Dan Skelton on runners at Newbury, Doncaster and the flat at Southwell

We only have runners on Saturday this weekend, starting with Newbury. Virgilio runs in the Veterans race (2.05). He had a run over hurdles the other day but he’s not really a hurdler.

The handicapper hasn’t really dropped him over fences andafter the length of time he’s had off, I think top weight here is justcompletely impossible for him; I think he will struggle here.

Hopefully there’s another day in him because he is a genuinehorse and has been a pleasure to have around.

I think Antunes (2.40) has a chance in the two-mile handicap hurdle. We fancied him last weekend before the meeting was called off so no reason not to think the same here. The track should suit well.

Bennys King (3.15) runs in the big handicap and I think he has a chance too. He is good around the track and he ran well last time. He has to contend with a higher mark but I think he’s able to do that. He is in very good form and we are really happy. 

Supremely Lucky (4.25) needs to find a few numbers here but not a catastrophic amount. I would give him a little chance. There aren’t that many runners but I think he will be closer than his rating might suggest.

Hometown Hero (5.00) runs in the bumper and he’s a nice horse for the future. He stays very well and the track should suit him. We need to know where we are a bit really, so we’ve got to get started.

We go to Doncaster next and Bridget Andrews will represent us there. We have a fairly busy day starting with Destrier (2.25). I think he has a chance here.

He blew out at Cheltenham and I don’t know why. He was avery progressive horse before that and he looks in good form at home. The trackwill definitely suit him.

Ballycallan Fame (3.00) had a run in a bumper a couple of weeks ago, although she’s not really a bumper horse.  I wouldn’t mind her being a novice next year over hurdles so we thought we would run her in a deeper grade.

If she can sneak around and pick up third and get some blacktype it will be all the better for her. I think she will be better next yearwhen she’s had more time to acclimatise.

Captain Chaos (3.35) ran really well last time out. We have given him as long as we can, so he comes here as fresh as possible. He is in good form at home and I hope we have a fair chance. These long distance horses have a tough task backing up races as we all know but I’m happy with him going into this.

We are very happy with Firak (4.10) and we get a penalty off Keppage, so you have to think he will go close. Keppage looks a fancy one but him aside, I don’t think there is a great deal in the race.

Mabela (4.45) runs later on in the card but I think she wants better ground. She ran alright the other day.

We actually have two runners on the flat at Southwell weirdly enough. We run Hatcher (6.00) over a mile-and-a-half. He stays very well. I don’t know how he will get on here though because I am not a very good flat trainer! So we will have to wait and see!

Lonimoss Bareliere (7.30) ran an eye-catcher the other day in a Jumpers Bumper and off 55 over two miles he has to be competitive.

Dan.