Arkle bid in doubt for Third Time Lucki after suffering setback in Lightning win

Saturday: Doncaster

Fate can be fickle when you train jumpers – ask Dan Skelton, whose joy at winning with Third Time Lucki was immediately dampened by a setback that could rule the smart novice chaser out of Cheltenham.

The exciting two-miler had his odds for the Sporting Life Arkle Chase cut to 6-1 (from 8) by Sky Bet after landing the Grade 2 contest, which Shiskhin won en route to taking that Cheltenham race last year.

Sporting Life Arkle Chase card and betting

He was in charge of the attheraces.com-backed Lightning Novices' Chase when left clear by For Pleasure's last-fence fall but there was no time to marvel at the way Mike Newbould's seven-year-old had bounced back from a defeat at Sandown last month as it became clear his festival participation was in doubt.

"He had a little bit of an overreach, so I'm just going to keep an eye on that," Skelton said. "It's nothing bad but we'll see how it is.

"If he goes to Cheltenham, great. If he has to miss Cheltenham because of the overreach and goes to Aintree, that's fine as well. We're delighted to have him, he's just magic."

Third Time Lucki had won his first two chases at Cheltenham and Skelton, who also took the 2m3½f hurdle with Jay Jay Reilly, said: "He's very talented. We slipped into a few mistakes at Sandown but I always said with that third run in quick succession there was going to be some apprehension.

"And for a horse like him who wants decent ground you're only 50-50 to get it. We knew when we went there we were stretching the band a bit.

"He's had a good break and been freshened up. This is the perfect track and perfect trip with a fast-run race, it's all the things we've been craving for him."

Third Time Lucki was going easily under Harry Skelton when For Pleasure, who received 5lb, crashed out.

Newbould said: "It's a pity the other horse fell but he was beaten. Harry had a double handful.

"The track was tailor-made for him and the ground is good; it's the first time we've had the ground spot on for him."

Miss is a hit

Miranda was even-money favourite to repeat last year's win in the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle but was beaten 15 lengths into second by Miss Heritage.

"With five runners we had to have a go but I didn't expect her to do that," admitted Miss Heritage's trainer Lucy Wadham.

"She deserved that, she's so consistent, she always runs her race. She'd been running really well in handicaps, anchored by the weight."

On a mission

Mahler Mission is 33-1 (from 66) for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle with Paddy Power after landing the Grade 2 River Don Novices' Hurdle under James Bowen.

County Meath trainer John McConnell said: "He's improving all the time. He isn't six until June and he's still a baby.

"I stuck him in the Albert Bartlett this week and he's definitely good enough to run, he won't disgrace himself."

Replays, results and analysis

Saturday's race reports:

Cleeve Hurdle: Paisley Park stuns Champ with 'special' comeback to land Cleeve hat-trick

Ruby Walsh: 'It's lucky Aidan Coleman was riding because I would have given up'

Peter Thomas: Phenomenal Paisley allows us Brits to forget those gaudy green banners for now (Members' Club)

Expert jury: 'It's going to take a good one to beat him in the Triumph Hurdle'

Cheltenham: Supreme an option for 'classy' new Triumph Hurdle favourite, says Gordon Elliott

Cotswold Chase: Chantry House provides JP McManus with 4,000th winner in Cotswold Chase

Sky Bet Chase: Windsor Avenue battles back for Sky Bet victory on stellar day for Brian Ellison

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