Skelton And Kirkland Imagine Pre-Gold Cup Glory With Double

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


Kirkland has been a long-standing fan of Skelton and has actually seen him become the leading fitness instructor in the nation and the set commemorated Grey Dawning's success at the Cheltenham Festival together in 2024.


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


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


"He won last time at Huntingdon, and undoubtedly this is a similar track. He's in good kind - he requires to step up, however I seem like as he's aging, he's getting a bit stronger and we're getting a bit more experience into him. I think he's going the ideal method, and I believe he'll be a primary player."


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


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


"This has been the strategy since Boxing Day, we sat down after that and believed about whether we must bring a penalty in a normal amateur or try to run in a nice race," said Derham.


"We chose that, as he 'd had a couple of runs in fairly fast succession, we 'd freshen him up and get him in actually good condition for the Dovecote.


"I think it's quite an open race, any one of a variety of horses might 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 advancing then it needs to put him right there."


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


"I was really pleased with him at Doncaster, albeit it may not have been the greatest race, however he's a person we like a lot and is discovering all the time," stated Unibet ambassador Henderson.


"He jumps very well and the ground will be in his favour so hopefully he might end up pretty smart.


"He 'd have had three pursue this and requires the experience if we are going to be looking at the Fred Winter."