25-04-2025
Skelton fears title chances may go up in Smoke
However, the Lodge Hill team are hopeful the decision to skip the Scottish Grand National will pay dividend as they bid to keep trainers' title dreams alive in a race that could prove crucial.
A big success for the Skeltons with Hoe Joly Smoke! 🥇
How many winners will the Skeltons have this week at Cheltenham? 🏆#ITVRacing
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 9, 2025
'We never entered him in the Scottish National, rightly or wrongly, because I always felt this was the right race for him. We didn't expect Grangeclare West to turn up, but that's happened because of circumstances and we're 12lb wrong before we start,' said Skelton.
'We've got to give it a go. I feel a bit sorry for Harry, who has got to do 10st 2lb, which is not exactly a walk in the park, but he'd do 9st 2lb at the moment for me – I know how much support I've got from him and I know how much he wants it.
'We've got a nice chance, but the data shows it's going to be 12lb difficult before we start.'
Skelton will also be cheering on fellow British trainers Olly Murphy and Emma Lavelle, who saddle the tough Resplendent Grey and in-form King's Threshold respectively seeking their own slice of the prize-fund, with the value of the former's National Hunt Chase fourth to Haiti Couleurs given a significant boost recently.
Resplendent Grey has been a smart performer for Olly Murphy this season (John Walton/PA)
Murphy said: 'He ran well in Cheltenham. He didn't go round very well but he came home strong. We'll ride him a little bit differently.
'He's got first-time cheekpieces and hopefully they will help him, he's got a lovely weight on his back and if he gets into a rhythm, he's got an each-way chance.'
Sean Bowen will pick up his first title on the day but had to get off Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham to ride Resplendent Grey and still awaits a first Festival winner. He did, though, win the Irish National on Rebecca Curtis' charge on Monday.
Murphy added: 'It would be great if Sean could wrap up the season by winning this. He's been freshened up and we're looking forward to running him.'
Neil Mulholland's Transmission was a place behind Resplendent Grey at Cheltenham, while Skelton's old boss Paul Nicholls runs Threeunderthrufive.
However, it is hard to ignore the aces Mullins has up his sleeve and as well as the aforementioned Grangeclare West, he will saddle the likes of defending champion Minella Cocooner and High Class Hero, who is the trainer's idea of the stable first string.
Mullins said: 'Paul rides High Class Hero and he's one who is going to be high on the list, if not right at the top.
High Class Hero leads the Willie Mullins team (Brian Lawless/PA)
'We switched from the Irish National to this late, we had a lot of rain in Fairyhouse and we just felt a drier track would suit him.
'Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner both ran well in the National and must have their chances.'
There is also a Grade One winner amongst the Closutton team in Dancing City, while Mullins fancies O'Moore Park to go close having knocked on the door at Cheltenham the last twice.
'Dancing City fell at Aintree but on his form before that you'd think he would have a really good chance and I think he's a good enough jumper, maybe we just concentrate on getting him around, then see,' said Mullins.
'O'Moore Park is due a big race and has been improving all season, whether that win is this or next season, I don't know.'
Klarc Kent in action in the Scottish grand National (Jane Barlow/PA)
Others on the Mullins teamsheet include Olympic Man, Lombron, Klarc Kent, Spanish Harlem and Chosen Witness, with the reigning champion trainer not ruling any out of contention.
He said: 'Olympic Man was running a great race for Patrick in Ayr and will be ridden by Johnny Burke. He will be wearing a hood for the first time as he just raced with the choke out a little bit at Ayr and he won't be without a chance.
'Klarc Kent ran a cracker when second in the Scottish National, but even with Kieran Callaghan claiming 5lb, he's still going to be out the handicap.
'Spanish Harlem I think will like this nice ground and he's not out of it and the same applies to Chosen Witness.
'They are two horses I haven't really run before on this type of ground, but I think it's time they did and we take a punt on the ground. They are two big, chasing types that I had been keeping to ground with soft in, but at this stage of the game it's time to let them take their chance.'
