Dan Skelton weekend runners blog: 'I'm looking forward to getting him back out there'

In his latest blog, Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton gives his thoughts on his runners on Saturday at Sandown and at Wetherby.

The original card survives at Sandown this weekend, and we're starting there with Etalon, who runs in a Handicap Chase. He only got halfway around Windsor last time, which is frustrating, but that can happen; he just sprawled on landing. But he's in good form, and I don't think the ground is a massive problem. I'm looking forward to getting him back out there.

Shan Blue runs in a three-mile chase. obviously he's very much in the autumn of his career but we do feel like the flame still burns, and he's run well at this track before, so let's go and give it our best. You have to be a little bit respectful of his age and his form so we can't just go in with our chest out, thinking you're going to win. But if we didn't think he'd be competitive, we wouldn't be turning up.

Major Fortune runs in a valuable handicap hurdle. He wasn't quite right on his last run, but we think we've ironed out a couple of his problems. And these are the things he likes; three miles on soft ground... the weights won't go up, which is ideal, and it means he doesn't have to carry all that much weight - I'd definitely give him an each-way chance here.

We then run A Pai De Nom in the bumper - he's in good form, and he's had a good, long break since his last run. I think he'll go close - he'll handle the ground and the track well.

Nube De Trueno runs in a Novices' Hurdle up at Wetherby, but to be honest with you, he hasn't shown in the weights for age races yet - he looks like a chaser somewhere further down the road, in the future, I think.

We've then got Real Stone, who runs in a Handicap Chase. I've been trying to get him out all season, but every time I've entered him anywhere, the race has been called off! I think the track will suit him though, and he's stepping up to two-and-a-half which, as he’s getting a little older, I don't think that's an issue. It's just his lack of recent form... so let's get him out before we make any assumptions and presumptions, and then we'll know a little bit more about how the end of his season might look. But he's fit and well - that's what I can say.

Joyeux Machin turns out quickly; obviously he ran in Constitution Hill's race last week and picked up some prize money. He's in calmer waters here in this handicap. He's still carrying top weight, which will be difficult for him; I think the handicapper needs to relent a little. But we'll get him out there and see where we stand. 

Jet Plane runs in the Hunters' Chase - Heidi [Palin] rides him. We've had him declared before and races have been called off and all sorts, so it's been quite frustrating trying to get him started in Hunter Chases, but he carries some nice form, recent and past. I think Heidi will get on with him well, and he'll have a big chance.

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