Skelton And Kirkland Dream Of Pre-Gold Cup Glory With Double

Dan Skelton and owner Robert Kirkland are imagining Gold Cup glory next month with Grey Dawning however before then Double Measure bids to improve their morale in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.


Kirkland has been an enduring advocate of and has actually seen him develop into the leading fitness instructor in the nation and the set commemorated Grey Dawning's success at the Cheltenham Festival together in 2024.


Double Measure could be the current star given how easily he won at Huntingdon last time out and while he is among the outsiders currently for the Supreme next month, he is set to go off favourite for this Grade 2.


"This is a race I have actually had in mind for him for a long time," Skelton told Ladbrokes.


"He won last time at Huntingdon, and certainly this is a similar track. He remains in good form - he needs to step up, but I seem like as he's getting older, he's getting a bit stronger and we're getting a bit more experience into him. I think he's going the best way, and I think he'll be a main gamer."


Harry Derham's Klub De Reve was a 10-length winner on his last check out to Kempton on Boxing Day and is another popular in the market.


Owner Robert Kirkland (right) and fitness instructor Dan Skelton head to Kempton with Double Measure (Danny Lawson/PA)


"This has been the plan since Boxing Day, we took a seat after that and considered whether we should bring a charge in a regular beginner or try to run in a good race," said Derham.


"We chose that, as he 'd had a couple of runs in relatively quick succession, we 'd freshen him up and get him in really excellent shape for the Dovecote.


"I believe it's quite an open race, any one of a number of horses could win the race but he goes there in excellent shape.


"We understand he likes the track and he's been quite progressive, if he keeps progressing then it must put him right there."


Another most likely contender is Nicky Henderson's Mustang Du Breuil, bought by JP McManus after winning at Auteuil in October. He subsequently won on his UK debut at Doncaster.


"I was really happy with him at Doncaster, albeit it may not have been the strongest race, however he's a person we like a lot and is finding out all the time," said Unibet ambassador Henderson.


"He leaps extremely nicely and the ground will be in his favour so ideally he could wind up pretty clever.


"He 'd have had three follow this and requires the experience if we are going to be taking a look at the Fred Winter."