Dan Skelton

Surely trainers have to try new things when what they are doing is not working? OK, the approach he tried this year didn't work (though I would say Protektorat overperformed), but doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

As an owner with Skelton are u happy it runs a couple races a year? Not for me,

I would, yes. But presumably his owners are on board with it, or they'd take their horses elsewhere.

Did his jockey go to cheltenham ?

In spirit.

At least he had a go. Unlike some other triainers.

But what can they do. Win 2 big races through season on itv beating 4 runners owners chuffed or target chelt and come 4th to 3 Irish. At least owners had a winning day.

Irish is premier league
English is championship.

The 3miler was gifted to English. No Irish. Constitution hill would of won anyway but gifted supreme. Dysart was a maiden winner. Sir g  moved.

Hcps won by 2 year down in weights or winners on the up.

2mares. Won.

Everyone moans about season being chelt focused. So can’t have both.

Will he have a winner at Aintree? Protektorat vs Clan des Obeaux vz Kemboy.

I don't fancy the Skelton horse for that. Horses that have had a hard race in the Gold Cup have a long history of being turned over in the bowl (including some that were far better than the current lot). Plus, in the conditions, CdO may well still be the better horse anyway. I'm not sure about Kemboy - the conditions suit, but he seems to be considerably better at Leopardstown than elsewhere.

I feel he is a bit over-hyped in reality.
OK the old man did o k at the olympics but
the son has had a few half decent ones
That may have failed to reach their potential

When I think of his old man I think of the old time Horse Of The Year show and the wanton vandalism committed by the snooty-nosed hoi polloi who thought they were God;s gift to the planet and felt they had the right to ignore the plebs and use Wembley for their event that year.  The finest surface in football needlessly churned up and brutally demolished by the snobs who ran that event.  It was sacrilege.  Nick was just coming to the fore then and was challenging the establishment and they didn;t care for him either.

My Drogo any news on this beast
Think he’s only one going serious challenge galllop

I heard he was most likely be aimed at the Ryanair which makes sense. I’ve taken some if the 25/1 as would be much shorter if turned up there in decent form. So far my individual ante post bet.

I'm sure he'll be aimed at the Gold Cup long term. The owner has stated that winning the Gold Cup is his main ambition. However, whether that will be this season, who knows? He wouldn;t be the first horse to take in the Ryanair first.

Not expected to return to track till early Spring assuming everything goes smoothly so has to be a major doubt to turn up in any race at festival