Ambitious Dan Skelton plots Irish raid with exciting chaser Protektorat

Dan Skelton did not shy away from the challenge of testing Protektorat in a big handicap off top weight and he is eyeing another ambitious test in Ireland with his exciting chaser after his thrilling second at Cheltenham.

The six-year-old made impressive late ground to get within three-quarters of a length of Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and he is set to be upped to three miles, with the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 a likely target.

Skelton said: "We'll step him up in trip and class and see from there. I may go to Ireland over Christmas. We'll give it a go, it's worth having a go at that level, and we'll see what happens."

Protektorat was having just his sixth start over fences and this was his first out of novice company, as well as being in a handicap chase from a rating of 154.

Skelton was delighted by his performance, even if he frustratingly trained the second in the race again.

"It was a great run, a really good run," he added. "That race is stressing me out; it's funny how circumstances change from year to year.

Protektorat:Credit: Alan Crowhurst

"We were second last season [with Spiritofthegames] and we're second again, but he had top weight and it was a great run. We're really proud of him.

"There's a lot of chat about not running top horses in handicaps, but there you go. I've done it and he's finished second. I've not gone the easy route and picked a conditions' race and all that sort of jazz.

Watch Protektorat's fast finish into second place in the Paddy Power Gold Cup

"It's hard for these [highly rated] horses off top weight, it's really hard; that's why very few people do it. He's the best horse in the race but he's got beat."

Evan Williams reported Coole Cody fine after his fall when in contention two out, while third-placed Lalor could look to better his placing at Cheltenham next month in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

“I’m thrilled with that run from Lalor," said trainer Paul Nicholls. "It's good to get him back running a solid race. He stayed on strongly, which I liked.

"He'll almost certainly come back for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, which is on the New course, which will suit him a little bit more as there is more emphasis on stamina. Harry [Cobden] said he was nearly flat out all the way, which would suggest he would want three miles in time."

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