Yesterday was a busy day as my wife Bridget and I welcomed our new daughter Anna into the world, which is very exciting news for all of us at home, writes HARRY SKELTON.
The show, however, must go on. We’re sending horses to Haydock, Huntingdon and Ascot on Saturday with some live chances to pick up plenty of good prize money on offer.
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HAYDOCK
SATURDAY
DOUBLE MEASURE – 12.08pm Haydock
This is a tidy race. He ran really well, when staying on nicely at Chepstow first time out this season. He’s got to step up again, but we feel as though he’s going to be ready for this level at some point, whether it’s this race or the next, we’re not sure. He’s a really nice horse and this race is worth plenty of money so we’re having a crack. If it doesn’t happen for him today, I’m sure it will further down the line.
KABRAL DU MATHAN – 1.15pm Haydock
He steps up in trip here for the first time. He’s done loads of work at home, and we’ve been happy with him. This extended trip should suit him well and although it’s a competitive handicap, he’s in great order. We’ll learn a bit more about him after this run, as it’s his first race for us.
MR HOPE STREET – 1.50pm Haydock
He’s got a big task ahead of him here and has plenty to find on figures. Regardless of the outcome, he’ll improve for the experience and it’ll get him into a handicap further down the line. We’re just hoping for a nice, clear round and for some improvement.
ACE OF SPADES & JOYEUX MACHIN – 2.25pm Haydock
We run two in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle. Ace Of Spades (below, nearside) has been a progressive type for us so far this season. He won at Aintree first time out and we think there’s more improvement to come over three miles. It’s an ultra-competitive race which is worth a fair amount of money, but the track and trip should suit him. If the ground is to his liking, he should have a leading chance.
There’s not much between him and Joyeux Machin. Harry Atkins rode him a couple of times last year and gets on well with him, and he’ll be taking a handy seven pounds off. He had a run at Chepstow and has come on since then so he should be competitive. He’ll open the door in one of these handicaps very soon.
GREY DAWNING – 3.00pm Haydock
The rain that fell before this race last year didn’t swing things in our favour, but we hope that won’t be the case this time. He performed well last year (pictured below) and is in great form having done lots of work at home. He’s won here before and the ground should be more suitable for him this time around. If that’s the case, then he should be hard to beat. There are no excuses.
MAJOR FORTUNE – 3.35pm Haydock
He ran nicely in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham first time out this season where they went very quick. That run has brought him on and he seems to have a good chance here. I think he can land one of these big handicap chases very soon.
ASCOT
SATURDAY
KATEIRA – 2.40pm Ascot
It was nice to get her back out on the course at Wetherby and that seems to have done her a world of good. She’s a classy mare on her day and is in good form but has a few pounds to find on figures. We’re hopeful she can pick up some of the prize money on offer here.
CALICO & SHAKEYATAILFEATHER – 3.15pm Ascot
We run two in this valuable two-mile handicap. Calico was great at Cheltenham and has been put up nine pounds as a result by the handicapper. Tristan [Durrell] will take three back off. He goes very well fresh but has come out of that last race really well and is in good order at home. There’ll be some decent pace in this race but he’s pretty versatile, so doesn’t need to make the running. We’re rolling the dice again.
He jumps for fun 🤩
Calico wins the https://t.co/tyx8nMMBog Handicap Chase under @harryskelton89 for @DSkeltonRacing 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mU0LFqwBM3
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 24, 2025
Heidi Palin takes a big-race ride on Shakeyatailfeather. She’s got no weight on her back and Heidi takes a further seven pounds off, so she’ll be ridden for luck and hopefully can find the places to pick up some money.
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