HARRY SKELTON: Cheltenham Saturday

It was absolutely awesome to ride a double at Cheltenham on Friday which has really kickstarted our season, writes HARRY SKELTON. Getting Fortune de Mer up in style was a particular highlight and we’ll work back from the County for him.

WHAT A FINISH 🔥🔥🔥

Fortune De Mer takes the Oddschecker Novices' Hurdle on the line under @harryskelton89 for @DSkeltonRacing 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ozpKbuHeWd

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 24, 2025

It was great for Calico, who’s a grand old servant, to have his deserved big day in the sun as well. He gave a real thrill on the way to winning the big handicap chase of the day and bagging some excellent prizemoney to boot.

CHELTENHAM

SATURDAY

MAJOR FORTUNE – 1.10pm Cheltenham

He takes his chance here and should step forward for the run, although I said that last year and he went and won impressively at Newton Abbot! He’s a horse that enjoys some cut in the ground and we’re hoping for that here. We’re confident he’s got some wins in him in some nice races this season so we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on here.

GREAT FLEET – 1.45pm Cheltenham

He got a nice run under his belt up at Kelso and we’re stepping him up to three miles here. He’ll have needed that run before coming to Cheltenham and arrives here in good form. He should stay the trip and we’re hoping he can run well.

HOE JOLY SMOKE – 2.20pm Cheltenham

He did well last year to win a couple of nice chases at Sandown and has been busy at home doing some good work so he should come here ready to go. It’s a competitive race with some good money on offer, but he’s got a good weight and the ground won’t be an issue. He should be there or thereabouts.

LORIKO – 3.30pm Cheltenham

We’re rolling the dice here. It’s a valuable race so we thought we’d take our chance. We can always step back into maiden hurdles, but we thought we’d try him in a small field here. We don’t expect him to beat Gary and Josh Moore’s horse, but a stiff two miles around here should suit him, although we think he wants a bit more. The experience won’t be lost on him going forwards and he’s a horse that will win plenty of races in future. Further down the line he should get two-and-a-half miles but as a four-year-old, we’re sticking to two at the moment.

LE BEAU MADRIK – 4.40pm Cheltenham

He just got touched off at Plumpton last year by a Willie Mullins runner. He has been working really well at home and I’d expect him to go very close to winning here. He seems a nice horse and hopefully he can start his season off with a win.

SATURDAY

AINTREE

BOOMBAWN – 2.55pm Aintree

He (nearest horse below) did really well last year. We’ve had this race in mind for him for a while. He’s been working very well at home and has been trained for the race so we’re hoping he’s good enough. It’s a competitive contest but the track will suit him and he ticks plenty of boxes, so we’re hopeful.