2022 Mares Novices Hurdle

[Exar Essay]

Skelton wants to skip the fez so be careful with her.

Is this from the horses mouth mate? (Pun absolutely intended)

[FinalFurlong91]

Skelton wants to skip the fez so be careful with her.

Do you have the quote? Hadnt seen this

[isitmarchyet]

Do you have the quote? Hadnt seen this

Found it here: https://www.racingtv.com/news/dan-sk...tenham-updates

I've been desperate to step her up in trip. I had her in the Betfair Hurdle and I know there was a little bit of disappointment that it had only 16 confirmations, but I went through it and thought eight to ten of those are very progressive. And with a dry forecast it will be gas on around there. So I've kind of done the right thing by her and gone to this race, and I think she will run very well. She obviously gets bit of weight from the others, being a mare, but she's got that class one penalty. I'd be very disappointed if she didn't go very close. We have to get through tomorrow [before thinking about Cheltenham]. The trip for the Mares’ Novice doesn't worry me necessarily because it's on Thursday’s track [the New Course] and it's 2m 1f. Obviously Tuesday [Mares’ Hurdle] is 2m4f, so that’s not an issue, either. She's no certainty to go to Cheltenham. We could end up leaving her for Aintree. I want to see what happens tomorrow.

I'm assuming this is what Silverbirch is referring to.

[Silverbirch]

Do you have the quote? Hadnt seen this

I don't know how to link but it's his piece on his runners on Racingtv website.

See above
Since re reading it, I need to change wants to could*

[Carnage at Taunton]

Well now they have seen what happens, what happens ?
Here, Mares or no festival?
Any quote from connections yet?

[Exar Essay]

Found it here: https://www.racingtv.com/news/dan-sk...tenham-updates



I'm assuming this is what Silverbirch is referring to.

Thanks. With her victory today, I'd say that makes Chelts likely in the context of that quote. Which race though ...

[Eudipe]

From RP:-
Dan Skelton did not immediately rule out a trip to the festival, though he cautioned she may be kept for Aintree.
"I think it was a deep race with all the 135 horses together at the last and she came home well off a strong pace," said the trainer.

"We were very happy with her attitude although she made the odd mistake. She'll be a better jumper with experience.

"She's in at Cheltenham but she definitely won't be going for the Mares' Hurdle on the Tuesday as it wouldn't be fair asking her to go 40mph around that track.

"She could run in the Dawn Run Novices' on the Thursday but the likelihood is she'll wait for the two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 at Aintree."

[Carnage at Taunton]

From RP:-
Dan Skelton did not immediately rule out a trip to the festival, though he cautioned she may be kept for Aintree.
"I think it was a deep race with all the 135 horses together at the last and she came home well off a strong pace," said the trainer.

"We were very happy with her attitude although she made the odd mistake. She'll be a better jumper with experience.

"She's in at Cheltenham but she definitely won't be going for the Mares' Hurdle on the Tuesday as it wouldn't be fair asking her to go 40mph around that track.

"She could run in the Dawn Run Novices' on the Thursday but the likelihood is she'll wait for the two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 at Aintree."

Thanks Eudipe

[FinalFurlong91]

I imagine she will only run at Cheltenham if there has been a good bit of rain

Which is reasonably likely id say as this is England and its barely rained recently, we are overdue a few downpours

[Our_Duke]

Skelton is not helping much there with whether to cashout or not! Can only cash out for stake at present so leaving it for now. Don't really see why she wouldn't go here, track will suit and only caught today's race briefly but seems like she'd benefit hugely from the quicker pace she'd get in this race (could be wrong but seemed to go slow enough today at a quick glance)

[Splinterboy82]

Skelton is not helping much there with whether to cashout or not! Can only cash out for stake at present so leaving it for now. Don't really see why she wouldn't go here, track will suit and only caught today's race briefly but seems like she'd benefit hugely from the quicker pace she'd get in this race (could be wrong but seemed to go slow enough today at a quick glance)

Thing with these mares is there’s just so many of these poxy graded races & black type events for decent prize money where you know they’ll only be 6 runners next season in the UK. Skelton has shown his patience & also putting the mare first like running today instead of in the Betfair. I think those comments are basically saying she won’t go unless something significant happens to the Irish runners. Skelton knows less will likely go to Aintree. He’s shown over the last few seasons he’s happy to bring mares along slower such as Roksana

[doctorwu]

If one wonders why racing has problems than look no further than "wanky" English trainers. He's taking a leaf out of his ole governors book and running off to Aintree for easy pickings. These trainers have been exposed for the gutless individuals that they are. BMG running in a handicap Saturday followed by dodging Cheltenham for Aintree, odds..........................................

[Irish Rugby]

Here in Ireland Cheltenham is still seen by the racing community as our Olympics, and how great for us it is on every year. That term was banded about across GB, but sadly less so now. If it was 23-5 the other way last year, I do suspect the GB racing community would be using the same language.

[Istabraq]

If it was 23-5 the other way last year, I do suspect the GB racing community would be using the same language.

I’m not so sure and I think if you’re there next month you’ll see the passion that still exists from the UK public.
Apart from the odd idiot Cheltenham will be full of knowledgable racing fans who love seeing the best horses compete against each other in top level competition regardless of where those horses come from.
23-5 is irrelevant in my mind, I’ve seen the shoe on the other foot plenty of times, wasn’t that long ago the Irish left with one winner.
Proper racing fans can appreciate the talent and abilities of the likes of Mullins, HDB, Elliott, Rachel and plenty of others, and as a punter the recent Irish dominance actually makes things a little easier…

[harchibald]

I’m not so sure and I think if you’re there next month you’ll see the passion that still exists from the UK public.
Apart from the odd idiot Cheltenham will be full of knowledgable racing fans who love seeing the best horses compete against each other in top level competition regardless of where those horses come from.
23-5 is irrelevant in my mind, I’ve seen the shoe on the other foot plenty of times, wasn’t that long ago the Irish left with one winner.
Proper racing fans can appreciate the talent and abilities of the likes of Mullins, HDB, Elliott, Rachel and plenty of others, and as a punter the recent Irish dominance actually makes things a little easier…

I agree 100% with this. National hunt fans in general love their racing and appreciate top class horses such as Shiskin and Honeysuckle and exciting finishes. To be honest, if I can pick a winner and cheer him in, I'm not overconcerned which side of the pond the horse is from and I'm thinking most people feel the same.