Ladbrokes’ Dan Skelton talks us through his weekend entries

On Saturday I have two runners at Sandown, with Bekkensfirth running in the 13.20.

It’s his first run back over fences. He’s improved a good bit since his hurdle run but he didn’t have that many runs over fences as a novice.

I’m just suspicious that he’s going to improve again for many different reasons. I’m glad to get him out there again. I had him declared ten days ago but the meeting was called off so I’m looking forward to getting him started.

We run Hurricane Hollow in the 15.35. He was with us two years ago.

He was competitive in quite nice handicaps. He’s been running alright on the flat. I think he’s too high in the handicap to be honest with you but he hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for the job.

On Sunday, I have three runners at Plumpton, starting with Marley Firth in the 12.30.

He was fourth in a graded race over a bit further last time. I think the drop back in trip is a positive and he’ll love the ground. He’s got to give away a penalty but I think he will be competitive.

Cafe Au Lait runs in the 14.05, stepping up in trip and that’s got to help him.

I was a bit disappointed when he didn’t win the other day. I thought he was going to win over two miles but maybe two-and-a-half will help him a bit more. I think he can also be competitive.

Finally I have Atlantic Storm in the last at Plumpton (15.45). I think he is better left-handed. He hasn’t been showing enough recently and it’s just not there at the moment so he has something to prove.

Hopefully we get a winner over the weekend!

The ground has been horrendous, meetings are being called off left, right, and centre, and it’s just unfair on the horses and the staff to have them all revved up with nowhere to go.

I am just being protective now through January and the start of February and then once we get into springtime, it will be full steam ahead.

Dan

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing