Dan Skelton: Soyouthinksoagain ready for big step up
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Trainer Dan Skelton has 13 runners over the weekend at Kelso, Doncaster, Newbury and Huntingdon and the Ladbrokes ambassador has given us his thoughts on their prospects over the two days.
Saturday
This is a race we won last year with My Drogo. He’s a fair horse who easily won his first two novice hurdles. We are taking a big step up in grade here but we think he is ready for it. They had some rain there today which is great and I am looking forward to it.
First time in cheekpieces which I think will help him. He just hasn’t quite had his form this year but it is there. We’ve just got to get back out and I hope the cheekpieces make a big difference.
He had a long time off the track before his last run. I think he will improve again for the run. The bounce factor is at the back of my mind so I can’t be too bullish about him.
He ran well last time out in a conditions race. This is a handicap obviously. He always runs his race but I’m not sure the handicapper has given him much room at the moment. I am happy to give it a good go though.
Bridget Andrews is at Doncaster for us and starts with Get A Tonic. She’s a leading horse on figures and I don’t think the trip will be an issue. She should go very close.
I think the ground is soft enough for him. He always does his best but I just feel like his best form has historically been on really good ground.
This is a big step up in grade but I feel like he is ready for it. He gets a nice weight, stays the trip well, ground is no issue and we have to give it a go and find out if we belong at this level.
He had a nice run at Fontwell the other day and has improved for that after having a long time off the track. This will tell us where he will go next.
Pembroke runs in the bumper. He’s a nice horse who is a definite future jumper. If it was really bad ground I would perhaps not run him to be cautious. I wouldn’t want to debut him on real heavy ground.
Amoola Gold always runs well in these good races. He enjoys two-and-a-half miles these days, unless it’s at Ascot in which he just seems to run well at any trip. We are really happy with him and have to give it a shot. He belongs in these races and hopefully another one will fall his way.
If they got a load of rain out of nowhere, his participation would be in doubt. He is in good form and stepped forward from his first bumper. He wouldn’t necessarily jump off the page as a bumper winner, he’s more of a jumper for the future. We do like him though.
Sunday
I would say she has a fair chance. She had a bit of time off after getting a cut the day she won at Southwell. I think she needed the run at Warwick weirdly and I hope she steps forward from that.
He is consistent. He runs his race. He has no issue with the trip and track and has got to be a player.
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