Betfair Chase first up as Dan Skelton plots his way to the Gold Cup with 'fully matured' Grey Dawning

Dan Skelton is confident Grey Dawning can go one better than last year in this month's Betfair Chase and is hoping Haydock's biggest jumps race can provide the perfect launchpad for a Gold Cup campaign this season. 

Grey Dawning was headed only after the last fence when coming up two lengths short behind Royale Pagaille at Haydock last year and Skelton is confident his horse has the requisite arsenal to reverse that form provided the ground is less testing. 

Britain's leading jumps trainer has also dismissed any concerns about Grey Dawning's ability to stay beyond three miles, with the Gold Cup already in his thoughts for a horse he believes will be at the peak of his powers this season.