Dan Skelton eyes the £5 million mark, but who are the key Saturday runners that could help him edge closer?

Dan Skelton eyes the £5 million mark - so who are the key Saturday runners that could help him edge closer?

Can Dan Skelton reach £5 million in prize-money for the season?Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

With Dan Skelton already confirmed as champion trainer, his focus has turned to maximising his prize-money before the end of the season, with the yard less than £200,000 away from breaking the £5 million barrier. We've looked at his strongest chances at Ayr on Saturday to help him achieve that.

Calico

1.10: Scotty Brand Handicap Chase

The ten-year-old has his 45th career start and will be bidding to bounce back from an 11th-place finish in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.

He began the campaign in fine style with back-to-back wins at Cheltenham and Ascot before returning from a 77-day break to finish fourth in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

The second of those victories was his tenth overall and came off a 2lb lower mark than he races off on Saturday in what will be just his second start at Ayr.

Calico13:10 Ayr

View Racecard

Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

Diamond Dealer

1.45: CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase

Tristan Durrell has ridden the seven-year-old on all five of his starts for Dan Skelton, but it's the trainer's brother Harry who is booked to take over in the £45,000 contest.

Diamond Dealers' victory at Kelso took Dan Skelton past the £4 million mark in prize-money

Diamond Dealers' recent victory at Kelso took Dan Skelton past the £4m markCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Diamond Dealer has enjoyed a productive first campaign for the yard, winning three times and finishing second once, with his only disappointment coming when pulled up over a marathon trip in the Borders National.

He is now 15lb higher than for his first success for the stable, but his recent win at Kelso suggests he remains on an upward curve and could add further prize-money to Skelton's kitty.

Diamond Dealer13:45 Ayr

View Racecard

Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

Tellherthename

2.20: Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle

Tellherthename heads the market for the £100,000 contest and, like Calico, bids to bounce back from defeat at the Cheltenham Festival, where he finished 12th of 23 in the County Hurdle won by Wilful.

That was his first run for Skelton since joining from Jonjo and AJ O’Neill. The seven-year-old has been lightly raced since his last win in January 2024, when trained by Ben Pauling, with just six starts.

Tellherthename (left): could bid to reverse the form of last month's Ascot meeting with Jango Baie on Boxing Day

Tellherthename (left): was beaten by Jango Baie on his debut in 2023Credit: Alan Crowhurst

He had been held in high regard by his previous trainers, who ran him in Grade 1 company, most notably when fourth to Sir Gino in the 2024 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Also, on his debut he was beaten a nose by subsequent Grade 1 winner and Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie.

Skelton will have learned plenty from his Cheltenham run and this looks a good opportunity to get back on track.

Tellherthename14:20 Ayr

View Racecard

Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

Twistthenightaway

2.55: Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Skelton has chosen Twistthenightaway from his entries, which also included Listed winners Kateira and Supreme Malinas.

Twistthenightaway bids for a hat-trick after wins at Newcastle and Bangor, both of which came over shorter trips. She's up 6lb for the latest success, but may still have more to offer, especially as she steps up another furlong and a half here.