Dan Skelton blog: Trainer previews runners at Cheltenham, Doncaster & Uttoxeter
Published:
The Dan Skelton blog is back where the leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador previews his runners for Cheltenham, Doncaster and Uttoxeter this weekend.
Le Fauve runs in a valuable juvenile hurdle that contains some tasty rivals but we are happy with our horse. We aren’t going into the race thinking we should be a shorter price as it’s a hot race and this is a horse that if he went and ran well in these races then he would have a Fred Winter entry. If he is a maiden hurdler next year it’s not the end of the world. We are happy with him at home, he ran well at Aintree, and we will see how we get on here.
Unexpected Party is a little too high in the handicap and his form this year has suggested that. Whilst he can be competitive, I would be surprised if there were others with more in hand than us. To be honest, ever since he won at the start of the season in a listed race, he’s had to pay for that. He’s in good form and I suppose he is consistent so hopefully we have a little squeak. I am being realistic about his chances.
Frere D’Armes runs in the big handicap chase and he would have a chance. I think he will stay the trip and they will go fast which will suit him, but it’s been a little frustrating with him as he didn’t show up at Musselburgh. Although the two times he has disappointed is when he’s had overnights. We are closer to home here which will suit him well.
Nube Negra runs in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase. There are five runners here and the opposition don’t need talking about. We are happy with our horse and the drier forecast helps him. It was a much better run the other day at Kempton. We are taking a slightly different approach then last year by running him a bit more and he’s thriving. He looks great at home.
Calico runs in a valuable two-mile chase. He won over course and distance last year and this nice ground will really suit him. I think he has an obvious chance and don’t have many excuses.
Sail Away runs in the Great Yorkshire Chase. He ran nicely there last time having had the jumps taken out with low sun which wouldn’t have suited. With the jumps in, it suits him a lot better and the nice ground suits him too. He has to have an each-way chance, Although, it is a highly competitive race.
Snipe is quite progressive. He won last time and the better ground this time won’t hurt him. I am looking forward ot running him to see where he stands more than anything because he is looking like we could have plenty of fun with him as a staying chaser.
Go Steady is back over hurdles at the scene where he ran really well a couple of runs ago and I would like to say he has a little squeak. He is getting on in years, but hopefully he has a few more tunes in him yet. He’s loving what he’s doing so we will keep on running.
