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 very welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly attempts to fend off the might of Willie Mullins.


For the 2nd year in a row Skelton has seen a sizeable advantage in the fitness instructors' title race quickly diminish, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million on offer 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 first location - away from the huge conferences are rare, and with not having a runner, it is a likelihood for Skelton to pull away before the Closutton device rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next couple of days.


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


"We ran him at Aintree as we were trying to find 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 good ground before, and he remains in great type.


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


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


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


In 2015's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has enjoyed a great season this term too, winning three of his 5 getaways - consisting of last time out at Ascot - however that suggests he is nearly a stone greater in the weights.


"Numitor is really well. This has been our objective the whole season and he is prepared to go," said Main.


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


"We didn't understand if he would remain and while he had actually run on quicker ground, with a big horse like him you are never quite sure. But in the end he liked the ground and he loved 3 miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close however he required a prep run due to the fact that there had been a bit of a gap since he last ran.


"Although he has run mostly in smaller sized fields, I do not think field size is essential to him as long as he enters a rhythm. He enjoys racing and he likes jumping - he simply pings them which is what he is all about."


Regarding the extra weight Main said: "It does not fret me excessive although I do not wish to be excessively positive. He is such a huge horse and we feel the larger they are, the more they are able to carry the weight. I hope that shows the case on Saturday."


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