Equinties - Skelton scathing

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Headline roundup

Dan Skelton’s Cheltenham team

On Monday it was Nicky Henderson and yesterday it was Dan Skelton as he opened the doors to his Warwickshire-based yard for his pre-Cheltenham Festival press day.

There were few surprises to report, but these are the main talking points.

PROTEKTORAT is “bigger, better, and stronger” than his run in the Gold Cup last year.

Full read on quotes: 

Skelton has nominated GALIA DES LITEAUX as his best chance of the Festival IF it turns up soft.

GREY DAWNING will not be seen in March.

MIDNIGHT RIVER could be a nice Graded horse for next season – potentially something like the Many Clouds Chase – and he will head to the Plate with a good chance.

And the former assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls also had a pop at the “offensive” comments from the British Handicapper.

“The plan is to run on Saturday”

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has told the Racing Post that FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES is still gearing up for a charge at the Grade 1 Ascot Chase on Saturday despite the recent ALLAHO news that could have changed his schedule.

The eight-year-old 2m4f specialist is set to try and defend his crown at Ascot on the weekend against Nicky Henderson’s SHISHKIN and Paul Nicholls’ PIC D’ORHY, and the former Flat jockey has confirmed that they do not intend to change their plans and head straight to Cheltenham as a fresh horse following ALLAHO’s scratching from the Ryanair Chase.

O’Brien said: "Fakir is in good nick and the plan is to run on Saturday. JJ will ride him. I know he has form on better ground but, ideally, I wouldn't mind a drop of rain for him at Ascot."

"The Allaho news doesn't change much for us. We're in the same position as we were before he came out of the race. We're going to see how Saturday goes at Ascot before making any future plans. Cheltenham is an option, or we can wait for Aintree like we did last year. Let's get Saturday out of the way first."

Looks like Saturday could have a right good clash to get stuck into!

SAFFRON BEACH retired

And finally, following an unsatisfactory scope ahead of her intended stab at the Saudi Cup, trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam confirmed that her wonder-mare SAFFRON BEACH would be retired to stud, effective immediately.

The five-year-old mare was a Royal Ascot winner in the Gr2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in June and had since picked up Group 1 success in the Prix Rothschild two months later.

The team around SAFFRON BEACH had been gearing up to take on the Saudi Cup, however, she will now head off to be a broodmare and she is set to be covered by FRANKEL at Juddmonte Farms.

We wish connections and the horse the best of luck in her future prospects as a broodmare.

More: 

Full of confidence

Page Fuller is BACK. After suffering a weird af mini-stroke mid-flight over a fence, the 27 jockey returns today asserting 'it's just another day at the office'.

Fuller is 57k shy of 1milli in winnings and wants to get a bit more before the season is out and starts her campaign on LADY PACIFICO in the 15.35.

Good luck, PAGE!

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Today's best stats

He's on the drift so watch the market but MONTGOMERY 14.10 is looking to back up his convincing Fontwell win lto. Williams sends him 230 miles all the way to Wetherby. Yard land nearly 1 in 3 when travelling this far. Another last time out winner clocking mileage is PYRAMID PLACE, really shouldn't be finishing out the places, if not to win the 15.15. Yard going a long way for the race (25% when travelling this far) and Milton is 2 from 3 in these types of races at course.

WHITE RHINO 16.50 was a big gamble lto and looks well in for a yard who are 3 from 3 in handicap hurdles at Wetherby this year. 

SO CHIC runs in the 19.00 for Hills, under Egan who is 2 from 3 at course for the yard. Carries f all weight today.

ROGUE FORCE is getting squeezed for the 19.30. He won the race last year and goes to retain his title following exactly the same prep as before (5th at Kempton lto).

SPIRIT OF NGURU runs with first time blinkers, Shaggas 5 from 10 (50%) doing this. Horse is 2 from 2 at Kempton. 

Bumper preview 

Hereford 

The ground is going to be quick at Hereford today, really quick so I'm going to read this bumper purely on blood.

It's Mel Rowley's for me. Out of a bumper winner and a half to one too, he's marginally the best bred horse for this. 

The horse who'll like the ground most is EMMA HAMILTON... but she's a mare and might find it tough against the boys first up. That said, it's a weak race with only 6 runners meaning it's there for the taking. Yard target Hereford too.

If not lay the fave (value going, 5/4 out to 2/1), the play is IT HAD TO BE SHAW with EMMA HAMILTON to hedge. 

Risk on

14 bets to a milli 

After an absolutely chaotic scene in a bumper last week when the selection FELL in front of its match bet rival, we’re starting again… with a ballsy but equally confident first go. 

Following the bumper preview, I think THE FIELD can take on the top two in the market. It’s a fast ground bumper and there are better bred for the job further down the pricing.