Dan Skelton New Year's Day runners blog: 'The betting suggests he'll be hard to beat'

Dan Skelton has nine runners across four meetings at Cheltenham, Catterick, Exeter and Windsor on New Year's Day. He previews them all in his latest ambassador blog.

• Just Golden - Cheltenham - 12.15 race odds

• Riskintheground - Cheltenham - 2.00 race odds

• Kabral Du Mathan - Cheltenham - 2.35 race odds

• Ace Of Spades - Cheltenham - 3.10 race odds

• In The Age - Catterick - 12.20 race odds

• Gambino - Exeter - 1.45 race odds

• Big John Ollie - Exeter - 3.30 race odds

• Delta Blues Belle - Windsor - 11.49 race odds

• Listentoyourheart - Windsor - 2.50 race odds

Just Golden – 12.15 Cheltenham

We run Just Golden in the maiden hurdle who is probably the leader on figures. It turned into a tactical affair the last day at Newcastle where the others got first run on him but he stayed on well to the line. This galloping track will be much more to his liking. He would have preferred a little bit softer ground, but he was effective on good ground that day so we will go and give it our best shot.

RIskintheground – 2.00 Cheltenham

Riskintheground goes in the big handicap chase and I think he’s got an each-way chance here. He’s good around the track and the conditions are very much in his favour. He actually ran well in the Coral Gold Cup last time out without staying the full distance. I was happy with the way he ran to a point so dropping back to a realistic trip makes him an each-way player.

Kabral Du Mathan – 2.35 Cheltenham

This is a race I have had in mind since he won at Haydock in November. I have been happy with his training since. The trip is ideal and I don’t think the track will be an issue. He leads on figures and he doesn’t have a penalty. The betting suggests he will be hard to beat, and I would like to think that will be the case.

Ace Of Spades – 3.10 Cheltenham

Ace Of Spades runs in the three-mile handicap hurdle. I have had this race in mind for him since he ran at Haydock last month. He loves decent ground so I am glad the ground is good for him. I should think he will run very well, and we won’t have a lot of excuses for him.

In The Age – 12.20 Catterick

In The Age has a definite chance in this novice hurdle. Young Harry Atkins rides him…he had a good Boxing Day with two winners. He has 7lbs off and I think that brings him into it.

Gambino – 1.45 Exeter

Gambino runs in the novices’ hurdle. It could be hard to beat the top-rated horse here obviously as our horse doesn’t have any jumping experience but was quite tidy in a couple of runs on the flat. I like what I see at home but we have to be realistic about beating the favourite. We haven’t got the experience but hopefully he runs well and he has a future at it.

Big John Ollie – 3.30 Exeter

Big John Ollie runs in the bumper and is a big, galloping horse. I would be quite happy with the track for him and he would have to run well. He doesn’t jump off the page as a bumper horse though and perhaps lacks half a gear but I am sure he will run well.

Delta Blues Belle – 11.49 Windsor

This is a very competitive race but I think she will run well. Two-miles might just be sharp enough for her but we can step up in trip if it is appropriate in the future. Like I said though, it’s pretty competitive stuff.

Listentoyourheart – 2.50 Windsor

Her form has been franked everywhere. She ran in the Welsh Champion Hurdle behind Alexei and Wilful and that is very good form. This track, trip, and ground is everything she wants so hopefully it’s all coming together for her. Another one with no excuses and she should go and run well.

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