HARRY SKELTON: Cheltenham, Doncaster & Uttoxeter Saturday

It’s a busy Saturday for us with plenty of runners at Cheltenham, Doncaster and Uttoxeter, writes HARRY SKELTON.

All the horses remain in good form and we’re hoping for some big runs from the likes of Grey Dawning and The New Lion.

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CHELTENHAM

SATURDAY

MAESTRO CONTI – 12.40pm Cheltenham

He did things nicely at Kempton on his first start for us and he’s come out of that race well. He feels like a stayer to me, so the ground and track should be no problem. This is a decent race with some quite nice horses with good ratings in there. Hopefully the small penalty we carry won’t be an issue. We’ve always liked him and think he’s a nice horse, so we’re looking forward to running him and seeing how he measures up to some of the other juveniles here.

BOOMBAWN & RISKINTHEGROUND – 1.15pm Cheltenham

Boombawn is carrying plenty of weight and doesn’t look well handicapped at the moment. He ran very well at Kempton last time, but the ground will probably be on the slow side for him here. We’ve got to crack on and get him out as he’s in good form, but I think the handicapper needs to give him a bit more of a chance.

Riskintheground really wants better ground in the spring, and the handicapper has him high enough at present. If both could pick up some prize money here, we’d be delighted.

GREY DAWNING – 2.25pm Cheltenham

He goes in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase after having had a good break since his win at Haydock. There are only four runners and it could be a trappy race, but we’re very happy with him and hopefully he comes through this test well – then all roads will lead to the Gold Cup. We’ve left a bit to work on and hopefully this race works as a nice stepping stone for him to the Gold Cup. We’re looking forward to getting him back out and are hopeful of a good run.

THE NEW LION – 3.00pm Cheltenham

It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get the season off to the start we wanted in the Fighting Fifth, but he’s done loads of schooling since then and is in good form. Going forward, I think we’ll know a bit more after this race. Obviously, we’re taking on hot-favourite Sir Gino, who looked very impressive at Kempton, but hopefully we can give him something to think about. This is a step up, as we’ve never taken on a rival like him before, and we’ll know more where we stand afterwards.

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DONCASTER

SATURDAY

TRALEE GIRL – 12.20pm Doncaster

She goes in the Listed Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle with Tristan Durrell taking the ride. She’s top-rated and looks to have a good chance. She had quite a hard race at Newbury last time, where she gave her all and tried very hard. She’s taking on two decent fillies at the top of the market but we’re in good form and hopeful of getting some more black type.

CARLENRIG – 12.55pm Doncaster

He lines up in the Grade 2 River Don after staying on strongly to win at Cheltenham last time. He hit the line nicely there and three miles suits him well. He’s probably a chaser in the making but he looks to have a nice chance here and hopefully he’ll be very competitive.

JOYEUX MACHIN – 2.05pm Doncaster

He’s been running well without getting his head in front, and produced a good effort over three-miles at Doncaster last time. We’ve put a tongue tie on him which will hopefully just help him a little. He’s in good form and definitely has a competitive chance.

HARPER’S BROOK – 3.13pm Doncaster

He’s come on for his last run at Wetherby and looks nicely weighted. He’s a bit of a tricky ride but hopefully the race will fall right for him. If they go a strong gallop, that will suit him.

DIAMOND STREET – 3.48pm Doncaster

We like what we see of him at home. He’s a big, galloping horse and definitely is a future stayer. I’d like to hope he’ll run very well in the bumper.

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UTTOXETER

SATURDAY

TALES OF BRAVERY – 1.22pm Uttoxeter

He ran well at Uttoxeter last time and he will handle the heavy ground well. I think he’s got a good chance to get his head in front.

IN THE AGE – 3.06pm Uttoxeter

He got the job done well last time out at Catterick. He runs in a handicap for the first time here, with Harry Atkins taking off seven pounds, which makes him look nicely weighted. There’s no reason to think he shouldn’t go well again.

MOUNT GAY RUN – 3.41pm Uttoxeter

He runs over fences for the first time for us. That should slow things down a bit, which should be a help for him. If he handles the ground, he should run well.

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