HARRY SKELTON: Weekend Debrief

It was fantastic to break the £4 million prize-money barrier last weekend, something that has never been done before, writes HARRY SKELTON.

It’s an absolutely incredible achievement by Dan and all the team and a testament to everyone’s hard work.

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NEWBURY 

SATURDAY

GAMBINO

This was a great start over hurdles and I thought he ran a really promising race. He jumped well and chased home two good horses, so we were very happy. How many runs he will have now over hurdles we’re not sure, but he has shown a fair level of ability on the Flat too, so he has plenty of options.

HELTENHAM

He ran well on ground that was lively enough for him. He was in top gear all the way and could never really put in a challenge, but it was still a good effort. Hopefully we get a bit more rain so we can run him again before the end of the season.

GETAWHISKY

She went through the race very well, and I felt like I was going to win when she came there cantering on the run to the second-last. From the back of that hurdle, she just didn’t seem to stay the trip, which surprised us a little. We did think she would get two-and-a-half miles but unfortunately, she just didn’t stay. We’ll look to go chasing over two miles with her next season, and I think she’s a mare everyone should keep an eye on.

DIAMOND STREET & THE MAD POET

I didn’t think there was anything between them at home on what they had shown so far, and both look to be two promising horses.

Diamond Street ran very well under a penalty. He probably wanted the ground a bit softer, as stamina is very much a strong suit of his. I’m really looking forward to going hurdling with him.

The Mad Poet didn’t handle Cheltenham that well the time before but was much better on a galloping track like Newbury and ran a really promising race.

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KELSO 

SATURDAY

DIAMOND DEALER

His win at Kelso took us beyond the £4 million prizemoney mark for the season, which is a brilliant achievement. He’s won three races this season and has done really well for us. He jumps and stays, and has a great attitude.

FIRST CANDIDATE & BELLE LE GRAND

I thought First Candidate was coming there to win her race, but she just couldn’t quite get past the winner. She didn’t do anything wrong though, and it was a promising run. We’ll look forward to going chasing with her next year.

Belle Le Grand ran pretty well too, finishing sixth. We can drop her back in grade and run her in a bit calmer waters now – she can run in a 0-110 – and hopefully get her head in front.

LISTENTOYOURHEART

She picked up some nice Listed placed black type, which was great, and it was another good run. She’s been in good form and has plenty of options open for next season, probably over two-and-a-half or three miles. Whether we go jumping fences or stick over hurdles we’re not sure yet.

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BANGOR

SATURDAY

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY

He ran really well and the step up to two-and-a-half miles obviously helped him. If we keep getting a bit of rain, which we could do with now, then we can look for another race for him. This was a good, positive effort.

One to follow this week…

I’ve been very happy with a horse called A Sight To Sea, who runs in a bumper at Wetherby on Friday as long as the ground doesn’t get too quick.

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