirone Du Seuil, trained by Dan Skelton, who was withdrawn at the last meeting from a race in which another entry, Jubertilee, sent off a 25/1 shot, was beaten 30 lengths by Outmaster. Road To Wembley, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, was made a hot 2/9 favourite at Southwell last time, but was made to work for his win and would have to carry top weight of 11-9 here. Another to note is Wings Of Ayrton, beaten a length by Largy Silver on his Irish point-to-point debut in January.

Skelton, who landed a treble last week, has entered 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 Reel Orange, runner-up to Belle Le Grand last time.

Cobbler’s Boy could look to follow up his course win last week for Skelton in the Racing Welfare Supporting Mental Health Awareness Handicap Chase, but will find this a tougher task under a 7lb penalty and with the likes of hat-trick seeking Move With The Beat and Plumpton winner Inca De Lafayette also amongst the entries.

Skelton has two entries in the following Come Racing On 27th May Handicap Hurdle with Cobbler’s Boy and Belle Le Grande, another of his winners from last week. Limier d’Arthell finished third to Dutch Corner here last month and Frank Stamper, yet to win in ten outings, has put in a couple of good paced efforts.

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.

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 ten entries with Golden Sun and Thunder Rock both successful under Rules last season. Others to note are Myth Buster and Regatta De Blanc who have both won their last two point-to-points.

Just six of the 20 entries 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.