Dan Skelton: West Cork goes there with a real chance
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Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton assesses the prospects of his runners at Ayr and Newbury on Saturday.
The ground is nice for him which is what he really wants. The handicapper hasn’t let go yet but he should run well on really good ground.
This is a valuable Novice Handicap Chase. Three miles on this type of track should be suitable for him but it is very competitive.
He runs in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle and I have to give him a fair chance. He hasn’t had a busy season. He has obviously run at Cheltenham and I don’t think this has come too soon because he is well at home.
There is a little bit of a question mark over that but we can’t answer that until we run. We are happy with him at home and I think he goes there with a real chance.
Ashtown Lad runs in the Coral Scottish National and I have been looking forward to trying him over this trip. You don’t know if you stay until you try it so we are giving it a go. There is an unanswered question over that for sure though.
He has won two races this year in a novices’ handicap hurdle. It’s over a bit further this time which I am sure will suit him.
We run three in this race. It’s worth a few quid and we are looking for black type with these runners. Gentle Connection will be ridden by Tristan who takes 7lbs off. She should enjoy the track and the trip.
I have had this race in mind all season for her and she wants a bit of nice ground. She is a little bit out of the handicap but it’s a graded race and we have got to get involved.
I think he will like the ground a little slower but I have had this race in mind for a while now. Three nice chances in the race.
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