DUBIOUS DAN
Skelton plays down title chances
DAN SKELTON, tipped by his mentor Paul Nicholls to knock him off his perch as the leading trainer, has played down his chances of becoming champion this season.
Skelton, who is sitting in fourth for championship honours behind Fergal O’brien, has a host of fancied runners at this week’s Cheltenham meeting which have every chance of putting him at the top of the table.
He said: “I was chasing the title before I had my first runner really, because I’ve always wanted to do it.
“But I don’t feel like this is the year. I genuinely feel like Paul has got the ace hand – massively.”
Skelton put himself in the frame for title honours when finishing runner-up to Nicholls last season.
“I’d love to be a challenger but hand on heart, so much has to go in our favour – and in truth, things have to go against him, and they won’t because they’re too professional an outfit,” he added. “So realistically, this year, I just don’t think it’s attainable.
“But I hope we finish second and that would show a bit of consistency after finishing second last year.
“This time next year it could be a different conversation but I’m certainly not hung up on the trainers’ championship this year.”
Skelton’s weekend team at Cheltenham’s “November Meeting” is headed by Protektorat, jointfavourite for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, recent course winner Third Time Lucki and My Drogo, the horse he believes will be a serious Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, on Friday.
Midnight Shadow is all the rage with punters for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
“Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith’s Midnight Shadow has been the one for money with Paddy Power,” said their spokesman Paul Binfield.
“The eight-year-old is now into 9-1 from 12 with us.”