Title race is on as Skelton closes Hughes gap to five with 67-1 four-timer

Harry Skelton continued his remarkable form at Hereford this season with a 67-1 four-timer that reduced the gap to reigning champion jockey Brian Hughes to five winners in the title standings.

Skelton’s four winners and two seconds from six rides took his record at the track this season to nine winners from 20 rides, finishing outside the first four just twice.

Real Stone kickstarted the day with a 91-length rout as 1-10 favourite in the 2m5½f novice hurdle before juvenile Ambassador sealed a first win in the 2m maiden hurdle.

Global Harmony secured the treble in the 3m1½f mares’ handicap hurdle and Stylish Dancer – the biggest priced of the Dan Skelton-trained quartet at 13-2 – landed the concluding 2m5½f handicap hurdle.

Skelton said on Sky Sports Racing: “My agent Ian Popham is working very hard, Dan and the team are doing a brilliant job with the horses and I have good friends around me, so I’m very lucky.

“I need to keep in one piece and just keep kicking.”

Skelton has three rides at Sedgefield on Thursday, where Hughes has five mounts.

Brilliant Bowen

James Bowen continued his impressive form for Evan Williams this season aboard To Be Sure in the 3m1f novice handicap chase.

To Be Sure was Bowen’s fourth winner from his last 16 rides for the trainer, with the jockey also successful on Pottlereaghexpress in the 2m5f mares’ handicap chase.

The latter sealed an across-the-card double for trainer Toby Lawes, who also struck with hat-trick scorer Kap Auteuil at Market Rasen.

Results, replays and analysis

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