'We're still on for the Gold Cup' - Skelton backing Protektorat to bounce back from Cotswold defeat

Protektorat: eased for the Gold Cup after Cheltenham defeatCredit: John Grossick

Dan Skelton was not giving up on his Gold Cup dream despite seeing stable star Protektorat finish fourth in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase.

Third in last season's Boodles-backed Cheltenham Gold Cup, Protektorat rocketed up the betting for this season's race with an emphatic comeback win in the Betfair Chase, but Paddy Power dismissed his Gold Cup claims by going 25-1 (from 8) after his five-and-a-quarter-length defeat behind Ahoy Senor on Saturday.

Skelton disagreed with that reaction and was backing himself to produce a sharper Protektorat come March. “We’re deflated on the day but I don’t think this means anything," said the trainer.

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Lewis PorteousReporter

Published on 28 January 2023inReports

Last updated 20:01, 28 January 2023

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14:25 Cheltenham

Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)6 ran

1st
4Ahoy Senor
13/2
2nd
6Sounds Russian
8/1
3rd
2Noble Yeats
11/4