Betway Bowl Preview: Dan Skelton Takes Nothing With Tuesday’s Cheltenham Protektorat Gold Cup | Racing news

Protektorat finished the Englishman’s best by finishing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and manager Dan Skelton feels he sets a standard that others must surpass during the Betway Bowl at Aintree on Thursday.

The rising star, who is owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, razed the home 25 yards from Native River in the Many Clouds Chase when stepping up during his previous visit to Liverpool this season in December.

The seven-year-old underlined his class when he chased Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard and Minella Indo pair three weeks ago in a chaotic Gold Cup that turned into a sprint.

Skelton felt he was qualified for a second First Grade of his career, following his victory over his casual partner and coach’s brother, Harry, in The New Trainers’ Chase proclamation on this day last year.

Skelton said: “It was a great run in the Gold Cup. We are very proud of him. There are only four first-place teams over three miles in the UK, so you have to try and go if you can.

“I’m happy with him. He’s fit, healthy and fit. He’s from Cheltenham very well. Cheltenham is just behind him, but that’s it, you can’t change the date.

“But it’s a decent race and nobody shies away from it. We’ll have to go and do our best.

“He’s two years younger at Aintree and his most recent run is a set standard for recent form, but it’s been a hot one – there’s no reason to pretend it’s not. a good race.”

Last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux also counts Ferguson among his owners and will enter the new race, after overtaking Cheltenham.

The 10-year-old came in second in King Georges’ hat-trick attempt at Kempton on Gift Day and Paul Nicholls fitted him with flashing lights for the first time after finishing third in the Denman race Chase at Newbury.

Nicholls told Betfair: “The Clan hasn’t been in top form this season, but is still performing well at King George. Then I was a little disappointed with him at Newbury when our horses were a bit out of form. .

“He’s not younger at all, but he’s fit right now and looks great in his coat. We worked with him in a flash on Saturday honing him and he’ll be fine. wear them in the race for the first time on Thursday.

“I hope for another big run back on the track that we know he likes.”

Clan Des Obeaux will once again face off against Venetia Williams-trained Royale Pagaille, who finished second at Newbury in February, and Eldorado Allen, who subsequently won there with a decent third place in the Race. Ryanair at Cheltenham.

Joe Tizzard, who took over his training license from his father, Colin, at the end of the month, feels eight-year-old Eldorado Allen has a little something to look for, but deserves his chance.

Tizzard said: “It was a good and strong run at Ryanair. We know what we’re going through at Allaho, so we’re really upset with him.

“A three-mile flat in Aintree, similar to Newbury, would suit him. Obviously Protektorat ran a pitch in the Gold Cup and he was the beater, but we beat Royale Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux in Newbury.

“He seems to have come out of Cheltenham really well, so we hope he can run another big race. You have to take them on and move on. He deserves to be in and he is. not a reverse in there either.”

The Ireland Conflated Gold Cup winner may not have a chance with Allaho in Ryanair, but he played well and contested second when he fell two out.

One of two Irish challengers, coach Gordon Elliott feels he is holding on to every chance to claim his third win of the season.

He said: “He was in good form and was running a good race in Ryanair when he fell on the last turn.

“He seems to have come out of the race well and we are looking forward to running him. It’s a competitive race, but it’s Division One and you don’t expect anything different.”

Willie Mullins, who has won 10 of 28 races at Cheltenham, is represented by Kemboy, who dominated Clan Des Obeaux and the rest of his rivals in this race three years ago.

He proved he wasn’t the back number when he was narrowly beaten by A Plus Tard and Galvin in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but finished only fifth in his bid for the consecutive Irish Gold Cup. next.

Patrick Mullins, his father’s assistant, said: “He was a bit disappointed (in the Ireland Cup), but maybe it’s the heavily watered surface that wouldn’t be ideal for him.

“He ran really well in Leopardstown when the ground was probably a little faster than it really was and his run at Christmas would look as good as anything, wouldn’t he?

“I think the ground will be better than what they’re running at at the Dublin Racing Festival, that would be appropriate, and he’s in good form and has won Aintree before, so he must have his chance. me.

“If he can get back to his Christmas form, he’ll have to be in the mix, but it’s a deep race.”