Dan Skelton Stable Tour

Form profile

Winner of four of his 17 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Landed the Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree (3m 2f) in December and ran well in two hurdles races after.

Trainer says

He won the Becher last year and that is where we are aiming again this year. He will go to Bangor on November 15th before he goes for the Becher Chase, but Aintree is the big aim. After that we will make a plan about what we do, but before Christmas that’s his big target.

Form profile

Winner of one of his 2 bumpers at Market Rasen in February. Made a successful transition to hurdles when beating Brook Bay two and a half lengths at Uttoxeter (2m) this month

Trainer says

He was very good at Uttoxeter the other day. We thought he would take a bit of beating and he did it very nicely but still showed a few signs of greenness. He will go to Wetherby on November 3rd for a novices’ hurdle, and we will make a plan there afterwards. We would like to think he could end up in some of the better races, but we are not going to shove him into Grade races straightaway. We will get some experience under his belt as he still has a lot to learn.

Form profile

Winner of two of his 6 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Made a cracking start to his novice chasing career when jumping well and scoring by 11 lengths from Beauport at Haydock (2m 5 1/2f) at the end of November. However, pulled up in two outings after when odds-on in the Grade 2 Towton Chase at Wetherby (3m) in February and in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m 7 ½f) off mark of 140.

Trainer says

He started last season when he won as he wanted at Haydock and then something happened to his wind, I don’t know what, but I’ve never had a horse deteriorate so rapidly. He has had a wind operation over the summer and he looks fantastic and I don’t hear any of those problems, but we have to get back to the track and prove that is not an issue. The track will be the true test but, everything being equal we have always thought of him as a Welsh National sort of horse.

Form profile

Winner of four of his 17 races under Rules and scored twice in handicap chase company last season. He beat Out On The Tear 12 lengths at Southwell (2m) in January and got home by a nose from Pay The Piper at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) in March. In between, he ran a courageous race in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick (2m) in February when beaten only five and a half lengths to sole rival Jonbon.

Trainer says

He had a great year last year and was going to be second to Jonbon in a Grade 1 at Aintree when falling. He will start this year in the Haldon Gold Cup.

Form profile

Easy winner of her English point-to-point for John Dawson in November and made a winning debut for her stable when scoring by eight lengths from Miss Maverick in a bumper at Uttoxeter in April.

Trainer says

I think she has the potential to take high rank amongst the mares’ novices’ hurdlers and she love slower ground. We will let her tell us how high we aim over hurdles.

Form profile

Winner of a mares’ maiden point-to-point in Ireland on her second start and followed up with a two and a quarter length success from Paddy O’Mahler in a bumper at Wetherby in April on her first start for the stable.

Trainer says

She is another really nice mare who won well in a bumper at Wetherby for us. I would imagine she’s a two and a half mile to three miles horse and very much a chaser. Again, we will let her tell us how high we aim.

Form profile

Winner of one of his 5 starts and currently rated 120 over hurdles. Off the mark with a seven-length success from Big Ambition at Wetherby (2m) in January and subsequently a respectable fourth, beaten nine and three quarter lengths, to Crambo in the Grade 3 EBF Final at Sandown (2m 4f) off a mark of 119.

Trainer says

He is a big strong horse, and he gets a start over the bigger obstacles. He will be entered at Uttoxeter next weekend and hopefully he is a nice chaser.

Form profile

Winner of 10 of his 23 starts and currently rated 145 over fences and 139 over hurdles. Returned to winning form in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March when beating Pied Piper a head off a mark of 134.

Trainer says

He obviously won the County Hurdle for us last year and he runs on Sunday in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. You would like to think a horse like him will find his races and hopefully win another big one in his lifetime. It’s hard with these handicappers to know when they are going to win as the handicapper often has his say. If everything fell right for him on a particular day we all know he can win one of those big ones. He will have entries in the Greatwood, the Betfair Exchange, Morebattle etc and, hopefully, he can go win one of them. If he is happy and healthy then he will have another go in the County.

Form profile

Winner of four of his 9 starts and currently rated 135 over fences. Made a pleasing start to his chasing careerwhen beating Haddex Des Obeaux at Kempton (2m 2f) in November off a mark of 120 and followed up with a two and a quarter length success from Aucunrisque in a Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newbury (2m 1/2f) later that month off a mark of 128.

Trainer says

He was a good horse last year when winning two and put up a big effort at Ascot after he had a bit of time off. He just got a cut at Newbury, and we lost a bit of the season, but he put up a big effort at Ascot then underperformed at Ayr when we thought he would win. He is a good horse fresh, and he will go to Ascot on November 4th.

Form profile

Winner of three of her 8 starts and currently rated 145. Made a winning debut over fences when scoring by nine lengths from Miah Grace in a Listed Mares’ Chase ay Bangor (2m 1 1/2f) in November and added to that success when beating Complete Unknown 13 lengths in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick (3m) in January. Creditable efforts in defeat after when finishing fifth, beaten 16 ½ lengths, to The Real Whacker in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1/2f) in March and when fourth, beaten 15 lengths, to Gerri Colombe in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree (3m 1f) in April.

Trainer says

She loves a bit of soft ground, and she bolted up in a Grade 2 at Warwick and won two novices’ chases last year. She does have the option of going against the boys and I will give her entries in suitable race, but she will start in a mares’ event at Market Rasen on November 16th.

Form profile

Winner of five of his 7 starts and currently rated 141 over hurdles. Progressive over smaller obstacles last season and completed a hat-trick when beating Ginny’s Destiny five lengths in the Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (2m 5f) in January. Was in the process of running a very good race when falling at the ninth in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (3m 1/2f) in April won by Apple Away.

Trainer says

He is a proper old chasing type, but he did win a Graded hurdle at Warwick. He fell at Aintree when I thought he might win but that is in the past now. He will go chasing and will start at Wetherby on November 3rd. Hopefully, he can become a Feltham type and he loves soft ground. If the Feltham was not soft, then we would wait for Warwick in January.

Form profile

Winner of four of his 12 starts and currently rated 134 over fences. Completed a hat-trick in novices’ handicap chases when beating Numitor five and a half lengths at Newbury (2m 4f) in March off a mark of 123.

Trainer says

He won three on the bounce last year and I shouldn’t have run him at Cheltenham as the ground was too quick. He needs a bit of slow ground whilst he is still young and still a bit raw. I could see him being a proper three-mile chaser in time but for this year we will start at two and a half and might stay at two and half. He will run at the Coral Gold Cup meeting at Newbury and will have entries on the Friday and the Saturday.

Form profile

Winner of two of his 6 starts and currently rated 131 over hurdles. Off the mark in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m 4f) in December and followed up with a short head success from Galudon in a similar event at Wetherby (2m 3 1/2f) in January. Creditable effort on his handicap bow at Uttoxeter (2m 4f) when runner-up, beaten a neck to Equus Dancer off a mark of 128.

Trainer says

I thought this was a nice hurdler last year who was just kicking the ball against the wall until he went chasing. He will make his debut over fences at Uttoxeter next Friday.

Form profile

Winner of four of his 16 races and currently rated 129 over fences. Started off his season in great style when beating Copperhead four and a half lengths in a handicap chase at Ludlow (3m 1 1/2f) in May off a mark of 119 and followed up in a similar event at Newton Abbot (3m 2f) in October when scoring by two and a half lengths from Investment Management off a mark of 124.

Trainer says

He won well at Newton Abbot the other day and it took us a little by surprise that he would win but I think that’s because he is an easier horse to train this year than ever before. He will have an entry in the Badger Beer and whether that’s flying too high or not who knows. However, he’s decent and we can always come back down if we have too.

Form profile

Winner of four of her 6 starts and currently rated 138 over hurdles. Winner of her first three races in mares’ novices’ hurdles and completed the hat-trick with a 19-length victory from Shelikesthelights at Market Rasen (2m 1/2f) in February. Stepped up on those efforts when runner-up, beaten three and a half lengths, to Irish Point in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (2m 4f) in April.

Trainer says

She is a very good mare, and she was second on her final start of the year in a Grade 1. That shows you a little of what she is capable of and all roads lead to the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. She will probably start at Wetherby or Aintree at the start of November.

Form profile

Winner of five of his 17 starts and currently rated 147 over hurdles. Runner-up, beaten two and a quarter lengths, to Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap at Cheltenham (2m 4f) in March 2021 and unlucky favourite race for that race 12 months later when brought down at the second. Gained his deserved reward at the Festival in March when beating An Epic Song a head in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs off a mark of 141.

Trainer says

He actually had a bit of surgery after he won the Coral Cup last year. We will have him ready to run probably at the end of November. He is not an easy horse to get going in the autumn and will not play ball, but he comes alive in the spring. He has been a fabulous horse so far and, hopefully, he can continue to do well but we don’t have any early season plans for him.

Form profile

Winner of seven of his 24 starts and currently rated 151. Scored by four and a quarter lengths from Lord Du Mesnil on his debut for the stable in handicap chase at Bangor in November off a mark of 142 and stepped up on that effort in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Newbury (3m 2f) later that month when beating Remastered a half a length off a mark of 146. Finished runner-up, beaten three quarters of a length, to Empire Steel in the Listed Premier Chase at Kelso (2m 7 1/2f) in March and ended his campaign finishing 10th, beaten 36 lengths, to Corach Rambler in the Grand National at Aintree (4m 2 1/2f) in April off a mark of 152.

Trainer says

Le Milos had a bit of surgery after the National, but he had a great year last year when winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. I don’t think he is finished improving yet and I don’t know where we will start but it will be around Christmas time.

Form profile

Winner of seven of his 18 starts and currently rated 156 over fences. A winner three times in handicap chases last season and ended his campaign with a length and a half success from Bowtogreatness in a valuable contest at Aintree (3m 1f) in April off a mark of 151.

Trainer says

Midnight River will run in either the Old Roan at Aintree or at Wetherby the week after and then will aim for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury

Form profile

Winner of seven of her 25 starts and currently rated 134. Winner of a Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby (2m) on her reappearance last season when scoring by a length and a quarter from Martello Sky.

Trainer says

She is obviously down into a handicap and her mark has fallen from last year. She is off a very acceptable mark and what she does tomorrow will tell us what we do.

Form profile

Winner of five of his 7 starts and currently rated 155 over fences and hurdles. Winner of Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (2m 4f) in April 2021 but hasn’t seen out since beating Torn And Frayed seven length in a novices’ chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December 2021.

Trainer says

I am really happy with him, and he could run in the Old Roan at Aintree. It’s great to have him back but we will see how he gets on first time back and then make a proper plan.

Form profile

Winner of seven of his 29 starts and currently rated 161 over fences. Made a winning reappearance in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham (2m) last November when an easy eight-length victor from Ganapathi and then runner-up, beaten 13 lengths, to Editeur Du Gite in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton (2m) in December. Pulled up before two out when tailed off in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham (2m) won by Energumene in March.

Trainer says

He won the Shloer the last two years and that is very much the plan to get him ready for that. He is a great horse first time out, and is best when fresh.

Form profile

Winner of two of her 4 starts in 2021/22 season and currently rated 129. A winner of her maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m 1f) in November when beating Hidor De Bersy seven and a half lengths and followed up in a novice event at Leicester (1m 7 1/2f) in December when scoring by two and a half lengths from Zabeel Champ. Not seen in action since finishing fourth, beaten four and a half lengths, to Love Envoi in the Grade 2 Mares Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March 2022.

Trainer says

Nurse Susan is back, and she ran very well the season before last in mares’ novices’ hurdles. She was beaten by Love Envoi twice, but I think there was many better than her than Love Envoi that year. She now goes chasing and she will start at Bangor on November 15th.

Form profile

Winner of three of his 8 starts and currently rated 135. Finished runner-up, beaten a length, to Chasing Fire in a novices’ chase at Uttoxeter (2m) this month on his chasing bow.

Trainer says

He ran really well at Uttoxeter the other day on his chasing debut. He is still a raw horse and obviously went off favourite for the County Hurdle last year. That was always on ability, and he is loaded with ability, and it will come together for this horse.

Form profile

Winner of two of his 8 starts and currently rated 130 over hurdles. A winner twice in novices’ hurdles last season beating Hullnback at Chepstow (2m) in October and scoring by four and a half lengths from Henri The Second at Warwick in February.

Trainer says

He really never hit the heights as hurdler. He is going to go chasing and will be seen out in three or four weeks. He has always promised to be a chaser so let’s hope that’s the case.

Form profile

Winner of six of his 21 starts and currently rated 166 over fences. At his most impressive on his reappearance in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) in November when beating Eldorado Allen 11 lengths. Subsequently finished fourth, beaten five and a quarter lengths, to Ahoy Senor in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1 1/2f) in January and fifth, beaten 15 ½ lengths, to Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m 2 1/2f) in March.

Trainer says

He obviously won last year’s Betfair Chase and that is where we are going to start this season. I am very happy with him, and I hope to have him in the same form as last year and if he is, he will be one of the big contenders. We can make entries for all those races, but the Betfair is number one target.

Form profile

Winner of two of his 3 starts. Scored three lengths from Bob Bob Richard in a bumper at Huntingdon in April and runner-up, beaten a length and a half, to Kintail in a similar event at Warwick in May. Made a winning debut over hurdles at Worcester (2m) in September when beating Corporal Jackjones 13 lengths.

Trainer says

I think he is a smart horse and Chepstow on Friday will tell us if he is a smart horse. Hopefully, he can win decent novices’ hurdles before he goes chasing.

Form profile

Winner of three of his 13 starts and currently rated 145 over fences. A model of consistency last season when winning twice in novice handicap chases and placed in two others. Ended his campaign in style when beating Forward Plan 11 length in an novices’ handicap chase at at Ayr (3m) in April off a mark of 136.

Trainer says

He finished season very well win a valuable novices’ handicap chase at Ayr. He will have an entry in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby but if some fancy rated rivals turned up for that then we could wait and run him first time out in the Sefton over the National fences.

Form profile

Winner of two of his 13 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Placed in five of his six starts in novice chase company and ended his campaign finishing third, beaten five and a half lengths, to Datsalrightgino in the Grade 2 Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr (2m 4 1/2f) in April.

Trainer says

He runs at Chepstow on Saturday in a listed novice chase, and I have had this race in mind since his last run last year. He will love the ground and has experience over fences. He has to take on one of Paul’s who is rated slightly higher over hurdles, but I think he will take a bit of beating.

Form profile

Winner of three of her 5 starts and currently rated 142 over hurdles. Progressing nicely and returned to winning form when short heading Red Risk in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (2m 5f) in January over a mark of 130. Followed up in a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Aintree (3m 1/2f) in April when beating Pounding Poet five lengths off a mark of 135.

Trainer says

She is a progressive mare and only had three runs last year but won two valuable handicap hurdles. I think she could take the step forward and she will probably start in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby, and we will go from there.

Form profile

Made an impressive debut for the stable when beating Olivers Travels 12 lengths in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m) in September.

Trainer says

He bolted up on his only start for us at Uttoxeter and I want to get a run into him because I wanted the experience before going for a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in a fortnight’s time.