Skelton breaks million pound barrier with Cheltenham double
COTSWOLDS KING: Dan Skelton enjoyed a Cheltenham double. Pic: Steven Paston/the Press Association.
Dan Skelton showcased just why he is leading the way in the jumps game with a big-race double at Cheltenham on Saturday that takes him past £1million in prize-money with a week still left of October.
Masterson Holdings Hurdle contender North Shore had in his trainer’s opinion “threw in the towel” on his opening outing for the Lodge Hill handler at Chepstow, but with cheekpieces applied he gave Skelton the first Prestbury Park feature of the new campaign in recording a seven-length success as the 11-4 favourite.
Skelton said: “We put cheekpieces on today and rode him a little bit more forceful and he’s definitely got a bit going on between his ears this horse, but clearly talented.
“The cheekpieces have definitely helped and I think they are a necessity for him now. If he could get away with something Chepstow told us he would.
“I put him in here out of frustration and I thought he didn’t try at Chepstow. I thought he threw in the towel which is why we did what we did today, but if I was wrong we would have to go right back to the drawing board.
“I didn’t think much beyond today and we might just bat a little slowly at the crease this year and not ask too many questions. He’s brought some good form from Ireland with him and we’re lucky to have him and hopefully there’s more ahead of him.
“There’s a lot of races that would suit him, but one thing I would say is the cheekpieces had a positive effect and I won’t go and use up that too regularly and perhaps save a little bit for the spring.”
\It was 35 minutes prior that Skelton secured a £52,030 winner’s cheque with stable newcomer Here Comes Georgie in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase that saw him cross the seven-figure mark.
Picked up for a basement £7,000 in May, he has now returned significant profit on his team’s investment and could now be booked for a shot at either the Coral Gold Cup or Becher Chase.
Skelton said: “I thought he was drunk on the run-in but when he felt the other one coming he went again.
“It was a masterful ride from Harry (Skelton) and we go to the sales and buy all sorts, expensive ones, cheap ones and last year we bought Thistle Ask for £11,000 and this year we have bought this fellow for £7,000. It’s a big ask for him to go and do a Thistle Ask, but maybe he could.
“Sometimes we get the odd diamond in the rough and it’s quite nice to be able to puff your chest out for a cheaper one as well as when you win with the expensive ones.
“Ryan (Mahon) who buys our horses needs a lot of credit for what he does and we go hunting for what we can find and hopefully unearth a little gem now and again.
“If he gets in the Coral Gold Cup we’ll run in that, other than that there is also the Becher. Chronologically one comes before the other and is worth more than the other, but we will have to see which race he gets in.” After a summer that has seen Skelton make significant inroads in his quest to beat Martin Pipe’s 243 winners record for a British jumps season, Skelton signalled his intentions for the months ahead as his winter ‘A’ team prepare to make their mark.
Skelton said: “You look through the entries now and you are running out of places to run the fast-ground horses.
“I think they’ve had their day in the sun and can go off on holiday now and it’s over to the winter team.
“It’s for other people to analyse how well I’m doing or what not, but I’m just doing the best I can. I’m doing my job and we’re not afraid to run and try different things. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you get it wrong.
“You could say it’s ominous for everyone else, but I think the same when I’m having to take on Paul (Nicholls), Nicky (Henderson), Willie (Mullins) and Gordon (Elliott). It’s hard, but it’s the best sport to be involved in.
“I’m just the team manager and yes I get to lift the trophy, but it’s a big team effort. Everyone pulls their weight and I love working within a team. We have a great team at home with a great atmosphere and I’m just lucky to have it.”
