May 06, 2026

Race Report: Wednesday 6th May 2026

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

The well-backed Somespring Special, a winner at Chepstow last October, but lightly-raced since, jumped the last fence in front and came right away from her rivals to win Newton Abbot’s feature £25,000 Kauto The King Handicap Chase by seven lengths.

Harry Skelton had sent top-weight Etalon, who had been prominent throughout, into the lead rounding the home turn, but Somespring Special, backed down from 11/2 to 7/2, swept past him with one fence to go under a well-judged ride from by Ben Jones, who followed up his double at Warwick on Monday. This was the first win of the new season for Minehead trainers Philip Hobbs & Johnson White who had their best season for prize money in 2025/26.

Etalon, who was sent off the 3/1 favourite, faded to finish third with Western General regaining second place on the run-in, with last year’s winner Light N Strike, who was never near enough to challenge, back in fourth.

With five non-runners, Edgcote point-to-point winner Outmaster, bought from owner/trainer Gina Andrews by Old Gold Racing, had an easy task in the Racing To School Reaches 25 Years Maiden Hurdle, beating outsider Jubertilee by 30 lengths. Freddie Gingell had to keep the winner’s mind on the job over the last two flights as Outmaster, the hot 1/5 favourite, wandered off a straight line, but he jumped well on his first sight of a racecourse and should come on for the experience.

The trip was three and a quarter miles for the No Drama This End Club Novices’ Handicap Chase and it was Elysian Knight, who was looking for his first win since March last year, who headed the market. He finished tailed-off, however, as Rickety Bridge, who ran in this race rather than over hurdles later on, made a winning debut over fences to bring up a quick double for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Freddie Gingell with a 2¼ length victory over the staying-on Dyno Dave.

Second most valuable race of the afternoon was the Welcoming Newton Abbot Business Club Members Handicap Chase over two miles and there was not much between the runners on official ratings. Cobbler’s Boy was made odds-on favourite to get Dan and Harry Skelton off the mark for the afternoon and this Warwick hurdles winner duly obliged at the sixth attempt over fences.
Taking up the running at the third fence, Cobbler’s Boy easily beat second-favourite Gower Prince with top-weight Lightning Flash, who jumped out to the right at virtually all the fences, tailed off.

Dual novice hurdle winner Belle Le Grand was backed to gain her first success in a handicap and give the Skeltons a double in the following Par Inn Celebrating 50 Next Year Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Going off the even-money favourite, she headed Reel Orange, who broke her duck over the course last month, approaching the final flight to win with a bit in hand by 3¾ lengths.

It was Supreme Yeats who punters latched onto to give the Skeltons another winner in the closing Sky Sports Racing Handicap Hurdle and he shared favouritism with top-weight Striking A Pose, who was seeking to follow up his win here last month. Punters got it spot on as Supreme Yeats registered his first success since July last year to bring up the trainer’s sixth win of the new season.