Inter to connect for the Skeltons
Interconnected should continue Dan and Harry Skelton’s great recent run in the Mansionbet’s Watch And Bet Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon tomorrow.
The seven-year-old is having his first start for new connections since being bought out of Nicky Henderson’s yard for the not insignificant sum of £620,000. That was as a resultofhispreviousownersdissolvingtheirpartnership–but he has clearly not been easy to trainforanybody,becausethis will be just his second run under Rules.
Therewasahugeamountof promise on his debut for Henderson when he was second to a subsequent Grade Two winner in Emitom, but that was almost two years ago.
One thing you can guarantee about a Skelton runner, though, is that it will be fit.
The Skeltons should have another good day, because Antunes looks the one to beat in the MansionBet’s Bet 10 Get 20 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. His season started well whennotbeatenfarbytheuse- ful Good Boy Bobby at Bangor, and then he went one better at Chepstow.
Possibly outclassed by Allart et al in a Grade Two at Ascot, he was then an early faller lasttimeout–butheshouldget his confidence back here.
Grumpy Charley can bring up his hat-trick in the Pertemps Industrial Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow.
Unfortunate to bump into above average types on his firstoutingsthisseason,hehas madenomistakethelasttwice.
Both have been at Chepstow and in heavy ground, so he clearly loves the mud. This represents a different proposition, taking on older horses, buthecouldbeaSaturday-type for his trainer Chris Honour.
Millie Wonnacott takes a more than useful 7lb off Chinwag in the In Memory Of Ian Vickers Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield.
Wonnacotthasalreadywon on Neil Mulholland’s six-yearold at Taunton this season but heads north – where she can claim her full allowance this time, having only taken off threeagainstfellowconditionals before.
Third last time out, Chinwag handles deep ground and should have a bit more to offer.
AnotheryoungjockeymakingwavesbutontheFlatisMarco Ghiani, and he is getting plenty of support from Stuart Williams.
Thepairteamuponcemore with Passional in the Betway CasinoHandicapatSouthwell.
Ghiani has already won on him three times, and the pair can continue their rise up the ranks together.
Archie Watson’s Mehmento really caught the eye when winning on debut and is back out again in the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Novice Stakes. He won by nine and a half lengths under Hollie Doyle,whomissesouttoAdam McNamarathistimeasshesits in quarantine.