Dan Skelton column: the inside track on my Saturday runners

Dan Skelton has seven runners across Aintree and Uttoxeter on Saturday. The leading trainer and Ladbrokes ambassador previews them all in his latest exclusive blog.

Old Coast Road - 12.40 Aintree

Old Coast Road runs in a pretty select-looking novice hurdle. He had a run in a bumper a month ago and looked good in that, finishing second.

It was probably a decent race. He is bred to be a jumper and ran in an Irish point-to-point, so jumping is not going to be an issue. We will know a bit more after this. It is a strong race, but I think he will go well.

Kadastral - 1.15 Aintree

Kadastral runs in a handicap chase. We have been waiting for this type of ground. I shouldn’t have run him last year on some bad ground, but he got some experience and hopefully the fact that he had some runs over hurdles can stand him in good stead.

This is a totally different kettle of fish though as It is a competitive handicap and they are going to go hard.

Yes, the fences will be a positive for him; however, this is pretty competitive stuff. I think he will run well and no doubt improve through the season. Whether he just needs this first run, experience-wise, against these types of horses we’ll find out.

Talk To The Man - 2.25 Aintree

This looks a pretty competitive novice chase, but we were delighted with his run at Worcester the other day, where he jumped beautifully and did it well. This is a much tougher race, but I think the track will suit him and I am looking forward to getting him back out there.

His Worcester performance was a clear step up on his hurdles form, which was always likely given he is a big, strong horse by Walk In The Park. We will learn a lot more about him here against some pretty stern opposition.

Boombawn / Etalon - 3.35 Aintree

We run Boombawn and Etalon in a handicap chase. Boombawn was heading there for the Old Roan, but it got called off. I thought he was in good form before the Old Roan, but I think he is even sharper now and a little wait longer hasn’t done him any harm. I think he will run very well in this.

Etalon is still too high in the handicap and I know I keep banging on about it. He won a nice race at Ascot last year and had an amazing ride, and now he is paying the penalty for that, which is fine…if you win, you’ve got to go up the handicap. I just know that he is on mission impossible off this mark at the minute.

Moorland Belle – 3.40 Uttoxeter

Moorland Belle makes her debut for us at Uttoxeter. She has gone well enough at home, but we have to go and find out on the track.

I think she will run well, without saying she will just go and win, as we don’t know who we are taking on, but she should run tidily.

Al Capony – 4.05 Aintree

We run a nice horse in the bumper called Al Capony. It is a race for three-year-olds and we have done plenty with him.

He was away last year for a gallop on the grass and went quite nicely. This is his first start though so we aren’t going out there with high expectations, but I would be very surprised if he doesn’t run well given what we have seen at home.

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