NAP of the Day: Skeltons ready to rock at Worcester

Right, let's try this again. Tuesday was supposed to be the return to NAP of the Day duties after a week off, but the selection was a non-runner. Of course it was.

Hopefully we at least get a run for our money on Wednesday. I'm hopeful of more, though...

Winning the trainers' championship for the first time was never going to be enough for the ultra-ambitious Dan Skelton. After getting his hands on the trophy, he immediately locked on to his next target: beating the legendary Martin Pipe's record of 243 winners in a single season.

And the 41-year-old is making a very good fist of it, courtesy of 61 winners from 166 runners (36% strike rate) so far. Over half a million in prize money, too.

His next opportunity to add to the tally is at Worcester on Wednesday in the 15:00 - a maiden hurdle over two miles.

Skelton saddles two, including IWANTTOBREAKFREE.

The choice of stable jockey Harry Skelton, the four-year-old son of Telescope has been found an outstanding opportunity to make a winning start over hurdles.

He was runner-up to a Robert James-trained Getaway gelding called Certain Escape, who's since sold to Gordon Elliott for £170k, in an Irish point-to-point back in May prior to joining team Skelton.

Horse Racing Odds

Exactly 59 days later, he made his debut under rules in a two-mile bumper at Uttoxeter that looked a relatively strong affair.

The selection was third behind the 'right' horses - Olly Murphy's Cavo Tagoo sent off 7/4f and 10/3 shot Naiad under Gavin Sheehan - finishing just under six lengths off the pace.

It was an encouraging start, especially in the likely context of being a bit undercooked. He's sure to strip fitter on Wednesday, and he'll also be well-schooled and, given those lofty ambitions of his trainer I mentioned earlier, asked for every effort too. I'm hoping that'll be more than enough for him to land this modest event.

According to the betting, Provision is our main danger. He's trained by Barry Brennan, who's only had 11 winners from 197 runners (6% strike rate) in his career to date, and the son of Wootton Bassett hasn't exactly shown a lot in his three starts over timber.

I'd be more wary of Donald McCain's Faithful Guardian, for all he was very disappointing on hurdling debut. Not Now for the Twiston-Davies camp, too.

But ultimately, if Iwanttobreakfree gets a clear round he ought to be very, very difficult to beat.

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