Skelton hoping 'massive player' Midnight River can continue amazing weekend run

Dan Skelton’s remarkable big-race run could continue at Cheltenham on Saturday with Midnight River, with the trainer confident the ante-post favourite is a “massive player” if taking his chance in the £130,000 Ais December Gold Cup.

An amazing weekend sequence kickstarted by Nube Negra in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting shows no signs of stopping, with Ashtown Lad the latest high-profile winner for the Alcester stable in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

Ashtown Lad’s success – a first over the National fences for the Skeltons – followed on from Protektorat winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock and Le Milos justifying favouritism in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

Midnight River heads the market at 4-1 for the December Gold Cup, with Skelton certain the switch to the New course, having finished third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Old course last month, favours the Frank McAleavy-owned seven-year-old.

The trainer does, however, have slight concerns over the ground – described as good on Monday – and intends to walk the course in the week. There is a dry outlook and the threat of frost with temperatures set to dip to -4C on Friday night.

Skelton said: “He’s in great form and I’m really happy with him. I would like to see the ground ease – and there’s a bit of a worrying forecast with frost – so I’m going to be sensible with him and if he doesn’t run this weekend he’ll run there on New Year’s Day.

“I’m trying to run him this weekend though – I’m not trying to duck it. His run in the Paddy Power showed he probably needs it a little softer to win a race like this, so we’ve got to wait for that to turn up, but I’ll walk the track during the week and hopefully it’s a bit slower than last month.

“He’d have to be a massive player if he runs. The New course will definitely play more to his strengths – he’s a big galloping horse.”

Midnight River: 4-1 favourite for the December Gold CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Harry Skelton will not be aboard Midnight River, with his seven-day suspension for overuse of the whip aboard Le Milos last month beginning on Saturday. The rider’s wife Bridget Andrews is likely to take over in the saddle.

Skelton said: “We’ve not got that far [jockey arrangements] but I’d imagine Bridget will ride him. She’s won on Protektorat, she’s won on big days and she’s a massive part of our team.”

The trainer’s pinpoint precision in targeting big races has been a running theme since taking out a licence in 2013, describing the most recent of his big-race hauls as a “magic day”.

Skelton said: “It’s been a remarkable run and to get our first winner over the National fences was brilliant. We had a plan for Ashtown Lad – just like we did for Le Milos, Protektorat and Nube Negra – and the team have been carrying out these plans to perfection.

"Sometimes you get the rub of the green and it’s amazing how they can hit form. You have to just enjoy the ride.

“Darren and Annaley [Yates, owners of Ashtown Lad] absolutely love the game and Darren loves Aintree and the National course, so for it all to come together made it a magic day.”

Asked for his thoughts on his brother’s aeroplane celebration when crossing the line, Skelton said: “It was great! There’s nothing wrong with doing something a bit different – it shows what it means.”

Harry Skelton pulled off a spectacular celebration on Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick

Skelton is eyeing two big handicaps at Ascot on Saturday week, with progressive novice hurdler Pikar being aimed at the £150,000 Betfair Exchange Trophy and Shan Blue and Flegmatik under consideration for the £100,000 Howden Silver Cup, while the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 28 is the next target for Gold Cup hope Protektorat.

Midnight River was on Monday one of 19 confirmations for the December Gold Cup, with Paddy Power Gold Cup fourth Il Ridoto and Stolen Silver, who was favourite and unseated his rider three out, remaining in contention.

Epatante and stablemate First Street, who was successful in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury last month, feature among eight entries for the Unibet International Hurdle, along with Greatwood Hurdle winner I Like To Move It and Elite Hurdle scorer Knappers Hill.

December Gold Cup (1.50 Cheltenham, Saturday)

Coral:4 Midnight River, 6 Il Ridoto, 7 Stolen Silver, 8 Haut En Couleurs, 9 War Lord, 10 Fantastic Lady, Frero Banbou, Simply The Betts, 12 Sole Pretender, 14 Coconut Splash, 16 bar

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