Dan Skelton’s runners go at Cheltenham, Uttoxeter and Fontwell

Harry Skelton will be at Cheltenham for us, starting with Protektorat (12.40). He didn’t get around at Cheltenham last time after a novice mistake and was a little keen.

We’ve done lots with him since then, he’s jumped well at home, and he’s ready to get on the track again.

He’s taking on a good field here but we hold him in decent regard and it’ll give us a good idea of where we go in the Spring.

Next up, we have Spiritofthegames (1.15) who found graded company too hot last time.

He’s back in a handicap here, carrying top weight which isn’t ideal. The trip should be fine, he’s run around the track before as a hurdler, so let’s see how we get on.

Oldgrangewood (1.50) makes his reappearance after a bit of time off. He wasn’t quite right in the autumn but we are ready with him now.

He always improves for his first run and I’m sure that’ll be the case again. We are happy with how he looks, he’s jumped well, and we just need to get going again.

Not That Fuisse (3.00) runs in a good Novices’ Hurdle. There are three in there who are quite highly rated.

My horse has run round the track well and at two-and-a-half miles, it’s a better trip and will be more his cup of tea. He’s taking on a lot more this time but we are ready to step up in grade.

In the Cleeve Hurdle (3.35), we have Aux Ptit Soins. We wouldn’t be running him here if we weren’t really happy with him. We are absolutely delighted with him so I’m looking forward to this.

He gets weight off a few, he won around the track and trip last time, and any rain is a bonus. We come here with optimism he’ll run well.

Flash The Steel (4.10) won last time at Doncaster. He doesn’t want too much rain. If it ended up going really soft, there would be doubts.

We’re really happy with him since his last outing and he gets a nice racing weight in this so hopefully he’ll be competitive.

We run two at Uttoxeter, with Bridget Andrews going there. Betameche (1.40) ran a lot better last time, than he did first time.

I hope he’s got a leading chance in this. Supremely Lucky (2.50) is in a handicap for the first time.

He’s been running well at Cheltenham in deep novice hurdles so we’ll see how his handicap mark looks basically. Hopefully he’s got a fair chance.

On Sunday we go to Fontwell, where Harry rides I’d Better Go Now (2.10).

He ran ok last time but he didn’t run well enough to say he’s going to win his next maiden. He ran well enough though and hopefully he can improve on that.

Tigeralley (4.00) is a lowly rated mare but I thought she’d run a bit better than she did last time to be honest. Hopefully she has a little chance here, stepping up in trip.

Dan.