WATCH FREE

Dan Skelton column: inside track on Friday's runners at Cheltenham

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Thu 22 Oct 2026

Champion trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador Dan Skelton shares the inside track on his runners on day one of The Showcase Meeting, live on Racing TV.

£30 in free bets when you bet £5 with Ladbrokes

18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

Claim Offer

1.50 Cheltenham: Ice Jet

Ice Jet runs in a two-mile novice chase, and it’s going to be quite hard for him to beat a couple of higher-rated horses. However, he does get the four-year-old allowance, which is handy and will give him a squeak. The ground should be nice for him too. We are biting off a lot here, but he’s been pretty productive through the summer and I don’t see why he won’t run well.

2.25 Cheltenham: Loriko

Loriko runs in the conditional jockeys’ race. He gets a 10lb claimer on him, and it’s Dom’s first ride as a conditional. Ten pounds off will be a big help to him, as I don’t feel he’s particularly well handicapped after having a productive summer, and the handicapper has probably bumped him up a bit. He’s for an each-way chance.

3.00 Cheltenham: Cooltobecareless

Cooltobecareless runs in the Grade Two Novice Hurdle having won nicely at Chepstow a couple of weeks ago and won quite nicely that day, he quickened up nicely and we were very happy with what we saw that day. We are really excited to pitch him into this grade. Itsobviously a much higher grade but he won his first start very nicely so lets give it a shot. I think he will go very well.

3.35 Cheltenham: Calico

Calico goes for this race, having won it on the last two occasions, and it would be amazing to win it for a third time. He is in great form, and we have trained him for it. I don’t have any negatives at all. It is going to be hard to win it for a third time, of course, but he’s a reliable soldier and, despite his advancing years, he has retained every bit of enthusiasm and, I would say, almost all of his ability, so I am quite positive.

4.45 Cheltenham: Snipe

Snipe runs in the amateur riders’ race at the end of the card. Unfortunately, he was beaten at Warwick and the handicapper has him high enough, but Heidi [Palin] gets on well with him and we will go and give it our best shot.

£30 in free bets when you bet £5 with Ladbrokes

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

Claim Offer

Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.

Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"

Dave Nevison's Thursday tips: "He could be very well treated"

Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week

Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets

Peter Naughton's 2026-27 Jumps Horses to Follow

Featured offers

Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Please bet responsibly

Races

Tips

Watch

Results