Dan Skelton Saturday runners blog: 'I don't think the trip is a problem for him here'

With the dust having settled on the 2025 Grand National, Dan Skelton shares his latest blog with Ladbrokes, previewing his runners on Saturday at Ayr and Bangor.

We've got two runners in the Scottish Grand National on Saturday - Harry [Skelton]'s on Sail Away, who stayed on really well the last day. I was really happy with how he ran. He's never taken on this trip before but he looks like he's ready for it and has got plenty of experience. The ground will be ideal for him as well. Snipe also runs in the race - he's had a very productive year without winning. Very productive and very consistent... we'd like to think we can rely on him to be consistent again. Again, I don't think the trip is a problem for him here.

We've also got Valgrand running in the Scottish Champion Hurdle - we missed Aintree with him last weekend to come here as I thought he was better off having another week. I really think the ground and the track will suit him here. Hopefully he's got an each-way chance, but it's a highly competitive race, as you'd expect.

We start the day with Etalon, in a two-mile handicap chase - it's fair to say his form hasn't been there this year, which is disappointing because we thought he'd step into the season really well after having a productive novice year. It'd be a great day for him to rediscover that form, though. He looks well and the track should be no problem. Better ground, I think, suits him these days. Hopefully he's got a squeak.

Theformismighty runs in a three-mile novices' handicap chase, and I think this trip will really suit him. The track is ideal for him too. Hopefully he can step forward, because he's been in good form without winning recently. Hopefully he can put his best foot forward here. 

We've got two runners over at Bangor as well. Skiffle Man makes his debut over fences and he's done lots of jumping at home. He's been a little disappointing, it has to be said; although he was second on his penultimate start and we thought he'd win the last day, or go very close, but it just never really happened. He's built like a chaser though, so we want to get him out there over fences and see. 

We've also got Gwennie May Star running - he has won this season, the track should suit and the trip should be ideal. Hopefully he's got a bit of a squeak. They're both horses with chances.

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