Saturday Review

Grey Dawning emphatically turned the tables on dual winner Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. Twelve months earlier, Venetia Williams' charge had got the better of his younger rival in testing conditions but the eight year old gained his revenge in no uncertain terms. Ridden with more patience on this occasion, the Skelton runner jumped fluently and barely came off the bridle before being nudged clear on the run-in with the winning margin of two and three quarter lengths underestimating his authority. Trained for the day, Team Skelton once again saw a plan to come to fruition and further establish there lead in the trainers' title - it early days and we haven't even touched December yet but unless Willie Mullins claims the Tingle Creek or King George, or both, Paul Nicholls' former assistant will be out of sight by the spring. 

The former Nicholls trained Kabral Du Mathan was having his first run for his understudy in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle earlier on the card and the five year old, who finished runner-up in a series of good two mile handicaps last term, relished the step up in distance. Harry Skelton was content to allow the front running The Four Sixes to blaze off before making ground towards the end of the backstraight. Taking control at the third last, the win was sealed shortly afterwards with the ex-French gelding bounding clear to win easily by a dozen lengths. Rated 140 here, his days of running in handicaps appear to be at an end with Dan Skelton nominating the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year 's Day as his next target before a possible tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle. 

Skelton was responsible for an across the card treble, while Chris Gordon had an equally productive afternoon. The stable sent four runners to Haydock Park and left with three successes and a second on a superb day for the Winchester based afternoon. All three victories were partnered by the trainer's son Freddie who continues to shine in the saddle. One of those wins came from Electric Mason in the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle. Unfortunately, the ante-post selection in the November Update produced a performance on a par with England Cricket and Liverpool FC on the same day - having attracted strong support it was a huge anti-climax and I am not convinced the trip was the reason for it.

The King George at Kempton is shaping up into a competitive affair with the Christmas showpiece receiving a major shot in the arm following the successes of Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man at Ascot and Haydock respectively. The former had undergone surgery since finishing third in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April and returned to action looking even better. Last season's Arkle Chase winner enjoyed the brisk early tempo set by Gidleigh Park, Il Est Francais and Pic D'Orhy before breezing to the front in the homestraight. There may have been excuses for some of those in behind but the Seven Barrows runner outclassed some high-class opponents winning by nine lengths. The step up to three miles on Boxing Day could bring about further improvement. 

Ben Pauling was adamant that The Jukebox Man was only half fit prior to the Graduation chase at the Merseyside venue. However, it didn't stop last season's Kauto Star Novice Chase victor from beating Iroko snugly by two and a half lengths. Returning from an absence of 331 days, the seven year old made it three wins from as many starts over fences jumping boldly throughout and never looking in any danger. Admittedly, the runner-up was ridden with the Grand National in mind and needs further, but it was still a very pleasing seasonal pipe opener by the winner. Longer-term, time will tell whether he develops into a Ryanair or Gold Cup contender next March. Either way, it was a good afternoon for British based staying chasers - and much needed. Its now over to Ireland and the John Durkan Chase to put us back in our box.