'It'll be like a Gold Cup' - Dan Skelton relishing Protektorat's Haydock return

Protektorat (left) was no match for A Plus Tard (blue cap) in the Gold Cup at this year's Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Britain's top staying chaser Protektorat will start his season in the Betfair Chase next month, with trainer Dan Skelton confirming he will clash once again with his Cheltenham Festival conqueror A Plus Tard.

The seven-year-old, part-owned by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, was among 56 entries for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 released on Tuesday.

However, rather than making Protektorat carry top weight in the £250,000 handicap, Skelton plans to take on Henry de Bromhead’s Gold Cup hero at Haydock a week earlier.

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James BurnLambourn correspondent

Published on 25 October 2022inNews

Last updated 19:27, 25 October 2022

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