Top 45 off to a flyer with Talk To The Man

Champion trainer Dan Skelton has already unleashed some hugely exciting novice chasers this Autumn with Sinnatra and Kabral Du Mathan impressing on their fencing bows at Ffos Las and Perth respectively. Stablemate Talk To The Man looked cut from similar cloth when winning the two and a half miles beginners chase at Worcester on Wednesday. The Walk In The Park gelding won twice over hurdles for Paul Nicholls last term but has always been viewed as a chaser in the making and he produced a superb round of jumping on his first start for his new yard justifying strong support in the process (3/1 into 15/8). Harry Skelton's mount was always going strongly in behind the leaders and, having jumped to the front after the fourth last, he only had to be pushed out to score by in excess of four lengths. The runner-up, Klimt Madrik, who was rated thirteen pounds higher over hurdles compared to Talk To The Man, was made to look ordinary here, while the favourite Scorpio Rising never got into a rhythm and was in trouble some way from home. The Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury (27th November) looks an obvious target for the winner with the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day another possibility later on. Talk To The Man was the first runner for the Top 45 in One Jump Ahead - previous clients will recall he featured in the Top 40 a couple of seasons ago having impressed when winning his sole Irish point for Donnchadh Doyle. 

As discussed, I am working at Carlisle on Thursday and look forward to catching up with the Skelton's re Talk To The Man and future plans. If you haven't ordered the One Jump Ahead Updates, please head to the Publications section of the site.