HARRY SKELTON: Cheltenham Sunday

Onto the final day of the November Meeting, and while we’ve unfortunately had to deal with a few non-runners along the way, we’re still looking forward to rounding off what has been a great meeting, writes HARRY SKELTON.

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CHELTENHAM 

SUNDAY

MADE IN REUGNY – 12:50pm Cheltenham

We kick things off with Made In Reugny in the opener, a horse we’re really looking forward to seeing make his debut over hurdles in Britain. He’s had just the one run in France, where he finished second, so he’s still relatively inexperienced, but we’ve been very pleased with what we’ve seen from him at home.

It looks a competitive maiden hurdle, with a few of his rivals having the benefit of a run already this season, which is always an advantage at this stage. It’s certainly a tough introduction, but he’s been doing everything very nicely so far. The one thing he hasn’t had is experience over English hurdles, so that will be a new test for him.

I’m hopeful he’ll put in a good performance. Even if he doesn’t quite get his head in front here, I don’t think it’ll be long before he’s finding his way into the winners’ enclosure. He’s definitely one I’d recommend keeping an eye on as the season progresses.

BLUE CARPET – 1:25pm Cheltenham

Blue Carpet makes his debut over fences here, after really improving over hurdles last season. He starts off over two-and-a-half miles, and we’ve been pleased with how he’s taken to his schooling at home.

It looks a competitive race, and while we’re hopeful he’ll run well, I think he’ll come on a fraction for the experience, win, lose or draw. It’s a big ask to come straight to Cheltenham and win first time over fences without any previous experience, so we’re realistic about the challenge ahead.

The main thing is that he gets some valuable experience under his belt and hopefully puts in a good performance. He’s a horse we like a lot, and I think he’s got the potential to enjoy a progressive season over fences.

SHAKEYATAILFEATHER – 2:00pm Cheltenham

She ran a pretty good race at Ascot last time out, and that outing should have brought her on a little bit. She’s in good order at home, and I think she comes here with a small chance.

There’s some good prize money on offer, so hopefully she can put in another solid performance and pick up a share of that. We’d be delighted if she can build on her Ascot run and get herself into the mix.

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY, LISTENTOYOURHEART, LET IT RAIN, HARRY LOWES & THE MIGHTY CELT – 3:10pm Cheltenham

We have five runners in the Greatwood Hurdle, and I’ll be partnering Let It Rain. She finished last season on a real high, winning at Stratford, but unfortunately disappointed at Newbury on testing ground. We don’t think she acted on the conditions at all that day, so I’m happy to put a line through that performance.

We think she’s a very good mare, and I still believe she’s progressive with plenty more to offer. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her yet, and while this is an ultra-competitive handicap, she’s been going well at home and we know she’s capable of being competitive in a race of this calibre. Hopefully, she can show what she’s all about.

Listentoyourheart has been running fairly well, although I think the handicapper has probably got her close to where she wants to be now. She’s had a couple of runs under her belt, so hopefully she can put in another solid performance and pick up some of the prize money.

The Mighty Celt will have the hood taken off and drops back to two miles. We’ll look to ride him positively, get him out in front and let him roll along. Harry Atkins also takes a valuable 5lb off his back, which is a bonus, and I think he could run a nice race if things fall right for him.

Knickerbockerglory will be partnered by Tristan Durrell. He’s been struggling a little bit of late, and the handicapper has probably got him high enough at the moment. We’d be delighted if he could get back to something like his best and pick up some prize money.

Finally, Harry Lowes was a little unlucky at Aintree last time. He made a mistake three out and was then put off by another runner, which didn’t help his chances. He’s a progressive horse, and I’m hoping he can put that experience behind him and run a very good race here. There’s plenty to like about him, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

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