Grosvenorsport.com ambassador and leading National Hunt jockey Harry Skelton looks ahead to his weekend rides at Cheltenham’s November meeting.
It has obviously been very wet this week, in fact, we have never had it this bad at our yard before. The staff have been absolutely brilliant, they understand that we have to get the horses out.
The gallops have taken the downpours well and it hasn’t stopped us at all – it’s only a bit of rain! Fingers crossed Cheltenham gets the go ahead for both Saturday and Sunday.
Cheltenham, Saturday
Allmankind – 12:40
Allmankind has come out of last week’s Warwick win really well and we thought we’d come here and have a go. Like I said before, I don’t think there was much strength in depth to that last race but we’ll take our chance.
You’re going to see some funny results at Cheltenham this weekend, some horses will handle it, while others won’t. At least it will be wet ground and they’ll get through it.
Redzor – 1:15
We were very happy with Redzor at Fakenham last time, he jumped really well. The plan was to then come here after that and he’s in very good form at home. We just have to see whether he handles the ground.
Wholestone ran well on his first start over fences last month and loves Cheltenham, so he looks the one we all have to beat.
Spiritofthegames – 2:25
This has been the plan for a long time. Spiritofthegames ran a cracker in the Plate at the Festival and is in really good form, he’s done loads of work at home.
We haven’t taken him away anywhere as he lights up when he sees a racecourse and we wanted to keep that back for this. He has a good record fresh and has a 9lb pull with Siruh Du Lac from that last run.
He has won on soft before and although you’d prefer slightly better ground, it’s the same for all of them and I certainly wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race.
They’re not all going to handle the ground, you could have a 33/1 shot win it, but let’s hope he goes on it and runs the race of his life.
Hear No Evil – 3:00
Hear No Evil ran nicely at Aintree first time out and has come on since then, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this race brought him forward again.
Stepping up to three miles should suit and he is another to have won on soft in the past, so conditions shouldn’t be an issue. He has no weight on his back which obviously helps and hopefully, he’ll run a promising race.
Cheltenham, Sunday
Humble Hero, Mohaayed and Monsieur D’Arque – 3:00
I ride Humble Hero in the Greatwood and, like Spiritofthegames, this has been the plan for a long time. We would have preferred better ground, but it’s the Greatwood and we’re going to have a go.
He was a bit rusty at Ludlow. Dan was kicking himself after that as he felt he was a bit short. He’s done loads of work since then and has really switched on now. Obviously, it’s not ideal that he fell last time, but he’s schooled loads since.
We’ll just have to see if he handles the ground, if he doesn’t we’ll move on and find another race for him.
Mohaayed is in great form at home but he has to shoulder top weight again. Realistically, the handicapper has got a tight hold of him but hopefully, he can run a competitive race.
William Marshall takes 7lbs off Monsieur D’Arque. He’s been working very well at home and if he handles the ground, I could see him running a very big race. Look, it’s a big ‘if’ but he looks a decent each-way proposition.
Fontwell, Sunday
Chasma – 2:40
Chasma has been very consistent and she’ll stay the trip well. David England rides and I couldn’t put anyone off as there are no real negatives, it’s just whether the handicapper has had his say.
Hopefully, she’ll be competitive and be there or thereabouts at the finish.
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