May 22, 2026

Race preview: Wednesday 27th May 2026

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

A glorious week of weather is in store for school half-term holidays and Wednesday sees the second of this season’s popular Family Days at Newton Abbot with six races starting at 2.53pm with the Stock Exe Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle over an extended two miles.

Nationally, the first month of the 2026/27 season has seen reigning champion trainer Dan Skelton quick out of the blocks to take an early lead in the table and he made seven entries in all on the card, including Hidden Fortune, a winner at Fontwell Park two weeks ago, in the opening race which has attracted 19 entries.

Hidden Fortune also has an entry at Cartmel on Monday and, in her absence, Stratford bumper winner Frenati, runner-up under a penalty over the course in April, and Newbury winner Lady Litigator, who are both trained by Anthony Honeyball, would be worth considering.

Thickthorn Tom, runner-up to Lunar Ocean at Fontwell Park last time, is Skelton’s entry in the following Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company Ltd Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs. The winner was given an enterprising ride that day and Thickthorn Tom, who didn’t have much room when challenging, would race off the same handicap mark here.

Feature race of the afternoon is the £15,000 Hugh Michelmore Memorial Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles and it could see Time To Bite, trained at Ashburton by Chris Honour, bid for a fourth course win. He is another with an entry at Cartmel on Monday and, with his rating raised to an all-time high of 127 after his recent win at Fakenham, he will need to be on top form.

Rickety Bridge, trained by Paul Nicholls, won at the first time of asking over fences earlier this month, but would take on more experienced horses this time, and Certainly Red, who was withdrawn from a race at the last meeting, returned from a 455-day break to finish a good third at Sandown Park. Sea Invasion won over fences at Plumpton last time and is also entered in the closing hurdle race

Course winner Reel Orange catches the eye amongst the entries for the Chris Wills Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, although multiple point-to-point winner Scoresby, who won over hurdles last time, would provide stiff competition receiving 12lbs in weight.

Ellerton and Stinginhisstep, first and third at the last meeting, could renew rivalry in the Mrs. Pamela Ann Dobbs Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles. Stinginhisstep, trained near Exeter by Sue Gardner, would have a 7lb pull in the weights this time which could see the placings reversed and Jackstell, who has not run since December, would appreciate a return to faster ground.

Time To Bite is also entered in the closing Racing Foundation Supports Autism In Racing Handicap Hurdle over three and a quarter miles where he would race from a 15lb lower handicap mark. He was beaten 25 lengths by another entry, the Nicholls-trained Byzantium, over hurdles here last June and Nicholls has also entered Clotilda, runner-up over the course last time.

Skelton has entered both recent Huntingdon winner Sunray Shadow and Supreme Yeats, who has been raised 6lbs for his narrow course and distance win over I Am Spider Man earlier this month.