Cheltenham is fast approaching on the racing calendar as trainers and punters alike are scoping out the racers that are going to be the main stars this March.
Trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador, Dan Skelton provides all the details on how he thinks his runners will fare in this Saturday's upcoming races.
There are a couple of horses heading into Ascot to start the weekend, the most notable being the Ascot Chase where Skelton's Grade 1 runner, Flegmatik will definitely have his work cut out for him.
Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle - Joyeux Machin
Harry [Skelton] rides Joyeux Machin in a really competitive handicap hurdle - he ran nicely the last day. It's slightly drier ground this time and I'm not sure if that's a negative or a positive because we haven't raced him that much. He did stay on nicely on soft ground so I think Ascot, and the stiff climb from Swinley Bottom will suit him. He'd have to have a chance here.
Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase - Snipe
We then run Snipe in the £100k Handicap Chase - he ran really well at the Great Yorkshire Chase last time. He doesn't look like he's handicapped to just pop in and win one of these but he's going to be competitive I'm sure. I think the way the races are run around Ascot will suit him; the uphill finish and the race sort of coming back to them I think, will be good.
Betfair Ascot Chase - Flegmatik
Flegmatik is in the big Grade 1 and we'll just keep an eye on the ground, we don't want it to dry out too much. Look, he's got a big job on here to pick up any more than sixth place obviously. But he's not the best handicapped now, and he can pick up some prize money here, whereas in handicaps he's finishing third and fourth. I thought he was worth a look here, but obviously I've got loads of respect for the Grade 1 horses.
Betfair Mares' Open National Hunt - Belle Le Grand
We then run a nice filly in the Bumper called Belle Le Grand who carries a penalty. She won in Ireland before we got her, and she works nicely at home. It's a competitive bumper, which you'd expect for the prize money and there are other fillies in there who have shown nice form. Again, plenty of respect for the others in there, but I do think ours will run nicely.
In Haydock, Skelton has more capable runners getting prepared, but many eyes will be on Galia Des Liteaux as she runs in the Grand National Trial and is expected to finish well.
WKD Rendlesham Hurdle - Gwennie May Boy
We run Gwennie May Boy in the Rendlesham, and this is his first step out of handicap company. He's been giving lots of weight away in handicaps at the moment so we thought we'd try something a little different and see how he gets on. We don't go there with expectations that we're the most likely winner, but we think he'll run very well and be competitive. This might give us a different approach to work with.
Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase - Galia Des Liteaux
Galia Des Liteaux runs in the Grand National Trial - the trip will be perfect for her and a big galloping track like this is good for her too. She doesn't have much weight, and hopefully she's got a squeak at picking up some good money. Handicap wise, you can't just say she's handicapped to win, although her mark is falling to the point where you'd think she's definitely going to be competitive. I'd hope she runs very nicely here.
Walrus Open Hunters' Chase - Jet Plane
We then run Jet Plane in the Hunters' Chase - he won last time. Obviously this is a very competitive chase, and one of the more valuable ones of the year, but you'd expect him to be competitive. He carries decent recent form into this, and should go close.
