Skelton hoping Born Survivor can strike in hot running of Clarke Chase

Clarke Chase (A Handicap Chase) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | Sky

An ultra-competitive field of 18 provide a punting puzzle and Dan Skelton is hoping to buck the trend of winning youngsters with Born Survivor, who he believes is running as well as ever at the age of ten.

Born Survivor dominated at Stratford in March before running creditably behind Frodon in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase last month to earn back-to-back Racing Post Ratings in the 150s for the first time.

This 2m4f contest has been won exclusively by seven-year-olds in the past four runnings and Skelton is eager to test his seven-time winner against the younger brigade.

He said: "He’s a ten-year-old now and has years of experience, but whether he can contend with his new mark at his age we’ll see. The good ground is fine and he’s in as good a form as I can get him, so let’s crack on.

"To my mind, in his last two runs he has looked as good as ever and a flat track going left-handed is absolutely perfect for him. This will be his last race of the campaign and he’ll go on holiday after it."

Exelerator Express: course winner and climbing the handicap ranksCredit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Neil Mulholland says he is "delighted" with the progressive Exelerator Express, who has won three times since February, while others in opposition include the Nicky Henderson-trained Pistol Whipped and Falco Blitz.

They will be highly respected given the outstanding recent form of their trainer, who was operating at a 65 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight before Saturday's racing.

What they say

John Mackie, trainer of Barton Knoll
He’s been running really well this year and has been unlucky not to win. The Clarke family, who own Barton Knoll, sponsor this race so we were always keen to run here but good ground is going to be key. He ran here two years ago but they overwatered on that occasion, so as long as that doesn’t happen again he’s got a good chance.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Havana Hermano
We know he acts on the track and the ground should suit but the race is very strong. The handicapper has put him up again since his win here a few weeks ago but I’m very competitive and he’s in good form so we’re giving it a go.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Exelerator Express
He's been very consistent and obviously this is a step up in class and the weights but he’s on an upward curve and hopefully he can make his presence felt. The better ground and building his confidence has been the key to him.

David Bridgwater: runs recent course winner Captain TommyCredit: Edward Whitaker

David Bridgwater, trainer of Captain Tommy
He’s improved a bit for his last run. A good strong pace will suit him and he’ll need that dropping back in trip. He hit the line hard when winning here last time which is always a good sign. Hopefully with a bit of luck he can be in the prize-money and that will open more doors for him.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Pistol Whipped and Falco Blitz
Pistol Whipped has gone up a bit in the weights but been running really well. This has been the plan and it’s a good prize. The ground should be fine for them and Falco Blitz will much prefer going left-handed than right.

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