Harry Skelton is to miss the two-day Scottish Grand National meeting after picking up an injury at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
The former champion jockey is on course to finish fourth in the championship this season and enjoyed two winners at the Grand National meeting last week.
He was due to be busy at Ayr for the next two days but a fall from Heltenham in the Silver Trophy has left him with a shoulder problem.
“He’s hurt his shoulder and obviously it’s the time of year when you can give yourself plenty of time,” his brother, Dan Skelton, told Racing TV.
Harry Skelton (left) with his brother, Dan (David Davies/PA)
“I think whatever the prognosis is, he can add a little self-control into that and if he needs any longer he can give it that.
“I don’t know what it is at the moment, he’s going to see a specialist tomorrow just to make sure there’s not too much unknown damage.
“He says he feels quite good so that’s a positive, but if he needs X-weeks, he might take X plus two just to make sure just because of the time of the year it is.
“Expect him when you see him.”
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The Skeltons enjoyed two notable handicap successes as both West Balboa and Midnight River did the yard proud at Aintree.
Firstly West Balboa soared to a unchallenged victory in the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle.
Dan Skelton’s mare was the 9-2 favourite under his brother Harry after winning the Lanzarote Hurdle when last seen.
Avoiding the mares’ division due to its notable strength and depth this season, the decision to instead target this race paid off as the seven-year-old stepped up in trip.
After travelling well the market leader led over the final flight and then pulled clear to cross the line five lengths ahead of her nearest challenger.
West Balboa and Harry Skelton (Tim Goode/PA)
“She was a fresh horse today and looked fabulous while the step up to three miles was always going to be a plus,” said the winning trainer.
“I knew we had a good mare on our hands, but the mares’ hurdle was so strong it was decided this would be an intermediate year before she steps up to the top level.
“The Lanzarote was £100,000 so you can’t say she hasn’t had a fair year, but next season she will be a player in all those Graded races and it’s something we’re all looking forward to with her.”
Harry Skelton added: “Dan’s a great leader who targets these races so well.
West Balboa runs out an easy winner of the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle
“There are so many important people in our team that combine to make it happen. Cheltenham is our Olympics, but this is another great meeting with the world’s greatest race.”
Midnight River continued a memorable afternoon when landing the William Hill Handicap Chase for the same rider and trainer.
A 15-2 chance for the three-mile-one-furlong contest, the chestnut was left to pick through the field after the final bend.
He jumped the last with just a rival before him and then pulled clear to triumph by a length and a half.
The trainer said: “He’s just a good horse that has always had great potential, and he’s done that off (a mark of) 151.
Midnight River picks his way through to win the William Hill Handicap Chase
Dan Skelton annexed the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle for a fourth time in eight years as 33-1 shot Faivoir downed Pied Piper in a thrilling finish.
Both horses came from out of the pack after Highway One O Two had kicked clear turning for home and there were plenty in with chances approaching the last.
However, Bridget Andrews’ mount, who had been pulled up on quicker ground in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on his previous start, kept responding in these easier conditions and got the verdict in a head-bobber.
Pied Piper, who had finished third in the Triumph Hurdle last year, was making his handicap debut mark off a mark of 154 and only just failed to reel in the winner, having nodded slightly on landing at the last.
The well-supported Filey Bay held every chance but could only finish third, while Sharjah stuck on for fourth, followed by Ballyadam.
Andrews after her winning ride (David Davies/PA)
Skelton, who won this race previously with Superb Story (2016), Mohaayed (2018) and Ch’tibello (2019), also saddled the favourite, but Pembroke, who had finished runner-up on Trials day in January, was well held after making a couple of minor jumping errors.
“Last time at Newbury he absolutely winged the first but after the second he had no chance,” said Skelton, who was on the mark with Langer Dan on Wednesday.
“Today Bridget gave him a great ride – when you have one of the biggest teams as we do there’s a responsibility that goes with it and you feel you have get big winners.
“To have one (at the Festival) is good, but to have two shows you are doing it right.”
Iroko landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle for Aidan Kelly and co-trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
💚💛 Iroko – he provides owner JP McManus with a quickfire double & also gives trainers Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero their first #CheltenhamFestival success
The JP McManus-owned gelding was a 6-1 chance and reeled in the leader, Paul John Gilligan’s Buddy One, to prevail by a length and a half from No Ordinary Joe – also owned by McManus.
“I can’t describe it really – amazing,” said Greenall.
“We always knew the horse was nice but we just thought we’d be tapped for toe a little bit here.
“He managed to hold his position, he came off the bridle early enough and just jumped so well even when he was off the bridle.
“He’s so easy, so straightforward. He’s tough, honest, he shows nothing at home.
“He’s not a good work horse but he’s so straightforward, he doesn’t take much work. He’s a dream.”
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Langer Dan made it third time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival when holding on for a brave success in the Coral Cup.
The big meeting has been a cruel mistress for the Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old in the last two seasons, bumping into Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs in the 2021 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle before being brought down at the second flight when sent off favourite for the same race 12 months ago.
This year stable jockey Harry Skelton was given his chance aboard the 9-1 winner and despite having plenty to do when short of room two out, he was inspired in the saddle from the home turn.
Hitting the front halfway up the run-in, he drove his mount home with vigour to hold off An Epic Song (second) and Campround (third) in three-way tussle at the finish.
Harry Skelton celebrates aboard Langer Dan (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Dan Skelton said: “He’s a great horse to train because he puts it all in when it matters.
“The best thing that happened is that they shut the door on him two out which meant battle was renewed, and he likes that because he had to get out of jail as if it was another race.
“What this horse has got is heart. He’s all heart and it’s part of him.
“He comes alive in the spring, but we’ve got more chances to come. Compared to Wille Mullins we’re in the foothills, but we strive to get better and our team is stacked with talent.”
There was a first Festival winner for Darragh O’Keeffe as he steered Henry de Bromhead’s Maskada to victory in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual.
Maskada ridden by jockey Darragh O’Keeffe on their way to winning the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)
Jumping the final fence alongside defending champion Global Citizen and Dinoblue, the 22-1 shot took advantage of a jolting error from 7-2 favourite Dinoblue to scorch to a six-and-a-half-length victory.
De Bromhead said: “She was really good, we’re delighted with her. Darragh gave her a super ride so I’m delighted for him, it’s his first winner here, that’s brilliant.
“I’m delighted for the Marigas (owners) they are great supporters of ours and we had a nice winner for them on Saturday and here today.
“We bought her last season, just before Punchestown, and she had a nice run there. They have some very good broodmares and she looked ideal to add to the band. She had good form in the UK, I don’t think we’ve done a lot with her.
“She had form over further and in soft ground so we are delighted.”
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Dan Skelton has Le Milos “perfectly where I want him” ahead of his tilt at the Randox Grand National – despite his annoyance the Coral Gold Cup hero was agonisingly denied in his Aintree prep at Kelso.
The Alcester-based handler made no secret of the fact he had left a bit to work on ahead of Le Milos’ run in the Listed Premier Chase on Saturday, but the 10-11 favourite looked set to oblige when his class took him clear of the field heading to the last.
Having been off the track since scoring at Newbury in November, fitness took its toll in the closing stages and despite hitting the basement price of 1.01 on the exchanges in running, Sandy Thomson’s Empire Steel ran on strongly to mug Skelton’s Aintree candidate in the shadow of the post.
Empire strikes back! 🏇
Le Milos traded at 1.01 in the @bet365 Premier Chase @KelsoRacecourse but his backers were floored by the fast-finishing Empire Steel who flew home late to complete a double on the afternoon for @LambdenRacing and @mania450!
Although disappointed not to leave the Scottish borders with victory, Skelton knows exactly how much of the screw needs to be tightened before he embarks on his Merseyside mission and is confident the eight-year-old will arrive in Liverpool at the peak of his powers.
He said: “It was a good prep run, but it was gutting to get beat when we were ahead three strides before the line – that was fairly annoying.
“That happens and I made no secret beforehand the horse was going to improve for the run. I did think five strides before the last that perhaps he might get away with it, but it was very obvious on landing that he took a massive blow.
“It is a bit frustrating to get beat, but you can see the horse is in great health and he jumped and travelled round there really well, which was just what I wanted to see.”
Le Milos and connections after winning the Coral Gold Cup (PA)
He went on: “We’ve got a bit of work to do now, which we always knew we were going to have, but he is perfectly where I want him in terms of Grand National preparation.
“That race will do him 10 per cent of the work and then there’s a few more per cent to work on, but I will make sure he’s ready.
“Corach Rambler is obviously one of the favourites and there are a few others in there, but we’re one of the more prominent in the betting from the English team and we will be going there to fly the flag and do our best.”
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“Hewick has a big weight, but he’s used to carrying a big weight. What can we do? There isn’t anything we can do about it. When they’re good they get those weights and that’s it.
“He gave a stone and a half to everything in Listowel (unseated at final fence in Kerry National) so I don’t see why we wouldn’t go again.
“Cape Gentleman’s weight is lovely, I’m very happy with that. I’m delighted with that weight – he’ll think he is loose. I’d say they’ll both run.”
Corach Rambler looks weighted to run a big race (Nigel French/PA)
Trainer Lucinda Russell – Corach Rambler (10st 5lb)
“I’m absolutely delighted with that weight and if we got that in the Grand National, that would be fantastic. He only needs a couple of horses to come out so he’ll probably get a run, so that’s super.
“We haven’t really run him since the Coral Gold Cup so that he could get in the race off this mark.
“He’ll now probably run at Cheltenham (in the Ultima). The big question is going to be if he takes to the fences. I think nowadays the fences are a lot kinder than they were and he’s a very intelligent horse – if he doesn’t take to them we’ll know by the fourth or fifth fence.”
“He needs a few still to come out but the plan is to go to the Grand National. He will go to the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham first, where he will be ridden by Derek O’Connor, then on to Aintree.
“He ran in the Topham last season which possibly came a bit quick after his run at Cheltenham but he seemed to enjoy going over the fences and this has always been the plan to come back for a go at the Grand National.”
Harry Skelton and Le Milos at Newbury (John Walton/PA)
Tom Messenger, assistant to trainer Dan Skelton – Le Milos (10st 11lb) and Ashtown Lad (10st 3lb)
“Le Milos has got a lovely profile and it’s exciting that he’s guaranteed a run. He’s a proven stayer and although he hasn’t been over the fences before, I don’t see it being an issue.
“He’s one we’re really excited about. He won the Coral Gold Cup off 146 so he’s only 6lb higher here. I think he’s off a competitive weight and fingers crossed we get there.
“Ashtown Lad has been running well over hurdles – we’ve been running him over timber since his win in the Becher Chase at Aintree. Ideally we’d have run him over fences last weekend at Ascot but the ground was too quick, so we gave him another run over hurdles (finished third in Rendlesham at Haydock).
“He’s obviously proven his ability over fences, though he didn’t look as though he stayed at Ayr last year in the Scottish Grand National. He’s a year older and stronger now, so he’s got the option of the National or the Topham if he doesn’t get in.”
Trainer Donald McCain – Minella Trump (10st 6lb)
“It’s all about getting in the race and getting a run. Obviously it’s a way off yet, but that’s a lovely racing weight.
“He was very busy for a while and he needed a holiday so he’s had a break and he’s back in fast work now. We’ll try to get a run in somewhere but if we can’t, we’ll get him away from home.
“It’s been an ambition to get Tim (Leslie, owner) a runner in the Grand National, so if we can get there that’s great.
“The modern day Grand National has changed a bit but he stays, he’s a thorough professional and he knows how to win.”
Trainer Kim Bailey – Happygolucky (10st 11lb)
“The plan is to run him next in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival. He has always given us the impression he is a very good jumper. He has been quite careful this season but he hasn’t had his ground – ideally he wants proper winter ground.”
Trainer David Pipe – Remastered (10st 10lb)
“Remastered has had a good season. He finished very strongly on his last start over fences at Kempton, then he disappointed at Sandown back over hurdles last time. I’m not really sure what happened that day, but you can put a line through it.
“He is in at Kempton on Saturday and he might go there but wherever he goes he needs to bounce back. If he doesn’t, it might put an outing in the National in doubt.”
Cloudy Glen looks a National type (Tim Goode/PA)
Mick Meagher, racing manager to the Hemmings family – Cloudy Glen (10st 4lb)
“I’m very happy with that. It’s essentially the same weight that he carried on Saturday (when third in Grand National Trial at Haydock). I’d say if he got into a rhythm, then why not?
“He’ll probably run at Cheltenham in the Ultima and then we’ll go to Aintree.”
Joe Chambers, racing manager to owners Rich and Susannah Ricci – Royale Pagaille (11st 8lb) and Burrows Saint (10st 12lb)
“Royale Pagaille suffered a little injury during the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, hence why he hasn’t been seen since. I spoke with Venetia (Williams, trainer) last week and he is on track to run in the Gold Cup, albeit without a run.
“He is very ground dependent and in order for him to be seen at his best, he does need it to be as soft as possible. With that being said, he had performed very well in handicaps in the UK and we’ve always thought that a Grand National would suit him.”
Trainer Joe Tizzard – The Big Breakaway (10st 10lb)
“He is running off his mark of 151 and that is a lovely racing weight he has. I don’t think they will go up much at all, so he gets in nicely and he is guaranteed a run.
“The plan is to take him to the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, then on to Aintree afterwards. Last season we struggled with his shins a bit and we tried to get away with it but it didn’t work. We treated them and we haven’t looked back since.”
The Big Dog at Limerick (PA)
Trainer Peter Fahey – The Big Dog (11st 5lb)
“I thought he was going to run a good race at Leopardstown (when falling at the second-last in the Irish Gold Cup), so I’m definitely happy. He’s in the mix and it’s a nice weight for him.
“He’s coming into it with a lot to recommend him and I think it’s the ideal race for him. It’s kind of been the plan all year and it’s nice to have a horse going over for it.”
Trainer Henry de Bromhead – Envoi Allen (11st 8lb) and Chris’s Dream (11st), Ain’t That A Shame (10st 5lb), Gin On Lime (10st 4lb)
“Envoi Allen is in the Ryanair. We’re not sure yet – we’ll see. We haven’t firmed up anything yet.
“Chris’s Dream is going for the Festival Hunters’ Chase and we’ll see from there.
“That weight seems fair enough for Ain’t That A Shame. I’d say we’ll look to get another run in – there are a couple of options or he might just go straight there.
“Gin On Lime’s weight is in and around her mark. I’d say well go for the cross-country at Cheltenham and then go to Aintree.”
Trainer Martin Brassil – Longhouse Poet (11st)
“I think if you’re anywhere around 10st 10lb to 11st 2lb or 11st 3lb then you have a reasonable weight. There are more horses winning with over 11st than there used to be.
“I think the year I won it (Numbersixvalverde, 2006) I had 10st 8lb and I had another horse finish third on about 10st 11lb or 10st 12lb, but the better class of horses are running in it since the course was modified and a lot of them are getting involved in the finish of it.
“Longhouse Poet was sixth in the race last year and he’s going to run this week in the Bobbyjo (Chase).”
https://devplatform.ggzssd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2.66519307-scaled.jpg12802560DaveMhttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngDaveM2023-02-21 13:48:402023-02-21 13:48:40Hanlon happy to roll National dice with joint-top weight Hewick
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 (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 (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.”
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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 (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.
✈ Midnight River wins the battle for the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase
“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 (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 (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.”
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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 (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 (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.”
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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 (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 (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 (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.”
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