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2026 Stayers Hurdle

Skelton’s decision will no doubt be effected (even if slightly) by the trainers championship.

He’s building an empire and future proofing, and who can blame him - it’s his job.

That being said, I also think it’s the correct decision - the horse ain’t winning a stayers hurdle (not this year anyway).
 
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Personally I don't have any issue with Skelton skipping The Stayers this year with Kabral Du Mathan. It makes sense due to age and more importantly running style. But what I don't like is the fact the news came 24 hours after he won at Cheltenham and Dan said he was going to The Stayers "because I'm a greedy bugga". Harry was actually the one who said he didn't think he should go to The Stayers this year because of the way he raced. And no I didn't fall in to the trap of having a bet on him so I am not biased in any way. I detect a lot of pocket talk on the topic. Might be wrong. Don't think so though. :)

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BuckingThe Trend said:
Personally I don't have any issue with Skelton skipping The Stayers this year with Kabral Du Mathan. It makes sense due to age and more importantly running style. But what I don't like is the fact the news came 24 hours after he won at Cheltenham and Dan said he was going to The Stayers "because I'm a greedy bugga". Harry was actually the one who said he didn't think he should go to The Stayers this year because of the way he raced. And no I didn't fall in to the trap of having a bet on him so I am not biased in any way. I detect a lot of pocket talk on the topic. Might be wrong. Don't think so though. :)
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Yeah I did :LOL: it bloody canny roll up aswel
 
BuckingThe Trend said:
Personally I don't have any issue with Skelton skipping The Stayers this year with Kabral Du Mathan. It makes sense due to age and more importantly running style. But what I don't like is the fact the news came 24 hours after he won at Cheltenham and Dan said he was going to The Stayers "because I'm a greedy bugga". Harry was actually the one who said he didn't think he should go to The Stayers this year because of the way he raced. And no I didn't fall in to the trap of having a bet on him so I am not biased in any way. I detect a lot of pocket talk on the topic. Might be wrong. Don't think so though. :)

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Yeah, I agree on the run style part, but disagree with Dan how he's worded it all.
And the numerous mentions of going for the stayers didn't help either.
I backed him when he was 20-1 after Skelton mentioned they were heading for the relkeel on new years day then straight to stayers. In a matter of fact fashion.
no pocket talk here.
Immediately got concerned after his win in the relkeel though, as it screamed to me down in trip would suit better. Which I'd spotted after his Haydock run so had a small play and lay for the champion hurdle. Funny how Skelton did not see the way he travels might be an issue after that run I think.
When he then made the comments about stayers again after saying he would take his time at first on ITV 5 minutes earlier, then that also seemed unwise.

FWIW - I also think his tendency to look as though he's pulling might be one of those instances where it's not having as much affect as it does with others of a similar nature.
Sometimes they are just going really well and enthusiastic and it's not costing them as much as others that are just too keen.

Very difficult to judge really and the jockey would have the best idea what he felt under him. So can understand after consulting with him what plan A might be.
They'd be better served keeping options open, which he sort of said, so we'll see with the entries.

I'm sure they'll want runners in the big grade ones at the festival.

I'd back him to beat the New Lion over 2 miles myself.
 
I had Kabral backed for the Stayers, but I absolutely see why they’ve had a rethink, largely because of Harry’s feedback after the race. He’s way too keen to get home in a Stayers, and unless they can get him to drop the bridle he’d have a problem getting home. What’s the point in him running against hardened stayers and being pulled up.

Given they see him ultimately being a Stayer it also makes no sense to drop back to 2 miles, because they’d essentially be teaching him to continue to race on the bridle. An extra season of maturity, whilst teaching him how to relax in his races will definitely help him in the future.

The mid-trip is absolutely what he wants for now, and the plan for a prep before the Aintree Hurdle being his main target makes complete sense.

He would be one of my first antepost bets for the race next year, but I cashed my bet on him this year before Dan’s change of heart the following day.

The comparisons being made to Nicholls are completely off the mark. Dan absolutely wants a big Festival, has will send any horse with a chance of winning both graded races and handicaps. He’ll have his biggest Team ever there.
 
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Ballyburn now 25/1 for the Stayers?
Has anything been said as even after his last defeat he only went out to 14/1 straight after.
 
Brooker17 said:
Ballyburn now 25/1 for the Stayers?
Has anything been said as even after his last defeat he only went out to 14/1 straight after.
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he;s been entered in the Irish champion so imagine that might put a few off
 
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Lobos said:
Just imagine the scenes if he bolts up in that!
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I really fancied him as a champion hurdler last season, and was disappointed to see him go chasing. I’ve got to have a little each way on him. Can see him placing at DRF
 
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Ballyburn’s near enough mirroring Sir Gerhard’s career. An early bloomer that bullied a poor bunch of novices on the whole that didn’t train on.
 
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SeanRock said:
Ballyburn’s near enough mirroring Sir Gerhard’s career. An early bloomer that bullied a poor bunch of novices on the whole that didn’t train on.
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To me he’s becoming a horse that has no definite trip at the top level, be it hurdles or fences.
Probably End up handicapping.
 
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Ahoy Senor (Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore)
Ballyburn (Henry De Bromhead, Ireland)
Bob Olinger (Henry De Bromhead, Ireland)
Buddy One (Paul John Gilligan, Ireland)
Doddiethegreat (Nicky Henderson)
Feet Of A Dancer (Paul Nolan, Ireland)
Flooring Porter (Gavin Cromwell, Ireland)
Franciscan Rock (Mouse Morris, Ireland)
French Ship (Philip Hobbs and Johnson White)
Gowel Road (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies)
Gwennie May Boy (Olly Murphy)
Hewick (Shark Hanlon, Ireland)
Hiddenvalley Lake (Henry De Bromhead, Ireland)
Home By The Lee (Joseph O'Brien, Ireland)
Honesty Policy (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
Iberico Lord (Nicky Henderson)
Impose Toi (Nicky Henderson)
Kabral Du Mathan (Dan Skelton)
Lavida Adiva (Ruth Jefferson)
Ma Shantou (Emma Lavelle)
Mystical Power (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
North Lodge (Alan King)
Nurse Susan (Dan Skelton)
Potters Charm (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies)
Strong Leader (Olly Murphy)
Teahupoo (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
Theleme (Arnaud Chaille-Chaille and Francois Pamart, France)
The Yellow Clay (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
Wodhooh (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
 
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darlojim said:
As someone who thought he'd win a Stayers doing cartwheels 2 year ago, you'd be mad backing him now having been off the race track for over 2 yr
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Had there been any news about him returning shortly?

Haven't seen anything on him at all.
 
Ballyburn and Mystical Power for WPM he ain’t getting close to winning this race then.

Are the handicap chasing with mystical power? Or do others think he’s just hopeless? He’s done absolutely hee haw over 2m or 3m in the last season and a half.
 
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