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Wonder if the complexion of the Ayr meeting will change if Mullins identifies that he can’t catch Skelton, so sends over fewer runners and therefore leaving some of the lesser races for the locals to compete in again.
QF, I think the picture will become a lot clearer after the GN itself. Most likely he’ll keep a few ones for Punchestown rather than running them on faster ground at Ayr and Sandown. The clerks might not be willing to do him any favours at either track.
“The clerks might not be willing to do him any favours at either track.”
And why should they?
It’s spring, so good ground is to be expected. Why should clerks overwater just to accommodate one trainer? 🤔
It’s spring, so good ground is to be expected. Why should clerks overwater just to accommodate one trainer? 🤔
Exactly, I think they’re all a bit sick and tired of his wishes and it’s about time to have other trainers with fast ground horses getting their share of big race wins.
Willie has won two championships, had a decent Festival and with Skelton not for catching there is no need to change things to fit just one trainer (and owner of course).
>£100k for the Scottish National winner is worth having a go at in its own right- the likes of You Oughta Know, Kiss Will, King Alexander who all cope with quicker ground could run perhaps.
Willie has only one in the Scottish National – Road To Home.
In 2024 he had six (Macdermott won, Klarc Kent fourth, Ontheropes fifth, Spanish Harlem sixth). Won £131,120. Skelton had one, Ballygriffincottage, finishing seventh for £1,320. Going=Soft.
In 2025 he had five (Captain Cody won, Klarc Kent second, also had the unplaced fav Olympic Man and returning champion Macdermott who was fatally injured). Won £156,260. Skelton had two non-completers. Going=Good To Soft
In 24 and 25 he was chasing the trainers’ title and the money from this race helped him get there.
Can we deduce that he’s not going for the UK trainers’ title so hard this season? Afterall, if he was to repeat last season’s Grand National result (won £860,000) then that would be a huge reduction in Skelton’s lead.
QF- Even if he won Topham, SGN, Bet 365, had a 1-2-3 in the National and picked up the Melling Chase and one of the grade 1 Aintree Hurdles, Skelton would still have a lead of around £750k . Willie’s realised that at nearly £4.1 million Dan is not for catching. He’s more worried about running Gordon Elliott down in the Irish title race. If Gordon were to win the Irish National, he’ll be £600k ahead going into Punchestown so he’ll need all his big guns for that meeting. Expect to see Lossiemouth, the Warrior and Il Etait Temps all lining up.
The trainer’s title is a forlorn chase – but I too am surprised he doesn’t target the Scottish National given the prize money on offer and the fact that when he does go after it he seems to have the firepower to win it. Could be correct that he is unwilling to risk them on better ground.
As far as I can see Dan Skelton is trying to break his duck on the flat with Gambino in 3.20 Musselburgh this afternoon.
If you go to back a certainty always buy a return ticket.
Not gonna be on my Christmas card list if Gambino beats my beloved Wise Eagle this afternoon….
Todays Wise Eagles day Moe , I’m on and looks like a few others are to …
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
The way he came back for third carrying so much weight. I’m still shaking. I’ll be in an even bigger mess if he gets a run in the Scottish Ch Hurdle. We see his horse box go past the house….
Well done to the Skeltons for winning their first Trainers’ Championship. It was a great team effort and they were consistent throughout the season.
It’ll be interesting to see how @Astralcharmer’s table correlates to the official one.
DS has 2 on the board at Haydock today and is now only £180k away from an incredible £5 million total , with Sandown and Ayr to come. I fully expect to see Kabral du Mathan and Thistle Ask out at Sandown and perhaps Panic Attack in the ‘Whitbread’ if shes none the worse for her fall.
Mission accomplished:
Well done to all the team.
I’ve been asleep all day but thankfully woke up just in time to see it. Well done to them. I followed Harry back in the day when he ride Niche Market to win the Irish National and Dan came to our racing club when he was assistant to PN ( he was telling us about this horse called Kauto Star) so I’ve always had a fondness for the stable ( along with watching their dad at the Olympics). What a fantastic family team effort this has been. And let’s not forget Bridget,too who has played her part over the years.
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