The trainer isn’t expecting vaccinations to affect Cheltenham Festival runs, but this week’s prep races may be a different story
After a weekend of flu-affected action, jump racing will return to something like a level playing field this week and Dan Skelton is one of many trainers hoping his horses will be able to run to their best despite an unscheduled round of vaccinations. The new rule requiring runners to have had a recent vaccination came in last Monday night, since when the normally prolific Skelton has had just five runners, but it will be a different story this week; lots of his horses got their jabs and will be eligible to run from Tuesday.
The Warwickshire trainer told me of his concern that some of those vaccinated last week, at his yard and at many others, may not run to form right away. “You are going to get horses this week and possibly the week after that seem OK at home but don’t run as well as expected. Some are going to feel no different and some are going to feel a bit down and you can’t tell until you get to the business end of a race.
Related: Clan Des Obeaux shines as Paul Nicholls lands 45,863-1 eight-timer
Carlisle: 2.00 Vis A Vis, 2.30 Petite Ganache, 3.00 Absolutely Dylan, 3.35 Informateur, 4.05 Len Brennan, 4.40 Dorking Cock, 5.10 Taking Flight.
Continue reading...