HARRY SKELTON: Weekend Debrief

Last weekend was a landmark one for Dan and I, as we became the winning-most trainer and jockey partnership when Maestro Conti won at Cheltenham, making it 1,273 wins we’ve had together, writes HARRY SKELTON.

The support that Dan has given me, helping me ride so many winners, is quite something. When you look at all the connections that have amassed so many winners together, it’s some going! It’s something we’re very proud of.

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CHELTENHAM

THE NEW LION

We were obviously very happy to get the job done and see him put in a nice, clear round of jumping. It was a falsely run race, but he quickened up smartly when asked and I think he showed that he has plenty of gears. Hopefully, he goes to the Champion Hurdle with every chance.

It was so unfortunate for connections of Sir Gino. No one wants to see that happen but horses are athletes and they do get injured. We just hope that he’s alright and that he makes a full recovery.

GREY DAWNING

I felt like he was coming there to make a challenge, but he made a mistake at a crucial time two out. It was quite hard work in the home straight and perhaps he got stuck in the mud a little bit. He did stick at it, though and galloped through the line well. We wanted to come with one run and produce him with a late challenge, so I didn’t want to get involved in the race too soon and give him a hard time.

If it wasn’t for the mistake at the second last, I think I would have come there and challenged after the final fence, so it was a bit unfortunate. He hadn’t been seen since Haydock, so it was good to get him out and get a run into him. From that perspective, it’s job done, and all roads now lead to the Gold Cup. I think it’s an open race this year and if he comes into the race in the form he was in heading to Haydock, then he will have every chance of being right in contention.

MAESTRO CONTI

He was keen enough throughout the race but got the job done well. He’s got a good appetite for racing – he jumps well and stays strongly, which is a big help for a juvenile. He was pulling clear and was well on top by the end, so it was a nice performance. We’ll have a crack at the Triumph Hurdle now. That’s going to be a little bit different as it will be run at a stronger pace, which should help him settle better. He looks a really nice horse for the future and we very much see him as a stayer further down the line.

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DONCASTER

TRALEE GIRL

She was a bit disappointing as I thought she would run better, judged on her Newbury form. The ground was probably a bit testing for her though. We’ll let her get over that run before bringing her back in the spring. She’s better than she showed there.

CARLENRIG

He was going okay and staying on when coming down at the second last. It was unfortunate and obviously not ideal, but these things happen. We’ll get him right and go again in the spring.

JOYEUX MACHIN

He was unfortunate when coming down as well, as it looked like he was in a good rhythm and in the process of running a nice race. We’ll look for another three-mile contest for him next.

DIAMOND STREET

He was a nice winner of the bumper. We’ve always really liked him at home and he showed that promise on the track here. He’s a horse everyone should keep an eye out for, especially when he goes staying chasing. I know that’s a fair way away, but he’ll be a nice horse over hurdles next season too.

What a debut!

Diamond Street breezes to a superb victory in the bumper on his first start for @DSkeltonRacing at @DoncasterRaces… pic.twitter.com/EUmRfWXCco

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 24, 2026

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UTTOXETER

TALES OF BRAVERY

He made all the running to win the novice hurdle. He handles those testing conditions well and stays strongly over two miles. He looks another chaser for further down the line. Charlie Todd helps us out a lot, so it was nice to give him a winner.

At a canter!

Tales Of Bravery makes all for @CharlieTodd00 and @DSkeltonRacing at @UttoxeterRaces… pic.twitter.com/frneMsoBz0

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 24, 2026

IN THE AGE

There were no excuses as he ran well in defeat and just looked to bump into one. He looks like he will get three miles in the spring, so we might look to step him up in trip.

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TWO TO FOLLOW THIS WEEK

Misterdoc runs at Chepstow in a juvenile hurdle on Tuesday and I’d like to hope that he can go close.

The Sketcher runs in a bumper up at Ayr on Thursday. He looks a nice type of horse, so he’s another to look out for.

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