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 really welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly tries 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 lessen, after Mullins controlled 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 .


Races with this amount of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for first place - far from the huge conferences are unusual, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a great chance for Skelton to retreat 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 actually 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 looking for somewhere where the ground would be best for him," stated Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.


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


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


"He's running well, and certainly won at Warwick versus 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 players in this league and he can work out here."


Skelton is presently 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 trips - consisting of last time out at Ascot - however that indicates he is nearly a stone higher in the weights.


"Numitor is actually well. This has actually been our aim the entire season and he is all set to go," said Main.


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


"We didn't know if he would remain and while he had worked on quicker ground, with a huge horse like him you are never quite sure. But in the end he loved the ground and he enjoyed three miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close but he needed a prep run since there had been a bit of a space given that he last ran.


"Although he has run mainly in smaller sized fields, I do not believe field size is necessary to him as long as he gets into a rhythm. He enjoys racing and he enjoys jumping - he simply pings them and that is what he is everything about."


Regarding the extra weight Main stated: "It does not fret me too much although I do not wish to be overly confident. He is such a huge horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they have the ability 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 focused on this all season.