Tag Archive for: Grey Dawning

Grey Dawning back on track with Premier performance at Kelso

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Grey Dawning turned in a virtually faultless round of jumping to win the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso.

The four-horse contest was very much billed as a match between the Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning and Iroko, who is a leading Grand National contender for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Harry Skelton was positive from the off on 5-6 favourite as the well-supported El Elefante tried to go with him in the early stages, with Jonjo O’Neill jnr happy to sit off the front pair aboard Iroko.

When El Elefante came down at the 12th fence, it was left to Grey Dawning and Iroko to battle it out but the market leader was travelling noticeably well, with Harry Skelton able to take a look over his shoulder with a couple still to jump.

While Iroko did try his best to edge in front, Grey Dawning was just too strong and a fine leap at the last sealed victory, with his rider able to ease down before the line for a two-and-a-half-length victory.

Grey Dawning after his Kelso success
Grey Dawning after his Kelso success (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Grey Dawning was having just his third start of the year at Kelso, having run second on deep ground in the Betfair Chase in November before being pulled up when contesting the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Dan Skelton said: “That was really good. We wanted to see him back to what he can do and he jumped beautifully.

“He’s obviously very, very good and everyone knows he’s very, very good – we’ve just not had the conditions and situations to show him off this year.

“After Haydock my feeling was if the ground was different, you’d get a different result. The ground today is what we wish we’d had that day, but fair play to the winner (Royale Pagaille) – he loves that ground and we didn’t.

“I actually felt he’d recovered in time for the King George, but the mistake at the first and the tempo Il Est Francais went, it negated us.

“Today was more our ground, it’s left-handed, there’s lots of ticks in the boxes and he’s put up a really good performance.”

Grey Dawning still holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Skelton intends to head to the Aintree Bowl on April 3.

He added: “That Gold Cup picture is for next year. Hopefully this time next year we’re building into something a little different, but we have to do the right things and make the right calls and I feel like we have.

“We’re delighted to be in the position we’re in. We’ve put a little bit back together and I’ve kept saying we’ve got to make sure we have a decent spring with him because he’s one of our flagship horses.

“OK he was a good second in Haydock, but second is second and we want a winner, so to have gone and done that today and looked so impressive was brilliant.”

Iroko has next month's Grand National as his aim
Iroko has next month’s Grand National as his aim (Mike Egerton/Jockey Club)

Iroko was left an unchanged 12-1 shot for the National with Coral and Greenall felt a number of factors had gone against his Aintree contender on this occasion.

He said: “He ran well, Jonjo just felt the track was probably a little bit sharp for him in that sort of grade.

“I walked the track beforehand and watched the first race out there and I thought it would ride almost softer than good to soft, but Jonjo said it felt like good ground on him.

“I was happy with him, but I think today there were no excuses. He’s had a few runs and he’s fit.

“He was up against a good horse and I hope we’re heading for the National – he deserves to go. I think the trip is what he wants as he always seems to be doing his best work at the end.

“He does normally travel a bit better in his races, but they were probably going quite quick.

“He’ll just tick along now and he’s got to jump a National fence.”

Grey Dawning and Iroko en route to Aintree via Kelso

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The Aintree-bound pair of Grey Dawning and Iroko do battle in an intriguing renewal of the bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday.

A Cheltenham Festival winner in the now defunct Turners Novices’ Chase last season, Grey Dawning headed into the current campaign with Gold Cup aspirations, but that particular dream was dashed after he was pulled up in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Trainer Dan Skelton is instead targeting the Aintree Bowl and views this weekend’s Listed contest in the Scottish Borders as an ideal stepping-stone ahead of his return to Grade One level on Merseyside.

Grey Dawning at Dan Skelton's yard earlier this week
Grey Dawning at Dan Skelton’s yard earlier this week (Joe Giddens/PA)

“You have to be adaptive – he’s in great form, he looks outstanding and I think he’ll take a lot of beating,” said the Alcester handler.

“I think if things go well at Kelso, then he’ll turn up at Aintree in the best possible shape. I would imagine that after a Gold Cup 19 days before, there’s not going to be many turn up in the shape they need to be in at Aintree, thus my thinking is what it is.”

Grey Dawning made a fine start to his season when narrowly beaten by Haydock favourite Royale Pagaille in November’s Betfair Chase, but a bad error at the first fence in the King George set the tone for a disappointing display.

“I think he had recovered to go to Kempton. I think what happened at Kempton is that he made that mistake at the first which put us on the back foot and the speed Il Est Francais went made the three-milers look like four-milers that day,” Skelton added.

“It put us all on the back foot a bit, not least us because we’d made the mistake at the first and it was just one of those days. It didn’t work out for him, so you put it in the bin – he came out of it fine and let’s worry about it another day.”

Iroko is a leading contender for the Randox Grand National
Iroko is a leading contender for the Randox Grand National (Mike Egerton/The Jockey Club)

The JP McManus-owned Iroko has had the Randox Grand National as his primary objective since the start of the season.

Trained in partnership by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the seven-year-old was second in a graduation chase on Betfair Chase day at Haydock and while he fell on his next start at Ascot, there were plenty of positives to be taken from his eye-catching fourth at Cheltenham in January.

“He’s in great form and we’re looking forward to seeing him run,” said Guerriero.

“We’re a few pounds wrong with the Skelton horse, but whether he had a hard race in the Betfair Chase I don’t know, as he didn’t look like he was enjoying it much last time in the King George.

“We’ll have a go and take him on anyway. We were keen to go left-handed, which is half the reason we didn’t go to the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton last weekend, and this looked a suitable race.

“It’s all about Aintree really, so fingers crossed.”

A small but select Premier Chase field is completed by Lucinda Russell’s talented mare El Elefante and Laura Horsfall’s huge outsider Barrons Land.

Kelso stop for Grey Dawning before Aintree

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Dan Skelton is sticking to his plan of heading to Kelso and then Aintree with Grey Dawning rather than running in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

A winner at the Festival last season, Skelton had hoped he would develop into a real Gold Cup horse this season and that looked to be the case after his first race at Haydock.

He travelled like the best horse in the Betfair Chase only to be run down close home by course specialist Royale Pagaille.

In the immediate aftermath the Alcester handler felt the race would have taken too much out of his charge to run in the King George on Boxing Day, but he was surprised how the gelding bounced out of the race and eventually turned up at Kempton.

However, a first-fence blunder and the fierce gallop set by Il Est Francais meant it was a non-event and Skelton has been considering the Kelso Premier Chase and Aintree Bowl route ever since.

“The idea at the moment is to go to Kelso and Aintree. We’re getting to the point now where that’s next week so that is the most likely scenario. I will leave him in the Gold Cup just in case something untoward happens with the opposition, and I don’t wish that on them, of course,” Skelton said.

“The Gold Cup picture is obviously a little muddy behind the favourite (Galopin Des Champs), and that’s because of the strength of the favourite in my opinion, and with the favourite being in there it’s still super, super hard to win.

“Yes, second and third does look like it’s up for grabs and maybe I’d look at this race a little differently if he’d won at Haydock, but he didn’t so we’re not. I feel like if we go to Kelso and Aintree, it gives us two chances of going and running this spring rather than one.

“If he ran in the Gold Cup that would be the only race that he’d run in, because he can’t go to Sandown right-handed and he can’t go to Punchestown right-handed, so we just need to do what’s right for the horse, short and long term.

“I think short-term we give ourselves a chance of winning those two races and long-term we get some more experience and we can come back as a Gold cup contender next year.

“Of course I’m disappointed not to be going for a Gold Cup with a horse I thought last year that I would be, but things change and you have to be open to change with horses because if you only parcel them down one road, then you’re not doing the best by them.”

Grey Dawning remains unlikely to take up Gold Cup option

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Dan Skelton insists Plan A with Grey Dawning is still to head to Kelso and Aintree rather than take on Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham – but nothing is set in stone.

The trainer’s championship leader had high hopes for last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner this season, but in two runs thus far he has failed to add to his winning tally.

Following a disappointing effort in the King George, when his fate was sealed by an early mistake, Skelton initially ruled out a tilt at the Gold Cup, stating he would prefer to go to Kelso for the Premier Chase before heading to Aintree for the Bowl.

At the latest forfeit stage, however, Grey Dawning – who enjoyed a racecourse gallop in company with some high-profile stablemates at Huntingdon on Thursday – did appear among the remaining Gold Cup contenders.

“I was delighted with Grey Dawning, I thought he looked very balanced up the straight (at Huntingdon),” Skelton said at Warwick on Saturday.

“I know the Gold Cup could be a small field and I don’t want to be one of them which has added to that, but my intention at the moment isn’t to go, even though I’ve left him in.

“Plan A has always been to go to Kelso and Aintree with him, but we left him in just in case. Horses are coming out but Galopin Des Champs isn’t, he’s the horse to beat and he looks in the form of his life.

“I’m not saying we’re deliberately avoiding him but we’ve got a very productive spring to come and if we go to the Gold Cup, that is the only race he can run in – doing the others, he can run in two, get more experience and we’ll see if he is a Gold Cup horse for next year.

“His form to this point this year has been slightly below Gold Cup level, as a form judge can see. We’re realistic and the main thing is to do what is best for the horse, so we’ll just keep an eye on it all.”

Also in action at Huntingdon was Skelton’s big hope in the novice hurdling division, The New Lion, purchased by JP McManus since his last run.

“The New Lion looked amazing, his form keeps getting franked but it is going to, they’ve all met each other and he is just where I want him,” said Skelton.

“These horses are not going to fly up the straight in their gallops, we’re prepping them for their biggest day, but I’m really happy with how it is going with him.”

Big guns stand ground among bumper field for King George crown

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Grey Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are among 11 runners declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, looks the pick of the home team after being touched off by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in last month’s Betfair Chase.

Il Est Francais, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was sublime in landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the King George course and distance 12 months ago, and merits huge respect despite being pulled up at Auteuil last time out.

Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate General En Chef, who ran with credit when fourth on his British debut in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin’s supplemented contender Juntos Ganamos also hoping to become the first French-trained winner of the King George since First Gold in 2000.

A formidable Irish contingent is headed by Spillane’s Tower, a dual Grade One-winning novice for Jimmy Mangan last season and narrowly denied by fellow JP McManus-owned rising star Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown a month ago.

Despite concerns about drying ground, Spillane’s Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to the King George field last week. The McManus colours will also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with top amateur Derek O’Connor back on board for the first time since steering him to a 17-length victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Spillane's Tower is part of a strong Irish challenge
Spillane’s Tower is part of a strong Irish challenge (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen also make the journey across the Irish Sea, but last year’s winner Hewick has not been declared, with connections opting to instead run him over hurdles at Leopardstown later in the week.

The 2022 King George hero Bravemansgame bids to regain his crown and provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a record-extending 14th victory in the race.

The field is completed by L’Homme Presse, who makes his first appearance since finishing fourth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will be partnered by Gavin Sheehan, who steered Hewick to glory 12 months ago.

Skelton sees Grey Dawning as ticking plenty of King George boxes

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Dan Skelton is confident Grey Dawning will be able to cope with quicker ground and a faster pace in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The seven-year-old was a top novice last term, claiming the Turners at Cheltenham among three victories in his first campaign over fences.

He returned to action at elite level in open company and put in a most encouraging performance to finish second behind Royale Pagaille in Haydock’s Betfair Chase, when just outstayed late on in testing conditions.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 – St Patrick’s Thursday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Grey Dawning and Harry Skelton after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase (David Davies for the Jockey Club).

With Kempton currently described as good to soft, good in places, the weather forecast being favourable for early next week and a decent-sized field expected following 14 confirmations, the King George promises to be a much faster-run affair from the outset.

Regarding ground conditions, Skelton said: “I think we’d all probably like it to be simple good to soft ground over the whole lot. That’s probably not going to be the case, but given how much rain there’s been over the winter and how wet it has been, even though it’s been dry for a while now, I still think there’s plenty of moisture underneath.

“I think it will be a very safe surface. If anything, it could just be a little sticky, as drying ground can just get a little sticky, so it could be a little harder work than good to soft, good suggests, but I don’t have any concerns about it.

“After running on really, really slow conditions last time, I think he’s probably going to look forward to being on better ground, to be honest.”

As for a strong early pace, Skelton added: “I think from a jumping perspective, he’ll be better off. Because obviously the other day, on that really slow ground, every time he landed, Harry (Skelton) had to take him back.

Betfair Chase Day 2023 – Haydock Park Racecourse
Grey Dawning in action at Haydock (Nigel French/PA).

“We couldn’t afford to use up too much energy over the jumps and then obviously be too forward through the race between the jumps. So actually I think on better ground, going a faster gallop, I think his jumping will be better.

“Yes, it’s going to be a totally different race to Haydock but he’s raced predominantly over two and a half miles in novice company, and they went a fair old lick round Cheltenham at the Festival, so I don’t have that fear.

“The speed they go in the race is relevant to their jumping and he jumps like a comfortable horse at that speed, so I think that’s a positive. With a few more runners, maybe we can just tuck him in there a little bit more and that will help him along the race as well.

“I do feel that the way he went through the race at Haydock, this type of test, a flat track and a bit better ground, should really, really suit him.”

Thriving Grey Dawning bang on course for King George

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So well has Grey Dawning taken his Betfair Chase exertions that Dan Skelton now has the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase in his sights.

Skelton had been quick to dampen Boxing Day talk in the immediate aftermath of his runner-up finish to Royale Pagaille last month, but his Cheltenham Festival winner has done nothing but thrive since, leading to a change of heart.

“I was rather determined not to persuade myself otherwise, but I cannot believe how well he has come out of the race, and I really mean that – that’s not trainer hopefulness,” said Skelton, speaking after saddling Royal Infantry to victory at Haydock on Wednesday.

“I’m genuinely surprised how well he has come out of the race. There’s no pressure to run him from the owners, but he’s come out of the race so well – even the next day.

“He did two canters yesterday with Tom Messenger, who rides him every day – he’s staggered how well he’s come out of it. At the moment, he is going to Kempton until he’s not.

“Before, I was thinking about going to Kempton, now he is definitely going until he’s not.”

Doubts surround the strength of the challenge on the Kempton Park showpiece from Ireland, with a number of what would be leading challengers needing to be supplemented.

Grey Dawning is hunted down by Royale Pagaille at Haydock
Grey Dawning is hunted down by Royale Pagaille at Haydock (Ian Hodgson)

Skelton went on: “It has (an open look), he’s won around the track, OK it was a handicap hurdle so a slightly different test, but I thought he was excellent here in the Betfair, bar not getting home on the ground from the back of two out. On slightly better ground, I think you could have expected him to ping round and look very, very good.

“I take nothing away from the winner, because he is unbelievably tough and hard to beat in his conditions – and he had his conditions. Hopefully, we’ll get our conditions for the next race or race after. At some point in the season, we’ll get our conditions and you can see our horse at what can perhaps be his best.

“Whether he can win a Gold Cup, I don’t know, but looking at the King George field and looking at how much he improved in his first run in open company – and he did improve, even the handicapper agrees he’s improved – I’d have to think he’s a real player on Boxing Day.”

Capodanno to represent McManus and Willie Mullins in Betfair Chase

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Capodanno will deputise for Corbetts Cross and carry the green and gold silks of JP McManus in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday – in the process becoming a first runner in the race for Willie Mullins.

Winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross met with an unsatisfactory scope at the weekend.

Instead it will be Capodanno who travels from Ireland to Merseyside for the Grade One showpiece, having been added as a supplementary entry to the field on Monday. Fourth in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, he won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January, although he finished down the field in the Grand National.

“Willie is happy with him and our other horse has had a bad scope and is not running, so we decided we’d let him take his chance,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.

“Corbetts Cross had a bad scope on Saturday morning and he isn’t fit to travel, it just all came too quick.

Festival Trials Day – Cheltenham Racecourse – Saturday 27th January
Paul Townend and Capodanno (David Davies/PA)

“Everybody was very happy with Capodanno and the John Durkan looks like it’s going to be a very hot race on Sunday so he’ll take his chance at Haydock on Saturday instead.”

French trainer Gabriel Leenders has an eye on more British riches, with Gold Tweet taking his chance.

The Les Landes-based handler got a taste of Cheltenham success when the gelding won the Cleeve Hurdle in 2023 and experienced the same thrill again last weekend when Sweet David landed the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Gold Tweet has switched between hurdles and fences in his native France and is now lining up a bid over the larger obstacles having run twice already over lesser trips in preparation.

Gold Tweet (left) about to challenge Dashel Drasher in the Cleeve Hurdle
Gold Tweet (left) about to challenge Dashel Drasher in the Cleeve Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

“Everything is very good with him, he’s been prepared for this race and it is his target,” said Leenders.

“We’re really happy with him and looking forward to bringing him over, he’s been in good form at home.

“All the lights are green now for the race.”

Also confirmed is Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, who showed a liking for some cut underfoot at the Cheltenham Festival when staying on to beat Ginny’s Destiny in the Turners Novices’ Chase, having earlier opened his account over fences at this meeting 12 months ago.

He has not been seen since finishing third at the Grand National fixture in April, but Skelton is happy with his condition.

He said: “Grey Dawning has been for a racecourse gallop and he did very well. Obviously, the last two seasons he got beaten on his seasonal debut – over hurdles and in a novice chase. His record shows there is a bit of a patch first time out, but the reason for that is that we had been very easy on him in the early part of the season for those races. When they are novices, they are always going to improve.

Harry Skelton celebrates Cheltenham glory with Grey Dawning
Harry Skelton celebrates Cheltenham glory with Grey Dawning (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“This is a totally different kettle of fish. He needs to be ready against more seasoned horses and dare I say it, better horses, first time up. That is why we have put an awful lot of effort into getting him as ready as we can. I fully believe he is as ready as he can be.

“He is quite a light-framed horse and you’d call him a little tubular – not a deep-girthed old-fashioned National Hunt chaser at all. But he’s a real athlete and looks fantastic He never carries a lot of weight and when you see him on Saturday you’ll say he does look ready.”

Royale Pagaille took the feature race ahead of Bravemansgame last year and is set to defend his title after falling in January’s Cotswold Chase on his only subsequent start, with the latter also on the list for Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls said on his Betfair Ditcheat Diary: “I’ve confirmed Bravesmansgame for the Betfair Chase.

“We always like to have a runner in that race. It looks like it’s a mixed week weather-wise with a bit of cold and sleet and snow, not a lot of rain. But Saturday could be very wet.

“It’ll be an interesting forecast for the weekend so we’ll keep an eye on that. Let’s hope there’s some proper rain coming at last.”

Hewick (left) on his way to winning the King George at Kempton Park
Hewick (left) on his way to winning the King George at Kempton Park (John Walton/PA)

Hewick’s connections will be less concerned than most if the rain stays away and last year’s Shark Hanlon-trained King George hero will be race-fit after following up October’s Punchestown third with a close second to Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall hero The Real Whacker, who had Bravemansgame immediately behind him at Wetherby, Minella Drama (Donald McCain) and Limerick Lace (Gavin Cromwell) have all stood their ground, while Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor is another fancied entry with a solid run on the board this term after finishing third in the Old Roan at Aintree.

‘Privilege’ to be title favourite – but Skelton preparing for tough battle ahead

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A double on the opening day of Cheltenham’s new season sparked title talk from Dan Skelton – but he is again well aware of how tough it will be to claim the crown for the first time.

Skelton was agonisingly caught last spring after an onslaught from Willie Mullins who dominated at the Cheltenham Festival, won the Grand National with I Am Maximus and claimed the Scottish version in dramatic fashion with Macdermott by a nose.

That left Skelton with too much to do at the season-ending Sandown meeting, but he has made a flying start to this campaign with already well over £500,000 banked and boosted at Prestbury Park on Friday by another £80,000 thanks to Calico and Valgrand.

Skelton said: “I think the team is in good shape. Three weeks ago they were needing a run a bit and I’ve been surprised how much work we’ve had to give them.

Valgrand was seriously impressive
Valgrand was seriously impressive (David Davies/PA)

“Last year we did have a very steady start and built into the season and obviously what happened happened, but ultimately you can’t fake quality. You can prime an average horse for a big day and you can prime a good horse for a very big day, but the more depth in quality you have the more you can aim at the big races and have the big days. We’re getting more of those horses as a team, I believe.

“It’s a privilege to be in that position (favourite for the title), but take away the theory, the actual reality is it’s going to be very hard. It’ll be six months of hard work from us and if Willie turns up in month five and does what he can sometimes do, then month six is going to be a real battle!

“It’s going to be a real battle for of all us – me, Paul (Nicholls), Nicky (Henderson) and if anyone else gets involved then good luck to them as well.

“Five or six years ago we were talking about the Irish coming over all the time, but I think we’ve come to recognise it’s kind of part and parcel of it now. It doesn’t need talking about so much because it’s kind of how it is.”

Ryanair winner Protektorat misses his intended reappearance at Aintree this weekend
Ryanair winner Protektorat misses his intended reappearance at Aintree this weekend (David Davies/PA)

Skelton enjoyed two Grade One winners at the Festival in March, and had hoped to unleash one of them, Protektorat, at Aintree this weekend, but opted against that due to ground conditions. His other winner at the showpiece meeting, Grey Dawning, could run in either Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase next Saturday or at Carlisle a day later.

On Protektorat, Skelton said: “The ground is just too good (at Aintree). I’m not knocking their ground, they’ve done a lovely job, but he wants genuine good to soft at least so we’ll just have to wait with him.

“God knows where we’ll go, I’ve no idea. I’d love to stick to two-and-a-half (miles) if we can, so we’ll see.

“There’s no massive rush, I’d love to get them all out but the ground needs to be right.”

“As for Grey Dawning, again it’s ground that’s a concern. If he doesn’t go to Wetherby he’ll go to Carlisle the day after for the Colin Parker, which is a good race and I’ve a few for that meeting.

“We’re not afraid to go up there.”

Skelton backing Dawning to deliver in Destiny rematch

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Grey Dawning kicks off what could prove to be a crucial three days at Aintree for title-chasing Dan Skelton in the the Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase on Thursday.

Following a fantastic four-timer at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, the Alcester handler heads former mentor Paul Nicholls by around £30,000 in the race to be crowned leading trainer, while perennial Irish champion Willie Mullins cannot be discounted despite being just over £685,000 further adrift.

Skelton is well aware the next three days on Merseyside are likely to have a major bearing on where the championship ultimately ends up, but he is doing his best to keep his feet on the ground.

“There’s a lot of water to go under that bridge, but having good chances at this meeting with the prize-money on offer there is obviously very important,” he said.

Grey Dawning was one of Skelton’s fab four at Cheltenham, reversing previous form with the Nicholls-trained Ginny’s Destiny to secure Grade One honours in the Turners Novices’ Chase.

The pair will renew rivalry in the opening race of the Randox Grand National Festival, with Skelton hopeful Grey Dawning’s Cheltenham exploits have not left their mark.

He added: “I’m looking forward to it a lot, obviously. He showed at Cheltenham two-and-a-half (miles) in this ground is no issue at all. I wanted to go three miles with him, but when the ground was like this, it was a pretty easy decision to make.

“He’s in good form at home. I’ve no reason to think that he’s not in the same form as he was at Cheltenham, but historically horses have tried to do the two and some have and some haven’t, I just hope he’s in the have category! I have no reason to think he’s not, I’m very happy with him.”

Ginny’s Destiny winning at Cheltenham in January
Ginny’s Destiny winning at Cheltenham in January (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Nicholls is similarly positive about Ginny’s Destiny’s wellbeing and is looking forward to the rematch with Grey Dawning in a race worth £120,000 in total.

“He’s made giant strides since joining us this season, winning three times at Cheltenham before another cracking run when second to Grey Dawning at the Festival,” Nicholls told Betfair.

“He will love the ground at Aintree and is in good shape.

“As with all of ours who ran at Cheltenham, no one can tell you for sure how they have come out of their races but they have had a nice, easy fortnight before we started tuning them up again. They did their last piece of work on Saturday and head to Aintree fresh and well.”

Mullins also has a significant contender in the form of Il Etait Temps, who steps up in trip after placing third behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Jamie Snowden’s Turners Novices’ Chase sixth Colonel Harry and Tom Lacey’s Blow Your Wad, the only horse in the field not to run at the Festival, are the other hopefuls.

Grey Dawning sees off Ginny’s Destiny for Turners prize

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Grey Dawning continued Dan Skelton’s fabulous Cheltenham Festival with a brilliant victory in the Turners Novices’ Chase.

Paul Nicholls’ Ginny’s Destiny never missed a beat out in front as he attempted to repeat Stage Star’s victory in this race 12 months ago, but Grey Dawning was never far away in the hands of the trainer’s brother, Harry, and as they headed down hill it became clear it would be an all-British shoot-out up the famous hill.

The duo swung the bend locked in unison but having jumped two out matching strides, it was the 5-2 joint-favourite who edged to the front at the last and stayed on strongly to see Skelton oust his former Ditcheat boss and register his third triumph of the week at the showpiece meeting.

Venetia Williams’ Djelo came home in third to complete a one-two-three for the home team, with Zanahiyr the best of the Irish in fourth.

Skelton said: “He was destined to be a chaser from the start and you just want it to happen so bad, so to win a Grade One novice here is great. He’s still got a huge future to look forward to, hopefully.

Harry Skelton all smiles with Grey Dawning
Harry Skelton all smiles with Grey Dawning (PA)

“We won a Grade One novice chase (at Aintree) with Protektorat, but I just feel like this horse is at least as good and potentially could be better, and that is not taking anything away from the ones we’ve had before. But time moves forward and he’s very important.

“Some people questioned coming for the race, but they can’t now! I just felt the race he ran here against Ginny’s Destiny in December was a very good race and it’s been proven so because they’ve been first and second today. Rule Britannia!”

He added: “I just thought we’re not short of speed and Fact To File did look very good in Ireland so maybe it was the sensible route (to run in this race and not Brown Advisory).

“This is the one we really wanted. He jumped great, Harry was good on him and that was exactly how we wanted the race to go. I think it speaks volumes about the horse that we didn’t need Plan B.

“This week has to be right at the very top – hopefully it’s not over yet.”

Reflecting further, he said: “I think this is as good a novice as we’ve ever had. He jumps very well, has a great brain and stays very well.

Harry Skelton aboard Grey Dawning after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase
Harry Skelton aboard Grey Dawning after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We’ll enter at Aintree, but there’s no pressure to go. If we think we should we will and if we don’t we won’t, but I’ve never been afraid to run this horse.

“We’ll go down the Gold Cup route next year. The Betfair Chase would be a race for him and I suppose we’ll have to try him right-handed properly one day (considering the King George VI Chase).

“He does have a small preference for going left-handed, but we won’t dwell on the future, today is very important.”

The winning rider said: “It’s just magic. Thank you Cheltenham, thank you very much. These people make it special, it is unbelievable this place. He was great today, Dan got the right race, there was a long discussion about it.

“He’s very good, a very good horse. He’s so unassuming, you wouldn’t believe it. He doesn’t know how good he is, but hopefully he’s a bit special.”

Of the gallant runner-up, Nicholls said: “It was a fantastic run. He just missed the second-last and got it wrong, and that has just cost him in the end. He has run his heart out. If he had landed upsides Grey Dawning after the second-last who knows what would have happened?

“He is a good horse and I think he will get three miles in time. If he is OK we could look at going to Aintree with him.”

Grey Dawning all set for rematch with Ginny’s Destiny

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Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning looks to take the next step in his career over fences as he prepares to line up in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old has enjoyed a productive season so far, winning his second start over fences when beating Gaillard Du Mesnil in a Haydock graduation chase in which he was a nine-and-a-half-length scorer.

At Cheltenham in December he was second to Ginny’s Destiny in a novice event, after which he strolled to a 14-length victory in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny will now meet again, and Skelton expects them to go toe-to-toe.

“He’s a very good horse I feel,” the trainer said of his runner.

Grey Dawning and harry Skelton at Haydock
Grey Dawning and harry Skelton at Haydock (Nigel French/PA)

“I feel we are very closely matched with Ginny’s Destiny and things didn’t quite go our way when we met them at Cheltenham.

“Ginny’s Destiny is entitled to have improved since then and obviously has because he’s won again, but so have we so there is not much between the top two in the market and that’s before you include all the others.”

As mentioned by Skelton, Ginny’s Destiny went on to triumph next time out when taking the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase on return to Cheltenham – leaving him with three wins to four runs over fences on his CV.

“He loves the place and worked very, very well on Saturday morning – I’m very happy with him,” Nicholls said.

“I would say he’s in as good a shape as we’ve ever had him and he will need to be.

Ginny’s Destiny on Trials day at Cheltenham
Ginny’s Destiny on Trials day at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

“Stage Star won the same race as him last year before winning this and I think Ginny’s Destiny is rated a few pounds higher than he was, so hopefully he has a good chance.

“I think the race has an open feel to it and he jumps and gallops. We’ve improved a lot since we met Dan’s horse first time.

“Hopefully he is the one who can go to the next level and we’ll give it a whirl.”

Iroko provided trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero with the biggest success of their careers so far when landing the Martin Pipe at the meeting last year and will fly the flag for the stable again.

The six-year-old was at one point expected to be out of action for the season due to injury, but his recovery happened at a quicker pace than anticipated and he returns to action at Cheltenham having last been seen winning his sole chasing start Warwick in November.

Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season
Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season (David Davies/PA)

“He seems on song and everything is right with him, so we will keep our fingers crossed,” Guerriero said.

“We thought he was out for the season so to have him back is brilliant and to go to Cheltenham with him is even better.

“His course form on the New course has got to help and course form is always helpful at Cheltenham.

“His inexperience over fences isn’t ideal, but there is not a lot we can do about that and we’ve been away for a gallop and school over fences and we’ve done all we can.

“He’s been there and won a decent race in the past, so if he’s up to the task, we hope he will run really well.”

Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season
Facile Vega at Navan (Damien Eagers/PA)

Willie Mullins has two representatives, with Facile Vega the most popular in the market after his third-placed run behind stablemate Il Etait Temps in the Irish Arkle when last seen.

Sharjah was fourth in the same race and represents the same yard under leading amateur Patrick Mullins.

Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr and Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit complete the Irish challenge, with Venetia Williams set to run Scilly Isles runner-up Djelo and Jamie Snowden saddling Colonel Harry, who was third in the same race.

Gary Moore’s Le Patron and David Pipe’s Jamaico complete the field of 11.

Ryanair or Aintree now the next target for Protektorat

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Dan Skelton has all but ruled out a Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup bid with Protektorat – but he could still line up in the Ryanair Chase if showing his well-being prior to the Festival.

The nine-year-old has finished third (2022) and fifth (2023) in his two previous cracks at the blue riband but, after only finishing a well-held third in Newbury’s Denman Chase won by Shishkin, connections will now change tack and seek an alternative to the Friday feature.

One option is to drop back in distance for a Ryanair Chase renewal that has an open feel due to the absence of Willie Mullins’ dual winner Allaho.

Protektorat had no answer to Shishkin at Newbury
Protektorat had no answer to Shishkin at Newbury (Jacob King/PA)

However, Skelton is willing to let his charge provide the biggest guide as to whether an outing at Prestbury Park is on the cards, or if they will wait for the Aintree Bowl over a course and distance he has previously tasted success.

“I’ve spoken to all the owners and at the moment we are not going for a Gold Cup,” said Skelton.

“We’ve got the entry and there are no more scratching stages, so I shall leave him in until confirmations. But he isn’t going for a Gold Cup unless something ridiculous happens.

“The options are Ryanair or Aintree. He will be going to the Ryanair if he is super well and we really think it is the right thing, so we will be led by the horse.

“That race has taken a funny shape and how does he compare against the others in there? I believe Hitman is going for the race, but how short in the betting is Hitman? We will take a look at the Ryanair and if we don’t go there, then we will wait for Aintree.”

Protektorat was a Grade One winner when landing the Betfair Chase
Protektorat was a Grade One winner when landing the Betfair Chase (Nigel French/PA)

Despite seemingly giving up on Gold Cup ambitions for this year, Skelton retains plenty of faith in his star stayer, who provided him with Grade One glory when landing Haydock’s Betfair Chase in 2022.

That was the last time the gelding entered the winner’s enclosure, but he has been campaigned much more aggressively this term, with his Newbury run the fourth of his season so far – something his handler envisages paying dividends at some stage.

Skelton continued: “What you have to remember with this horse is, he is running really well, we are running him more often and he’s maintaining his form, he’s just that little nugget short of being top, top.

“A race is made up of the winner, but it is also made up of horses that push the winners and you must not lose sight of the fact he has danced a lot of big dances, he will dance a lot more to come and he will be winning some big races, there’s no doubt about that – it’s just very hard at the top level.”

Protektorat’s Cheltenham participation may still be up in the air, but one of Skelton’s string fully on course for the spring showpiece is star novice chaser Grey Dawning, who will head straight to the Cotswolds having skipped Sandown’s recent Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

Grey Dawning has impressed over fences
Grey Dawning has impressed over fences (Nigel French/PA)

A winner of the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase last month, Skelton would like to continue plying the talented seven-year-old’s trade at three miles, with the sure-footed grey currently a best price of 5-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on the second day of the Festival.

“He will go straight to Cheltenham now and I have a slight preference for the three miler, but I have not ruled out the Turners just in case,” explained Skelton.

“The track would suit him better on the Thursday, but the distance might just be better for him on the Wednesday.

“Of those novice chasers this year, he’s our highest rated one and one of the highest rated in the UK, so we have every right to be bullish about him.”

Skelton in no rush to commit to Scilly Isles date for Dawning

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Dan Skelton is willing to bide his time before deciding whether Warwick winner Grey Dawning heads to the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Chase next or goes straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

A drop back in trip for the Sandown Grade One had been mentioned as a potential next stepping stone for the versatile Hampton Novices’ Chase victor, but his handler would like to wait a little longer before deciding if that would be the right thing to do by his likeable charge.

The Grade Two scorer could instead head straight to Prestbury Park where the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase has been nominated as the likely port of call at the Festival in March.

“I’m going to have a think about Grey Dawning,” said Skelton.

“Immediately after the race I thought we would go to Sandown. Whether that is clever or not, I will give it a week to think about.

“I think we would just go for the three-mile race at Cheltenham if we didn’t (go to Sandown), but that’s not me looking to not run.

“I want to run him because he’s a horse who loves racing, but I would only run him if I was really, really certain it was the right thing to do.”

Galia Des Liteaux is being aimed at the Grand National
Galia Des Liteaux is being aimed at the Grand National (Mike Egerton/PA)

Stablemate Galia Des Liteaux was also in action at Warwich, where she was stayed on strongly in vain when second in the Classic Chase.

The classy eight-year-old will now be pointed towards the Randox Grand National, with Skelton following the same route he took to Aintree with Le Milos 12 months ago by stopping off at Kelso’s bet365 Premier Chase in March first.

“Galia Des Liteaux will go for the Listed chase up at Kelso on March 2 before going for the Grand National,” continued Skelton.

“We tried it with Le Milos last year and it didn’t quite come off, but it doesn’t mean we won’t try it again.”

Grey Dawning back on track at Warwick

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Grey Dawning regained the winning thread with a comfortable triumph in the Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Dan Skelton’s charge had looked set for a Cheltenham victory last time out, only to make a mess of the penultimate fence, which saw him have to give best to Ginny’s Destiny.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite to make amends, Harry Skelton was happy to settle in behind the front-running Apple Away for much of the three-mile contest, with Broadway Boy the only other horse really in contention on the turn for home.

However, he began to struggle as Grey Dawning made smooth progress on the outside to grab the lead from Apple Away at the second last, despite running slightly down that fence.

He was also a bit slow to jump at the last, but Skelton’s mount kept galloping to the line to win by 14 lengths – a result which saw Betfair cut him to 10-1 from 16s for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

“You wouldn’t know how good this horse is and I couldn’t believe he won two bumpers, but he just comes alive at the track,” said winning rider Harry Skelton.

“Who knows where he might end up, but he’s very exciting and it was nice to see him win like that today.

“Apple Away and Broadway Boy went off on the front-end and I was able to just follow away and when we swung into the straight and got racing, he came alive.

“He had the race won and just pricked his ears. He went a bit left and he always does that. It’s gone really well and it’s nice to see him do that.

“I really think he could get any trip and the way he races, he just sits behind the bridle a bit, he relaxes and is never keen. He’s so unassuming but when you get him to the track he comes alive, so I think he will get any trip.”

With Grey Dawning’s trainer on holiday in Barbados, it was left to assistant Tom Messenger to assess the performance of the talented seven-year-old having scored on this card for the second year in a row.

He suggested connections could now take a look at Sandown’s Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase before a shot at the Cheltenham Festival comes under consideration.

“He’s so unassuming and you don’t think he is going anywhere, then Harry wakes him up and he comes alive and he put it to bed really quickly in what I think was a really competitive race,” said Messenger.

“We will really enjoy today and he obviously won on the card last year in the Leamington Spa. We always thought he would be a good chaser and barring a mistake at Cheltenham last time, he has been foot perfect so far, so we’re delighted.

“We may go to the Scilly Isles at Sandown if that is the right thing to do and he comes out of this all right, then he will have a couple of entries at Cheltenham and we will see. It’s really exciting.

“He’s had a few runs this year and Dan has always been keen to get him experience. If he’s the horse we think he might be next season, then he has to get experience and when he goes up against the big boys this year and next year, we want that to be with some experience under his belt.

“Dan has rang me and was very excited. I hadn’t heard from him all day, but I did then.”