Racing tips: The Skelton’s have found the perfect opportunity for Unexpected Party

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Lac De Constance was a faller at Kempton. He jumped far too early and made a very bad mistake when landing, going through the fence. He was jumping well up until that point and I feel like he would've been a big player if he had a clear round of jumping as the winner was far too keen throughout.

Quick Wave was doing what she did last time at Sandown and travelling well. She was inconvenienced by a faller just after halfway and that didn't help her momentum, she also travelled about 8 horses wide, which seemed a little strange. She was pulled up after looking knackered, she is better than that and I'm sure we'll see her back to form soon.

Catterick 11:53

I see this between Bolsover Bill and TRAC, I'm going for the Micky Hammon runner as I think the form of his win rates better than the Greatrex horse.

Bolsover Bill is on a better handicap mark than he was when winning last time around due to the 10lb claimer getting on board this time, but I still don't think the form of that race is particularly strong. He probably got the run of the race from the front and benefitted from that. I think he is a big danger to my selection as he is clearly on a good handicap mark, but I think this will be a tougher race for him and he might be prone to another improver.

Trac was put up 6 lbs by the handicapper for his win at Wetherby at the start of this month, but he is effectively only going up 3 lbs due to Emma Smith-Chaston taking the ride. I think that run was a better performance than the other horse as he beat an in-form horse in William Cody, who was a previous winning selection for the thread and has since gone on to win again. Trac appreciated the drop back in trip last time out, as his two wins have come over that trip. He jumped nicely and looked to have a fair bit in hand at the finish, looking like a horse who is on the up and has a fair bit more to give as a 5yo.

Leicester 12:45

I am hoping that Harry and Dan Skelton have a very good day at Leicester as I fancy a lot of his runners, the first one that is being put up is UNEXPECTED PARTY.

Dan Skelton pitched this lad into the deep end for his first two chase starts so it's not a surprise to see him finish where he did in those races. However, this looks like an easier race and that should allow him to actually kickstart his chase career. He has finished behind McFabulous and Jonbon on his two chase starts and I can't see a horse in this race who is remotely close to those names. This horse was a promising handicapper over hurdles last season and looked like a horse who could be fairly useful at a Class 2 level or bottom end of the Class 1s.

A lot of the horses in this race aren't cemented chasers, and considering they're all running off-level weights, this is a perfect opportunity to get off the mark over fences. Gentleman At Arms is also making his chase debut, he finished second in a Grade 1 hurdles race last year but I don't really rate that form. I think he is a nice horse, but that run at Aintree makes him look better than he actually is, so though he is probably the main danger if he can jump a fence, I still feel Unexpected Party will have too much for him.

Leicester 2:35

Another short-priced Skelton horse that I like is PLAYFUL SAINT. I previously put this horse up as a selection for the Greatwood hurdle where I really like his chances at big odds but he didn't run that day due to the ground, instead, he went to Sandown earlier this month and finished 2nd behind love Envoi who is a dual Grade 2 winner and was second in a Grade 1 in Ireland in the spring, so that rates as strong form.

This race is obviously a much easier assignment for Playful Saint so he should be able to show his class and carry top weight to victory in this. Conditions look perfect to him and he's clearly in very good form, and I think he is better than his current handicap mark of 128.

Leicester 3:10

The final horse of the day and the final Skelton horse is OUR JET.

This is quite a tough race to call, which is why the field is 11/4 + with Our Jet being the current market favourite. I'm not sure whether he should be the favourite but I thought he made a good seasonal reappearance at Southwell when finishing 2nd to a Venetia Williams horse when Venetia's horses were flying. I think the winner was on a good handicap mark and it would surprise me if he didn't go on and follow up with another win on the back of that. Our Jet travelled well into that race but was outgunned in the final furlong or so where his fitness might have been the main issue. With that run under his belt, he should be much fitter for today's assignment, as well as obtaining that very important chase experience from his chase debut where he also jumped very well for the main bulk of the race.

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