'With a clear run, he'll win' - Skelton seeks to move on from shock Drogo defeat

bearrene.com Novices' Chase | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Dan Skelton has never attempted to hide the sky-high regard he holds My Drogo in and it is take two for the six-year-old at Cheltenham following his dramatic exit at the course last month.

The equally exciting Bob Olinger was entered in this race on Monday morning but was not declared, which means My Drogo – on paper – faces a straightforward task.

However, that was meant to be the case at Cheltenham's Paddy Power meeting four weeks ago when the Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes-owned 4-9 chance attempted to make his first start over fences a winning one, but he slipped and fell at the second-last.

"Ultimately, he didn't complete," said Skelton, whose brother Harry will be in the saddle.

"He was absolutely fine afterwards and has done lots of jumping since. He jumped on Friday morning and is ready to go. On his numbers, with a clear round, he'll win.

"We all know that and the opposition know that, but you've got to go and do it. I've no reason to have the fall or slip, or whatever you want to call it, at the forefront of my mind. I thought he jumped well the whole way before it happened and hopefully we can get back on track. I'll leave riding plans to Harry as he's in charge of that."

My Drogo gallops away after parting company with Harry Skelton at the second-last fence on his chasing debut at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

My Drogo was a four-time winner last season, when his victories included one at the highest level in Aintree's Mersey Novices' Hurdle.

Skelton still thinks the world of My Drogo, who has an official mark of 155 and faces three rivals rated much lower in Jay Bee Why (137), Torn And Frayed (133) and Captain Cuckoo (98).

"He'd have won the other day and just sort of slipped at the back of the second-last," Skelton added. "There's nothing to get stressed or worried about and the faith I have in him has not been dented one bit."

My Drogo is attempting to emulate familiar names Oscar Whisky, More Of That, Whisper, Mister Fisher and Fusil Raffles as previous winners of the contest.

Read all of Saturday's previews:

Take two for My Drogo at a meeting with illustrious festival roll of honour (Members’ Club)

1.50 Cheltenham: 'He's a player' - trainer insight on a quality Racing Post Gold Cup

2.25 Cheltenham: Is it wise to back Byrnes or should we look elsewhere for Albert Bartlett clues?

2.40 Doncaster: 'I hope he's got the wow factor' - Porticello out to cement Triumph claims

3.00 Cheltenham: 'She loves Cheltenham and so do we' - International Hurdle quotes and insight

3.35 Cheltenham: 'They all have chances' - King triple-handed in bid to improve Cheltenham record

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