Skelton looks to consolidate lead at Stratford
LOCAL company Stratford Caravans and Avon Estates return as sponsors for Stratford’s seven-race card on Sunday afternoon and Alcester trainer Dan Skelton has plenty of entries as he looks to consolidate his lead at the top of the championship table, writes David Hucker.
The meeting kicks off at 2.10pm with the Allan Atkinson Memorial Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and Skelton has three of the 17 entries, including course winner I’ll Be Your Clown who, although beaten subsequently at Huntingdon, still sets the standard here.
Skelton also has Lieutenant Gruber, not seen out since last December, and former John Gosden Flat winner Coroberee, who should improve for his debut run over hurdles.
With all three having other options over the weekend, it will be a case of wait and see which one is declared at Stratford.
Trainer Emma Lavelle doesn’t have too many runners in selling races, so the consistent Swatow could be the one to be on in the following Riverside Bar And Restaurant Mares’ Novices’ Selling Hurdle.
She has finished behind a couple of useful performers in Listed race winner Brillare Momento and Copper Kay and, on form, would have an outstanding chance of opening her account.
The £10,000 stratfordparks.co.uk Handicap Chase tops the bill and Modeligo, a winner over the course last time out, makes plenty of appeal.
He has to overcome a 9lb rise in the weights for that success and would need to put up a career-best performance to score again but, provided that the rain at the start of the week clears by Sunday, he should get his favoured good ground.
Altiepix put up a good performance to give the in-form Storming Strumpet a run for her money at the track on his last appearance and Kerry Lee’s chaser looks the danger.
With 16 entries, the Riverside Bar And Restaurant Handicap Hurdle over three-and-a-quarter miles looks like being a competitive affair, with the consistent Generous Chief one who should reward each-way backers.
Crown Hill has won twice over fences since joining the Somerset stable of Johnny Farrelly, but was only fifth when reverting to hurdles at Ludlow, staying on at the finish after losing his place at the fourth-last flight.
There is an even bigger entry of 27 in the stratfordparks.co.uk Handicap Hurdle with West Country trainers Katie Stephens and Alexandra Dunn having two apiece.
The maiden Petrou is an interesting entry, having been bought out of the Ben Case stable by the Rio Racing Club, and he could show improved form on his first start for new trainer Skelton.
The lightly-raced Brass Monkey won at Fontwell Park a year ago off a 4lb lower mark when trained by Neil King. He has a bit to find on the form of his two runs for Martin Keighley and Get Home Now, who is on a long losing streak, but well down the weights as a result, might be a better bet.
The lightly-raced Klondaw Draft catches the eye in the Riverside Bar And Restaurant Chase (A Novices’ Limited Handicap), having been put up just 3lbs after his narrow win at Bangor-on-Dee last month, only his second outing in over two years.
Sand Blast, who would be making his chasing debut, looks to be one of the lesser lights in the Skelton stable, weakening quickly here in April before being collared in a three-horse race at Taunton.
Upper Lambourn trainer Warren Greatrex took last year’s running of the stratfordparks.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race and he has two entries in the shape of Mulcahys Hill and The Black Squirrel.
The Skelton-trained Holryale could be another to consider in a race where there is little form to go on.
