Typing up interview with Dan Skelton

Once again, the new edition of One Jump Ahead will include an interview with champion trainer Dan Skelton. Paul Nicholls' former assistant topped the table last term with 194 winners and record prize-money totalling in excess of £5m. It was a magnificent effort by the Warwickshire based handler. A couple of weeks ago, I conducted a two part interview with Dan - the second part whilst he was sat in the car park waiting for racing to start at Market Rasen. I am currently halfway through typing up the notes of what is a formidable squad of horses. The will be in around 120 horses featured, including a whole raft of new recruits, which are either Ireland or France or have been sent to the stable from elsewhere in the UK. It is a tremendous team of horses.

The Talking Trainers list has now been completed: Rebecca Curtis, Harry Derham, Chris Gordon, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White, Olly Murphy, Paul Nicholls, Ben Pauling, Nicky Richards, Dan Skelton, Jamie Snowden & Sam Thomas. As discussed in the York Ebor Update, the recent Irish dominance in National Hunt racing may not be quite so apparent this winter with their British counterparts fighting back. The likes of Murphy, Pauling, Skelton and Snowden, in particular, have some major investors behind them and that will ensure that all the best stock available won't necessarily head across the Irish Sea as in previous years. 

I am hoping to update the Publications section of the website before the Bank Holiday weekend - the printer is currently working on the design of the front and back covers and then the web designer will upload all the details. Once that is complete, subscribers will be able to pre order One Jump Ahead and the 5 Updates. Please keep checking the site over the next 48 hours.