Le Milos Carrying Skelton Hopes Into Battle At Haydock
Victory for Le Milos in the ₤ 100,000 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase at Haydock would be really welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly tries to fend off the might of Willie Mullins.
For the 2nd year in a row Skelton has seen a large benefit in the trainers' title race rapidly reduce, after Mullins dominated at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million on offer in the Grand National and then had the one-two in last weekend's Scottish National.
Races with this quantity of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for very first location - far from the big meetings are uncommon, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a great chance for Skelton to retreat before the Closutton machine rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next few days.
Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' business and having actually been out at Newbury and Aintree since, must discover life a little much easier versus horses more his age.
"We ran him at Aintree as we were searching for somewhere where the ground would be best for him," said Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.
"The ground up here will be no problem; he's won on good ground before, and he remains in excellent type.
Le Milos won the 2022 Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)
"He's running well, and obviously won at the veterans, and this is the very first time he's been back versus the veterans because that day. Hopefully he is among the gamers in this league and he can go well here."
Skelton is currently 3-1 with Ladbrokes to claim a first title after keeping Mullins (2-9) at arm's length through the week.
Last year's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.
The grey has actually enjoyed a great season this term too, winning three of his 5 trips - consisting of last time out at Ascot - but that implies he is nearly a stone higher in the weights.
"Numitor is truly well. This has been our aim the entire season and he is ready to go," said Main.
"Ascot last time wasn't the plan but it wound up being his preparation race for the last on Saturday.
"We didn't know if he would remain and while he had operated on quicker ground, with a big horse like him you are never ever rather sure. But in the end he enjoyed the ground and he liked 3 miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close but he needed a prep run due to the fact that there had been a bit of a space since he last ran.
"Although he has run mainly in smaller sized fields, I do not believe field size is necessary to him as long as he enters into a rhythm. He loves racing and he likes leaping - he just pings them which is what he is everything about."
Regarding the extra weight Main said: "It does not worry me too much although I don't desire to be overly confident. He is such a big horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they have the ability to bring the weight. I hope that shows the case on Saturday."
Joe Tizzard runs both Eldorado Allen and The Widow Maker, Henry Hogarth's Flic Ou Voyou arrives on the back of a win while Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) has been aimed at this all season.