Protektorat takes flight for Skeltons in Ryanair

Jockey Harry Skelton kisses Protektorat, alongside joint owner John Hales. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Protektorat proved dropping back in trip was no issue when producing a brilliant display to claim the Ryanair Chase for the red-hot Dan Skelton team at the Cheltenham Festival.

A Grade One winner over three miles, he was third and fifth when tried in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the past two years and connections resisted taking a third crack at the blue riband to revert to one of the day three features