Dan Skelton is far from content with his record-breaking position in the trainers championship as he aims to assemble a strong team for the Aintree festival. Skelton broke the prize money record last week, previously set at £3,646,585 by Paul Nicholls, and he looks to bolster that in the Merseyside showpiece with Panic Attack
The Canford Cliffs mare has been a revelation this season, winning three of her four starts. She recorded a historic Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup double, before taking listed honours at Newbury. Her winning streak came to an end in the mares’ chase, but Skelton believes the National test can suit.
Speaking to the Racing Post, Skelton said: “I feel she has the right attributes for the National and hopefully she gets in. The race is a lottery to some degree, but she’s got a nice weight and she was great in the autumn, and I don’t think she’s in any less form now.”
Despite finishing third, Skelton was happy to draw positives from her effort at Cheltenham. “I genuinely thought we’d get closer to Dinoblue and you’ve got to take your hat off to her – she’s amazing,” noted Skelton. “The ground was probably quick enough for us and she was flat out the whole way. But she kept going and she jumped beautifully.
“I’ve got her entered in the other race at Aintree [Topham] just in case, but if we get in we’ll give the National a go.”
“I’m going to send everything we can to Aintree” – Dan Skelton
Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Grey Dawning will also be part of the Skelton battalion for Aintree. The son of Flemensfirth holds a Grand National entry, but will more than likely line up in the Bowl, where he was second to Gaelic Warrior last season.
L’Eau Du Sud will step up to two-and-a-half in the Melling, a race Protektorat was second in last season.
“I’m going to send everything we can to Aintree as we love running them there,” said Skelton. “L’Eau Du Sud will definitely run and will go over two and a half. He’s never done it before. Who knows, I might have been running him the wrong trip all this time
Another to step up in trip is The New Lion, who didn’t quite have the gear to beat Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle. “The New Lion looks great after Cheltenham. We’re really happy with him. He’ll head for the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles and give it our best shot.”