Skelton happy to be Fortune seeker at Cheltenham

Dan Skelton already has a Cheltenham Festival target in mind for Fortune De Mer after seeing him come out on top in a pulsating finish to the Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle.

While four jumped the first obstacle in a line, including Sam Twiston-Davies aboard 5-2 favourite Un Sens A La Vie, you would have struggled to spot the easy-to-back 14-1 chance Fortune De Mer, who was ridden with the utmost restraint my the trainer’s brother, Harry.

As typical on the Old course there were a host of the 12-strong field still in contention on the run downhill to two out and it was Jane Williams’ Jaminska and Fergal O’Brien’s Jack Hyde who led them over two out and round the bend for home.

Jaminska had gained the upper hand at the final flight but the eye was suddenly drawn to Fortune De Mer, who having been nursed into contention soon hit full flow as along with the running-on Doctor Blue they went hammer and tongues for the line.

Only a short head separated the pair as they flashed passed the line in virtual unison, leaving Skelton delighted to land his first major blow of the new season in this Grade Two contest.

“He’s a funny character and we thought for a minute we weren’t going to be able to run him because he wouldn’t leave the stable block,” said the Alcester handler.

“We took the hood off to get him out of the stable block and put it back on and he’s just quirky, but he’s full of talent, obviously.

“It wasn’t such a good run when he was beaten at Uttoxeter the other day, but I hadn’t done that much with him and he’s obviously stepped forward a great deal.

“Harry gave him a cool ride there, the more traffic the better and I’ll be aiming at the County Hurdle – that’s his race, no doubt.”

The Skeltons did not have to wait too long to notch a double when Calico defended his squareintheair.com Handicap Chase with an exceptional round of jumping.

Bounced out by his rider, the 5-1 winner barely missed a beat as he saw off all comers to register an exhilarating seven-length success over 9-4 favourite Jasko Des Dames.

“He’s nine, so you shouldn’t expect him to put up a career-best performance, but that’s what he’s gone and done and I can’t claim that we’ve done anything different,” Dan Skelton added.

“He’s a credit to himself and fair play to him – maybe at nine years of age he’s taking a different view on life.

“The handicapper will put him up a mark he can’t win off historically, which is a little frustrating, but at the end of the day he’s won a £100,000 pot and today was the most important day of his season.”