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 very welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly tries to ward off the might of Willie Mullins.


For the second year in a row Skelton has actually seen a large advantage in the trainers' title race quickly diminish, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million available in the 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 meetings are unusual, 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' business and having actually been out at Newbury and Aintree considering that, must discover life a little simpler versus horses more his age.


"We ran him at Aintree as we were searching for 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 good ground before, and he remains in good kind.


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


"He's running well, and undoubtedly 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 is among 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.


In 2015's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has delighted in a great season this term too, winning 3 of his five outings - consisting of last time out at Ascot - however that implies he is nearly a stone higher in the weights.


"Numitor is truly well. This has actually been our goal the entire season and he is all set 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 run on quicker ground, with a big horse like him you are never rather sure. But in the end he liked the ground and he liked three miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close but he required a prep run because there had been a bit of a space given that he last ran.


"Although he has actually run mainly in smaller sized fields, I don't think field size is very important to him as long as he gets into a rhythm. He loves racing and he loves leaping - he just pings them which is what he is all about."


Regarding the additional weight Main said: "It doesn't worry me excessive although I don't desire to be overly positive. He is such a big horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they are able to bring the weight. I hope that shows 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 intended at this all season.