Dan Skelton Stable Tour

[Wandering Eyes]

The ambition burns brighter than ever at Dan Skelton’s impressive Lodge Hill stables in deepest Warwickshire, and following a record-breaking summer season that has sent him clear in the trainers’ championship, Skelton is heading full throttle into the competitive winter months.

From the off in 2013, his business has focused on all 12 months of the year and the first half of the 2018-19 season has been an undoubted triumph, with 101 winners on the board and more than £800,000 in prize-money already banked.

But it is not all about quantity for the 33-year-old, who has worked hard to build a team rich in quality for the core jumps season, and when he says his squad is “strong in every department this year” you can guarantee he is well stocked for the second half.

“Any year you have 100 winners and over £1 million in prize-money is a great year but everyone knows we’re ambitious and trying to get to the top,” he says.

Skelton looks particularly strong in the novice chase division this season, especially over middle and staying distances, and classy hurdler turned novice chaser Spiritofthegames opening his account over fences at Listed level this month could well be a sign of things to come.

Star mares Rene’s Girl and Roksana, both second at the highest level at Aintree last year, return to action with their ceiling yet to be reached, while last year’s County Hurdle hero Mohaayed is another big gun Skelton can call on from a yard that has already come so far yet is nowhere near its end destination.

Stable profile

Yard Lodge Hill

Where Alcester, Warwickshire

Started training 2013

Horses in yard 130

Members of staff 44

Head lads Tolley Dean, Sam Davies-Thomas & Nick Pearce

Assistant trainer Tom Messenger

Travelling head lad Phil Haywood

Jockeys Harry Skelton, Bridget Andrews and Conor Shoemark

Amateurs William Marshall & Tristan Durrell

Stable sponsor Ladbrokes

Website danskeltonracing.com

Twitter @DSkeltonRacing

WINNERS IN BRITAIN

2017-18 158

2016-17 118

2015-16 104

2014-15  73

PROFIT/LOSS TO A £1 STAKE

2017-18 -£153.35

2016-17 -£259.57

2015-16 -£156.34

2014-15 -£63.69

TOTAL PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18

£1,738,235

HORSES

Aintree My Dream

Eight-year-old gelding

Saint Des Saints (sire) – Pretty Melodie (dam)

Owner: Malcolm Olden

Form figures: F14/3-

Racing Post Rating: 130 (chases); Official Rating 136 (chases)

He had one run over fences last year but I’d say he picked up an injury mid-race and had the rest of the year off with a leg. I’m happy with the way he’s come back in and we’ll crack on over fences. He’s ready to go but loves a bit of soft ground and we’re just waiting for some rain.

AINTREE MY DREAM with B Andrews on way to winning Novice Hurdle at Warwick 11-2-17.

Al Shahir

6g Robin Des Champs – Sarah Massini

N W Lake

1/2221P-

RPR 126h OR 125h

Held some good novice form last year but everything that could go wrong did in the EBF Final. He wants to go chasing and wants a step up in trip and I’m really happy with him. He could start over fences on November 7 at Chepstow.

If I could sum up last season in one word . . .

Alright.

Anytime Will Do

5g Scorpion – Pellerossa

Surrey Racing (at)

F1-1

RPR 114h OR –

It wouldn’t have been the strongest maiden hurdle in the world but he looked really good winning at Uttoxeter earlier this month. He’s entered at Bangor on Tuesday and has got to go out there and improve but, if he did, I could see him going for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial at the BetVictor meeting. A fast-run 2m is good for now but in time I’d say he’d want a trip.

Ardlethen

5g Arakan – Itsafamilyaffair

Mike And Eileen Newbould

1 (pointing form)

RPR – OR –

A winning pointer who jumps well and looks like a real stayer. He should be ready to go when we get a bit of soft ground and I like his attitude at home.

Aux Ptits Soins

8g Saint Des Saints – Reflexion Faite

J Hales

5/21428/

RPR 149h OR 146h

He came to us last year but we never got round to running him. He’s high quality and we’re just getting back to where he should be. He hasn’t been to the grass gallop yet and when we do we’ll know a bit more but he won’t be far off a mid-November return I’d imagine. Once he’s ready we’ll then find the right race but he’s going very well and will start back over hurdles.

Dark horse

Beakstown

5g Stowaway – Midnight Reel

Bryan Drew

12-

RPR 113b OR –

I’m quite excited about him. He got beat in a bumper in February but we hadn’t had him long and looking back he was still getting everything together last season. He jumps nicely and has had a wind op and we’ve got him well prepared for this season over hurdles. He looks smart and will probably start over 2m4f and go from there.

Bennys King

7g Beneficial – Hellofafaithful

Mezzone Family

104/P-

RPR 130h OR 126h

New to us and a real soft ground horse. He goes novice chasing now and has some nice form in the book. I like what I’ve seen in training and his jumping is that of a chaser. As soon as the ground is soft he’ll be running and I’m sure we can do well with him.

Betameche

7g Kapgarde – Kaldona

Judy Craymer

11/

RPR 128b OR –

He had a leg last year and we’ve had to take our time but the form of his bumper win at Wetherby is exceptional. If the ability remains he’s obviously going to be exciting but we’ve got to get him back on the track and see where we are. I’d like to start at 2m on soft ground but he’s a little while off yet.

Born Survivor

7g King’s Theatre – Bob’s Flame

Mrs G Widdowson & Mrs R Kelvin-Hughes

3380-17

RPR 147c OR 139c

He hasn’t quite hit the headlines he perhaps promised in his early days but he’s a consistent performer. I would like to go down the Topham route with him and I think there’s a big day in him. He’s fully matured now and is looking strong, so hopefully we can go and get something done with him this season.

Cabaret Queen

6m King’s Theatre – La Dame Brune

Highclere T’Bred Racing – Cabaret Queen

23-411P

RPR 137c OR 130c

She’s been good in the summer, winning twice. I had her ready to go again at Fontwell at the start of the month but she hit the first down the hill and Harry pulled her up almost straight away. There’s a Listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen on November 8. She loves a bit of nice ground and 3m around there will be perfect for her.

Captain Chaos

7g Golan – Times Have Changed

Mike And Eileen Newbould

1415-00

RPR 147c OR 138c

He had a great year last term but the handicapper reacted and he’s on a hard mark to win off now. I was really happy with his comeback at Chepstow and he wasn’t too bad for the majority of the way at Cheltenham either. When the handicapper relents, I think he can be be a player and there’s plenty of staying races around Christmas and the New Year that will suit him.

Ch’Tibello

7g Sageburg – Neicha

The Can’t Say No Partnership

42280-5

RPR 158h OR 148h

We put everything into winning at Haydock last season and he was just chinned by The New One. He ran well in the Kingwell too but found another one too good. We’ve tried him in a couple of handicaps since but he just hasn’t been good enough off his mark and the handicapper has got to give him a chance. He’s been a brilliant horse and will hopefully get his day in the sun again.

Clondaw Anchor

5g Stowaway – Masiana

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Anchor

2-2

RPR 117h OR –

He looked a good horse in the making when second on his debut for us and he’s a more relaxed horse this year. Time is going to be his biggest friend and he’s going to be a 3m chaser but there’s races to be won over hurdles first. I’m sure he’s going to make into a nice horse and he’s not far off a run now.

Cobra De Mai

6g Great Pretender – Miria Galanda

Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg

4122-49

RPR 146c OR 138c

Had a great season last year and started the new season well at Uttoxeter but we got it wrong at Chepstow last time, dropping in last down the rail and in hindsight it was a waste of time. We’ll get him back on track and I’m sure there’re nice races to be won with him. I could see him turning up in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Denmead

5g Champs Elysees – Glorious Dreams

John O’Donnell & Noel Kelly

213041

RPR 129 OR 101

He was good on the Flat but is a great big animal and looks like a National Hunt horse. I’m delighted to have him and he looked smart winning on debut at Huntingdon. He’ll run this week and we’ll play our hand at 2m to begin with but he’ll want to step up in trip eventually. I could see him turning up at the festivals – whether it’s in the graded novices or the handicaps, I’m not sure but he was a high-class Flat horse over a trip, so why can’t he be high-class over jumps?

The winner Denmead (Harry Skelton,nearest) jumps the 3rd flight in the 2m novices hurdle
Huntingdon 16.10.18 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Dark horse

Destrier

5g Voix Du Nord – Razia

Three Celts

0/1152-

RPR 131h OR 127h

There’s a lot of unfinished business with this horse and I think you’ll find he improves significantly in time, especially over a fence. He’s got to go and prove it but he’s very natural and would take a step up in trip. He gets to start his season off a real nice mark and gets the opportunity to be progressive. He might start at Sandown over hurdles and 2m at the end of next week and then we’ll step up in trip.

Eclair D’Ainay

4g Network – Etoile D’Ainay

J Hales

2-

RPR 116h OR –

Second on his only start over hurdles at Auteuil and looks very natural at home. He’ll want a trip in time but will start at 2m and I could see me holding out until the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting with him. He looks pretty smart on what we’ve seen at home.

Embole

4g Buck’s Boum – Urielle Collonges

Colm Donlon

435103-

RPR 121h OR 128h

It was all a bit of a rush last year to get him qualified for the Fred Winter but the ground came up too soft at Cheltenham. He’s a very honest horse and would favour better ground. I don’t know how high up the handicap he can go but feel he’s completely untapped. He gives his all and will definitely make a chaser in time.

Etamine Du Cochet

4f Martaline – Nuance Du Cochet

Mrs S L Edwards

2-2

RPR 106h OR –

She’d been off an awful long time before her comeback at Ffos Las where she blew up and I’d have loved to have taken her to the grass gallop once or twice before. She’s got a nice mark and will win a mares’ maiden off it and then we can dictate her future.

Race in focus

We’re looking at the EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale at Newbury in March for Etamine Du Cochet. We won the race last year with Roksana and she reminds me of her.

Get On The Yager

8g Tamure – Florentino

Dick And Mandy Higgins

61129P-

RPR 143c OR 139c

He’s going to have a bit of a later start as he had a little problem behind but it was nothing sinister and he’s back in work. It all came together in the Rowland Meyrick last year but I think he was on ‘the handicap mark’ that day. There’s no reason not to have the same races on the radar again but the handicapper is going to have to help because I don’t see him going and gaining a stone from somewhere. If he ever got in the Midlands National off something like 10st 7lb he’d be a player.

Get On The Yager (Harry Skelton) wins division 1 of the 2m 5f novices hurdle
Kempton 10.2.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Hear No Evil

6g Getaway – Listening

John Magnier

32/131-

RPR 126h OR 135h

He was very good first time up last year and is on-course to go to Cheltenham for the 2m5f intermediate hurdle on BetVictor Gold Cup day. We gave him a wind op through the summer and he’s always looked decent. I’m not saying he’ll be a Grade 1 horse but I’d like to think he will be able to go and win some tidy races at least.

Idee De Garde

5g Kapgarde – Idee Recue

Robcour

1-

RPR 112b OR –

He was bought out of Nicky Richards’ stable having won his only bumper in heavy ground at Ayr. He’s by Kapgarde and definitely wants a bit of soft ground but looks a smart novice.

Knight In Dubai

5g Dubai Destination – Bobbies Storm

Mr & Mrs Ben Houghton

1340-F

RPR 139h OR 135h

A good horse last year but he has to go left handed and I think he might have won that Grade 2 at Warwick last year under different circumstances. He made a typical error at the ditch going up the hill and came down on his chase debut at Cheltenham on Saturday. He was going well at the time and seems fine. He deserves to be in the better novice chases we still feel and will I’m sire he will be making amends pretty soon.

Maire Banrigh

6m King’s Theatre – La Marianne

J Hales & J Diver

/87-11

RPR 121h OR 112h

We’d worked it out by her third start last season and she won well after a wind op and with a tongue strap fitted. She’s a lovely mare and jumped very well when making a winning return at Carlisle last week. We are toying with going to Cheltenham’s November meeting for a novice handicap hurdle. She’s completely untapped and next year, when she goes over a fence, is when she’ll be at her best.

Mohaayed

6g Intikhab – Reyaada

Mrs June Watts

10231-4

RPR 145h OR 146h

He gave us a great day when winning the County Hurdle last season, although I was gobsmacked he went on the soft ground. It was a good comeback at Ffos Las where he just looked a bit stuffy. I think it was a really strong race but maybe he’ll just be a bit sharper for the run. The one thing we haven’t done yet but which warrants discussion is going up in trip. If there was a nice race over 2m3f I’d be encouraged to try. I’ll enter him for the Greatwood but we’ll see where the season takes us.

MOHAAYED Ridden by Bridget Andrews (Harry Skeltons Girlfriend trained by his brother Dan) wins at CHELTENHAM 16/3/18
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

Molly The Dolly

7m Flemensfirth – Pistol Flash

Dermot Hanafin

2/1422-1

RPR 127h OR 127h

She hacked up in a mares’ hurdle last year at Warwick but I could never get her right again after that. She’s a big mare and jumped brilliantly to win on her chase debut at Aintree on Sunday. Quite where we go next I don’t know but I probably won’t be messing about too much and, while the ground is okay, I’ll get her out and get her some experience before making a nice spring plan or two.

New Quay

5g Mahler – Beg La Eile

Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg

833-

RPR 112 OR 115

Another who could leave his form behind this season and will start back in a novices handicap hurdle at Ascot on November 3, a race we won with Willow’s Saviour a few years ago. He’s more of a chaser but there’s no reason why he can’t get a bit of business done over hurdles first.

No Hassle Hoff

6g Craigsteel – Endless Patience

Simon Munir & Isaac Souede

149300-

RPR 141h OR 136h

He’s been a good horse for us but was probably over the top at the festivals last year. He gets the chance to go novice chasing now off level weights. Hopefully we can go and get a few ones by his name and I could see a race like the Towton Novices’ Chase – 3m miles on soft ground – suiting him. He’s not the biggest but jumps proper.

Nube Negra

4g Dink – Manly Dream

T Spraggett

12135-

RPR 135h OR 135h

Not many Spanish horses come over and do well but I liked him from the second he arrived and he was brilliant last year. He’s big and bold and probably a chaser but I’d imagine we’ll start in the Greatwood Hurdle – he’d be my main one for that race. I think 2m on good to soft is his ideal. As a chaser he could go the whole way but we’ll more than likely to stick at hurdles this year to give him the experience.

Second from right is NUBE NEGRA with H Skelton 1st from next left PRESENT FROM DUBAI 2nd in Novice Hurdle at Doncaster 26-1-18.

Oldgrangewood

7g Central Park – Top Of The Class

Chris Giles & Sandra Giles

3/331P4-

RPR 152c OR 145c

He definitely looks like 3m is his trip now and he’ll have a later start to the season. He prefers going left-handed and likes a bit of decent ground, and I see him in the springtime turning up at the better meetings over a trip. His owners come from Ayr and I don’t see why one day he couldn’t be a Scottish National horse.

One For Billy

6g Midnight Legend – Saxona

Paul & Clare Rooney

621122RO

RPR 151c OR 145c

He’s been magnificent over the summer and I was gutted about what happened at Cheltenham on Friday. It wasn’t his fault, he was just following the rail, but he was in the process of running another fantastically improved race. I’d like to take him for the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton next as long as the ground remains on the quick side. He’ll go on his holiday after that before coming back in the spring for some of the better races like the the Pendil.

Present Ranger

5g Presenting – Papoose

Dick And Mandy Higgins

/533-3

RPR 119h OR 121h

A full brother to Ballabriggs and we’re taking it steady with him but it was a lovely start to the season when third at Aintree on Sunday. He just got tired at the last but I was really pleased with that. He wants a trip and wants a fence and is a longterm project but I think he has every chance of making it.

Red Rising

7g Flemensfirth – Fugal Maid

Paul & Clare Rooney

13121P-

RPR 141h OR 139h

A good horse last year and goes chasing now. We’ll start over 2m4f and work up from there. How high he can go over fences as a novice I’m not sure but I can see him being the type of horse who turns up for races like the Midlands National and Classic Chase down the line. Those staying chasers is what we’ve historically lacked so it’s nice to have a few coming through.

Star quality

Rene’s Girl

8m Presenting – Brogella

Andy & Sharon Measham

F13112-

RPR 149c OR 144c

I was gutted to get beat in a Grade 1 at Aintree last season but she was beaten by a proper horse who is sadly no longer with us. We were thinking about going straight for the Ascot Chase but off 144 the handicapper has said ‘go and have a go in a handicap before the big league’ and we’re going to start this season in the BetVictor Gold Cup and go from there. She goes well fresh, is going well at home and there’s no reason not to be confident about her running a big race.

Robin Waters

5g Irish Wells – Skandia

Colm Donlon

1/3316-

RPR 142h OR 141h

He was never going to be able to show his true ability over hurdles because he’s a chaser. He was bang there two out in the Albert Bartlett but just got outpaced by horses who were better than him last year. I think we can bridge the gap over fences but how far he can go I don’t know – but I wouldn’t rule him out of any grade as a chaser at this point. We’ll get him started over fences soon.

Roksana

6m Dubai Destination – Talktothetail

Mrs Sarah Faulks

4/31112-

RPR 144h OR 142h

A proper mare who just got chinned in a Grade 1 at Aintree last year and I feel she will improve again this season. She looks fantastic and we’re going to start in the Ascot Hurdle and then look at all the good races. She’s very good, gets 7lb against the boys and we’ll see how far we can go.

Shannon Bridge

5g Flemensfirth – Bridgequarter Lady

M Boothright G Lovett P Deffains

122P0-3

RPR 132c OR 138h

Ran nicely over 3m on chase debut at Cheltenham on Friday and would probably like it a bit softer. He will probably go back there for the November meeting but he’s only five and I don’t want to be over racing him. I can see him taking a decent standard and I was delighted with that first run.

Shantou Rock

6g Shantou – Cool Cool

Mr & Mrs Gordon Pink

F/12223-

RPR 155c OR 148c

Absolutely brilliant fresh and that’s why we’re going to Ascot on November 3 for a valuable 2m handicap first time up. After that we’ll have to plan but the key is getting him as fresh as possible and on the best ground possible. He could run in the Desert Orchid over Christmas and something like the Red Rum in the spring but if he wins a race like Ascot’s he’s had a good season.

Solomon Grey

6g Sulamani – Sardagna

Mrs Sarah Faulks

2/22131-

RPR 136h OR 135h

Clearly very talented but was always growing and strengthening last year. He looks fantastic and we’re going to start him in the Elite Hurdle on November 10 at Wincanton. I hope they get some rain – good ground is no problem – and if they do he’ll definitely be a player. We’ll plan from there and he has the option of going chasing this season.

 

Star quality

Spiritofthegames

6g Darsi – Lucy Walters

N W Lake

12357-1

RPR 152c OR –

I really like him and always have and was delighted with his winning chase debut at Chepstow. He’s best fresh and in hindsight I wish I hadn’t run in the Betfair Hurdle or at Cheltenham and gone to Aintree fresh last season – I think he might have won. We’ll go to the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting at Newbury next to give him a nice gap and make a plan after that. He’s just getting started over fences and I think he could be really good. It’s not all about Cheltenham for him – he could end up turning up at Aintree fresh if he proves good enough in the interim.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES Ridden by Harry Sakelton (Green & red) wins at Ayr 24/10/17
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

Supremely Lucky

6g Milan – Lucky Supreme

Malcolm Olden

P/21-4

RPR 121b OR –

Looked good when winning his bumper at Chepstow last season and ran really well in a very good novice hurdle back at the same track a couple of weeks ago. He finished fourth but the improvement to come should be massive.

Symphony Of Angels

6g Sulamani – Flying Lion

Good Evans Racing Partnership

1137-11

RPR 133h OR 134h

He came to us in the summer and has won two quite authoritatively. If he wins another it’s going to be a big one as we’ll chip him into a good race now and then he’ll go chasing. He’s pretty good and always has something up his sleeve, so there might be a bit more to come.

Tokay Dokey

4g Gold Well – Charming Present

Colm Donlon

11

RPR 118h OR –

He was good when winning the other day at Uttoxeter. He was a little bit keen but I think the first two are good horses and we really like him. I’d like to give him another run in a small race before thinking about going up in grade. I’ll probably look at Wincanton on Elite Hurdle day if the ground is safe. If he wins his next novice I’d probably look at the December meeting at Cheltenham. He’s always looked like a good horse.

Tommy Rapper

7g Milan – Supreme Evening

Judy Craymer & Nick Skelton

1119-3

RPR 132c OR 138c

If you hit the front too soon on him you’re going to get beat but he won three last year and it was a good start over fences at Ffos Las the other day in what was a good novice chase. He stayed on well and will improve for the run. He’s going to go to Cheltenham next in November for a 3m novice chase and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t end up a better chaser than hurdler.

Rival to watch

You’ve got to admire Tiger Roll. You’d love to have a horse like that, he’s just magical.

Value At Risk

9g Kayf Tara – Miss Orchestra

D M Huglin

1651-8

RPR 142c OR 138c

He was running well in the Old Roan before turning in and then he checked out very tamely. He’s a very in-and-out horse and frustrating for his owner who loves him dearly. He could run in the Badger Ales next or perhaps go to Newbury for the Ladbrokes meeting, but he goes well fresh and I can actually see us running him in the Grand Sefton.

VALUE AT RISK Ridden by Harry Skelton wins at Ayr 20/4/18
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography

Virgilio

9g Denham Red – Liesse De Marbeuf

C J Edwards, D Futter, A H Rushworth

1/8PF-11

RPR 159c OR 157c

He’s not that big and not that easy to train but tries his hardest and wears his heart on his sleeve. He fell at Becher’s in the Grand National and I thought that might have been it but then he came back and won his next two which was just brilliant. He’s already won a big one this year at Uttoxeter but he’s on a career high mark now and it’s going to be hard for him. We’ll enter for a handicap at Ascot and the Charlie Hall at Wetherby at the weekend. If he’s in the top three or four on ratings he will go for the Charlie Hall, if not it will be Ascot.

Whatduhavtoget

6m Presenting – Smooching

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-Presenting

F403-11

RPR 137c OR 135c

She’s got a little hind suspensory issue and you probably won’t see her until Christmas at the earliest, but I’d say black type over fences is a formality. We might even wait a little longer for something like the Pendil and I think there’s plenty more to be achieved with her.

Horse to follow

Nube Negra

Dan Skelton is making giant strides in most parts of jump racing, but one area where he is particularly adept is in 2m handicap hurdles. Given this dominant era of Irish jumpers, two County Hurdle wins in three years is some record and proves Skelton is a force to be reckoned with in that sphere. Nube Negra, who is being targeted at the Greatwood, could be a big Lodge Hill improver. Just a four-year-old, his best form is at Cheltenham and he’ll improve for better ground when he gets it.

James Hill

JUVENILE HURDLERS AND BUMPER HORSES

King D’argent, who has a good attitude and jumps well, made a winning debut for the yard at Wetherby and he’ll go back there for the Wensleydale on Friday and we’ll see where we are with him. Normally the early juvenile form is more Fred Winter than Triumph but I like what I see.

We’ve a German horse who’s rated in the 90s on the Flat called Aronius and if he transfers that as a juvenile we’re going to be in business. Protektorat is a real big National Hunt horse, as is Flegmatik. They ran in separate divisions of the Listed Prix Finot at Auteuil and both look pretty good juveniles.

I’m really happy with the bumper horses too. There are too many to mention but the idea is we’re trying to improve the quality every year. We’ve bought some real nice horses that I’m sure we can mould into the next generation of novice hurdlers and novice chases.

 

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