Hot To Trot: Skelton to hit the ground running

Flat Trainer – John Gosden

John Gosden generally enjoys his most productive part of the calendar year in the first two or three months of the Turf season, as the graph below shows, and he has sent out several in recent weeks who look set for big campaigns.

Gosden closed April in fine fashion, with promising three-year-olds Sevenna Star and Crossed Baton winning classic trials at Sandown and Epsom respectively, and the exciting Frankel colt Without Parole recording a huge timefigure at Yarmouth, before Cracksman made a winning return at Paris-Longchamp.

He looks set to continue his good run of form in the coming days, and has entered Rococo at Beverley on Monday. She has made a promising start to her career so far, finishing third at Newmarket on her reappearance last month, and should make a bold bid to get off the mark at the third attempt. 

Later in the week, Loujain looks to have leading claims at Brighton on Tuesday, though he would need to show more than he did when disappointing on reappearance at Nottingham last month. Perfection, Margie’s Choice and Hinde Street are all entered on the same day at Thirsk, with the latter the most interesting, having made a winning start at Lingfield three weeks ago.

Jumps Trainer – Dan Skelton

Following the conclusion of the 2017/18 Jumps season at Sandown last week, yards enjoyed a six day break from the action, before the new season started at Uttoxeter and Hexham on Saturday.

Dan Skelton tends to both start and finish the season strongly and he enjoyed a fine end to April, which included Optimus Prime finishing a fine second behind Footpad in the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

He is due to have a busy week, and several from his yard could take their chance at Kempton on Monday. Of those, Amore Alato is interesting on just his second start for the yard, having looked like he’d be sharper for his reappearance at Newbury in March, whilst Work In Progress is one to note later on the card. Later in the week, Applesandpierres and Set List both look to have been found good opportunities at Fakenham on Tuesday, whilst new recruit Mrsrobin is interesting if taking up her entry at Fakenham on Wednesday. She has two ways of running, but could well find some improvement for her new trainer.

Under the Radar – Mark Usher

As the graph shows below, Mark Usher is enjoying a purple patch at the moment, and he has several entries this coming week.

Black Truffle has been performing consistently of late, hitting the frame in each of his last four starts at this lowly level, and his turn could well come at Bath on Monday, whilst Q Twenty Boy would have to show more than he has in two starts to feature the following day at Brighton. Shufoog is one to note now sent handicapping and she has three entries over the next few days, including at Newton Abbot on Wednesday. He has shown some aptitude over hurdles, and there could be more to come now switched to this company.