Dan Skelton: This horse is my best chance on day two at Aintree
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Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton had a quiet start to the Aintree Grand National meeting but he’s ramping things up on day two when he sends nine runners to post.
The Warwickshire-based trainer talked about the prospects of each of Friday’s hopefuls a day before the Randox Grand National.
Harry [Skelton] rides Galia Des Liteaux here and she ran very well at Cheltenham. There is plenty of rain forecast for her which is really important. She gets 7lbs for being a mare and I think she will be competitive. I have been really happy with her since the festival.
Sholojack is in good form. He found everything happening a bit too quickly over 2m5f on a tight track and this is much more to his liking. The soft ground will help him as well. He will probably be the biggest price in the field but he is a decent horse and I look forward to seeing how he competes at this level over three miles.
We have three runners in this competitive race. Harry rides Playful Saint who looks ready for the step up in trip after running really well in the Imperial Cup and has leading form in this.
Molly Ollys Wishes has been holding good form this year. She ran in the conditional jockeys’ race at Cheltenham and I thought it was a creditable performance. She has come down a few pounds and has a little each-way chance.
West To The Bridge again ran in the conditional jockeys’ race at Cheltenham too and wasn’t all that far behind him. He continues to hold his form in good handicaps and also has an each-way chance.
Pembroke made a couple of mistakes and then one bad mistake at the second last in the County Hurdle when he went off favourite. Everyone knows we think this is a good horse and I am looking forward to running him here. I know it is the top level but he is good and we have done loads of work with his jumping since. I hope he can acquit himself well and show everyone how good he is and our belief in him is justified. He will go very close in my opinion.
Ashtown Lad runs in the Topham and we are really happy with him. He obviously loves fences and the rain has come which enhances the fact that we are in the right race. You can be quite aggressive with him in this type of race and I am really looking forward to this. He has won around the fences before which is a positive. It is great fun to have horses in these types of races.
I think Grey Dawning has a big advantage being a fresh horse. He will love the ground. He won a graded race last time out and we have kept him fresh for this. I think everything about him suggests he has a chance. I think he is my best chance of the day.
Knickerbockerglory was second in the Imperial Cup last time out and will appreciate the rain. He comes here in good form.
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