Dan Skelton is manifesting Cheltenham Festival success in the form of a new trophy cabinet as the Warwickshire based yard put the fine tunings on their most powerful festival squad yet.
The yard have already had a brilliant campaign amassing over £3 million in prize money. The figure is only £75,000 less than last year’s total, as they look set for a record breaking end to the season.
“The new trophy cabinet was all Dad’s doing”, remarked Skelton via the Racing Post. “But it’s up to us to go fill it. There’s no doubt this is the strongest team yet.
“It feels brilliant to have runners in the four Championship races, and we could take Protektorat to the Ryanair. Representatives in the marquee races is what we’ve wanted to do.”
The New Lion spearheads the team, as his market position has solidified after the news Constitution Hill won’t be going. The Turners winner proved his speed two miles when winning the Unibet Hurdle a shade cosily last month.
“We’re really happy with him, his condition is absolutely fantastic. I wouldn’t swap him” said Skelton.
“They’ll go a strong gallop you’ve got to stay really well but I know he’s got the things he needs for any eventuality.”
Grey Dawning “in the form of his life” – Skelton
Skelton also has the 2024 Turners Novices’ Chase winner Grey Dawning primed for the Gold Cup after his Cotswold Chase third.
“The Gold Cup is…yet to fully take shape but Grey Dawning’s in the form of his life,” said Skelton. “He had a nice run in the Cotswold Chase with lots of improvement to come.
“He’ll be there turning in, no doubt, but whether he’s good enough from there, who knows.”
Skelton went on to describe to depth of the race, suggesting it’s “potentially the best Gold Cup in years.”
Elsewhere for Skelton, Shloer winner L’Eau Du Sud returns fresh from Sandown defeat in December for the Champion Chase. Meanwhile, Kabral Du Mathan, who adopts “phenomenal class”, will line up in the Stayers’ with the seemingly forgotten horse Mydaddypaddy set to wear a read hood to calm him prior to the Supreme.
One of the more intriguing contenders is his Champion Bumper runner Mets Ta Centre.
The Hunter’s Light filly has had just one run when 2nd in a Grade 2 AQPS race at Saint-Cloud. Skelton has nominated Harry as the one he’ll ride, and she’ll receives a whopping 17lbs allowance.
The strength in depth is a testament to the incredible work put in from the Skelton team, who look to be in pole position to receive a belated first Trainers’ Championship Title to store proudly in their new cabinet.