Dan Skelton runs hot favourite in bid to extend trainers' title lead - analysis and key quotes for feature handicap hurdle at Perth

Every penny counts for Dan Skelton as he attempts to build a big enough cushion to fend off Willie Mullins for the British trainers' championship, and Hidden History, a likely short-priced favourite for this 2m4f handicap hurdle, is one of 18 runners he has across three cards compared with just one for Mullins.

Whether any of this will matter given there is £585,000 on offer in the six races in which Mullins has runners at Sandown on Saturday remains to be seen, but Hidden History ought to bag the best part of £8,000 for his trainer here.

Having joined Skelton from Chris Gordon, he got his act together on his first start for the yard, running out a well-backed and comfortable winner from Wellington Arch at Uttoxeter last month. The runner-up went on to land a big handicap hurdle at Aintree and is now 10lb higher.

Given that piece of evidence, a 7lb rise for Hidden History looks nowhere near enough. He hasn't run right-handed under rules yet, but his point success came going that way round.

The dangers look to be Florida Dreams and Rambo T, whose trainers are both going well.

Nicky Richards, who won this in 2022 and 2023, is four wins from 12 with two seconds in the past fortnight and his Florida Dreams has run plenty of solid races in better-class company this term since winning at Class 3 level in October, while Rambo T reverts to hurdles for Olly Murphy after a shoddy round of jumping when last seen over fences in December.

Nicky Richards: runs Florida DreamsCredit: Edward Whitaker

His last appearance in a hurdle came in this race 12 months ago, when he ran out a three-length winner off a mark just 3lb lower than he has now.

The progressive Bold Light won a decent race at Kelso last time under a 7lb claimer, but he is 4lb higher now and has a different rider taking off only 3lb this time. He is up against it here but still looks best of the rest.
Analysis by Paul Kealy

Going latest

Perth's meeting started on Wednesday on good to soft going, with dry but cloudy conditions forecast throughout. The temperature could hit 11C on raceday with the prospect of sunny intervals.

What they say

Olly Murphy, trainer of Rambo T and Chasing Fire
Rambo T has had a foot problem which has kept him off a while, but he’s fine again now and he won the race last year. Chasing Fire has gone a bit off the rails and would have to put his best foot forward to make the frame.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Florida Dreams
The winner got first run on him last time but he still ran well to be second and I think this is his trip. That was only 13 days ago, since when he’s been in a field most of the time, but he seems fresh and well.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Hidden History
He’s in good form and won really well first time for us at Uttoxeter. The track should suit him and two and a half miles looks theright trip for him. Hopefully he can go very well.
Reporting by David Milnes 

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