Dan Skelton: Camdonian in fantastic shape for Uttoxeter coup
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Leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton previews his weekend runners including his hopes for the Betfair Chase and Coral Hurdle.
Saturday
This is a nice, young, French horse. We like him a lot, he is only four, and we think he will be a chaser in time. This is a nice race to start him off in and he will handle the soft ground.
This race has been the target for her and she is in great form. We took her for a couple of away days, she looks brilliant, she stays three miles, and it is hard to pick faults with her.
She is fairly handicapped and hopefully she will step forward this season. She should take high rank in this and I hope down the line that she will be one of the better mares around.
Protektorat goes for the big one, the Betfair Chase. The more rain the better. We are taking on the reigning Gold Cup team that won this race very emphatically last year. We know it is going to be a hard job to beat them.
We are as prepared as can be, he looks great, he has had a few away days, so we have no excuses. I am really looking forward to this.
We run Uhtred against Constitution Hill and co. at Ascot. There is quite a lot of prize money on offer and he is rated 141, so he can run in a handicap but he would be high up in the weights so we thought we would have a go at this. It is a first run over hurdles for us and we will see where we stand. I am very happy with him.
The blinkers are on and he runs how he wants these days. It is a valuable race and the little weight he has is a help. He loves Ascot.
He ran two weeks ago and needed the run in hindsight. This track is more suitable probably as it was drawn out at Exeter and he made a couple of mistakes which is unlike him. It was his first step into open company but we know this is a high-class horse.
He has won two Grade 2 races last year and admittedly, there’s a big difference taking on the older horses as opposed to novices all last year.
Sunday
My two runners here didn’t exactly put up huge performance figures last time out. I think they will both improve from that, but it will have to be significantly if they are to win. They are both chasers down the line and both nice horses though.
Kateira ran very well first time up last year on her debut in a bumper and then ran credibly at Aintree in the bumper. She is a definite jumper though and loves jumping at home. I hope and think she will go very close in this.
This is a competitive race and Benny’s Oscar has been off for a while. We actually took him to Market Rasen the other day before it was called off. We just need to get him started now and I think he will improve for the run.
He was very good first time up last year, finishing second to a nice horse of Paul Nicholls. This is his first time out this season and I have done lots of work with him at home. He looks fantastic and I would like to think he will be very competitive.
If she takes her chance, I would be quite confident that she will run very well. I think the trip is a positive for her as is the softer ground. I don’t want it too soft and tacky though, especially by the last race so I will take a view on that looking at the forecast.
He has had a run this season and I think he will feel the benefit of that run. This is a little step back in trip to three miles and that will be a positive for him. He should have a little squeak.
This is a nice competitive handicap hurdle. We were delighted with him on his first start last year and then after Cheltenham when he disappointed, he had a small injury. We have had lots of time and this is a nice starting point around a nice track.
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