As the National Hunt season draws to a close, last week finally brought confirmation that Dan Skelton cannot be caught at the top of the British Champion Trainers’ table. The Somerset duo of Philip Hobbs & Johnson White were among the other trainers to enjoy an excellent week, thanks to big race success in the Scottish Grand National. However, things were rather bleaker for Welsh handler Evan Williams, who faces a spell behind bars. Elsewhere, the racing world bade a sad farewell to Noble Yeats, who lit up the biggest stage of all when winning the 2022 edition of the Aintree Grand National.
Dominant Dan Claims Trainers Title
Dan Skelton has finally achieved his goal. Having witnessed huge leads erased by Willie Mullins in 2024 and 2025, this year, Skelton has amassed an advantage that even Mullins can’t overhaul.
| Pos | Trainer | Wins | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Dan Skelton | 188 | £4.87m |
| 2nd | Willie Mullins | 16 | £2.67m |
| 3rd | Nicky Henderson | 83 | £2.32m |
| 4th | Paul Nicholls | 91 | £2.10m |
| 5th | Olly Murphy | 136 | £1.77m |
Mullins did his best to keep the race alive with a third successive Grand National triumph, but even that wasn’t enough. Registering a four-timer on Grand National day, including a Grade 1 double in the Maghull Novices’ Chase and Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, Skelton moved to over £4.7 million in prize money. By Monday morning, calculations and an assessment of the remaining entries confirmed that the 2026 title belonged to Skelton.
This result marks the end of a truly spectacular season for Skelton, who became the first trainer in history to surpass the £4 million prize money mark in a single season. Having climbed to over £4.8 million by the end of the Scottish Grand National meeting, an unprecedented £5 million haul is now within reach.
Three Year Sentence for Evan Williams
Tuesday 14 April saw attention turn to Cardiff Crown Court for the sentencing of Evan Williams. In March, the Grade 1 and Welsh Grand National-winning trainer was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The charge arose from a December 2024 incident in which Williams attacked 72-year-old dog walker, Martin Dandridge.
In returning to court for sentencing, Williams and his legal team had hoped for a suspended sentence. Outlining his client’s state of mind as a contributory factor in the assault, Williams’ barrister, David Elias KC, highlighted an earlier incident in which the trainer had been threatened with a shotgun by trespassers on his land. However, that potential mitigation, and over 570 character references, were not enough to dissuade Recorder Angharad Price from a custodial sentence.
In handing out a three-year prison sentence, the judge noted that “This was an appalling offence, causing serious injury.” Williams is expected to be released no later than 18 months into his prison term, with the remainder of his three-year sentence to be served in the community.
News is awaited on the long-term effect this will have on Williams’ training establishment, which serves as one of the biggest rural employers in the Vale of Glamorgan. For now, the licence has passed into the hands of the trainer’s wife, Cath.
Kap the King in Scottish National
Saturday 18 April saw the Scottish track of Ayr step into the spotlight for the last of the three springtime Grand Nationals. In common with its English and Irish namesakes, staying power and jumping ability were the order of the day in the 4m Scottish Grand National.
An April shower, which could more accurately be described as a deluge, turned conditions heavy on the day, triggering a spate of late withdrawals. Among those taken out of the race were Road To Home from the yard of outgoing British Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, and the Mrs Cath Williams-trained Ask Brewster.
In a wide-open heat, punters settled on Irish raider, Kim Roque, as the most likely winner. Hailing from the yard of Joseph O’Brien, the mount of J J Slevin performed well at the Cheltenham Festival and sought to land the prize for Scottish owner and potato millionaire, Ronnie Bartlett.
Once underway, the arduous conditions took a toll on the field. While all emerged unscathed, only six of the 16 starters made it to the finish line. Kim Roque was included in that number but managed only third. Git Maker improved on his third-placed effort in 2025 to take second, but the top spot belonged to the 20/1 chance, Kap Vert. Formerly owned by Ronnie Bartlett, the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained runner struck a blow for the smaller owners in the sport. Speaking on behalf of the If The Kap Fits syndicate, Phil Ghazala stated, “This means more than I could ever imagine.”
RIP Noble Yeats
A sombre note was struck on Scottish Grand National day as sad news broke from Oxfordshire. Four years on from causing a 50/1 shock in the Aintree Grand National, Noble Yeats passed away at 11 years of age.
RIP Noble Yeats 💔
We’re saddened to learn that the 2022 Grand National hero has passed away after suffering from colic, aged 11. pic.twitter.com/rj4fw2bpNr
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 18, 2026
That 2022 success on Merseyside represented an unforgettable afternoon for the Waley-Cohen family. Carrying the colours of Robert Waley-Cohen, Noble Yeats was ridden by the owner’s son, Sam Waley-Cohen, on what was his final appearance in the saddle.
Racing for the last time in 2024, Noble Yeats retired to his owner’s stud in Oxfordshire. Sadly, that retirement was cut short, with Robert Waley-Cohen breaking the news that the star had succumbed to colic.
Paying tribute to the horse who provided such a spectacular conclusion to his career as a jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen stated, “He gave us one of the great days of our lives and fulfilled our dreams. He was brilliant for us and was one of those special horses.”
Noble Yeats won seven times under rules, including two Grade 2 victories, and amassed over £760,000 in prize money.
