Dan Skelton Saturday runners blog: 'He's got every chance of running well'

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

We've got Beat Box and Salamanca Bay turning out in the Two-Mile Handicap Chase. Beat Box won earlier this week, up at Kelso, and he's been remarkable really. He keeps improving, and finding a little bit more. He likes the ground as well and I don't see this track being a problem for him. He should definitely be competitive again, but he's carrying penalties, so it is getting harder. But, hopefully, he should still be ahead. Salamanca Bay is back over two miles, having pulled up over two and a half last time. I do think that it'll all come together for him on very, very soft ground, when the handicapper drops him a little. He's quite a keen horse, and we got him to settle last time. If we can get him to do the same again here, he's got every chance of running well.

Unexpected Party and Etalon both run in the Two-and-a-Half-Mile Chase. Unexpected Party, I feel, the handicapper has got too high, but he's got some nice form. Etalon, stepping up in trip, could be a positive, so with a bit of luck, he can go well there.

West To The Bridge runs in the Seniors' Handicap Hurdle, and I think the track and the trip are ideal for him. He's carrying top weight, which isn't ideal, but the trip is perfect, and so he'd have to have an each-way chance. It'd be lovely to see him win this season; I think he's one win off 10 races, which would be great.

Honky Tonk Highway runs in a Handicap - she won at the track in a listed race last time out. She's got a nice opening mark of 119, and hopefully she's got a real chance here. I think she'll probably be our best chance of the day.

We also have Joyeux Machin, running in the last race of the day at Sandown. He ran at Cheltenham in the December meeting, and I think the handicapper has him too high, to be honest. But this being more of a stamina test will suit him nicely. 

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