Andrew Slattery looks to Sir Allen for Cheltenham Festival first

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Having seen several of his former proteges light up the Cheltenham Festival in previous years, Andrew Slattery is looking forward to saddling his first ever runner at the showpiece meeting next month in the form of promising juvenile hurdler Sir Allen.

The County Tipperary is better known as a Flat trainer under Rules, with Group Two scorer Creggs Pipes and Listed-winning sprinter An Saighdiur among the more familiar names to have been in his care.

He is no stranger to the jumping game either, though, having brought a number of future stars through his point-to-point academy, most notably the brilliant Faugheen.

Slattery watched on from afar as one of the most popular National Hunt horses of recent times powered up the Cheltenham hill to win a Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins in 2015, while Cooldine was another Festival winner for the same team in the 2009 RSA Chase.

Ruby Walsh and Faugheen winning the 2015 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham
Ruby Walsh and Faugheen winning the 2015 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

He said: “We sold Faugheen after he won his point-to-point, as well as Cooldine. We also had a good horses like Monksland, Quel Esprit and Shan Blue.

“We sold all those after their point-to-points, so while plenty of them have run at Cheltenham, we’ve never actually had a runner there ourselves.

“We’ve had a few runners at Royal Ascot, but never Cheltenham, so it’s something to look forward to.”

Sir Allen is rated in the 60s on the Flat, but has not done much wrong in three starts over hurdles this winter.

After chasing home leading Triumph Hurdle contender Blood Destiny on his jumping bow at Cork, the Territories gelding went one better at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve before following up at Naas last weekend in a rated novice event that has produced three of the last four winners of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in Band Of Outlaws, Aramax and Brazil.

Slattery is not ruling out a more ambitious tilt at the Triumph Hurdle at Prestbury Park, but admits the handicap route would appear the logical one at this stage.

“Everything seems good and he’s in good shape after his race, so we’re hopefully heading for the Boodles I suppose,” the trainer added.

“We’ve got an Irish mark of 127 now and we’ll have to wait and see what he gets in England.

“He’s also in the Triumph, but he’d have a about a stone and a half to find, so we’ll aim for the Boodles unless it looks like the Triumph is going to cut up to be a small field, which could happen.

“The Boodles ends up being very competitive and with 20 runners you could run into traffic problems, and the track the Triumph is run over (New Course) might actually suit him better as he stays very well.”

Andrew Slattery (left) with Creggs Pipes
Andrew Slattery (left) with Creggs Pipes (PA)

Slattery admits he had high hopes Sir Allen would take to hurdling from an early stage.

He said: “It was really after we started schooling him as he took to it so well the first time we tried and you know they could be fairly useful when they’ve the appetite for it.

“There’s still plenty to be won with him on the Flat as well I think. He probably should be rated higher than he is, but he kept getting left in the stalls.

“He goes on any ground, so that is something to hopefully look forward to as well.”

Festival hope Hiddenvalley Lake bids to book Albert Bartlett ticket

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Leading Cheltenham Festival contender Hiddenvalley Lake follows a tried and tested route for Henry de Bromhead in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday.

The Knockeen handler first claimed the Grade Three prize in 2017 with the top-class Monalee before he went on to finish second to Penhill in the Albert Bartlett the following month.

De Bromhead made it back-to-back wins at Clonmel 12 months later with Chris’s Dream, while in 2019 his subsequent Gold Cup hero Minella Indo filled the runner-up spot behind Allaho before reversing that form to strike Festival gold.

Shantreusse was unable to make an impact in the Albert Bartlett after scoring at Clonmel last season, but hopes are high Hiddenvalley Lake can cement his claims for the showpiece meeting by making it three from three over hurdles.

“He’s a lovely horse and we’re looking forward to running him in Clonmel,” said De Bromhead.

“He won well in Cork and looks a real stayer.”

Hiddenvalley Lake was a £200,000 purchase for owners Robcour after being carried out on his sole appearance in the point-to-point sphere.

He made a winning debut under rules at Naas in November before successfully stepping up in class and distance to lift a Grade Three prize over three miles at Cork the following month.

The son of Sholokhov is the 4-1 favourite with Sky Bet for the Albert Bartlett ahead of his attempt to give weight and a beating to seven rivals in County Tipperary.

Willie Mullins has a good record in Thursday's Clonmel feature
Willie Mullins has a good record in Thursday’s Clonmel feature (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

His biggest threat appears to be Corbetts Cross, who makes his first appearance for Emmet Mullins after winning a point-to-point, a bumper and two novice hurdles for Eugene O’Sullivan.

De Bromhead has a second string to his bow in the form of Monty’s Star, while Willie Mullins – whose seven previous winners of the race include three subsequent Festival winners in Cooldine (2008), Don Poli (2014) and Allaho – relies on recent Cork winner Walk In The Brise.

Search For Glory (Gordon Elliott), Granny Lowrie (Pat Doyle), Kalanisi Dubh (Seamus Fahey) and Farceur De Sivola (John Ryan) complete the field.

Marquand sidelined following shoulder surgery

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Tom Marquand is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury sustained in a fall at Randwick last Saturday.

The rider headed to Australia for a prolonged spell earlier this month after a couple of previous successful visits, most notably landing three Group Ones with Addeybb, and he enjoyed a winner aboard Cafe Millenium at Randwick last Friday.

However, when partnering Annabel Neasham’s Dorothy Gail in the A$2million Inglis Millennium the following day, he suffered a heavy fall having been hampered by the manoeuvre of the Josh Parr-ridden Hellish. Parr was subsequently suspended for 20 meetings for careless riding.

Marquand initially appeared to have escaped serious injury, but subsequent MRI scans have revealed a dislocation of his sternoclavicular joint and the jockey was due to have an operation on his shoulder in Australia on Wednesday.

“It has basically dislocated backwards, so I have to go for an operation today (Wednesday) to get it wired back in,” Marquand said in a video posted to Instagram.

“I will probably spend a week here now in Australia just because I can’t fly straight after having an operation.

“Then the plan will be to come back to England and go through my rehab there and hope that I can get back in action by the time the last couple of days of The Championships are on and all being well, head back down to Sydney.”

Marquand’s wife Hollie Doyle is also currently out of action after sustaining an elbow injury in a fall at Wolverhampton last month.

Hollie Doyle also needs surgery on her elbow injury
Hollie Doyle also needs surgery on her elbow injury (John Walton/PA)

She had hoped she would not require surgery for the issue, but Marquand revealed she too needs further treatment.

He added: “Hollie is having a bit of a shocker as well, off with her elbow and she is going under the knife I think early next week,” Marquand said.

“We will be in rehab and recuperation together and be a right pair so at least we’ve got two arms between us.

“It’s obviously not ideal what’s going on, but I think we can both count ourselves pretty lucky in the circumstances.”

Skelton unimpressed by handicapper comments on National entries

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Dan Skelton believes the lack of British-trained runners in the Grand National shows responsibility from his colleagues in the training ranks – while also calling some of the recent remarks from the handicapper unhelpful.

Only 31 of the initial 85 entries for the Aintree marathon on April 15 are trained in the UK with the Irish responsible for almost two-thirds of the possibles as they look to extend their winning streak in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

British Horseracing Authority handicapper Martin Greenwood, the man responsible for framing the Grand National weights, suggested the lack of UK-trained contenders reflected the “demise” of the National Hunt scene in Britain.

Trainer Dan Skelton believes it is responsible of his fellow trainers to selectively enter their horses in the Grand National
Trainer Dan Skelton believes it is responsible of his fellow trainers to selectively enter their horses in the Grand National (Joe Giddens/PA)

However, Skelton is quick to defend his fellow handlers by pointing out the various reasons which have led to this situation as well as well as the fact trainers need to take a responsible approach towards the stamina-sapping event.

He said: “I find the handicapper’s comments offensive. He said it shows the demise of British racing. He’s an official of British racing and he shouldn’t be making comments like that. I just find it offensive.

“We don’t ask a referee when they come off a pitch what they think. It is an official’s job to officiate and I thought that was a rather unhelpful comment.

“I wouldn’t use the word demise but the numbers are down. So you are only going to get those horses that are eligible entered and we do have a few less in the UK than perhaps did and will have in the future.”

Skelton went on: “What you have to remember about races like the Grand National is the race is really tough.

“People look at all the positives of these races, but the negatives never get covered. A horse that goes and has a bad experience in the Grand National, it might never get over it, it could take a year to get over it, you just never know.

“Putting your horse in that arena when it isn’t ready for it is sometimes not the right thing to do, so when you see that entries are down there is a whole plethora of reasons for it.

“In a way I actually feel it is responsible, I feel it is a responsible reaction and I think the more people who consider exactly what goes on rather than thinking it’s the Grand National I want a runner in it, the better for us all because it’s a tough, tough race.

“Yes 100-1 shots can win it, but non-staying 100-1 shots don’t.

Le Milos (centre) could give Dan Skelton a fine chance of winning the Randox Grand National on April 15
Le Milos (centre) could give Dan Skelton a fine chance of winning the Randox Grand National on April 15 (John Walton/PA)

“There is a lot of thought that goes into it and I think if people actually thought, you know what, I’m not going to (enter), I say good decision because there is nothing comfortable about seeing horses not complete in that race and I think we’ve all got a part to play there.”

Skelton was a part of Paul Nicholls’ backroom staff when Neptune Collonges landed the Grand National by the barest of margins in 2012.

At the time Ditcheat was home to a galaxy of National Hunt superstars, but the Lodge Hill handler explained how he was blown away by the locals love of the popular John Hales-owned grey and how he would love to win the race himself one day.

“I love the race, I think it is a fabulous public spectacle,” continued Skelton.

“The Liverpudlians fully embrace it as their race and everyone knows we love going up to Aintree, it’s a fabulous place to go.

“I would love to win it and when I worked for Paul I was staggered by the public adoration when Neptune Collonges won.

“I guess it helped he was a grey horse but at the time we had the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded, Big Buck’s – all these superstars – and we thought we were fairly used to public interest in a our horses and then along comes a Grand National winner and it blows your mind.

“It is great for the sport and I think we should be concentrating on the positives rather than using the word demise.”

In response to Skelton’s comments, a BHA spokesperson said: “Any fan of British jump racing wants to see as many entries as possible in our greatest race taking on the best that Ireland and the rest of the world has to offer.

“It’s what makes the Grand National such an exciting event that is watched internationally by millions of people.

“And while the number of entries is down on previous years there is a huge amount of good work going on within the sport – including by BHA officials – to ensure that British jump racing is in the best position to flourish.

“Martin was simply trying to reflect the disappointment of many British racing fans and it is regrettable if his comments caused any concern.”

‘She’s a real tank of a mare’ – Skelton sweet on Galia Des Liteaux in Brown Advisory

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Dan Skelton has highlighted Galia Des Liteaux as his best chance of picking up a fifth Cheltenham Festival victory, providing the mare gets her optimum conditions at Prestbury Park.

The soft-ground loving seven-year-old has looked a real versatile talent this year, with chasing successes over both two miles and three miles sandwiching her one blip in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Although she holds an entry for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase on the final day of the Festival, Skelton is favouring a tilt at the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles having proven her staying credentials when winning the Hampton Court at Warwick in good style last month.

He said: “If it rains I think Galia Des Liteaux has a massive chance in the Brown Advisory.

“She was an excellent winner of the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick last month. Nothing went to plan in the Kauto Star at Kempton the month before that – she jumped on the second jump and I feel because she did that she missed one midway through the race and Harry (Skelton) pulled her up.

“There was a bit of chatter about shadows at Kempton that day, but I’m not using that as an excuse. These things can happen in novice chases. She put the record straight at Warwick last time out and she loves soft ground.

“She’s a great big strong mare, she doesn’t look like a mare when you stand her up. Everything is big about her, she has big feet, big limbs and she’s a real tank of a mare.

“If you got a soft ground Brown Advisory, I think getting 7lb she would be a certain player.”

Galia Des Liteaux, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill
Galia Des Liteaux, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill (Jacob King/PA)

Three of Skelton’s four Festival victories have come in the County Hurdle and talented novice Pembroke, along with West Cork, could seek to add to that tally

“Pembroke was a non stayer at the Trials meeting in the Grade Two novice hurdle and that was the only small question mark,” continued Skelton.

“I thought he would stay and he didn’t and we have to drop back in trip and he will be in the County Hurdle.

“He just didn’t stay and I think if he had stayed we would have a different thought pattern. But he has to come back in trip and the New Course will suit him better than the old course.”

“If we can get a run under his belt, West Cork will also go for the County Hurdle.”

Midnight River got on the scoresheet at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day and is set to return for the Plate over the same course and distance.

“He won on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham and I never like to use a word like entitled in sport, but it was obvious he would be able to win a race like that judged on his run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November,” said the Lodge Hill handler.

“A little bit of slower ground on New Year’s Day did him no harm and I would love the ground to be good to soft, soft in places for the Plate.

“My opinion on the ground is if it is not ideal ground to run him in the Plate then it is not going to be ideal ground full stop, which is why I would keep away from considering the Ultima.”

Third Time Lucki is disputing favouritism for the Grand Annual, but is not a guaranteed starter in the helter-skelter handicap on day two of the meeting.

Skelton is tempted to save the recent Sandown scorer for Aintree, but the possibility of optimum conditions for the two-time track-and-trip scorer means the race has to come under consideration.

Dan Skelton talks to media alongside Third Time Lucki, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester
Dan Skelton talks to media alongside Third Time Lucki, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester (Jacob King/PA)

“The reality is he might miss and go to Aintree,” said Skelton.

“But if the weather carried on like this, then he would have to be in. It would be ridiculous not to because we know he likes nice ground and it is not often you get the chance to go to the Festival and run on particularly nice ground which will suit a horse like him.

“This horse really suits the Old Course, a fast track and bang on two miles is perfect for him. If it stays dry he is an obvious horse for the Grand Annual.”

Potentially joining Third Time Lucki on the teamsheet for that two-mile contest is Unexpected Party who has shaped with potential without yet getting his head in-front over the larger obstacles.

He continued: “We’ve left him in the Graded races in case you get a four-runner Turners like last year and we could go and pick up some prize-money if that was appropriate. But the real race for him is the Grand Annual.

“There is a lot of people saying we’ve been really clever and plotting out a Festival handicap for him. I wish they were right but the truth is he slips between stalls on trip

“I’ve come to the conclusion you are better off being a confirmed stayer over two than a confirmed non-stayer over two and a half. A fast run race will suit him and we’re sharpening him up at home. We’re training him a little bit differently to try and get a little bit more out of him.

Meanwhile Langer Dan is something of a regular in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap and could go for his third crack at the race or the Coral Cup two days earlier.

“He will get entries in the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe,” added the four-time Festival-winning trainer.

“I just have no clue why he runs so moderately in the autumn. We’ve just got to accept that is how it is now. He would definitely have a chance.”

Skelton could also have two live handicap chances for big-spending owner Darren Yates in the form of Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad and French import Punta Del Este.

Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree, is a possible for the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival
Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree, is a possible for the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival (Nigel French/PA)

The former secured qualification for the Pertemps Final when second at Warwick in January while Punta Del Este is set to make his UK bow at either Kelso or Haydock later this week.

“We’ll see how he (Ashtown Lad) gets on this weekend,” said Skelton.

“He’s qualified for the Pertemps, which is going to be a very different race this year as you have to finish in the first four places to qualify. It’s going to be a very different dynamic, but we’ll have a look a little closer to the time.

“Punta Del Este is in the Triumph, but the handicapper’s opinion of the French races is less than you would need for the Triumph. So depending on how he gets on at the weekend he could be one for the Fred Winter.”

Colic rules Aucunrisque out of quick return in Kingwell Hurdle

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Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque will miss the Wincanton Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday after a bout of colic.

The seven-year-old was an impressive winner at Newbury, part of a big TV double for trainer Chris Gordon.

While in such ripe form, Gordon was hoping to strike while the iron was hot, but plans have had to be revised after the Goodwin Racing Ltd-owned gelding was one of five horses at the yard to come down with colic.

Gordon said: “He had colic. We had a new batch of haylage and we had five horses go down with it.

Aucunrisque leading the Betfair Hurdle field
Aucunrisque leading the Betfair Hurdle field (Tim Goode/PA)

“He is all good and will live to fight another day, and so we won’t be running on Saturday.

“Everyone thinks everything is flying when you are having winners. Two were struggling a wee bit today, but they are good. We sorted it and the haylage has been changed – it was about 40 bales.

“Basically, colic is one of those things where they can get a twisted gut and it would require surgery, but with this, it is probably just a bad bale. They get chronic wind and it gets trapped a bit. It is just really bad stomach ache.

“So Aucunrisque won’t be going to Wincanton – he’ll go straight to Cheltenham and if we need to, we can always give him a racecourse gallop. We will look at the Grand Annual and the County Hurdle.”

Whip changes have not been handled well, says Skelton

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Dan Skelton hopes there are no whip bans at the Cheltenham Festival following the amendment of the new rules after widespread condemnation.

Speaking at a pre-Festival press day at his Alcester stable, the trainer said he felt the situation had been badly handled.

The changes to the whip rules have been subject to much discussion and amendment, with the final ruling limiting the number of strikes allowed and heightening penalties but allowing the forehand position – a method of using the whip that was initially set to be banned.

“I think they (whip rules) have been handled terribly and I don’t think anyone has got any pride in what’s happened,” the trainer said.

“It’s just been a bloody disaster to be quite honest, but what I hope comes out of this is that the general apathy to things like this has to come to an end.

Dan Skelton talks to media during a visit to his stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester
Dan Skelton talks to media during a visit to his stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester (Jacob King/PA)

“The only way it will come to an end is if there is genuine interaction and leadership. I think going forward we have a lot of lessons to learn from this whip situation.

“We’ve all got a part to play and like I say, we’ve got to drop the apathy and all work together because the industry desperately needs us.

“We know we’re under pressure – we’re even more under pressure this side of the Irish Sea than the other. We all need to come together and perhaps this is a catalyst for us all to do so and to all read off the same hymn sheet.”

Asked whether his brother and stable jockey Harry and Harry’s wife Bridget will need to adapt their riding to the new rules at Cheltenham, Skelton said: “That’s part of being a professional. There are new rules in place and if you adhere to the rules you will not get a ban.

“There is significantly more confidence that the rules that will be in play are able to be stuck to. I think with the original recommendations, once they were practised, it was obvious that people were really not going to be able to stick to them.

Dan Skelton alongside Protektorat
Dan Skelton alongside Protektorat (Jacob King/PA)

“The reality is how it should be implemented now is much more harmonious and everyone hopefully now understands it and gets on with it.

“Hopefully there are absolutely no whip bans whatsoever at Cheltenham and it works well. The rules are there now – that’s how many times you can use the stick. It’s quite clear.

“I have always been of the opinion on this that I stand behind the jockeys, not least because two of my family members are jockeys, but because they are the ones that are actually doing this.

“And if we properly and clearly empower them to stick to these rules, and they can do so, it’s going to benefit the sport.”

Charlie Johnston looking forward to Subjectivist’s Saudi return

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Charlie Johnston’s Subjectivist is on course to make a long-awaited return to action in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup fixture.

The bay son of Teofilo looked the new dominant force in the staying division when landing the Gold Cup at Ascot in 2021, but his career was then interrupted by an injury that has kept him off the track since.

His comeback will take place at Riyadh at the end of the month, with the six-year-old set to contest a race worth $2.5 million.

There will be over 600 days between Subjectivist’s last start and his performance in Saudi Arabia and Johnston is hopeful that he proves himself to have retained all of his ability after the long layoff.

“It’s been an 18-month rehab journey, so to have come this far is great and we’re all very much looking forward to having him on the track again,” he said.

Joe Fanning and Subjectivist after Ascot victory
Joe Fanning and Subjectivist after Ascot victory (Steven Paston/PA)

“It’s a bit of an unknown in the sense we aren’t entirely sure what we have back, and it will be asking a lot to have the same horse that we had 20 months ago. I sincerely hope we do, but we won’t find that out until he runs in Saudi.”

In preparation for the race Subjectivist has undertaken a racecourse gallop at Newcastle, satisfying Johnston and regular rider Joe Fanning, himself on the comeback trail, with his work.

“I was pleased with what I saw at Newcastle. The difficulty with any horse is that you don’t put really put them into the red zone at home, but particularly with a horse of this nature who runs over these distances,” the trainer said.

“We’ve never gone to the distances which he excels over, and we don’t have many 120-rated stayers to work him either, so of course there’s that unknown, but both myself and Joe were pleased with how he went.

“Joe knows the horse better than anyone and he said he got better and better the further he went which obviously bodes well for next weekend.”

Subjectivist at Goodwood
Subjectivist at Goodwood (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Victory in Riyadh would be a huge feat for all involved in the horse, but a satisfactory run would still provide connections with enough hope to carry into the domestic season ahead.

“I’m trying to keep my expectations relatively in check and the main thing is that the horse comes back safe and sound,” Johnston said.

“If he can show that he can at least be competitive at this level, then we know that we’ve still got something to work with moving forwards.

“However, with the greatest respect to what else is in the race, this horse, at his best, is in a completely different stratosphere to the rest of them. The form he showed in any of his last three starts would win this race very comfortably.”

Johnston has recently become the sole licence-holder after a period of joint enterprise with his father Mark who trained the likes of Shamardal, Attraction and Double Trigger.

Mark Johnston (left) and his son Charlie
Mark Johnston (left) and his son Charlie (Alan Crowhrust/PA)

Now the younger Johnston has the chance to guide the career of a great horse of his own, a status Subjectivist will surely earn if he is able to regain his place at the head of the staying table.

“There have been some pretty remarkable training feats from this team over the years. I was a lot less involved with the likes of Attraction, but to bring a horse of this level, with that injury, back after this time away would be a pretty monumental task,” Johnston said.

“Horses of this calibre are very hard to find and we reached a stage two years ago where I was that confident in his ability that I didn’t think there was a stayer in the world that could beat him. It was purely a case of picking which races we wanted to win.

“Those horses come along every 15 or 20 years, so to have nearly lost him was a huge blow, but if we can get him back to anywhere near his imperious best, it would be a huge thrill for us all.”

Oisin Murphy returns to action at Chelmsford on Thursday

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Oisin Murphy returns to the saddle with one ride at Chelmsford on Thursday, following his 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches.

Murphy, a three-time champion jockey, will partner the Mick Appleby-trained Jupiter Express in the second race on the card, the Winning Connections Networking Handicap.

The British Horseracing Authority announced last week that Murphy will undergo increased alcohol and drug testing after he was found to have failed two breathalyser tests.

He has not ridden since November 2021, and in February at the conclusion of a lengthy hearing, at which it was revealed he also breached Covid rules by lying about his whereabouts in September 2020, he was told he could not reapply for his licence until February 16 this year.

Oisin Murphy (right) took part in a parade of jockeys who had ridden for the Queen on Derby day last year
Oisin Murphy (right) took part in a parade of jockeys who had ridden for the Queen on Derby day last year (Tim Goode/PA)

Jupiter Express is owned by The Horse Watchers syndicate, which is partly run by jockeys’ agent and broadcaster Chris Dixon, although Gavin Horne will continue to look after Murphy as before.

“Gavin had asked Mick if there was anything he could ride when he was available,” said Dixon.

“Tom Marquand rode Jupiter Express to be second last time, but he’s in Australia now so the jockey who rode him last time wasn’t there and this was an opportunity for him to have a ride when he came back.

“Mick was always going to support him, he’s ridden plenty of winners for him over the years – and us – so when a top jockey is available we are not afraid to use them. We’re happy to give him his first ride back.

“He’s got a decent chance. He’s been freshened up since his last run as he’d been a little busy and we’d aimed at this card ever since really.

“He’s got a decent chance, he’s in good form and hopefully there’s a little bit of mileage in his handicap mark.”

Murphy is due in Qatar at the weekend to ride Flaming Rib for Hugo Palmer with trips to Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also pencilled in over the next few weeks.

Coral make Murphy their 15-8 second-favourite for a fourth championship behind last year’s winner William Buick, who is their 1-2 favourite.

Skelton retains maximum faith in Protektorat’s Gold Cup challenge

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Dan Skelton remains convinced his star staying chaser Protektorat will once again make his presence felt in next month’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old finished best of the British in the blue riband last season when third behind Henry de Bromhead’s pair of A Plus Tard and Minella Indo – and could hardly have been more impressive on his seasonal reappearance in Haydock’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

But his Gold Cup credentials were dented on Cheltenham Trials Day in late January as he could finish only fourth as hot favourite for the Cotswold Chase, with Skelton subsequently blaming himself for leaving his charge short in the fitness department.

Bookmakers inevitably lengthened Protektorat’s Festival odds off the back of that defeat, with Betfair offering 16-1 – but speaking at a press morning at his yard on Tuesday, Skelton said anyone writing off his Gold Cup chances does so at their peril.

“I hold my hands up after Cheltenham – I didn’t have him as fit as thought he was,” he said.

“If we’d gone into that race with me saying ‘this is a prep run’, I think everyone would have come out and said it was a lovely prep run, he blew up turning in and stayed on from the back of the last.

“That wasn’t the plan. I thought and hoped he’d win and we’d go on to the Gold Cup, but that’s not how it’s worked out.

“He was third in the Gold Cup last year and is a bigger, stronger, better horse this year. I think you all saw at Haydock when he’s at his absolute best how good he can be.”

The Alcester handler is confident a leaner and meaner version of Protektorat will show up in the Cotswolds in four weeks’ time, with a racecourse gallop at Southwell pencilled in as a key part of preparation.

Dan and Harry Skelton with Protektorat
Dan and Harry Skelton with Protektorat (Jacob King/PA)

He added: “We’ve just got to knuckle down, and we have knuckled down in the couple of weeks since the Cotswold Chase, and get him like he was at Haydock.

“If he goes into the Gold Cup like he was at Haydock, I think you’ll find his run in the Cotswold Chase will be significantly behind him and I think he’s got a real good chance.

“Drying conditions are a concern, but the only thing is the longer it stays dry, the more certain it will rain! Maybe it will all rain at once.”

The hot favourite for the Gold Cup is the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs, who proved his stamina over three miles in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier in the month.

But while Skelton respects the Irish challenger, he is not one to shirk a challenge.

He said: “Obviously Galopin Des Champs is the correct favourite. He got the trip the last day, (but) there is a small question mark over whether he’ll stay three-mile-two at Cheltenham, which Willie is convinced he’ll answer positive and I’m certainly in no place to doubt the horse or the trainer!

“But what I’m getting at is Galopin Des Champs aside, it’s a very, very open Gold Cup. Everyone has had a go at beating each other and there have been different results along the line.

“Our horse is a confirmed stayer and can get round the track and on our Haydock form, we’re right up there.

“He looks absolutely magnificent in his coat and hopefully he can go two places better than last year.”

Two days prior to Protektorat’s second bid for Gold Cup glory, his stablemate Nube Negra will have a second tilt at the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Dan Skelton alongside Nube Negra
Dan Skelton alongside Nube Negra (Jacob King/PA)

The nine-year-old was beaten just half a length into second place by Put The Kettle On in the 2021 edition of the two-mile chasing championship, but was withdrawn from last season’s renewal on account of the rain-softened ground.

The Spanish-bred gelding made the most of a gilt-edged opportunity when landing Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase in November, though, and while he was no match for Editeur De Gite in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas, Skelton is hopeful Nube Negra will show his true colours next month granted normal Cheltenham conditions.

He said: “The Champion Chase looks a very open race. Everyone has beaten each other and everyone has got reasons why they got beat.

“He won the Shloer, which he should have done at 1-10, and then I think he actually ran really well at Kempton on tacky ground, which is not perfect for him.

Horses on the gallops during a visit to Dan Skelton’s yard
Horses on the gallops during a visit to Dan Skelton’s yard (Jacob King/PA)

“I’m not making an excuse – we got beaten by a horse that was clearly superior that day (Editeur Du Gite) with those tactics and has gone on to frank the form significantly in the Clarence House.

“This horse is very effective when he’s very fresh, he’s effective at Cheltenham and the better the ground the better his chance.

“It’s a very unclear picture, but we’re very happy to have our hat in the ring and I think it’s a given we can have him better than he was at Christmas when the sun’s out and the ground’s better.

“We’re pretty positive. He was second in it before and we’d love to try and go one better.”