Le Milos Carrying Skelton Hopes Into Battle At Haydock

Victory for Le Milos in the ₤ 100,000 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase at Haydock would be extremely welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly tries to fend off the might of Willie Mullins.


For the second year in a row Skelton has actually seen a large advantage in the trainers' title race quickly reduce, after Mullins dominated at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million on deal in the Grand National and after that had the one-two in last weekend's Scottish National.


Races with this quantity of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for very first place - far from the big meetings are uncommon, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a likelihood for to pull away before the Closutton maker rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next few days.


Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' company and having been out at Newbury and Aintree because, must discover life a little much easier versus horses more his age.


"We ran him at Aintree as we were searching for someplace where the ground would be best for him," stated Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.


"The ground up here will be no issue; he's won on great ground before, and he's in great form.


Le Milos won the 2022 Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)


"He's running well, and certainly won at Warwick against the veterans, and this is the first time he's been back against the veterans because that day. Hopefully he's one of the gamers in this league and he can go well here."


Skelton is presently 3-1 with Ladbrokes to declare a very first title after keeping Mullins (2-9) at arm's length through the week.


Last year's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has taken pleasure in a great season this term too, winning three of his 5 trips - including last time out at Ascot - however that means he is almost a stone greater in the weights.


"Numitor is actually well. This has been our goal the whole season and he is ready to go," said Main.


"Ascot last time wasn't the strategy however it ended up being his preparation race for the final on Saturday.


"We didn't know if he would stay and while he had worked on quicker ground, with a huge horse like him you are never quite sure. But in the end he enjoyed the ground and he enjoyed 3 miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close however he needed a prep run since there had actually been a little a gap given that he last ran.


"Although he has actually run mostly in smaller sized fields, I do not believe field size is very important to him as long as he enters a rhythm. He enjoys racing and he loves jumping - he just pings them which is what he is everything about."


Regarding the additional weight Main said: "It does not fret me too much although I do not wish to be extremely positive. He is such a huge horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they are able to carry the weight. I hope that proves the case on Saturday."


Joe Tizzard runs both Eldorado Allen and The Widow Maker, Henry Hogarth's Flic Ou Voyou shows up on the back of a win while Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) has been focused on this all season.