Dan Skelton: Ashtown Lad has chance at Aintree
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Ladbrokes ambassador and leading trainer Dan Skelton has a busy weekend ahead of him and he took time out to discuss the prospects of all 15 runners at Aintree, Chepstow, Sandown and Wetherby on Saturday.
He ran really well last time out and I think he will go very close in this. I have got a lot of respect for Olly Murphy’s horse here, Strong Leader, but he carries a penalty along with a few others. Etalon has stepped forward at home and I like what I see.
He fell at the first over fences the other day so he didn’t go very far but he has been good at home. He has done plenty of jumping over hurdles. It’s a conditional jockeys’ race, so our man Tristan Durrell rides him. I would like to see him get a clear round and if we get that, he wouldn’t be without a chance.
We run two in the Novices’ Hurdle here. Neither have shown us enough in these types of races just yet, and this looks a deep race. Hopefully they will make chasers down the line.
She missed her engagement last week because of the quick ground but she has been for an away day and from her form last year, she would have to be a big player.
He steps up to three miles for the first time and I think he is ready for this. From what I have seen at home, he might be looking for the trip. I am happy for him to get on with it in this race.
He runs in the Coral Welsh Grand National trial and I think he is ready for this step up in trip. He had a run at Bangor the other day but everything was happening too fast for him and after such a long lay-off.
There are only four runners here but we have to take on Jonbon and Boothill. We just have to get experience into these horses so I am looking forward to him giving this race a go especially over the trip and I think it could tell us something new.
The Becher is a race we have had in mind for a while. The race has cut up right for him and he had a nice run over hurdles there a month ago so I would give him a definite chance.
He definitely has a chance. I think the first run of the season will have brought him forward and there is nothing wrong with trip, track or ground.
This is a nice track for him and the big, long, straight will suit him. Again, I think the first run of the season will not have been lost on him.
I believe he definitely has a chance, although it looks a very tough race. He ran nicely first time and I think we will have come forward for that.
He’s a horse who should feel the benefit of his first run at Bangor where he came second. I hope he will land one of these types of races and we have been very happy with him at home.
He didn’t fire at all for whatever reason a month ago at Aintree so we are back here in a handicap. There’s a few more runners which will suit him. He has stepped forward at home so I am not worried heading here.
A lovely big, strong horse who will make a chaser down the line. We like everything about him but our bumper horses are not exactly revved up so I would have to say while I expect him to run well, I don’t expect him to just go and win. He is a nice horse for down the line though.
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