'He took me by surprise' - Dan Skelton's Le Milos cut to 8-1 for Coral Gold Cup

Wednesday: Bangor

Le Milos was cut to 8-1 (from 20) by Paddy Power for the Coral Gold Cup after the progressive stayer made a winning debut for Dan Skelton in the 3m handicap chase.

The seven-year-old won twice when with Tim Vaughan last season and comfortably justified 3-1 favouritism under Skelton’s brother Harry to set up a tilt at Newbury’s £250,000 jumps highlight on November 26.

“I thought he’d need the run,” Skelton told Sky Sports Racing. “We were looking at the Grand National but that’s a long way off. I didn’t want to have him too overdone at the start of the year because I wanted him to last, but after that we’re going to have to go to Newbury. He took me by surprise a little bit.”

The win for Le Milos ensured the Skelton brothers landed the two most valuable races on the card, with Galia Des Liteaux successful on her chasing debut in the feature 2m1½f event.

The promising six-year-old will remain in Listed mares’ company but will step up to 2m4f at Warwick next month.

Galia Des Liteaux: a smart Listed winner on her chasing debutCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hughes hits hundred

Brian Hughes reached 100 winners for the campaign 13 days earlier than when becoming the fastest northern-based jockey to reach a century of winners in a season last year.

Hughes recorded a double on the card aboard the Donald McCain-trained pair Nayati and Maximilian.

Symonds strikes

It would have been a treble for Hughes and McCain had Ivar justified favouritism in the 2m½f novice hurdle, but the Ben Poste-ridden Kellahen denied the market leader to provide trainer Tom Symonds with his first winner of the season.

Results, replays and analysis

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