HARRY SKELTON: Haydock Debrief & Aintree Day One

It was nice to get a few winners on the board at Haydock last weekend and we’re heading into Aintree in good form, writes HARRY SKELTON.

Hopefully we can have a good start to the meeting on Thursday, with plenty of big guns on show.

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HAYDOCK

SATURDAY DEBRIEF

LE MILOS

We have actually come to the decision to retire him. He’s been a star for us, winning a Coral Gold Cup and some other good races. He’s a privilege to ride, as he is always a very honest horse that gives his all, which is all you can really ask. Hopefully he will now have a long and happy retirement.

FIRST CANDIDATE

It looked like a good winning opportunity for her, so it was nice that she got her head in front. She didn’t start the season off well when taking a fall at Stratford, but that’s long behind her now and she has improved a lot since. She obviously enjoys nice ground and isn’t slow, so there are plenty of options open. I think she will jump fences as well, so there’s lots to look forward to with her.

MAJOR FORTUNE

It was a good effort from him, and it was nice to get his head back in front. I think running in a bit of a bigger field actually helped him. He’s been a star for his owners, winning eight races for them. He’s going to go up in the handicap, but he’s pretty consistent so I wouldn’t disregard him. We’re not sure just yet whether he will have another run this season or head off on his holidays.

BLUE CARPET

He ran well and I felt he got outstayed by the winner, who kept pulling out a bit more at the finish. I think we could come back in trip to two-and-a-half miles if we wanted to as he travelled quite well through the race. This was an improved effort again.

ICE IN THE VEINS

He ran too keen and is not the easiest of rides, and he has his own mind. There was a lot of pace on in the race, so I didn’t want to get into a battle up front. He needs to give himself a bit more of a chance. I think we’ll go chasing with him at some point.

AINTREE

THURSDAY

MAESTRO CONTI – 1:45pm Aintree

We kick things off at Aintree with Maestro Conti in the four-year-old-only hurdle. He ran a cracking race to finish second in the Triumph Hurdle and has come out of that in great form. He’s been improving steadily all season, which is exactly what you want to see at this stage.

He’ll be taking on a few familiar rivals from Cheltenham, so we know it won’t be straightforward, but based on what he showed last time, you’d like to think he sets a solid standard. Hopefully, he’s the one they all have to beat.

PROTEKTORAT – 2:20pm Aintree

He heads into the Aintree Bowl fresh, having skipped the Cheltenham Festival, and that could prove a real advantage. The three miles around here should suit him well, and he’s been in great form at home.

It’s a strong race on paper, with some serious opposition like Jango Baie, but you can never be completely sure how those coming from Cheltenham will perform.

Our horse arrives here fresh and ready, which is a big plus. He’s not getting any younger, but he still retains all his class and plenty of enthusiasm for the game. Hopefully, he can put in a really solid performance.

SNIPE & UNEXPECTED PARTY – 3:30pm Aintree

We’re running two in the Foxhunters’ Chase.

First up is Unexpected Party, who is well fancied. Heidi [Palin] takes the ride and knows him inside out. He still has a bit of class, and hopefully he takes to these fences well. The distance and the ground should suit him perfectly, so I think he holds a strong chance.

We also run Snipe, who has won a hunters’ chase this year. I think he’ll stay the trip well, and if he gets into a good rhythm, he should give Sean [O’Connor] a really good spin.

THE NEW LION – 4:05pm Aintree

The New Lion is set to line-up in the Aintree Hurdle, stepping up to two-and-a-half miles, which should suit him nicely.

At Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle, I felt he just lacked that extra gear from two out. We didn’t go all that quick early on, and then it turned into a bit of a sprint, so it wasn’t ideal for him. He’s come out of that race well, though, and hopefully he goes to Aintree with a very strong chance.

NAN’S CHOICE & DIVINE DIVA – 5:15pm Aintree

Nan’s Choice is a filly who’s new to us, and she already showed her ability with a win in Ireland on very deep ground. She’s a lovely, uncomplicated filly who stays well, and this looks like the obvious race for her following that victory.

Hopefully the ground won’t be an issue. It’s a competitive race with some nice fillies, but if she runs to form, she should do well. She’s definitely one to keep an eye on as we look forward to next season over hurdles.

Divine Diva was placed in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November and has a nice break since then. She’ll enjoy the nice ground and hopefully will run very well.

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