'He's going down the Gold Cup route' - grand plan for Protektorat

Protektorat wins the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree under Bridget AndrewsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dan Skelton has signalled his intention to target impressive Many Clouds Chase winner Protektorat at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Protektorat relished the step up to 3m1f in Saturday's Grade 2 at Aintree when cruising home by 25 lengths from Native River in testing conditions, after which his odds for the Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup were shortened by bookmakers.

Skelton, who is yet to have a runner in the Gold Cup, on Sunday pinpointed the festival showpiece for Protektorat, although how the progressive second-season chaser gets there is still to be decided.

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Andrew DietzReporter

Published on 5 December 2021inNews

Last updated 17:53, 5 December 2021

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