Dan Skelton blog: ‘It’s highly competitive but this horse is in good form’
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In the latest Dan Skelton blog, the Ladbrokes ambassador and trainer exclusively discusses the chances of his runners at Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury this weekend.
Dan Skelton Blog
Micro Millions ran well last time and has got some leading form in this but I qdon’t think he’s the only one that can win in this race at the same time. He’s in good form at home and the drop back in trip is no issue. He stays very well and he should be on the premises for sure.
Absolutely Fine runs in this as well and he ran a bit moderately in a bumper three weeks ago and we thought he was a bit better than that so we need to see if he is a different horse over hurdles to be honest.
Nube Negra runs in a handicap chase and it’s nice to have him in here. He is always taking on big assignments and this is slightly calmer waters, but he has to shoulder top weight. He is in great form at home and I am very happy with him. I hope they don’t get too much rain and then hope we can have a productive Spring with him. He is a pleasure to have and hopefully he has a few more big dances to dance.
She runs in a good mares’ hurdle which is a very competitive race. The three miles will suit her. Go back to her first run and she was very authoritative. She is a nice mare who jumps very well and stays the trip. A bit better ground won’t do her any harm at all.
Ashtown Lad has been out of sorts this year and has been hard to get right. When the weather has been as bad as it has all winter, it effects horses like him. He is quite sensitive to things like that and it just hasn’t happened for him. It’s a bit better ground and he is starting to sparkle a bit more at home. I want to see a good positive run here that we can build on. He should go and run a lot better than you have seen him recently.
Hidden Heroics is in good form but I think the handicapper has him a pound or two too high if I am honest. But he has won a race this season and he should be competitive. He has been a good horse for us and he continues to be, and any drying ground will be a good help to us!
We are delighted to get him in this race. He won last time around a stiff Carlisle track and the ground will be no issue. He would have to have a chance off a low weight. His rider gets three pounds off as well so there is lots of positives. It’s highly competitive but this horse is in good form and if you fancy him off the back of his Carlisle run, I can only tell you that he has done well since.
She runs with a tongue strap for the first time. She has been highly consistent all year and there is no reason why she won’t be again. She is obviously not hiding ten pound from the handicapper so you can’t say she is really well handicapped.
The rain will help Heltenham. He only ran last week but he ran nicely and even softer ground is to his liking. He doesn’t carry a load of weight either. I can’t tell you for certain that he is over last week’s race but he appears to be, otherwise I wouldn’t be running him he has things in his favour.
West To The Bridge has the ground in his favour; he loves this ground. He actually ran ok last week at Kempton but the handicapper has him too high. He did run nicely last week though. I am sure he will run ok but he’s not one that will have anything in hand. I should have to think he will need to come down the handicap if he were to win.
Tristan Durrell rides Lindy Reilly and she’s run well twice in maidens. There is no reason why she won’t run well again. She wants some real nice ground under her feet and it is getting better so I think she can only improve.
Presenting Nelly has a double penalty so that is going to be hard. We have to find somewhere to run her so we will see how she gets on in this. She didn’t like fences so we are back over hurdles.
Shakeyatailfeather ran really well on debut for us and I would like to see her back that up. She is a big, strong, scopey filly and she definitely has a future in the game.
Harry rides Take No Chances and she carries a penalty. She has a bit of black type from bumpers last year and she has a win over hurdles next to her name. Obviously Harry rides her and people will presume she is our best chance, which is correct here. I think the track will suit her and I think she will go very close.
He is in very good form and just wants some nicer ground. He ran well first time this year and terrible second time as the ground was awful. He stays the trip well and he is very fit.
He is Katiera’s brother and we are taking on what looked an exceptional winner in Mister Meggit for Jonjo O’Neill. I have been very happy with our horse in his work and everything really. I just hope the ground is nice so we can run him and he definitely has a future.
