Calico collects valuable Cheltenham prize for Skelton
‘It all came together today for him and I’m delighted’.
Calico gave Dan Skelton a valuable success in the GBP 100,000 squareintheair.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, as his pursuit of a so-far elusive first trainers’ championship gathers pace. Having come so close only to be denied by Willie Mullins winning both the Grand National and the Scottish equivalent last season, Skelton has been quick to grab an early advantage. With over GBP 50,000 on offer to the winner in this two-mile event, Skelton had Calico ready to rock first time out, although he needed to be as there was no quarter given. Matata, as is his wont, set a searching gallop throughout, and jumping was at a premium. Calico (3-1) was always travelling strongly, however, and his jumping was on point so when Harry Skelton moved him up to challenge two fences from home, he was in the perfect place. He began to idle up the hill, but held off the rallying Matata to win by a neck, with last year’s winner, Dancing On My Own, back in third. Skelton said: “He just got chinned by Triple Trade at the November meeting here last year and I actually said to his owner John (Reilly) we might not win for the rest of the year now because I knew how much he’d put into that first day and how empty he was up the run-in. “It’s literally taken him a season to get over that run, not because he had such a hard race that day but because the handicapper then put him up and the competition got stronger. “It was quite important today as he was fresh on nice ground on a track he’s good at. Harry gave him a beautiful ride and he hurdled the ditch – I’ve never seen a horse jump that ditch like that before and I’m sure Harry doesn’t want too many more to jump it like it!” He went on: “It all came together today for him and I’m delighted. I think we’ll just have to be a little sparing with him as he’s very good fresh and very good on decent ground. “The Desert Orchid at Kempton at Christmas is a limited handicap now and the ground is usually not too bad around there. “If it stayed unusually dry before then we might have a nip and duck here and there, but I should imagine he’ll just go straight to Kempton.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
‘It’s magic’ – McCain-Mitchell lives up to family history
Ginger McCain’s grandson secures first Cheltenham winner.
-
‘Privilege’ to be title favourite – but Skelton preparing for tough battle ahead
Double at start of new Cheltenham season boosts early advantage.
-
Valgrand floors Gale Mahler to take Grade Two honours at Cheltenham
Prolific mare has no answer to smart Skelton winner.
-
Calico collects valuable Cheltenham prize for Skelton
‘It all came together today for him and I’m delighted’.
-
Crowmell straight back on the right Path again at Cheltenham
‘It’s Cheltenham, it’s great to have a runner never mind a winner’.
-
Broadway Boy primed for Cheltenham opening act
Twiston-Davies runner back on familiar ground for seasonal bow.
-
Gosden opts for Breeders’ Cup Turf for Emily Upjohn – with Dettori booked
Longer race seen as being beneficial to high-class mare on tight Del Mar track.
-
Appleby looks to Anno Domini for Futurity double
After Ancient Wisdom last year, Godolphin runner heads to Doncaster on Saturday.
-
Harvey hunting Group One glory for Peter Chapple-Hyam
Classic-winning trainer last tasted top-level joy nine years ago.