- Protektorat’s co-owner John Hales, a leader in the field, died aged 85 in January
- Skelton hopes Protekrorat can pay tribute to Hales in the Cheltenham Festival
- He says Protektorat is in his ‘best ever shape’ despite being an older horse
Dan Skelton is hoping Protektorat will deliver an emotional victory at Cheltenham next month as he prepares to send his best ever team to the Festival.
Though Kempton stages a competitive card on Saturday afternoon with a number of informative races, not least the Ladbrokes Chase (3.35), all eyes are being drawn to Cheltenham, with the four-day extravaganza beginning on March 11.
Skelton, who is chipping away at his ambition to become champion trainer for the first time, believes The New Lion carries the strongest potential to win at Cheltenham and he will face Final Demand, the hot favourite from Willie Mullins’s yard, in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
But the most poignant success for Skelton would come from Protektorat. He is owned by a syndicate that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, but will run in the yellow colours of John Hales, who passed away last month. Co-owner Hales was a huge supporter of National Hunt racing for 30 years.
L’Eau du Sud, in the Arkle, will also run for Hales but it is Protektorat — who roared back to form at Windsor last month — that carries huge affection in Skelton’s yard and he is on target to defend his Ryanair Chase title.
‘We are very, very lucky to have Protektorat,’ said Skelton, who was speaking at an open morning organised by the Jockey Club.
Dan Skelton hopes Protektorat can give him an emotional victory at Cheltenham after the passing of co-owner John Hales
Protektorat is not the favourite for the showpiece festival but Skelton says he has ‘never been this well’
Hales was present when Protektorat won at Windsor and is described as a ‘fabulous man’
‘Not only is his talent what it is but his resolution and desire are top quality. That is what gives him the ability to run so well in these races and why he has longevity.
‘He has a great chance in the Ryanair. He heads to Cheltenham an older horse but certainly not a lesser horse. If he has any more to give, he’ll be giving it in three weeks. He has never been this well.
‘John (Hales) was there when he won at Windsor and that was magic. John loved all his horses and never went to the races expecting to lose! He was just a fabulous man.’
Skelton’s title aspirations were thwarted last season but he has had his string in excellent form all year and his best chances on this afternoon’s Kempton card will be Boombawn (1.50) and Heltenham (3.35).
Both will be ridden by his brother, Harry, who is aiming to win the David Power Jockeys’ Cup. ‘We’ve got the best team we’ve ever had but whether that bears out in results is a different matter,’ said Skelton. We’re in a great position.’
