Newbury preview (15.15): Ch’tibello can collect for in-form Skelton

David Metcalf | November 26, 2015

Trainer Dan Skelton has made a tremendous start to the season, and Ch’tibello can take advantage of what looks a handy mark to provide him with another winner in the 2m Intermediate Hurdle on today’s card at Newbury (15.15).

The gelding was a juvenile hurdle winner in France, and has shaped with stacks of promise to finish runner-up in two starts since joining Skelton.

After getting collared close home and beaten a neck by Francis Of Assisi at Fakenham when looking all over the winner having been three lengths clear two from home, the four-year-old ran a stormer to be beaten just 1 1/4 lengths by Altior in a decent nine-runner contest at Ascot.

Ch’tibello made good headway two from home to challenge at the last, and after taking up the running only got headed in the final 150 yards.

The winner is a very useful and highly regarded sort who has gone on to land a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham and is now rated 147, and the pair pulled 20 lengths clear of the third home Vancouverite who is rated 132.

That gives the form a rock solid look and suggests that Ch’tibello could have got in lightly on handicap debut off an opening mark of 137.

The son of Sageburg also remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement, and with underfoot conditions holding no fears looks weighted to take all the beating.

In-form John Constable to test Ch’tibello

John Constable is unbeaten in two starts over the obstacles and rates a big danger if ready to go at the first time of asking.