The horse racing broadcaster offers up his best bets for an exciting day of racing at Cheltenham and Doncaster.
The Skelton bandwagon looks set to roll on this Saturday with the yard represented in all eight ITV races. Coverage is split between Cheltenham and Doncaster, and while the ground is pretty much perfect, there is the prospect on a bright, clear day for the omission of obstacles at either or both venues.
While tempo is always the key driver, it is worth pointing out that when fences aren’t jumped, it tends to place a greater emphasis on stamina as the maintenance of a higher speed outweighs the effort of jumping, and makes it easier to come from off the pace. One only hopes that if this does prove to be the case, the decision to omit is made early enough to inform punters rather than waiting until the runners are at the post.
The feature race is the Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup, reflecting the amazing fundraising by John and Amy over the last few days in honour of Carol, Hannah and Louise and for causes close to their hearts. For those fortunate to be at the main fundraising evening on Thursday, it was both heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure, and it is to Cheltenham’s credit that they have shone a light on this through the race title. It will be a privilege to call it.
As regards the winner, the stiffer test of the New Course can see HOE JOLY SMOKE / (13:50 Cheltenham) reverse November Gold Cup form with Vincenzo. Dan Skelton’s charge stayed on well up the hill behind his stable companion Panic Attack, who franked the form in the Newbury Gold Cup, not helped by errors at the final two fences. The slight increase in trip and the more galloping nature of the New Course should place more emphasis on stamina, and he is also 2lbs better off. Jagwar was a non-runner that day and remains with the potential to prove better than a handicapper based on his rapid progress through the grades last season, culminating in a Festival victory. He looks a big danger.
There is a very healthy turnout for the Mares Handicap Chase, where THEONEWEDREAMOF / (13:15 Cheltenham) can maintain her progress over fences. Her Chepstow second on her Skelton yard debut in October has proved particularly strong form, with fourth, fifth and seventh all joining her in winning next time out (stick the winner that day, Something Special, in your tracker). That victory at Exeter was accomplished in ready fashion, and she remains just 5lbs higher than both those runs, which looks a very workable mark.
Sun could very much be an issue for the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, where CONMAN JOHN / (15:00 Cheltenham) can follow up his win here in October. Stamina really seemed his strong suit that day, and if there is the omission of the hurdle in the home straight, that will play even more into the hands of this big, strapping horse. The Skeltons have a chance here as well with Carlenrig, who was ridden very much with an eye to the future on his Chepstow debut. His victory in a Hexham Point-to-Point shows he also is not short of stamina.
Away from Cheltenham, PRINCE ZALTAR / (14:05 Doncaster) can provide Tristan Durrell with another Saturday winner. He looked to make his ground a little too quickly at Cheltenham last time behind subsequent Sandown winner Kikijo. This is his first run over fences for the Skeltons, but he had plenty of experience over them in Ireland during the summer, which included a win at Punchestown.
Finally, lightly raced LANESBOROUGH / (15:17 Doncaster) can pick up where he left off last season. He was another one to make his ground too rapidly when second at Chepstow in January and then readily followed up at Warwick. That form has proved nothing special, but he just looks the type to make into a progressive handicapper this campaign. There is likely to be a solid pace courtesy of Bowmore and Amancio, and hopefully this should set things up nicely. He will come on for his first run in nearly 300 days but is a horse to follow this season.
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