3 minute read

Dan and Harry Skelton recorded a third success of the week when Grey Dawning came home best of all to land the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

An impressive winner at Haydock on his second start over fences in November, Dan Skelton's grey looked to be getting the better of Ginny's Destiny, who reopposed here today, when the pair met at Cheltenham in December. However, a vital jumping error at the second-last cost him valuable momentum and Ginny's Destiny would hold on to score by half a length.

Dan Skelton's charge was sent off 5/2 to reverse the form with Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old having run out a commanding winner of the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick in January and it quickly became apparent the pair had it between them once more turning for home.

Harry Cobden had Ginny's Destiny jumping well out in front, but all the while Harry Skelton looked to be travelling that little bit better in his slipstream.

Ginny's Destiny continued to find for pressure though and the pair jumped the second last in unison. However, it was here where Grey Dawning would edge to the front under a high-flying Harry Skelton and although Cobden's mount rallied up the Cheltenham hill, he could only get within a couple of lengths crossing the line.

Djelo finished a further eight lengths behind in third, while Willie Mullins' joint-favourite Facile Vega could only manage fifth place having lacked fluency in the jumping department under Paul Townend.

"He was destined to be a chaser from the start, and you just want it to happen so bad, so to win a Grade 1 novice here is great. He's still got a huge future to look forward to, hopefully," said a delighted Dan Skelton.

"We won a Grade 1 novice chase (at Aintree) with Protektorat, but I just feel like this horse is at least as good and potentially could be better, and that is not taking anything away from the ones we've had before. But time moves forward and he's very important.

Grey Dawning had the option of taking on Fact To File yesterday's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase but the decision to drop back in distance proved a fruitful one.

Skelton added: "Some people questioned coming for the race, but they can't now! I just felt the race he ran here against Ginny's Destiny in December was a very good race and it's been proven so because they've been first and second today. Rule Britannia!"

"I just thought we're not short of speed and Fact To File did look very good in Ireland so maybe it was the sensible route (to run in this race and not Brown Advisory).

"This is the one we really wanted. He jumped great, Harry was good on him and that was exactly how we wanted the race to go. I think it speaks volumes about the horse that we didn't need Plan B.

It was the third success of the week for the Skelton team following Langer Dan and Unexpected Party's triumphs yesterday.

"This week has to be right at the very top – hopefully it's not over yet!" 

Unibet introduced the winner at 10/1 for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.