Title-chasing Skelton primes stars for Cheltenham Paddy Power meeting

Dan Skelton, whose big aim is to be champion trainer, could take a major step towards that goal at Cheltenham's upcoming Paddy Power meeting when a host of big names from his Warwickshire stable are set to be on show.

Skelton is fourth in the trainers' championship and is 8-1 with William Hill for a maiden title behind his mentor Paul Nicholls (1-2) and Nicky Henderson (5-2), but his price could tumble if the yard's runners fire.

They include Protektorat, ante-post favourite for the £160,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday, and star novice hurdler My Drogo, an exhilarating prospect over fences who is set to run in a novice chase on Friday.

Paddy Power Gold Cup entries and betting

Cheltenham's Saturday card also includes a Grade 2 novice chase, in which Third Time Lucki, who impressed on his debut over fences at the course last month, is due to appear, while Champion Chase second Nube Negra is pencilled in for Sunday's Shloer Chase and a rematch with his Queen Mother conqueror Put The Kettle On.

The value of the Paddy Power is not lost on Skelton, who said: "We’ve had this race in mind ever since Protektorat came in. He's won around the track, it's worth a lot of money and it seemed a good starting point.

"I’m not worried I haven't got a run into him as he's done loads at home and he has been on the grass gallop twice now, so I’m happy. I’m looking forward to it.

"I’m happy he won’t sulk as we have got him really well. I think that happens only when he runs on tacky ground, where it is harder work than it needs to be. I’m happy and he's ready for it."

Protektorat: smart novice chaser last termCredit: Edward Whitaker

Protektorat is rated 154 and, as things stand, is due to carry 11st 6lb. "Whatever the weight is you can’t change that and I’m not worried about it," added Skelton.

The trainer is purring about the prospect of My Drogo, last seen winning a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting, going over fences.

“Everything has been good and I’m happy with him," he said. "He looks great and two and a half miles is a good starting point, so we'll see where we are with him.

“He started at Cheltenham last season in a bumper and I’m happy to get going over fences there with him. He's been good schooling but he has got to do it on the track. I don’t feel any extra pressure on my shoulders with him.

"I feel we've got to go chasing and make him the horse we think he is, and he's always looked like a chaser. He's probably the highest-rated horse we've had to go novice chasing and the highest-profile, but at the end of the day they're all equal at the start."

Thumbs up: Skelton's brother Harry was impressed with Third Time Lucki last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

As for Third Time Lucki, Skelton said: "His chasing debut there was lovely and I enjoyed that. He's always been one of our best horses. He's just needed time and a fence.

"I think to be really good over fences, especially over two miles, they have got to be bold and he is. He sees a fence and he wants to jump it."

The 165-rated Nube Negra could make it a weekend to remember for Skelton, who is well up for a clash with Put The Kettle On.

Put The Kettle On (orange cap) forges on from Nube Negra (left) in the Champion ChaseCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

He said: "The ground is nice and he's in good form, so the plan is to have a go. He's been going well at home for the last three weeks and is ready to go. He's been on the grass gallop once and as long as the ground remains as it is we'll have a go, but if it all of a sudden goes soft we won’t.

"I know Put The Kettle On is coming over and I know she's good around Cheltenham, but if you have a good horse you've got to run in these types of races. I’m looking forward to running him. I’m confident he'll run a good race, like he did in the Champion Chase.”

The ground on the chase and hurdles tracks at Cheltenham was described as good to soft, good in places on Sunday morning and the immediate weather outlook is dry and mild.

Read more:

'The dream is alive' as talented My Drogo trounces Mersey rivals for Skeltons

'He's up there with the best I've had' - My Drogo can go to the top says Skelton

'He hasn't been the easiest' - Protektorat strikes for Sir Alex and the Skeltons

'This one is something special' - Third Time Lucki ends owner's 30-year wait

Shloer repeat next on the agenda for Cheltenham queen Put The Kettle On

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