Dan Skelton Cheltenham 2026 day two runners blog: 'I have put up Kateira as my each-way horse of the week'

Esteemed trainer Dan Skelton has nine runners on day two of Cheltenham Festival 2026. He previews them all in his latest Ladbrokes blog.

• Bossman Jack & Soldier Reeves - Cheltenham - 1.20 race odds

• Kateira - Cheltenham - 2.40 race odds

• L’Eau du Sud - Cheltenham - 4.00 race odds

• Calico & Be Aware - Cheltenham - 4.40 race odds

• Mets Ta Ceinture, The Skecher & Vango Can Go - Cheltenham - 5.20 race odds

Bossman Jack & Soldier Reeves – 1.20 Cheltenham

You don’t need me to tell you, but this is a bloody good race. I think both my horses have nice form coming into it and Bossman Jack feels like a big improver, and he was very good on his last two outings. He hasn’t stepped into graded company yet, but we like what we see, and we are happy to take our chance in a race like this. We’re expecting improvement, and we’re going to need to see it.

Soldier Reeves has a few runs under his belt and we’ve been very happy with what we’ve seen. He was second the other day to Old Park Star up at Haydock and it was a very good run and this step up in trip will very much suit him. He is a big price but I think his run style, dropped in, should suit this race from an each-way  perspective.

Kateira – 2.40 Cheltenham

I have put up Kateira as my each-way horse of the week in all the previews and the ground has come right for her in the old Coral Cup. She looks fantastic and I am very happy with how she has been and trained. I am really looking forward to getting out there. She has 11stone, not 12stone, in a handicap which is the first time that has happened in a long time and fingers crossed for a big run.

L’Eau du Sud – 4pm Cheltenham

This is a race we have had in mind since Sandown when he got beat in the Tingle Creek. He was beaten there because we weren’t at our best. I think we need to be super fresh and that’s exactly what he is now. He is fresh and well and there is no excuses. Obviously, we will have to do a lot to beat Majborough, but we are very happy with our prep.

Calico & Be Aware – 4.40 Cheltenham

We have two in the Grand Annual, starting with Calico who really knows how to run his best races over two miles especially around this track. He won back in the autumn, and he’s had a remarkable year. The handicapper’s obviously got him quite tight, but he knows how to run well in these races as I said.

Be Aware comes into it as a novice which historically was a good thing. I have been very happy with what I have seen this year without winning a graded race and this should suit him very well. He had a good run around here at the November meeting and I think he will go very well. It’s a fast run, two-mile race…this is his type of race.

Mets Ta Ceinture, The Skecher, Vango Can Go – 5.20 Cheltenham

We run three in the bumper which is unusual for us. Harry rides Mets Ta Ceinture, who is a four-year-old filly. I couldn’t tell you how many four-year-old fillies have ran in this race before let alone won it, but she looks very good at home and her form in France has been very good, where she has graded form. She gets 17lbs which is a lot. She looks good at home, now let’s see it at the track. She has an each-way squeak at least hopefully.

The Skecher won really well at Ayr. He is a staying type, and I think he will go very well. He is a robust horse, the hustle and bustle is no issue to him, and I think he will run well.

The same can be said for Vango Can Go who was third in a listed race at Ascot before Christmas. The form ties in well with Bass Hunter who is at least a fifth of his price which I can’t understand. He will run hard to the line and another with a potential each-way chance. I am very happy with all three in this bumper and I would only run horses who I think are suitable for it.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.