Support for Skeltons as two leading Saturday chances shorten at Ascot

Two Dan and Harry Skelton runners have been strongly backed to deliver in Ascot's feature hurdle races, including Kateira in the final Grade 1 before Christmas.

The seven-year-old is making her first start in open Grade 1 company in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25), having made rapid progress through the handicap ranks. She warmed up for this by landing a Listed mares' race at Kempton last month.

Kateira is the main market mover in the weekend's big race, shortening to 10-1 (from 12s), although Strong Leader remains the general 6-4 favourite for fellow Warwickshire trainer Olly Murphy.

The £125,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) is just as valuable and Be Aware is 100-30 (from 11-2) to pocket the prize for Skelton. He finished strongly to take second in the Greatwood Hurdle on his first run of the season.

Skelton, writing in his Ladbrokes blog, said of their chances: "We run Kateira in the Long Walk, where I think three miles is no problem. This is a very competitive race, as you would expect, but she gets the seven-pound mares' allowance and I think she'll be bang up there.

"Be Aware had a great run in the Greatwood last month and I think he's stepped forward at home since then, so I'd like to think he'll go very close here. I'm very happy with him all round."

Updated at 11am

Going report: Ascot a 'little tacky' for Grade 1 day

The ground at Ascot remains good to soft, soft in places for the Long Walk Hurdle and there is a chance of showers on Saturday.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickles and his team have moved the rail on the hurdles track to its innermost position since racing on Friday to provide fresh ground. It means the Long Walk will be run over a distance of 48 yards longer.

Stickles said: "We had just over 2mm of rain overnight so the ground is a little bit wetter since Friday. The team are working hard to move the rail to provide fresh ground for every bend on the hurdles course.

"Jockeys said it was a little bit tacky on Friday. We might get the odd shower through racing."

The ITV4 coverage also features two live races from Haydock, where the ground is heavy, soft in places.

Posted at 9am

Ascot Non-runners

3.35
3 Kihavah (going)

Updated at 11am

Read Saturday's previews:

1.50 Ascot: Iroko faces three formidable rivals from Ireland's top stables in intriguing graduation chase 

2.05 Haydock: 'He goes there with a massive chance' - which trainer expects a big run in the competitive Tommy Whittle Chase? 

2.25 Ascot: 'He's going to take an awful lot of beating' - Long Walk Hurdle quotes and insight 

3.00 Ascot: can huge Coral Gold Cup eyecatcher Victtorino continue Venetia Williams' run of big Saturday winners? 

3.35 Ascot: 'It's a huge pot to play for and he's got his ideal conditions' - trainers on their Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle contenders 

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