Skeltons take aim at Summer Hurdle as Harry extends lead over Richard Johnson

Market Rasen hosts arguably the highlight of Britain's summer jumps programme on Saturday with the ITV3 cameras in place to capture the action in the two 188bet-sponsored features.

Dan Skelton's rampant form – the yard has sent out 12 winners from 39 runners in the last fortnight – and the progressive profile of novice Fair Mountain have not escaped the attention of bookmakers, who have priced up the recent Uttoxeter winner as 5-1 favourite for the Summer Hurdle.

With Mister Universum also trading at single figures, Skelton boasts a strong hand in a race he landed for the first time in 2016 thanks to Red Tornado.

Mister Universum and Harry Sketon on their way to winning at Warwick in MayCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Skelton said: "There's not much between the two of them. Fair Mountain is a novice going in to handicaps for the first time and he's the less exposed but Mister Universum has more experience.

"I'm happy with the pair of them but there's good competition, it's not going to be easy."

Skelton's good form has helped propel brother Harry to a fast start in the Stobart jockeys' championship and the pair combined for a double at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.

That put Harry Skelton 27 clear of reigning champion Richard Johnson for the season and his odds of landing a first jockeys' title were trimmed to a best-priced 6-4 from 13-8.

Dan Skelton said: "At the moment Harry will probably ride Fair Mountain with Bridget Andrews on Mister Universum. That's our choice as Bridget has ridden Mister Universum and knows a bit about him."

Skelton has Too Many Diamonds in the Summer Plate and said: "We'll have to see if he gets in. He's in the novice handicap chase as well and that looks an easier race."

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