Le Milos Carrying Skelton Hopes Into Battle At Haydock

Victory for Le Milos in the ₤ 100,000 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase at Haydock would be extremely welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly attempts to ward off the may of Willie Mullins.


For the 2nd year in a row Skelton has actually seen a significant benefit in the trainers' title race quickly lessen, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million available in the Grand National and then had the one-two in last weekend's Scottish National.


Races with this quantity of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for top place - away from the big conferences are uncommon, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a great chance for Skelton to retreat before the Closutton device rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next couple of days.


Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' company and having actually been out at Newbury and Aintree considering that, must find life a little easier versus horses more his age.


"We ran him at Aintree as we were trying to find somewhere where the ground would be best for him," stated Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.


"The ground up here will be no problem; he's won on excellent ground before, and he's in good form.


Le Milos won the 2022 Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)


"He's running well, and obviously won at Warwick versus the veterans, and this is the very first time he's been back against the veterans because that day. Hopefully he's one of the players in this league and he can go well here."


Skelton is presently 3-1 with Ladbrokes to claim a first title after keeping Mullins (2-9) at arm's length through the week.


Last year's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has actually delighted in a great season this term too, winning three of his 5 getaways - including last time out at Ascot - but that indicates he is nearly a stone greater in the weights.


"Numitor is truly well. This has been our goal the whole season and he is prepared to go," stated Main.


"Ascot last time wasn't the strategy however it wound up being his preparation race for the last on Saturday.


"We didn't understand if he would stay and while he had actually run on quicker ground, with a big horse like him you are never ever quite sure. But in the end he loved the ground and he liked three miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close however he required a prep run due to the fact that there had actually been a little a gap because he last ran.


"Although he has actually run primarily in smaller sized fields, I don't believe field size is necessary to him as long as he enters a rhythm. He loves racing and he likes jumping - he simply pings them which is what he is everything about."


Regarding the extra weight Main said: "It doesn't worry me excessive although I don't wish to be . He is such a huge horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they are able to carry the weight. I hope that proves the case on Saturday."


Joe Tizzard runs both Eldorado Allen and The Widow Maker, Henry Hogarth's Flic Ou Voyou shows up on the back of a win while Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) has actually been aimed at this all season.