Dan Skelton is eyeing up another big weekend – but who are his main contenders at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday?
Dan Skelton has ramped up his early-season momentum in a bid to steal a march in the race to be champion trainer, capturing the Haldon Gold Cup before taking the Shloer Chase and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham’s November meeting. Here we take a look at his key contenders heading into another big weekend . . .
12.08 Haydock, Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle, 1m7½f (Grade 2)
Double Measure made a winning debut in a Uttoxeter bumper in March before returning at the start of this month when second on his first start over hurdles at Chepstow.
He was travelling strongly around the two pole but couldn’t quite get past the Olly Murphy-trained The Blue Room, going down by three-quarters of a length.
The four-year-old should come on plenty, making him a serious contender on Saturday. His pedigree also appeals, being by Grade 1-winning chaser Goliath Du Berlais.
Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton
1.15 Haydock, Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle, 2m3f
Skelton looks to have an exciting recruit in Kabral Du Mathan, who has arrived from Paul Nicholls this year. He won on his debut in France and added two more for Nicholls before three consecutive runner-up efforts.
The latest of those came in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, when he was only beaten a neck by Cracking Rhapsody, finishing strongly but the post came too soon for him to get by the winner.
This is his first start since that effort at Ayr, but he should go well fresh as there was a seven-month gap between his first two wins.
Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton
2.25 Haydock, Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, 3m½f
Ace Of Spades justified favouritism on his reappearance at Aintree last month, landing a fourth win on his tenth start. That came over 2m4f, but a return to 3m½f shouldn’t pose a problem as he was second over the trip at Ayr on his final start last season. He’s never raced on ground worse than good to soft, so he won’t mind conditions remaining as they are.
Stablemate Joyeux Machin is also set to line up and sits close to him in the betting. He ran in some strong races last season, including a competitive Cheltenham handicap won by Mirabad, before finishing last behind Constitution Hill on Trials day.
He was seventh on his reappearance in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and connections will hope this step up in trip can draw out some improvement. However, he must end a losing run stretching back to September 2023.
2.40 Ascot, Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle, 2m3½f (Grade 2)
Kateira got the better of Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace by 28 lengths on her first start of the season at Wetherby, albeit in a two-runner race, but there was still plenty to like. She had been off for nine months and returned with a polished success.
Kateira has won six of her 13 starts over hurdlesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Two seasons ago, she beat Jango Baie at Aintree and that form still reads well. She faces a stiff task on Saturday and will need a sizeable step forward to turn over Wodhooh and Potters Charm, but she handles soft ground well and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Jky: Tristan Durrell Tnr: Dan Skelton
3.00 Haydock, Betfair Chase, 3m½f (Grade 1)
Grey Dawning is the ante-post favourite to land a second Grade 1 over fences, having taken the Turners Novices’ Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. He hasn’t run badly since, finishing third behind Il Etait Temps in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, second to Royale Pagaille in this race last year and, most recently, producing a career-up Racing Post Rating when runner-up to Gaelic Warrior in the Bowl at Aintree.
He renews rivalry with Royale Pagaille and could meet Haiti Couleurs for the first time in what promises to be a compelling clash. Skelton won this race with Protektorat in 2022 and will be keen to deny Royale Pagaille a third consecutive victory.
Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton
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