Dan Skelton blog: ‘I would expect her to go well’
Published:
In the latest Dan Skelton blog, the Ladbrokes ambassador and trainer exclusively discusses the chances of his runners at Sandown and Hereford this weekend.
Dan Skelton blog – Sandown
He is in great form and I think his mark is quite acceptable. He has held some good form at the track as well so I would like to think he can go very well in this. I don’t think the track is an issue and he tries very hard.
This is a race we have had in mind for him for some time. The trip will be no problem and he likes to go right-handed. I don’t see the track being an issue because he stays very well. It is obviously highly competitive for a good chunk of money and he’s in good form.
Harry [Skelton] rides Faivoir who won last year’s County Hurdle and he is in pretty good form now. It was a good run at Newbury in February. His work this week has been very good which you can’t always say about him. He is looking pretty bright and I thought we would have a look at this. He is entered for the Cheltenham Festival too but I thought this looks a nice race for him.
We also run Knickerbockerglory and this race has been in mind all season. The softer the ground the better and he also ran well in this race last year so it was an obvious one to have high on the agenda. He looks outstanding in his coat and I have to give him a chance. Ok, he isn’t hiding a pound from the handicapper just like Faivoir but they are consistent in these races.
Goonyhilly is at the other end of the handicap. He was second in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton the other day and is a very strong travelling horse with no weight on his back. We thought we would give this a whirl. Obviously, he doesn’t carry the form to this race like the other two, but as I said he’s a strong traveller and the ground won’t be an issue.
She has very good form from the point-to-point field. She won her only start and the mare she beat actually won a listed race at Market Rasen on her professional debut so that form is very strong. Her work at home has been nice and she goes on soft ground which is a good positive. I would expect her to go well.
He is in good form and likes 2 ½ miles. The drying ground on the chase track will suit him. I think he has a little-each-way chance. I am not saying he should be starting favourite but he has maintained his form this year.
Ballygrifincottage’s performance the last day was much more like it. God knows where the form went to but he had a heap of little injuries and niggles and we have ironed those out as best we can. It was great to see him run as well as he did at Ascot and we need to see him back that up. I’m not saying he can’t win but it is important he can put in another solid display and then we can look to the future. We are going in the right direction.
He is coming back down to a more reasonable mark. I don’t necessarily feel he is all of a sudden 7lbs well in hand and should go and win this race but he is getting back there. The better ground on the chase track will be a positive for him too.
Dan Skelton blog – Hereford
She is stepping up markedly in trip and we have hinted that she runs how she wants. We think riding her differently and going up in trip might get us a different result. Heidi Palin takes 7lbs off and she should get on well with her.
It’s a pretty quick turnout but it’s not the deepest race. He is effective over the trip and has won at the track so we thought we would go for it. He comes here in good form having finished second the last time.
Cottie ran ok the other day but didn’t look particularly well handicapped and I don’t think she is just going to stroll in and win here. The handicapper has her a little high. Notnowlinda is in good form but she isn’t the easiest horse to predict. She has got 7lbs off and that is a positive.
This is a competitive race with a big field. She’s worked nicely at home. She fell on her only start in a point-to-point but she was going very well at the time in quite a deep race so I think she is an abvious one with a chance.
