Harry Skelton | Ch’tibello has been kept back for the County Hurdle

Grosvenorsport.com ambassador and Grade One winner at the Festival on Tuesday, Harry Skelton previews all the action ahead of Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham, Friday

1.30 – Ecco

I have picked up a spare ride in the Triumph Hurdle for Paul Nicholls. It’s always nice to get on one of his horses. Ecco ran nicely at Kempton in the Adonis Hurdle. He would obviously have to improve markedly to take a hand in this race, but whatever happens I am sure he is a horse to keep an eye on long term.

2.10 – Ch’tibello

I am looking forward to riding Ch’tibello who is on a competitive mark in the County Hurdle. He ran really well at Aintree back in December. He has very much been kept back for this race and we are hoping he will run very well.

Our other horse Mohaayed has a job on under top weight, but he is working very well. He carried top weight to win the a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot in December and he knows how to win this as he landed it last year. He is a horse that thrives on big days.

2.50

In the Albert Bartlett you need to look for a proper stayer as it can be a tough race. Normally the highest rated horse has a cracking chance. I like Birchdale. He wasn’t done with when Brewin’upastorm fell when leading  to leave Birchdale in front. I love the way he races and I am sure he will see out the trip, so it’s Birchdale for me.

3.30

With all the rain that has fallen and the soft conditions I really like Colin Tizzard’s two Native River and Elegant Escape. Elegant Escape is a horse that can pick up the pieces late on and Native River will give everyone a proper run for their money. At the prices I think they are the two to be with. Presenting Percy has got to improve again. He is a horse on the upgrade but he has to step up another level.

4.10

I hope Gina Andrews and Tom Ellis’s Haymount run a good race in the Foxhunters. We are all very close and Tom is my brother Dan’s best friend so it would be great to see Haymount run well.

4.50 – Marracudja

Marracudja will be ridden for a place. He likes to come off a strong gallop and won’t mind the ground. We have had this race in mind for a long time and It is usually a fast run race so hopefully he will run well.

5.30

The ground is against Not That Fuisse in the Martin Pipe, but he has run well at the track when he was second to Al Dancer back in December so we are hopeful of another good run this time round.

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