Dan Skelton has had it right off twice at this Cheltenham Festival – and now he’s waiting on a whopping each-way accumulator
They make more noise when they’ve backed them. The reaction on the steps around Cheltenham’s winner’s enclosure suggested many of those cheering and clapping had most definitely backed Supremely West.
Forgive this use of a little punting vernacular, but this was the second occasion at this festival when Dan Skelton has had it right off. On the meeting’s opening day Madara turned the Plate into a procession. He was well found in the market as 3-1 favourite and so was Supremely West, sent off the 100-30 market leader for the Pertemps Network Final and roared up the hill by grandstands evidently filled with people who were suddenly that little bit richer.
It was a gamble that put a spring back in Cheltenham’s step. Wodhooh’s win in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle had been well received, partly because she was an Irish banker but also because jumps fans were genuinely delighted to see Gordon Elliott get off the mark for the week. After that, however, there was a 33-1 turn-up in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and a Ryanair Chase that, following Fact To File’s withdrawal due to what connections deemed to be unsatisfactory ground, felt like a production of Hamlet without the prince.
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Published on 12 March 2026inReports
Last updated 20:05, 12 March 2026
