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A file-breaking season could but have a particular ending for Dan Skelton, with unlikely hero Thistle Ask giving him a shot on the perfect finale within the bet365 Celebration Chase (2.55).
Bought for simply £11,000 final May, the 9-yr-previous’s £202,445 in prize-cash has made him the coach’s third-highest earner this season, leaving proprietor Terry McKeever in disbelief at having a Grade 1 contender.
Thistle Ask received his first 4 begins of the season, together with the Haldon Gold Cup and Desert Orchid Chase, earlier than ending second on his first attempt at Grade 1 stage, crushed three lengths by Jonbon within the Clarence House Chase. Thistle Ask’s official score is now 160, an increase of 45lb from his first begin for the yard.
Asked whether or not he ever thought such progress was potential, McKeever mentioned: “I think the answer is simple – no. You could never dream it. When someone asked Dan after the Clarence House, how he’d done it, he said ‘no one knows’.
“The ground is in his favour, the track is perfect for him and Dan’s been planning it all year. We skipped Cheltenham and said let’s wait. When the champion trainer says we should do this, it’s difficult to argue.
“There’s no doubting his ability, so I’m sure he’ll be fighting fit and ready to go. He’ll give it his absolute best – he can’t help that, it’s just in him. He loves to gallop, that’s the one thing you see at home.
“It’s going to be a fascinating race. We’ve got a Jonbon rematch and Solness is a similar type of horse to us in terms of approach, so it’s set up for a fantastic contest.
“It’s teed up for a really good race. The weather’s perfect and the ground is perfect for us. The most important thing is he has a safe race and comes back well, and we’ve got a wonderful next season to look forward to.”
Thistle Ask’s stablemate Mirabad will also contest the Celebration Chase. The seven-year-old recently produced a shock 50-1 win in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at the Grand National meeting, giving Tristan Durrell his first top-level success and the champion conditional will be seeking another fairytale.
Skelton’s pair are two of seven running in the race with the market headed by the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon, who is chasing a 21st career success and a 13th Grade 1.
The field faces a stiff task to topple Jonbon, who has long been the dominant force in the two-mile chasing division. But success for either Thistle Ask or Mirabad could see Skelton – if he hasn’t already got there from the preceding races – surpass £5 million in prize-money for the season, a landmark yet to be reached in British jump racing.
Thistle Ask’s prize-cash this marketing campaign contributes to simply over 4 per cent of Skelton’s whole, and McKeever spoke of his admiration for the coach and his enjoyment at being a part of a title-successful operation. Should Thistle Ask win, he would climb to the highest of Skelton’s earners, with the £99,663 winner’s prize taking him £413 away from twin Grade 1 winner Grey Dawning.
McKeever mentioned: “To have a horse you have no expectations for go and become one of his top five for the season, is phenomenal. That’s the type of trainer he is. I don’t know what his next achievement will be – I think £5 million is definitely going to happen.
“With a bit of luck he might get a Grade 1 on Saturday, which would be fantastic. But even then he won’t be satisfied, he’ll want something else. That’s the difference.”
What they are saying
Joe Tizzard, coach of JPR One
He’s in good nick. He’s had a wonderful season, has been consistent, and dropping back in trip at this track will be fine, while he should love the ground too. He’s got a live chance of being placed again.
Joseph O’Brien, coach of Solness
Our plan was originally to go to Punchestown, but this race cut up a bit so we decided to let him travel and take his chance. He’s travelled well, and hopefully it’s not coming too soon after a tough race at Aintree. If it’s not, we think he has a good chance of being competitive.
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