Hot To Trot: Skelton stable in flying form

Jumps trainer: Dan Skelton (Run to form percentage -78%)

Dan Skelton had fewer winners than you may have expected in September and October but he has hit form with a vengeance of late and sent out six winners in a row at one point between Thursday and Saturday.

He has had nine winners from 22 runners, at a strike rate of 41 per cent, in the past week, which emphasises the rude health of the yard. That strike rate is even more stunning if you ignore the results from Cheltenham’s ultra-competitive November meeting, though he did get on the board with Allmankind, who enhanced his Triumph Hurdle claims with a powerful front-running success.

Skelton has plenty of entries and could add significantly to his impressive recent tally. Proschema, who could run at Catterick on Friday, is one of the more interesting entries. He was smart on the Flat, attaining a BHA rating in excess of 100, and has made a pleasing start over hurdles, building on an encouraging third at Chepstow when scoring at Wetherby. The race was in the balance when his rival fell at the last, but he is well up to defying a penalty before stepping up in class.

New Quay endured a largely disappointing campaign last season following an impressive victory on return at Ascot, but the winning pointer could be a different proposition with another summer under his belt and will be one to note if making his chasing debut at Fakenham on Tuesday or Market Rasen on Thursday.

Not That Fuisse's physique suggested he would do better over fences than hurdles and he has already proved that to be the case, excelling himself when runner-up to Al Dancer at Cheltenham last month. He was flattered to get so close to the winner but it was still a career best and he could yet do better in this sphere. He holds an entry at Warwick on Wednesday. Emmas Joy was thought good enough to contest the mares’ bumper at Aintree last season and she shaped with promise on her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter, so is one to watch out for if taking up her engagement at Warwick.

Flat trainer: John Gosden (RTF- 80%)

There hasn’t been much to report on the Flat racing front, with the meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton on Saturday the only fixtures to take place. However, it’s worth highlighting the performance of some exciting prospects from John Gosden’s yard and drawing attention to some of the well-bred types he could run in the coming days.

In truth, Gosden’s runners are rarely out of form. But even by his high standards a return of four winners and a third from five runners on Saturday represented a fantastic haul.

He won two of the listed races on the Lingfield card with Crossed Baton and Scentasia, with the latter doing particularly well to win with such authority having been keen in the early stages.

However, the best performance was produced by Alrajaa, who bolted up in his third all-weather handicap in succession and is set for a step up in class now. The turn of foot he possesses is a real asset and he is firmly on the up.

Gosden is likely to have one of the favourites for the middle-distance series final at Kempton on Tuesday in Good Tidings. He won a couple of novice events in good style and was only narrowly beaten on his handicap debut at Kempton last time, just failing to overhaul the winner after launching a late challenge. He remains one to be positive about.

Agreed hails from a strong staying family and is a half-sister to Michelangelo, who was placed in the 2012 St Leger, and 2016 Chester Cup winner No Heretic. She will make her debut over a mile at Chelmsford on Tuesday and, while she will need further in time, is worth watching out for. In the same race Gosden will be represented by Lisbet, who is by Frankel out of a Grade 3 winner in the US, and Reehaam.

Galsworthy found only one with experience too strong on debut at Newmarket last month and will have excellent claims of getting off the mark if taking up an engagement at Newcastle on Thursday. He should appreciate a step up in trip and looks sure to improve.

Under The Radar: Nicky Richards (RTF- 64%)

Nicky Richards has had seven winners from25 runners this month, at a healthy strike rate of 28 per cent, and a further six have been placed, highlighting the yard’s good form.

Ribble Valley, who scored at Hexham the Friday before last, and She’s A Rocca, who won at Ayr on Wednesday, look two to note in particular.

Ribble Valley showed fairly useful form to win two bumpers and made a seamless transition to hurdling, bolting up at the first attempt. He jumped fluently, scored with any amount in hand and is well up to defying a penalty. She’s A Rocca was strong in the betting for her bumper debut and justified that good support, impressing with how well she travelled and then knuckled down when required. There’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she ought to do well over jumps.

It will be a fairly quiet week for Richards as he has only three entries but Bullion Boss could be of interest if taking up an entry at Catterick on Friday. He disappointed on his debut for the yard – and first start over hurdles – at Musselburgh earlier this month but it was interesting to see him supported into favouritism and he is clearly thought capable of better.