'Some were under par' - Skelton fires in double to quash doubts over yard form

Saturday: Warwick

Dan Skelton dispelled any doubts about his stable form with a big-race double on the card, while feature success on the Kempton bill underlined his string were back firing on all cylinders.

Skelton, who trains not far from the track, saddled Galia Des Liteaux to land the Hampton Novices' Chase and completed a Grade 2 double when Grey Dawning was on top in the Leamington Novices' Hurdle.

Both winners were ridden by his brother Harry, whose wife Bridget Andrews starred on the yard's West Balboa in the Lanzarote at Kempton.

"Of course you need a day like this, but there was no question in my mind that my horses were ill — they weren't," the trainer said.

Galia Des Liteaux produces a super leap for Harry SkeltonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"There was never a bug but two weeks before Christmas when we had -8C, a few of them got a cold and that's all it was.

"I was never concerned there was a bug, they weren't going around bleeding or showing signs there was a proper virus. They were never like that, but I knew they were under par as an overall and some individuals were well, well below where they should be.

"We gave them 13 or 14 days off, gave them their flu jabs and you come out of it well. The results are the most important part of this and they've gone our way today."

The Cheltenham Festival might feature on the agenda for Galia Des Liteaux, suggested Skelton, who is eyeing the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle for Grey Dawning, who earned quotes of 16-1 (from 33) from Paddy Power and Betfair after his win.

Roberts catches the eye

Bradley Roberts denied the rampant Skelton team's Ashtown Lad when guiding Glimpse Of Gala to victory in the 3m1f handicap hurdle, a qualifier for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March.

That is the plan according to winning trainer Charlie Longsdon, who also heaped praise on Roberts.

"Horses jump for Bradley," he said. "He can settle them too and he's a very good young rider. He's still a 7lb claimer so has a long way to go, but he's going the right way and he's now won three on her, which has given him great exposure."

Jamie Moore and Haddex Des Obeaux are well on topCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Obeaux on top

Haddex Des Obeaux barely came out of second gear when scooping £20,000 in the Edward Courage Cup, but more loot might come his way as soon as next week with connections contemplating a £50,000 race at Lingfield on Friday.

Jamie Moore, sporting the colours of Oliver Harris, did the steering on the six-year-old, who strolled home by a commanding 19 lengths.

The jockey, whose father Gary trains Haddex Des Obeaux, said: "There is a race at Lingfield and he's done that easily, but Dad's the trainer. We'll see what he says, but when he's in this sort of form you might want to strike while the iron is hot."

Express impresses

The bumper was won by The Cox Express, whose success had trainer Tom Lacey practising his sales pitch.

"He's got to be sold," he said. "He's a homebred and the owners don't want National Hunt horses. He was too backward for the Flat, but he's always shown plenty at home."

Results, replays and analysis

Read Saturday's reports:

Classic Chase: 383 days off . . . no problem! Iwilldoit back at hisbest with return

Lanzarote Hurdle: 'This is up there with the big ones' - Andrews revels in Kempton nail-biter

Kempton: Pic D'Orhy sets up Shishkin clash with emphatic Silviniaco Conti win

Fairyhouse: 'That was some thrill' - Danoli days evoked as Foley family celebrate with Gold

Wetherby: Brian Hughes makes course history as Richmond Lake sails home

Lingfield: 'I've thought about going abroad' - Annaf excites with easy weight-carrying win

The world's number 1 horse racing app just got better! Download the brand new Racing Post app for free to experience our new game-changing odds comparison, exclusive daily big-name tipping and unrivalled app-only content. Click here to download the latest version.