'We thought May might be a struggle, but the horses are flying along' - Harry Skelton rides 1,004-1 five-timer

Harry Skelton rode the third five-timer of his career in an accumulator that would have paid out £1,005.47 to a £1 stake.

Four of Skelton’s winners were for the jockey’s brother Dan as Doyouknowwhatimean made it two wins from his last three starts in the 2m½f handicap chase before Ice In The Veins went one better than last month’s debut second at Warwick in the first division of the bumper.

Manala then got off the mark at the sixth attempt in the opening division of the 2m4f handicap hurdle before Our Lil made it four winners for the Alcester outfit in the second division, appreciating a drop in grade after running at Cheltenham last time.

Our Lil runs in the purple colours of the Paddy Brennan Racing Syndicate, and his friend and former weighing-room colleague Skelton was completing the fantastic five-timer on his filly, having also been successful on the Alastair Ralph-trained Thankyourluckystar in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.

“To be honest, after the end of last season, Dan and I had thrown plenty of darts at the board and we thought May might be a bit of a struggle, but they’re in great form and that’s down to the team,” Skelton told Sky Sports Racing. “The horses are flying along and I picked a spare as well."

Skelton had previously ridden five winners on a card at Uttoxeter in November 2018 and also achieved the feat at Lingfield.

Rampant Robson

Paul Robson continued his perfect start to the season when Okavango Delta provided him with a first winner at the track in the 2m4f handicap chase to make it three winners from as many runners for the trainer this term.

Ryan Mania was also striking on his first mount at the course since he was successful on Flamboyant Joyaux for Robson’s father Adam in August 2021.

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