Leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton is excited by Le Milos’ chances of winning the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
Le Milos won the Coral Cup at Newbury in November and is priced at 14/1 with Ladbrokes to win the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Grand National a big thrill
If you ask anyone in National Hunt racing what race would they most like to win, it would be the Grand National or the Gold Cup. I have not won either, so I have unfinished business!
To have a chance in the Grand National with Le Milos is just magic. We are all pretty excited. The build-up to the race is unlike any other. It is called the People’s Race for a reason. Millions of people are solely interested in just this race and it is great to be a part of that.
If we win, I haven’t a clue how I will react or what I will do. One thing I do know, is that I will be very excited. It is an unusual race because there is only one a year. You need a lot of luck and there is so much in play for this race.
Le Milos is the best chance we have ever had going into a Grand National. To be fair, Blaklion was absolutely brilliant and finished sixth one year, and was the highest placed English horse that year. However, Le Milos has won a Coral Trophy and is the biggest hopeful we have had to date and his price reflects that.
Harry is really optimistic about our chances. He jumped really beautifully the other day and we are happy with the preparation he has had. He looks fantastic and we took him up to Kelso as we knew he would need the run quite significantly. I wasn’t a bit surprised that he got tired in the last half furlong that day. I knew how much I had to work on, and it was an awful amount.
There is no point being nervous. It is just feelings of pure excitement. When or if Le Milos jumps the last and we get a clear round, then I will be delighted. Anything after that is a bonus but we are really hopeful.
Back in the yard, there is a real buzz and we are all probably talking Le Milos up a bit too much. It’s what we do though, you have got to be optimistic and it is great fun.
