Skeltons out for more Saturday glory as Pembroke attempts career hat-trick

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV3/RTV

The Rossington Main is a known Supreme Novices' Hurdle trial but that billing is probably undeserved as Cinders And Ashes remains the only horse to complete the double. That was back in 2012, although generational talent Constitution Hill was the only stumbling block to Jonbon achieving that feat last season.

Regardless of future Cheltenham Festival implications, we have an intriguing race in its own right. The three well-regarded novices who head the betting scored by a combined distance of 67 lengths on their previous outing and it is easy to see why the market favours Pembroke for Dan and Harry Skelton.

Pembroke recorded a Racing Post Rating of 140 when sauntering home at Ludlow in December and that puts him well clear of Chasing Fire's 127 at Market Rasen and Toothless's 122 at Fakenham.

That performance already puts Pembroke within touching distance of Jonbon's 146 RPR in the 2022 Rossington Main and heavy ground presents few issues for this six-year-old, who scored comfortably on that terrain at Wetherby in November.

Haydock heavy is a serious concern for second favourite Chasing Fire and it is predicted that Toothless will assume that position in the market regardless of whether or not Chasing Fire is withdrawn.

Toothless probably beat little at Fakenham on his stable debut for Paul Nicholls, but impressed with a relentless show of galloping from the front. The trainer's decision to step him up in class is respected and Pembroke will likely have a job on his hands reeling Toothless in on this ground. The free-going Matata is another who likes to go forward, but to fulfil his potential he must settle better.

The final word goes to the Evan Williams-trained Doyen Star, who possesses a similar profile to recent Tolworth runner-up L'Astroboy for the same connections. The unbeaten Doyen Star is thrown into a Graded race following a sole novice hurdle success, as L'Astroboy was, although it is difficult to gauge his ability with such limited evidence.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Skelton seeks more Rossington success

When Dan Skelton runs a six-year-old who was a wide-margin winner last time out in the Rossington Main, it is worth paying attention.

Its'afreebee (2016) and Faivoir (2021) both made a successful step up to Grade 2 company here and their trainer hopes that Pembroke can do the same.

Faivoir: landed this race for Dan Skelton in 2021Credit: Grossick Racing

He looked good when scoring by more than six lengths at Wetherby in November and even better when defying a penalty by 16 lengths at Ludlow last month.

"He's a really nice horse and soft ground is no issue for him," the trainer said. "He's looked good in his last two races."

Chasing Fire has also created almost an exciting impression in twice scoring by 16 lengths at Market Rasen, although trainer Olly Murphy warned: "I'm not 100 per cent sure he'll run as I'd like to see the ground dry out.

"But he's in good form and he's done nothing wrong and I'm looking forward to seeing how good he is.

"He's always shown a lot at home so I've not been surprised at what he's done but he's got to go against stiffer opposition now so we'll see where he stands. This will give us an indication of where we're going in the spring, whether it's down the graded route or in handicaps."

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Matata
He's been running really well and should be okay in this. He's a very nice horse.

Charlie Davies, assistant to Toothless's trainer Paul Nicholls
He was impressive at Fakenham and he's come out of that really well. This is a step up and we'll find out a lot more about him. We like him and when you win a novice hurdle by 35 lengths you're entitled to take a step up in class. Dan Skelton's horse is quite smart but we'll give it our best shot.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of War Soldier
It's the old problem of what to do with a horse when he's won two novice hurdles – run in a competitive handicap or something like this – but he's done nothing wrong and deserves to take his chance so we'll see what happens.
Reporting by David Carr

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