Third Time Lucki takes chase test at Cheltenham
Skelton runner makes transition to fences.
Dan Skelton is looking forward to giving Third Time Lucki his debut over fences in the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Friday. The Alcester trainer reports the six-year-old to be ready to return to the fray after a long break since he signed off over the smaller obstacles with a creditable fourth-placed finish in the Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. Skelton has been happy with the way Third Time Lucki’s preparation has gone since he came back into training. “I’m really happy with him. He’s done lots of jumping. I’ve given him a wind op and he loves decent ground. He’s got a bit of Cheltenham form and I think he’ll go very well,” he said.Fidelio Vallis is already a four-times winner over fences and was runner-up in a Listed contest at Chepstow on his first run since May. His trainer Paul Nicholls expects the six-year-old to come on for the run. “He ran right up to his best at Chepstow 13 days ago when only just denied from recording a five-timer. He led almost all the way there, jumping boldly, before tiring late on after jumping the last fence,” he told Betfair. “Fidelio Vallis will improve for the run, would probably have won at two miles and will appreciate dropping back down in trip. While he has plenty in his favour at Cheltenham including the ground, I am conscious that he had a hard race at Chepstow.”
Mullaghmore Wave holds off Lighthouse Rose to secure the Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at @DownpatrickRace for John McConnell pic.twitter.com/aFoemV4KJx
— Downpatrick Racecourse (@DownpatrickRace) August 8, 2021
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