Harry Skelton extends Jockeys’ Cup lead 

As has become a regular occurrence on a Saturday afternoon, it was jockey Harry Skelton who dominated the headlines with a big-race win for Grey Dawning contributing to a 22-point haul for the David Power Jockeys’ Cup leader. 

Grey Dawning’s all-the-way success in the Premier Chase means that he will head to Aintree next for a Grade 1, and it secured 10 points for Skelton who also picked up another 12 points thanks to three fourth-placed finishes on Real Stone, Ace Of Spades and Listentoyourheart. He is now 44 points clear at the top on 312, with closest rival Harry Cobden only collecting four points on the afternoon. Sam Twiston-Davies and Nico De Boinville failed to register. 

The Morebattle Hurdle went the way of Cracking Rhapsody, for the second year running, with Craig Nichol picking up 10 points. Other jockeys to enjoy successful afternoons in the Scottish Borders included Tom Cannon (12 points),  Derek Fox (10 points) and Jonjo O’Neill Jnr (8 points). 

At Newbury, Sean Bowen starred as he picked up 18 points with a second place on Grandads Cottage in the opening veterans’ chase before a dramatic last-gasp success on Booster Bob in the feature Greatwood Gold Cup. Leading conditional rider Dylan Johnston was the jockey collared close home. 

On a busy afternoon, there were three ITV races, with Brian Hughes picking up 10 points thanks to a win on World Of Fortunes in the mares’ listed race.