Dan Skelton: Protektorat ready for Bravemansgame duel at Haydock
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Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton spoke to us about the horses that have been underperforming at his yard and examined the chances of his nine runners at Ascot, Haydock and Huntingdon on Saturday.
It’s been a challenging time recently as a few of our horses have been underperforming, but it is more on an individual basis. Maybe they’re not ripping as hard as they can at some points in the year. This time last year they were dropping in all over the place and that is as an unusual as them running below par really.
Take L’Eau Du Sud for example. He underwhelmed massively in the Greatwood Hurdle. We had a gastroscope after and we discovered he has ulcers in the lower part of his stomach which is highly unusual. He has got an individual excuse for an underperformance.
The ones that I am a bit perplexed by are the ones coming off a massive lay-off, like My Drogo. He never got going at Aintree.
Shan Blue and Nurse Susan are more examples of ones we are finding it harder with for whatever reason this season after an elongated break from running. They are just taking a bit of time. There isn’t anything wrong with the herd, they are working well, and I am happy with them. There is no coughing and no ill health so I’m not worried but it would be nice to get them in the form they were this time last year! Maybe this weekend?
He has had a run under his belt and I think that will stand him in good stead in this tough race. This ground is slightly better than that day and I think he will prefer that. He has no weight, with Tristan Durrell taking 5lbs off. He has an obvious chance.
We have leading numbers with this horse in a maiden hurdle. He has been second in two maidens and hopefully this will be his day. He will stay the trip no problem.
He has had a lot of seconds to his name. We rode him a bit differently at Aintree the last time and it didn’t work. He will be back to being ridden prominently. It’s his first start over fences and we will see how we get on. When it comes to this horse, we just got to see where we stand with him. I hope fences bring out improvement in him. If you forget his last run, he looks like he has form against a lot of good horses. There is plenty of hope based on that so let’s see where we stand after this.
I think he will go very well in this chase. The ground is a bit better than it was the last day and hopefully all the jumps are in which will suit him. He hasn’t got a big stack of weight on his back and on last year’s form you can see he will be a contender for these better two-mile chases. I would like to think he has a chance.
He ran OK the other day back over hurdles at Aintree and I am expecting a bit more from him. He had a bit of a torrid time over fences and I think hurdling is much more his game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he needs three miles so whilst he should run well, I don’t think we will see everything he’s got until we go three miles.
He had a good run the other day against Stay Away Fay. That form needs no introduction. However, we have to take on Gaillard Du Mesnil, the National Hunt Chase winner from last year, and he was third in the Grand National. It’ll be hard to beat him, but we are happy with Grey Dawning, the track, the trip and the ground. He gets the weight off the presumed favourite, so we will give it our best shot.
Santos Blue will be ridden by Ben Sutton as usual and he gets 7lbs off. He has been in great form at home. It will be hard to turn the form around with Crambo but this trip and track are both suitable and he will definitely have a chance. It is a very competitive race.
Sholojack fell over fences the last time and he’s not the most straightforward animal, but he has plenty of ability. I am not convinced that you will see everything here. After a fall, a clear round is first and foremost and then his ability will take him into the race at some point no doubt. I am not saying we will see fireworks from him though after that fall.
He is in good form and has done everything we have asked of him. He has had the same preparation as last year when he won this race and we are very happy with him. I think he will run very well. Obviously, the complexion of the race has changed with Bravemansgame turning up and we have gone from being the likely favourite to not. Him turning up at the last minute adds spice to the race and we are fine with that. We have a great chance and we will give it our best. What will be, will be. We are coming here ready.
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