Dan Skelton talks about his runners at Aintree, Wincanton and Sandown

We have a few meetings this weekend starting with Aintree. Oldgrangewood (2.05) has had a wind op and we are quite happy with how he looks. He is ok handicapped because he didn’t win last year.

Hopefully we can win a race before too long. It is a competitive race though as you’d expect. We don’t want heaps of rain.

We run Diomede Des Mottes in the Pertemps Qualifier (2.40). We have been very happy with him. Stepping up to three miles will suit him. He ran well at Chepstow in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle and is ready for this trip.

He has won over three miles as a novice but is ready for it in the higher grade now.

We have Roksana (3.15) who will obviously like the trip of two-and-a-half-miles. We have been very happy with her throughout autumn and there is a bit of rain there too which is good for her.

She has to take on some decent horses but she is a good horse. She is a Grade 1 winner and we can’t wait to get the season started.

Aweeminit runs in the same race; looking for some prize money. She looks great, and has picked up black type this season. Off her mark she can’t win this, but I don’t think she can’t win a handicap anyway.

At Wincanton, we start with Solomon Grey (2.25) in the Rising Stars. It is a Grade 2 and worth a few quid. I think it is going to be hard but he’s in good form and has won two chases. We are ready to take on better horses now.

Cobra De Mai runs in the Badger Beers Silver Trophy (3.35). The ground is a bit better than it was last week. He dropped himself out a little last week but hopefully we can pick up the bridle a bit more this time. I don’t think he is very well handicapped but at least the grounds in his favour.

White Walker runs in the bumper and he’s a nice horse for the future. I don’t expect fireworks but he’ll make a jumper.

We have one runner at Sandown on Sunday and that’s Prokektorat (1.50). He fell on his debut for us last year and then didn’t really get his act together.

I just think he is a better horse this year. He was rated 132 in a maiden hurdle and has got to be one of the favourites. I hope he takes a bit of beating.

Dan.