Stabletalk: Dan Skelton talks us through his weekend runners
Trainer and Coral Racing Ambassador Dan Skelton gives us the lowdown on his 7 runners from Doncaster, Kelso, Newbury and Huntingdon…
Workbench is back over fences this weekend. He ran quite nicely over hurdles last time out. I still think he is quite high up the handicap but a fast run race around here will suit him. If he got in the Grand Annual he would run but he is on the edge at the moment. There is a lot of rain around this weekend so it is probably going to be Soft nearly everywhere. This horse is very versatile so he would have no problems with the ground.
If I am being perfectly honest Master Jake should have won over fences by now so his seconds are frustrating. He has been second three times already so he is definitely due a win. I think he will go very well up there. The ground will really be in his favour. They will go fast so he will played a little later this time. He deserves to get his head in front some time.
Willow’s Saviour is Dan’s representative in the 1.30 at Newbury
Willow’s Saviour ran really well at Taunton on his most recent run and he has been coming back from an injury so I was really happy with him. We put a tongue strap on him just because he is an older horse and has never had one before. I did a breathing operation with him when we first got him so I thought I’d see how he would get on with the tongue strap. He’s a horse I like a lot, such a tough old boy and he has got to have a competitive chance in this race.
Oldgrangewood is a progressive horse who will love the track at Newbury. The rain won’t be an issue for him, although he wouldn’t want it heavy. He’s off a nice weight here and is on an upward curve. I am happy with him at home. It’s a good opportunity for him in a valuable race. This is a big step up in grade.
Sunday
Azzuri (left) has a chance in the 2.00 at Huntingdon on Sunday
On figures Azzuri should probably be winning this maiden hurdle. He just got a little tired last time but that won’t be the case here. We’d like to think he can go one better than his second place finish at Wetherby. He had some good form last year. He’d been off for a while so he just was not 100%. We kept him until the 1st March to run him again as we want him to be a novice until the 1st November.
Listen To the Man is another horse who has been second a couple of times this season. Going right-handed at Huntingdon might just suit her a little more. There is a few in the race with seconds to their name. It is not an uncompetitive race but at the same time nothing stands as looking unbeatable. She has definitely got a chance.
Buckby Boy is a lovely young horse who is running in the bumper. We have done a lot of work with him. He’s got a pretty good head on him. He shouldn’t be too green but at the same he will improve from it. Franke Rapper outran expectations last week and I’d be a little more expectant of a better run from this horse but at the same time we are not putting any pressure on to say he’ll win.
Dan
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