'Unbelievable' Protektorat wins Betfair Chase with A Plus Tard pulled up

Saturday: Betfair Chase, Haydock

Dan Skelton had seen first hand what it takes to win the Betfair Chase as part of the team behind four-time winner Kauto Star and he put the vast experience he gained as assistant to Paul Nicholls to good use to claim the biggest success of his career with Protektorat.

Skelton has gained multiple victories at the highest level since branching out on his own in 2013, but there was a distinct feeling Protektorat's brilliant display in the first British Grade 1 of the season was the pinnacle.

A target trainer of some repute, Skelton conjured something special as Protektorat took advantage of a lifeless run from last year's winner and Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard, who was pulled before the third-last.

Protektoratt stormed clear of his Betfair Chase rivals at HaydockCredit: Grossick Racing

At that point, the impressive winner was in full flow under Harry Skelton and he powered home in isolation with 11 lengths back to runner-up Eldorado Allen at the line.

"That was absolutely brilliant," said Skelton. "I believe in the horse and although I knew it was going to be a hard task facing the winning Gold Cup team – and obviously they've had an off day – I always felt at his age he was very entitled to improve.

"He's had three tries at the trip and the progression has been there as he's got older, stronger and bigger. I'm not going to say he'll step out of this and improve again because I had him very ready for today."

One of the first people to congratulate the winning trainer in his moment of glory was his former mentor Nicholls, and Skelton fondly remembered the special days they had together.

"When I worked with Paul for all those years, you felt like you tripped over these in the dark at Ditcheat when Kauto Star was winning all those races," Skelton said.

"It's a lot harder than that and this has been a culmination of what I set out to do when I started training. I really wanted to be a part of these days and to do it is just brilliant.

"It's one of the grails of three-mile steeplechasing and a magical race to be a part of. You've got to stand back and appreciate what has happened there and I will definitely do that."

Protektorat first showed his abundant potential over fences with a 25-length romp in the Many Clouds Chase in horrendous conditions at Aintree last December before going on to finish third in the Gold Cup.

A return to jump racing's most prestigious race is the main aim for the rest of the season, and Betfair cut his Gold Cup odds to 10-1 (from 25-1), while he is 5-1 (from 12-1) for next month's Ladbrokes King George with the same firm.

"It'll take him a bit of time to get over this and we're obviously aiming for the Gold Cup again," Skelton said. "I don't think he'll go to the King George and I imagine we'll either go to Lingfield for the Fleur De Lys Chase or the Cotswold Chase [at Cheltenham]."

Ged Mason (left to right), Dan Skelton, Sir Alex Ferguson and John Hales are all smiles after Protektorat's Betfair Chase winCredit: John Grossick Racing

Protektorat provided the high point of a memorable afternoon for part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson, who had seen Hitman state his case for the King George by winning the graduation chase earlier on the card.

"We did think he would improve from last year when he was a young horse in the Gold Cup and ended up third, and today he's shown he's matured a lot and we're really pleased," he said.

"He's nearly eight now and we expected him to be better and today was confirmation of that. The performance was fantastic."

Skelton's brother Harry was blown away by the winner, who was a big drifter on the day with his price pushed out to 15-2 (from 11-4).

"That was very good – honest to God I've never had a feeling like that," he said. "Down the back he was just unbelievable and all credit to Dan and the team. He's not easy at home and is a bit of a handful.

"He was jumping so well and I was able to fill him up and was always going very easily. Make no mistake we were ready and on this ground this was our day and it was the long-term plan. These days don't come along very often and it means an awful lot."

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