Newton Abbot, Wednesday 6 May 2026 — Tipping Angles on Good To Soft Ground

Newton Abbot, Wednesday 6 May 2026 — Tipping Angles on Good To Soft Ground

Newton Abbot in early May is a reliable stamina test, and the good to soft ground today suits the grinders rather than the flashy types. Three races to focus on across a six-race card, with Dan Skelton's yard in particular form at 9/26 over the last 14 days. When Harry Skelton is making the trip to the West Country, it pays to take notice.

1:45 — Kauto The King Handicap Chase (2m5f, Chase)

Selection: Western General at 7/2 with Bet365

This is a race that revolves around two horses who've had wind ops and come back with renewed purpose. Western General is the one to be on. Joe Tizzard's gelding posted career-best Racing Post Ratings when winning at Chepstow in February and following up with a runner-up at Hereford the following month. Both efforts came over 2m, and the stable's spotlight suggests today's longer trip should suit. The step to 2m5f looks like a natural progression, not a gamble.

The form concern is that Tizzard's yard is running at 1/6 in the last 14 days, which is thin, but Western General's individual profile here is strong enough to overcome cold trainer stats. He arrives fresh, in form, and with a trip upgrade that makes sense on breeding and shape of running.

Etalon (7/2) is respected, the Skelton combination always warrants attention, and that December Ascot win on good to soft is directly relevant going. But his last run was a lesser effort and he needs to bounce back. At the same price, Western General's upward trajectory is more compelling right now.

Centara at 5/1 won four times at Newton Abbot over fences last summer and clearly loves this track, but a Cheltenham blow-up and a wind op since mean there's plenty to prove first time back. Each-way market at three places, 1/5 odds, is a tighter return than the race deserves given the unknowns.

2:15 — Racing To School Reaches 25 Years Maiden Hurdle (2m5½f, Hurdle)

Selection: Outmaster at 11/4 with BetTom

Paul Nicholls is striking at 4/20 over the past fortnight, and Outmaster carries that confidence here. The form line is sparse, a single hurdle win shown, but Nicholls doesn't send a five-year-old to Newton Abbot in May without having him ready. Freddie Gingell is a capable claimer who rides regularly for the yard and knows how to handle a potential improver.

Name Me Nicely is the market leader at around evens and has clearly shown more in terms of exposed form, sitting on an RPR of 125 with a TS of 117. That makes him the one to beat on figures alone. However, an evens shot in a 10-runner maiden hurdle with a field that includes a 100/1 shot and multiple unknowns is simply not value.

Bold Step (3/1, Nicky Henderson) is interesting on pedigree, with Henderson running at 4/19, but he's had just one start over hurdles. Outmaster at 11/4 with a Nicholls yard in decent nick offers a better risk-reward ratio in a race where the favourite's price leaves no room for error.

The 2m5f trip on good to soft ground suits a horse with stamina in the locker, and Nicholls consistently produces horses for exactly these sorts of conditions late-season.

3:15 — Welcoming Newton Abbot Business Club Members Handicap Chase (2m½f, Chase)

Selection: Cobbler's Boy at 9/4 with Bet365

Dan Skelton's yard continues to fire on all cylinders, and Cobbler's Boy represents a horse who's come a long way down the weights and showed renewed promise on his latest start at Ascot. That 5-length fourth on good ground suggested the better footing suits, and today's good to soft at Newton Abbot is in the right range.

The form line of 54444 looks workmanlike but the trajectory matters here. He's been consistently improving, the handicapper hasn't punished him harshly, and Harry Skelton knows this horse well. Small field of five means this is a win bet rather than each-way, and at 9/4 in a race where the second-best price is 5/2 (Gower Prince), there's a legitimate case.

Gower Prince is the main threat. Back to near best for Jonjo O'Neill when runner-up at Market Rasen with the hood on, and he's well treated on older form, but the O'Neill yard is running at 0/18 over the last 14 days. That is a yard not in form, and it's hard to back a horse from a cold yard against one that's operating at 35 per cent strike rate.

Lightning Flash fell when going well at Ludlow and the jumping has been erratic since. Hard to trust at the track.

Today's NAP