Dan Skelton Boxing Day runners blog: 'We'll give it a go'

In his latest blog, leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton gives his thoughts on his runners on Boxing Day at Kempton, Aintree and Sedgefield.

Asta La Pasta starts us off at Kempton - I think he's got a great chance in this Novices' Handicap Chase, and going right-handed will suit him. His got some nice form in the book, and a good bit of experience now, hopefully he'll go very well here.

Grey Dawning obviously runs in the King George, and I've been amazed with how he came out of the Betfair Chase at Haydock; I thought he'd take a while to get over that, but he's bounced out of it, and he's been in good form since. We've schooled him and worked him - Harry [Skelton] is very happy with him jumping, Tom Messenger rides him every day, and is very happy and I think nicer ground here will suit him.

He has won at the track before and although this is only his second run outside of novice company he showed an improved performance in the Betfair, even though he got beat. Everything points towards him belonging at this level, but it's a hard race to win - we're not going there thinking that we're just going to win it. We feel we've got a great chance, and we're delighted with the way the horse is. 

We then run Beau Quali in the Maiden Hurdle, who has got a leading handicap mark in this. Nicky Henderson's looks like he's got some smart form, and could be hard to beat, but we'll give it a go. 

Heltenham runs in a Handicap Chase up at Aintree - I don't think he's very well handicapped, but it's only a small field which should suit him. Left-handed definitely suits him as well, but I will repeat there could be better horses handicapped in there. 

Country Mile runs in a good Novices' Hurdle - I was really impressed with him on the last day at Cheltenham, where the race was perhaps set up for him, by going quick in front. But I should imagine they'll be going quick in this race as well, and he travels very strongly. He likes his racing, and it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

We've not got a lot to compare him to in this race to be honest. Of course, there's Roadlesstravelled, who reopposes us, having got the better of us at Haydock. But that was on particularly bad ground... I just wonder if we're a little bit better on better ground. A dry forecast would suit him, and I'm really looking forward to getting him out there in a Grade One. 

Dalston Lad runs in the Bumper, and I was very impressed with him when he won first-time - he does have a 4lb penalty here, but he has that bit of experience now, and looks a smart horse. I think he'll run very close. 

Ben Sutton rides his father's Hill Of Scarriff for us in a Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield, and she looks handicapped to win a race, and I think the better conditions here will suit her. And then Lady Kluck runs in the Bumper - she won at the track last time, and Tristan [Durrell] rides her again. They got on top well at the end last time, and we're looking for the same here. She'll obviously have a big chance.

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