Dan Skelton Saturday runners blog: 'This a tough race but we have prepared him for it'

Dan Skelton has 14 runners across meetings at Cheltenham, Doncaster and Uttoxeter on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The Ladbrokes ambassador previews them all in his latest blog.

• Maestro Conti - Cheltenham - 12.40 race odds

• Boombawn & Riskintheground - Cheltenham - 1.15 race odds

• Grey Dawning - Cheltenham - 2.25 race odds

• The New Lion - Cheltenham - 3.00 race odds

• Tralee Girl - Doncaster - 12.20 race odds

• Carlenrig - Doncaster - 12.55 race odds

• Joyeux Machin - Doncaster - 2.05 race odds

• Harper’s Brook - Doncaster - 3.13 race odds

• Diamond Street - Doncaster - 3.48 race odds

• Tales Of Bravery - Uttoxeter - 1.22 race odds

• In The Age - Uttoxeter - 3.06 race odds

• Mount Gay Run - Uttoxeter - 3.41 race odds

Cheltenham

Maestro Conti – 12.40 Cheltenham

Maestro Conti runs in the Juvenile Hurdle and he’s in great form. He won first time up for us and has to give away a small penalty for that, but we have had this race in mind for some time. He will handle this ground I am sure and he is a horse we really like. This will give us an indication of where we go next…we have Triumph Hurdle aspirations. He is a lovely horse and one we think will go well.

Boombawn & Riskintheground – 1.15 Cheltenham

We run two in the handicap chase; Boombawn and Riskintheground. To be honest, neither look well handicapped from where I’m looking. Boombawn is super consistent and carries a high level of form into the race, but it just feels like he’s not that well handicapped. He will give it his best shot though. So will Riskintheground. He was absolutely phenomenal in the spring and first time up in the autumn when he won a conditions race. The handicapper hasn’t relented since then but he should run nicely because he likes the track but I don’t feel like he’s got a cent in hand.

Grey Dawning – 2.25 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning runs in the big chase, and the feeling is this is the race to go to en route to the Gold Cup. It is going to be hard to win a Gold Cup obviously, and this is a tough race in its own right but we have prepared him for it. He has won around the track before, the trip is ok, as he looks like he stays that trip nicely now. He put in a good performance last time up and there are a lot of ticks in the boxes. We are just ready to run. On the road to the Gold Cup though, we just want things to go nicely. Fingers crossed.

The New Lion – 3pm Cheltenham

We take on Sir Gino which is going to be a tough gig. Sir Gino does give us a small 3lb penalty though. We have prepared him for this day. It was frustrating when he fell up at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth. We didn’t need that, but he has done loads of jumping at home since and we’ve been happy with that. We were very happy with the pace he showed at Newcastle that day, we never thought he was a slow horse, and this will now tell us a lot more. We go into this race full of optimism and I am really looking forward to it.

Doncaster

Tralee Girl – 12.20 Doncaster

 Tralee Girl runs in a listed juveniles fillies’ race. She was second in a similar race at Newbury at the end of November. It is going to be hard to beat the two principals in this, but she is tough and hardy and likes her racing. She loves jumping and we will get stuck into it. It’s a bit strong to say she will go and win but I give her a fair each-way chance. She is very much entitled to her place here.

Carlenrig – 12.55 Doncaster

He won a similar race to this at Cheltenham at the December meeting. He gets a penalty for that which will be difficult to giveaway, but he does stay the trip well and he has that experience. We are looking forward to giving it a go. He should go really well.

Joyeux Machin – 2.05 Doncaster

Joyeux Machin has got some good place form recently. Unfortunately he has never won for us but he has been very consistent and done well in some good races. I don’t think he is without an each-way chance here. He ran tidy around the track the last day and I think he will do the same here.

Harper’s Brook – 3.13 Doncaster

Harper’s Brook should like the track here. It was frustrating not to be able to take him back to Wetherby when it got called off earlier in the month. He did run well in the race at Wetherby over Christmas though and he is getting to a mark where he looks like he can win again. Obviously, he doesn’t win regularly but he does run well in decent handicaps and hopefully he can be there or thereabouts. He is not one you can say he will just win.

Diamond Street – 3.48 Doncaster

He is a nice horse and we like everything we see. He does look a galloper though so I think the long straight will suit him. We have done loads with him at home and now it’s time to get on the track. I do think he will run well, but obviously it is a bumper, so it is hard to know all your opposition.

Uttoxeter

Tales Of Bravery – 1.22 Uttoxeter

He ran well last time up and much more like it as he was disappointing before that and way too keen. I should imagine he will go very well here. He is learning to race much better now.

In The Age – 3.06 Uttoxeter

He won last time out, and young Harry Atkins takes 7lb off in this handicap which will be a positive for him. It is competitive enough but he doesn’t look harshly treated off his handicap mark and I hope there is a bit more to come.

Mount Gay Run – 3.41 Uttoxeter

I think the trip will be right up his street. He has done lots of jumping at home and fences don’t appear to be a problem for him. Again, this is competitive and it’s not a race where I can say he is likely favourite, but he should run well.

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