Dan Skelton excited about Spiritofthegames chances at Newcastle
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Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton is involved in three meetings at Newbury horse racing, Newcastle horse racing and Doncaster horse racing on Saturday when Harry Skelton will be in action on day two of the Winter Carnival.
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Newbury 12.10 – Elle Est Belle
I think Elle Est Belle will step forward from her first run. She surprised me how much she needed the run first time up.
She’s got to take on Nina The Terrier who she is getting less weight off than she was the last day, so she is going to be hard to beat. I am really looking forward to going again with her.
Newbury 12.40 – Ashtown Lad
Ashtown Lad runs in the John Francome Novices’ Chase. I am really looking forward to getting him back out there. I would love it to be genuine good to soft ground for him.
He is a better chaser than hurdler. He takes on better horses this time over fences but he was good at Wetherby and I think he has a big career as a chaser ahead of him.
Newbury 13.50 – Ch’tibello
Makes his return after an awfully long time off. He’s been a great horse for us and owes us nothing. We will see if we can get the fires burning at some point this year.
I don’t expect him to win first time but he’s done loads of work and I am happy to get him back out there.
Newbury 15.35 – Eclair D’Ainay and King D’argent
In the last race, the 2m chase, we have two runners. Harry rides Eclair D’Ainay who looks like he didn’t stay at Wetherby the last day. The obvious thing to do is to come back in trip and I think this track will suit him.
King D’argent is the other runner. He has to go left-handed although I do think he is way too high in the handicap. Going right-handed in the Haldon Gold Cup definitely didn’t suit him.
Newcastle 11.45 – Too Friendly
Bridget goes to Newcastle to ride Too Friendly in the first race, a juvenile introductory hurdle. He won nicely at Stratford. The form of that race is okay.
He’s nice and fresh. I think he will go very well. There are a couple in there that are all right but I am very happy with our horse.
Newcastle 14.05 – Spiritofthegames
Then we run Spiritofthegames in the Rehearsal Chase. I’ve said before the time has come to go three miles and three miles only, so I am looking forward to that. I think he will like the track. Hopefully we can get a ‘1’ next to his name this season. He deserves it.
Doncaster 12.35 – Global Famenglory
We have two running at Doncaster where Tristan Durrell will take 7lb off. Global Famenglory has a big chance in the novice hurdle. She is getting 21lb from what will probably be the favourite, Brief Times. She will like the ground and feel the benefit of a run over hurdles so I think she will go very well.
Doncaster 13.43 – Sofia’s Rock
Sofia’s Rock also runs having been off for a long time. He had a bit of an injury after his fall at Huntingdon so he has to get started again.
I’ve done loads of work with him. When he fell I never thought the handicapper had been all that kind to him and I’ve no reason to think he can jump back in after a long layoff. I don’t really know what to expect but it’s good to have him back out there.
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