Horses that follow: Dan Skelton new recruits

Dan Skelton took charge of a number of new talents from the Irish pointing scene this spring/summer. Big CADILLAC cost £95,000 at the Cheltenham February Sale after winning his only outing by two and a half lengths at Nenagh (Heavy) five days before the Soldier of Fortune gelding went through the ring. He was a stocky chestnut who cost a €52,000 deal and was looked after by Pat Doyle. Competing against four competitors, he took command, leaving the backstretch with a two-point lead before pulling away to take the decisive victory. He comes from the same stallion as listed stablemate Royal Infantry and is one of the best this season and has already proven himself under test conditions. He could be one for Uttoxeter in the dead of winter.

Hector Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire trained the four-year-old KART D’ESTRUVAL in his two starts over hurdles in France. At the end of February he took third place in Fontainebleau (2m 2f: Heavy) with his vault bow by two and three quarter lengths, staying well behind his stablemate Parika Vert (who has since won again). The four-year-old confirmed his promise when he won by two lengths from the same C&D a month later. He rode in the middle class and brought order into the home straight as he finished in the lead before pushing on determinedly to beat Zvikov. He was purchased for patron Stephen Bough and is eligible for novice hurdles until the end of November. He should make his presence felt, but will prove his worth over fences at some point.

Arguably the stable’s most exciting acquisition in the last six months is the one-off race KEOPS OF THE BOARD. Purchased on behalf of long-time owner Colm Donlan, who enjoyed great racing success with the Langer Dan and Shan Blue stable, he scored five lengths at Loughanmore (Soft) in April under the management of Donnchadh Doyle. A classy four-year-old from Tunis who cost £50,000 as a shop for three-year-olds, he made a clear lead over Rob James and set the fastest time of the day on a competitive card – runner-up Fortune De Mer finished second in a bumper race at Cheltenham last weekend. The same girl has been won in previous editions by the likes of Malone Road, It’s For Me and Ballyburn, and Skelton’s new signing looks to be a young player with great potential. With him expected to be pushed to the limit this season, his Rules debut is something to look forward to.

Skelton has also done well with his recruits from the British pointing scene, particularly those mentored by Francesca and Charlie Poste. The model winners Royal Infantry and Third Time Lucki came from this source and he is hoping to go undefeated KYKOROCK will be a similar type. As a four-year-old from Ballingarry, a €14,000 shop, he won seven lengths at Larkhill (good/soft) in late February. Together with Zac Baker, he emphatically beat eventual goalscorer Mister Carson and was soon bought privately. Owned by Charles and Richard Wilson, he is a big, determined guy who is expected to compete in a bumper competition in the coming weeks.

REALCO ran in two bumpers for Tom Weston in the spring, and after shaping his racing arc with courage to finish third at Chepstow, the Falco gelding increased that performance next time out at Uttoxeter. After a smooth race, the four-year-old showed signs of inexperience by getting stuck in the closing stages, but still managed to win by nine and a half lengths. He comes from the family of Grand National winners West Tip and Royal Athlete and was bought for £80,000 at the Aintree sale five days after his victory. Now it belongs to Jane Davis and Sara Mould. With time on his side, Skelton is considering targeting him for the Listed bumper at the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham next month. His two starts so far have been on difficult ground.

Calm down, JILL is a medium-sized bay and a half-sister to two winners, bought cheaply as a shop for Benny Walsh. By Affinisea she competed in a four-year-old maiden race for mares at Lisronagh (Heavy) in February. In a disorganized race, most of the field was covered by about six lengths, three of which were jumpable. She pushed the pace and managed to apply pressure with two breakaways to win the spoils by three lengths. She showed courage and the willingness to push through and win. She was subsequently sold at the Cheltenham Festival Sale in March for £120,000. Since her arrival she has been happy with her new acquaintances and will set out to meet the best mares. She will wear Jared Sullivan’s signature red and pink silks.

HIGHEST MALINAS was another private purchase from Ireland after she plowed through the mud to win the second of her two point-to-points races. The Daniel Murphy-trained mare is from the family of the useful Imperial Alcazar and was eliminated four times on her debut while still racing at Castlelands in March. Later that month the four-year-old returned at Ballyknock (Heavy) and was a standout on the final circuit before pulling away on the run-in to record a 24-length walk. The winning time was seven seconds faster than the four-year-old gelding maiden later on the card. Similar to Keops Des Bordes, she is used in bumpers and it would be no surprise to see her emerge as a contender for the listed mares’ bumper at Sandown a few days before the Cheltenham Festival in March. Skelton and new owner Garry Wilson captured the same prize with Honky Tonk Highway last spring.

• Mark Howards One leap ahead (PDF ONLY – paper copy SOLD OUT) and his 5 Updatesintroducing the latest recruits for the 2024/2025 season can be purchased at www.mhpublications.co.uk

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