Dan Skelton Sunday runners blog: 'He should be hard to beat'

It's a busy day for Dan Skelton on Sunday, January 18. The Ladbrokes ambassador previews his runners at Windsor and Fankenham in his latest exclusive blog.

• Getawhisky - Windsor - 12:20 race odds

• Harry Lowes & Tyson - Windsor - 12:50 race odds

• Doyen Guest - Windsor - 13:20 race odds

• Mirabad & Harper's Brook - Windsor - 13:50 race odds

• Miss Cynthia - Fakenham - 14:05 race odds

• Tranquil Sea - Windsor - 14:25 race odds

• Protektorat - WIndsor - 15:00 race odds

• Little Wren - Fakenham - 15:10 race odds

• Eastern Fire - Fakenham - 15:45 race odds

• St James's Finest - Windsor - 16:05 race odds

12.20 - Windsor - Getawhisky

It's obviously a big day down at Windsor, and we start things off with Getawhisky in the mares' novices' hurdle - we didn't run her at Taunton because the ground was too quick for her there. This is much more like it, though. We thought she was going to win nicely at Ascot the last day before she fell, so I'd like her to put that right here. And if she does, then I'd say she's got a good chance. 

12.50 - Windsor - Harry Lowes & Tyson

Harry Lowes and Tyson both run in the novices' handicap hurdle. Harry Lowes won really nicely at Exeter first time out, and then didn't run quite so well the next day. But I think a few of these four-year-olds have been a bit up and down so far this year. I'm much happier with him now, though, and I think he'll go nicely here. I don't think two-and-a-half [miles] is an issue, and the track should be fine.

Tyson is one I don't know too much about right now, to be honest. But he looks like he's got some OK Irish form, and I thought this trip would be a good starting point on the flat track.

1.20 - Windsor - Doyen Quest

We've also got Doyen Quest in the rearranged Hampton Novices' Chase, a Grade 2 race over three-miles. This one is as competitive as you'd expect it to be, however he has run very well and consistently this year, and I think we'll see more of the same here. I think he sets a standard that others have to come up to, but it feels like others in this race can come up to that level, so I don't think we should be favourite here, or anything like that. He does set a good level, though, and I think he will run his race.

1.50 - Windsor - Mirabad & Harper's Brook

We also run Mirabad in a two-mile handicap chase, and we've got Harper's Brook in that same race too. Mirabad is one we did have entered in the novices', but we think this is a better race for him, not least because there's more rain to come, and we feel that slower ground over fences is even better for him. Two miles over slower ground here should really be up his street. 

Harper's Brook looks like he's getting back to a threatening mark. He isn't getting any younger, but it feels to me like he's got a race in him every year, and it is normally quite a nice one, so we'll see how it goes. It may get way too soft for him, so we'll keep an eye on the conditions.

2.25 - Windsor - Tranquil Sea

Tranquil Sea then runs in a three-mile handicap hurdle, with young Harry Atkins on board. He hasn't got much weight, obviously, because of that, and he's been consistent in his runs without the handicapper giving him a huge chance really. He won earlier in the season and the handicapper has got hold of him since, but he does stay three-miles well, and seven pound off will definitely give him a squeak here.

3.00 - Windsor - Protektorat

We've got Protektorat down here for the Fleur de Lys, a race he obviously won last year. It's great to have him back for it this year. He doesn't carry a penalty, the ground is in his favour... he should be hard to beat, to be honest with you. He loves racing, and I know he's not getting any younger, but we've kept this race in mind for him all season. Hopefully he's got a massive chance.

4.05 - Windsor - St James's Finest

We finish the day at Windsor with St James's Finest in the bumper. He ran really well first time out and he's one we like a lot. We think the form of that race was good, so we picked him to come here for this valuable bumper. It's going to be a hard one to win, obviously, but we think we've got a really nice horse here.

2.05 - Fakenham - Miss Cynthia

We run Miss Cynthia is a mares' handicap hurdle up at Fakenham on Sunday, and we were happy enough with her first run for us over. We think she could step forward from that, but we ultimately think that the spring time will perhaps be a better period for her. So whilst we think she'll run really well here, we still think there's a little more to come from her. The track should suit her, though.

3.10 - Fakenham - Little Wren

We're also running a mare called Little Wren in the handicap chase, and it'll be her first time over fences. She got interference at Wetherby last time, but she jumps fences very well, so we thought we'd get stuck in over these. I should imagine we'll be good and handy with her, and use her jumping well here. She's off a lower mark, so hopefully she'll go and run really well here.

3.45 - Fakenham - Eastern Fire

Then we've got Eastern Fire in the bumper. He's a really nice horse who ran well on his debut. I think he's stepped forward in his work at home, and he won’t be far away.

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