Dan Skelton’s Let It Rain can headline trainer’s winners at Newbury | Racing | Sport
DAN SKELTON can collect a Newbury four-timer headlined by LET IT RAIN (3.20) in the £155,000 William Hill Hurdle.
The lightly-raced mare has strong form to her name at around two miles and is undeniably well-handicapped on a BHA mark of 124.
My selection caught the eye when beaten three-quarters-of-a-length behind reopposing and race-fit pair Dance And Glance and All In You at Ascot.
Prior to her reappearance run, she defeated the now 128-rated Rockola Vogue by eight lengths in a novices’ hurdle for mares and chased home French Ship (146) when conceding first run in a Chepstow maiden event.
Let It Rain impressively stretched clear on soft to heavy ground on her 2023 bumper debut so the ongoing spell of inclement weather does not dampen enthusiasm for the favourite.
Useful recruit Risky Obsession (4.30) is the only one of Skelton’s fancied four not competing on ITV, with KADASTRAL (1.00) kicking off the action in the William Hill Racing Epic Boosts Novices’ Hurdle.
Sober Glory was able to control the fractions when they met two starts ago (off level weights) and Harry Skelton’s mount showed the benefit of that outing when cosily edging ahead of the pack at today’s venue – and there is more to come.
Progressive type A PAI DE NOM (1.35) is the one to be with in the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle, off the same mark as his third in the Lanzarote at Kempton.
Punters can also have the upper hand over the bookies with HAITI COULEURS (2.10), who should book his place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup if outstaying likeable veteran L’Homme Presse in the Grade Two William Hill Denman Chase.
Nicky Henderson completes LULAMBA’s (2.45) Cheltenham Festival preparation in the same level William Hill Game Spirit Chase, with his high class two-milers Sprinter Sacre (2012) and Altior (2017) taking it en route to the Arkle.
At Warwick, front runner STEEL ALLY (1.50) could control the Grade Two Bet Smarter With Oddschecker Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, as his bold jumping will be an asset at a course where the jumps come up quickly.
Going places conditional Toby Mccain-Mitchell claims 5lb off the already well-treated ten-year-old GUARD YOUR DREAMS (2.25, Nap), a scorer on heavy over hurdles as a younger horse and this is his easiest task for some time.
At the forecast prices, well-regarded FLYING FORTUNE (1.15) is chanced after a 484-day absence in the Listed Get The Best Odds With Oddschecker Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.
