Dan Skelton Sunday runners blog - October 25, 2026

Brookside La - 12.40 Aintree

He won at Worcester recently, and I think the step up to three miles will really suit him. Young Harry [Atkins] takes a few pounds off in this conditional jockeys’ race, and we’re really looking forward to getting out again as he could be progressive now he’s a year older.

Brace For Landing & Gili Island - 1.15  Aintree

Brace For Landing gained some experience last year but didn’t win, which surprised us a little as he worked really well at home. Perhaps he just needed more time. He’s a year older now and can hopefully put that experience to good use in this maiden hurdle.

Gili Island ran nicely at Chepstow on his first start for us, but he looks more like a chaser further down the line.

Kadastral - 1.50 Aintree

Kadastral is a horse we’ve liked a lot for a long time, and it feels like chasing is going to be his game. I’m really looking forward to getting him started here. I wouldn’t say he’s underachieved over hurdles, but perhaps we expected a little more based on his bumper form. He’s a big, strong chasing type, and I think this is where we’ll start to see what we’ve really got.

Boombawn, Riskintheground, Matterhorn & Etalon - 3.00 Aintree

We run four in the Old Roan Chase. Harry [Skelton] rides Boombawn, and this race has been on the agenda for him. He was placed in it last year, so hopefully we can go a few places better this time. He ran really well over hurdles at Chepstow, even though that’s not really his game, and hopefully he’ll feel the benefit of that outing and go well here.

Etalon was pulled up last time after running quite nicely on his previous start. It does feel as though the handicapper has him high enough, though.

Matterhorn ran nicely on his first start for us at Ffos Las the other day. Again, it doesn’t feel as though the handicapper has given him much leeway, but he does run well in these big races. He’s fairly new to us, so we’re still learning about him, and you’d have to give him an each-way chance.

Young Harry takes 5lb off Riskintheground, who doesn’t look particularly well handicapped against this sort of opposition. That said, he always runs well in these types of races.

Glancing Jack, Knickerbockerglory, Listentoyourheart - 3.35  Aintree

Harry rides Glancing Jack on his first start for us. We’re really happy with what we’ve seen at home, and I think he has a fair chance. This trip is fine for him, although he’ll go up in distance in time. He looks progressive, and I do like him.

Young Harry takes 5lbs off Knickerbockerglory, who doesn’t look particularly well handicapped and is advancing in years.

Charlie Todd rides Listentoyourheart, and she would have an each-way chance. I think the handicapper is starting to give her a chance now.

Soleretta - 4.05  Aintree 

I like this mare. She won an Irish point-to-point and is quite a nippy type, so I’d expect her to go well here. It’s hard to know what you’re up against in bumpers, but I do quite like her.

Kaldoun Des Rocs, Equi Libre, Mags Ocean & Skibidirizz – 1.00 Market Rasen

Kaldoun Des Rocs showed some nice form last year without winning. Hopefully he can take a step forward now he’s a year older, although this looks a competitive race with Oli Murphy’s dual bumper winner in there.

Equi Libre has been a bit naughty on his first two starts for us, running out on both occasions. Hopefully we can get a clear round under his belt and start building from there. He has a mind of his own, but hopefully things will start to come together for him.

Mags Ocean was far too keen first time out. This track should be a little more forgiving, but we need to get back on track after a debut that didn’t go to plan.

Skibidirizz didn’t run well on his first start at Chepstow. We thought he’d run a lot better, so we need to see more from him.

Solar Jet – 1.35 Market Rasen

Solar Jet runs in the juvenile hurdle. He didn’t show a great deal first time out and will need to show us a lot more here.

Francisco Alvares - 4.23 Market Rasen

Francisco Alvares runs in a bumper in which all the runners are unraced. He looks a nice horse from what we’ve seen at home. We didn’t get to do all the grass galloping with him last year, as he arrived later in the spring, but we think he’s quite nice and should give a good account of himself.

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