StableTalk: Dan Skelton talks through his 13 weekend runners

12.30 Aintree – Oldgrangewood

Oldgrangewood was a revelation over fences last time out at Kempton and he will definitely be suited by going left handed. This race is obviously a good bit deeper and he’s gone up 10lbs so he’s got to prove that he can take this next step. He’s one of the least experienced but that also means he’s one of the least exposed. The ground will be perfect.

1.00 Aintree – Atlantic Storm

This race has cut up to only a few runners but there are a couple of decent looking horses in it. I view this horse more as a future chaser but I was quite happy with his run at Huntingdon. That said I wouldn’t be banging the drum saying he’s improved bundles at home since then. He is basically a chaser for next year.

12.10 Wetherby – Kafella

I really like Kafella but the Nicky Henderson horse, Baden, has a high official rating and will be hard to beat. I do think Kafella could be up to that level of performance one day but he’s only four and he’s less experienced than Baden. We do like him though.

12.40 Wetherby – Its‘afreebee

Its’afreebee takes on Cole Harden and has to give him 7lbs. I imagine Cole Harden will make the running and we will it second and see how we get on. I want to see him put a lacklustre run at Cheltenham behind him, and would like him to gallop and stay all the way to the line. He has a fist time tongue strap on, which is just to try something new, as he hasn’t been making any noises at home or anything like that.

12.35 Chepstow – The Bay Oak

I think The Bay Oak has a chance. He’ll love the trip and is fresh and well after his recent win. It was only eleven days ago but he’s tough.

1.40 Chepstow – Le Braye

He ran nicely first time but it’s still only his second ever start. Sometimes horses can run even more green on their second start than their first, as they anticipate what’s coming. It’s a full field and ultimately I think he’s going to improve with time.

2.45 Chepstow – Corrin Wood

He ran really well on his debut for us at Cheltenham in a competitive handicap where he made all the running. The handicapper has only put him up a pound so he’s given him a chance again. Before that run for us his form had lots of letters and big numbers rather than small numbers, so we need to him repeat that good run last time, and bring some consistency back to his game. I’m hoping he’ll run well. I’m building up to a target over fences when we think it’s appropriate. I don’t yet know what it is or where it is. That said he’s fit and ready today.

3.50 Chepstow – Asylo

This is a nice horse. He’s done plenty at home but he will be green. He’s one that I didn’t want to go straight over hurdles with as I think he could be a little bit on and off the bridle. I think he’ll benefit from running in a bumper. I’m looking forward to seeing him run as we do like him.

2.25 Sandown – Indietir and Bertiemont

Indietir is having his first race for us after having nearly a year off. But that year off wasn’t because of injury. He came to us having finished second in a Grade One, the Prix Cambaceres for four year olds, and he just had a few niggly bits which meant he had to have the rest of the season off. We then couldn’t get stuck into him in the Autumn because there was no rain and we couldn’t use the grass gallops. So it’s taken a bit of time to get to the point where we are happy with him. We are happy with him now and if he is a Grade One horse, then a mark of 141 will look very lenient But it’s his first run in the UK. He goes well at home and you’d expect a horse with his profile to show you heaps, but he’s got to go and do it on the track now. He’s prepared, he jumps well, he jumps slick. It’s in his hands now.

Bertiemont also runs. I was really surprised with him at Ascot last time. He jumped and travelled really well, but then probably because he’d had so long off he seemed to blow up, but I had done as much as I could with him. We need to see if he can get back to the level he was at before. He’s been going OK at home and he looked to me as if he’d got his competitive spirit back but I just don’t know what made him check out like he did at Ascot. He did travel well to three out so that was a positive. It was the last three furlongs that weren’t so good. I hope for better today but it’s a big ask.

Sunday

1.30 Huntingdon – Heron’s Heir

He’s run well on his last two starts with a win and a third. This track will suit him. There’s no reason why he can’t be competitive.

3.00 Huntingdon – Chateau Chinon

He’s a nice horse who ran ok at Uttoxeter. He’s going to be a jumper, he’s Virgilio’s brother, but he may be one that wants a bit of time. He’s only four years old.

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