Dan Skelton eyeing Midlands National win with Get On The Yager as 18 declared for Uttoxeter test
Skelton's eight-year-old won a strong renewal of the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day and is one of 18 horses declared for the Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
DAN SKELTON's Get On The Yager is one of 18 horses declared for the Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
Whilst many have had their sights only on the Cheltenham Festival in the past few weeks, Skelton has had this valuable target in mind for a while for his eight-year-old.
He captured the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day and the form of that has worked out exceptionally well, with subsequent Sky Bet Chase winner Wakanda (second) and Eider Chase winner Baywing (fifth) proving well-handicapped since.
"We've been looking forward to this race. Everybody's got to suffer bad ground, but he has won on soft," said the Alcester trainer.
"We've been aiming him at this race and I think he'll get the trip OK."
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Henry Daly is hoping for a clear round with Back To The Thatch after crashing out when going well in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last month.
"He's been grand. Obviously we've schooled him a few times since," said Daly.
"It's funny how it goes. Literally the thought had just crossed my mind, when we were at Newcastle, that we were going quite well and then 'bang' - that was the end of that. We'll have another go."
Templegate's top tips for Cheltenham
1.30 Cheltenham - Stormy Ireland: 'She won by a whopping 58 lengths last time and looks smart'
2.10 Cheltenham - Spiritofthegames: 'Nice weight, unexposed and is in good form'
2.50 Cheltenham - Chef Des Obeaux: 'Testing ground is the key to him and he will get that'
3.30 Cheltenham - Native River: 'I'm convinced he has what it takes to land the top prize'
4.10 Cheltenham - Burning Ambition: 'Gets the bonus of Jamie Codd in the saddle'
4.50 Cheltenham - Diese Des Bieffes: 'Cracking novice and just the type you need for this race'
5.30 Cheltenham - Top Gamble: 'Has a touch of class and the handicapper has given him a chance'
Stablemate The Artful Cobbler also runs off bottom weight, despite a hat-trick of wins this winter at Ludlow, Warwick and Lingfield.
"He's been in great form. He goes in the ground and he's got a lovely, light weight," he said.
Classic Chase winner Milansbar could only manage a well-beaten fifth in the Eider, but Neil King reports the 11-year-old to be back to his best for his bid to go one better than he did in 2016 when he was runner-up to Firebird Flyer.
"He's fit and well and we know he likes the soft ground," said the Marlborough handler.
"He was second two years ago in this race off top weight. We are hoping for another nice run from him.
"He does seem in very good order.
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"We've got Jack Andrews claiming 7lb off him. I've used Jack on one or two of our horses this year and he rides very well.
"Bryony Frost isn't available (she rides Silsol for Paul Nicholls), but Jack is a nice horseman. He takes 7lb off so we thought we'd give him the chance."