Skelton And Kirkland Imagine Pre-Gold Cup Glory With Double
Dan Skelton and owner Robert Kirkland are imagining Gold Cup magnificence next month with Grey Dawning but before then Double Measure quotes to boost their morale in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.
Kirkland has been a long-standing fan of Skelton and has actually seen him establish into the leading trainer in the nation and the pair celebrated Grey Dawning's success at the Cheltenham Festival together in 2024.
Double Measure could be the most recent star given how quickly he won at Huntingdon last time out and while he is amongst the outsiders currently for the Supreme next month, he is set to go off favourite for this Grade 2.
"This is a race I have actually had in mind for him for some time," Skelton informed Ladbrokes.
"He won last time at Huntingdon, and undoubtedly this is a similar track. He remains in excellent kind - he requires to step up, but I seem like as he's growing older, he's getting a bit more powerful and we're getting a bit more experience into him. I think he's going the ideal method, and I think he'll be a primary gamer."
Harry Derham's Klub De Reve was a 10-length winner on his last see to Kempton on Boxing Day and is another prominent in the market.
Owner Robert Kirkland (ideal) and fitness instructor Dan Skelton head to Kempton with Double Measure (Danny Lawson/PA)
"This has actually been the plan since Boxing Day, we took a seat after that and thought about whether we must bring a charge in a regular novice or try to run in a great race," said Derham.
"We decided that, as he 'd had a few runs in relatively quick succession, we 'd refresh him up and get him in actually excellent shape for the Dovecote.
"I believe it's quite an open race, any among a number of horses might win the race however he goes there in excellent shape.
"We understand he loves the track and he's been quite progressive, if he keeps progressing then it needs to put him right there."
Another most likely contender is Nicky Henderson's Mustang Du Breuil, by JP McManus after winning at Auteuil in October. He subsequently won on his UK debut at Doncaster.
"I was extremely happy with him at Doncaster, albeit it might not have actually been the strongest race, however he's a person we like a lot and is finding out all the time," stated Unibet ambassador Henderson.
"He jumps really well and the ground will remain in his favour so ideally he might end up pretty smart.
"He 'd have had 3 follow this and requires the experience if we are going to be looking at the Fred Winter."