On-song Skelton eyeing more glory at Stratford
THE meetings come round quickly at Stratford at this time of the year and, after the recent weekend double-header, the course stages a seven-race card on Tuesday afternoon sponsored by broadcaster Racing UK, writes David Hucker.
Highlight is the fourth, the Class 3 Racing UK Free Trial Sky 426 Handicap Hurdle over two miles, in which four-time winner Peruvien Bleu tops the weights for the Williams family.
Trained by Nick Williams for his wife Jane, Peruvien Bleu will be ridden by their son Chester, who has been his regular rider over the last two years and was on board when runner-up to the smart Leoncavallo at his favourite course Ludlow last time out.
Behind in third place that day was Bertimont, who is 4lb better off at the weights and could be another winner for trainer Dan Skelton and his jockey brother Harry.
Unlike in 2017 when Skelton hit a flat spot in June, there is no stopping the stable this year and the success of Mrsrobin at Fontwell Park on Saturday evening was his 44th of the season. At this rate, the 50-winner mark looks certain to be reached much earlier than on 4th August last time.
Another to consider is Novis Adventus if back on song after a recent disappointing run on the Flat when tailed off at Kempton Park. He has won twice from four starts over hurdles, although looks pretty highly weighted on a mark of 123.
The opening Racinguk.com/freetrial Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over two and a quarter miles attracted 31 entries and has been split into two divisions, making for an earlier start at 1.50pm.
Cheltenham winner Stylish Dancer is likely to be a short price to land the first division for the Skeltons, although she has to bounce back from a defeat at Uttoxeter last month.
Because of their good run of form, the Skelton horses tend to go off at pretty short prices, with six of the last ten stable runners having been returned favourite, and punters looking for some each-way value might take a chance on Towcester winner Sue Be It on whom Brian Hughes again has the ride.
On known form, the second division should lie between the two previous winners, Grageelagh Girl, winner of a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot two weeks ago, and Tillythetank, winner of a similar race at Exeter last month.
Workbench tops the weights for the Skeltons in the £12,200 Racing UK Free For A Month Handicap Chase over two and three-quarter miles, but has to give a stone in weight to course and distance winner Fear Glic, who hasn’t won for two years, but showed signs of coming back to form at Worcester last week and is handicapped 15lb lower than his last winning mark.
There is a competitive-looking field of twelve for the £10,000 Bet At racinguk.com Novices’ Handicap Chase and hat-trick seeking Just A Feeling, owned by the Rio Gold Racing Club, could be the one to be on. She has shown improved form since a wind operation, but is rising up the weights and needs to step up again.
Uttoxeter winner Mick Maestro was a pretty short price to follow up at Warwick, but pulled too hard for his own good, finishing third to 33-1 outsider Telegraph Place. Rated at 122, he still sets the standard in the Visit The All New racinguk.com Novices’ Hurdle over two miles, being 5lb above Fakenham scorer Yensir, who is trained, like Telegraph Place, by Olly Murphy at Wilmcote.
Strictly at the weights, there is nothing between Mick Maestro and Dan Skelton’s Hatcher, who was beaten when falling at the last flight at Huntingdon but, provided that Jonathan Burke can settle him, Mick Maestro should be too good.
Course winner Iniesta has to give weight to his 13 rivals in the concluding Racing UK Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over two and a quarter miles, but the one that catches the eye is Ladies Dancing, who will be ridden by Page Fuller, who turned professional after securing her second amateur jockeys title here earlier in the month.
The combination were successful at Newton Abbot 13 months ago from a handicap rating of 89 and race from a 2lb lower mark now. A pleasing comeback run behind Amour D’Or last month should ensure that Ladies Dancing is spot on.
