Dan Skelton Saturday runners blog: 'He's obviously got a chance'

In his latest blog, leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton gives his thoughts on his runners on Saturday at Cheltenham and Doncaster.

We start with the Mares' Chase on Saturday, and we've got two runners in that: Harry [Skelton] rides Coco Mademoiselle, who had a good run at the start of the year at Worcester. This track is very suitable, and she stays three miles. I'm very happy with her form from that race, and she had some winning form as a novice hurdler as well last year, so I'd have to give her a chance here. Shakeyatailfeather also runs in this one, ridden by Tristan [Durrell]. She actually ran OK the other day at Doncaster, in her first try over fences. The ground will suit her, but I'd say Coco has the better chance of the two at the moment. 

We then run Madara in the December Gold Cup, and he's in good form right now - he ran well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but I think this track suits him better. He actually won around the new track last year, having got beat around the old track - so that's only a positive. I know him a bit better now, as well, and how best to position him in the race, so I'll have a good chat with Harry and try and get those tactics right. But, based on his form, he's obviously got a chance. 

Then we run Etalon in a two-mile Handicap Chase - his form just isn't there at the moment, which is a bit frustrating because he looked progressive last year, but obviously it's just not quite happened for him yet this year. We'll see how he gets on here, on better ground. Hopefully he can build into his season - it's not happened for him yet, but that doesn't mean it won't. 

Take No Chances runs in the Mares' Handicap Hurdle, the last race on the card. I'd say she's got a fair chance here, despite carrying top weight. Obviously, the last time she ran in the Fighting Fifth, it was all too sharp for her, but she ran really well. And she won before that at Wetherby against the mares. I think she's got a chance here... she has to give away a lot of weight, though, and so we've got to be respectful of the others.

Up at Doncaster, we've got Kenmya and Nube De Trueno - neither have shown enough to win a Novices' Hurdle, if I'm honest. Kenmya will be better on spring ground, and I think Nube De Trueno probably wants a fence, in time. 

Sail Away runs in a valuable Handicap Chase - he's got some good form around this track, and the ground will be quite nice for him. Three miles is fine, so I'd have to give him a little each-way squeak. He did fall last time, which is uncharacteristic, so as long as he's got over that, he should be fine. We've done plenty of jumping with him since, and he seems in good enough form. He'll have an each-way chance there. 

We then run West Balboa in the Mares' Hurdle - it's a Listed race, she carries the highest numbers; the highest rating, going into this. She's been chasing recently, and she didn't really love the fences, so we're back over the smaller obstacles. She's jumped nicely, worked nicely... we don't really have any excuses to be honest with you. I don't think the track is an issue, and the nicer ground will suit her.

Pembroke runs in the last at Doncaster - he's not been in form at all this year. I won't call it frustrating yet but he's a horse that thrives on confidence, and we just need to get some solid runs in him. I think the handicapper has him high enough, to be fair, so I'd recommend a watching brief with him, but as the ground softens in the deep winter, he'll have his chances. 

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