Man with a plan: Dan Skelton takes another big step forward with Nube Negra

When you think of the King George meeting two men spring to mind – Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson.

Since the turn of the millennium they have targeted and dominated Kempton's two-day Christmas cracker, and this year Nicholls won the big one and Henderson saddled a trio of winners headlined by wondrous Shishkin, but even combined they could not match the efforts of Dan Skelton numerically.

For Skelton that is arguably an even bigger achievement than his Nube Negra becoming just the second horse to beat Altior with a smart success in the Desert Orchid Chase.

"It's been remarkable, quite unbelievable," he said after Nube Negra became the fourth of his five winners at the two-day meeting. And yet his arrival at the top table is not by accident.

"I made a conscious decision mid-Covid that things were changing and we needed to concentrate on quality," he explained. "You have to be alive to the reality you have these horses in your yard and I wouldn't say it was an epiphany moment, but I was looking through the horses as they were coming back in this summer and I thought 'these are a fancy bunch and if we get it right they can be the ones that take us up another level'."

And take it to another level is exactly what the Skelton team have done. Earlier this month Allmankind won the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown, a race Skelton was gutted not to win with Nube Negra last year, and this weekend he added more Graded success with Shan Blue and Nube Negra.

"It's taken me very by surprise, you don't expect to go and beat Altior and he's not a horse who's ever thrived on soft ground, but he's matured to the point he handles it," said Skelton after Nube Negra's victory by three and a half lengths.

"I was amazed how hard he came back on the bridle turning in. He's always been a strong traveller who's always threatened to be very good. I was so disappointed he got beaten in last year's Henry VIII, but he's putting it right now and I think he's just taken time.

Nube Negra (Harry Skelton) leads Duc Des Genievres and Altior towards the last fenceCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He couldn't run anyway because of Covid, but we were never going to Cheltenham, we were going to Aintree and he never got that chance. Life's a funny thing and it was probably the best thing that ever happened to him as it gave him even longer to fill up and mature."

Cheltenham is on the agenda this season. "He'll definitely go there, and that's his next stop," said Skelton. "He's very good fresh and the Clarence House will come too soon, while the Newbury race is too close to Cheltenham.

"I'm looking forward to the Champion Chase. He's a nimble-footed horse, you saw how good he was at his jumps, and he was third in a Fred Winter, so it's not like he can't run round there. We just didn't want to put the pressure on him last season as we felt he still had a lot of developing to do. I certainly don't feel we should have gone there after seeing what he's done today."

2.30 Kempton: full result and race replay

A Champion Chase tilt could mean an awkward decision for Skelton's brother Harry, who also rides Politologue, the current wearer of the crown. But the jockey's older brother would not be drawn on that. "There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before we need to make any decisions like that." he said.

"I'm not going to let an event in the future spoil today because today is special – there's only two horses to ever beat Altior and the way he did it was quite authoritative."

It was almost as authoritative as Skelton's statement of intent. He is here to play – Messrs Nicholls and Henderson beware.

Sunday's reports and reaction:

'It is getting beyond ridiculous' – Willie Mullins hits out over omitted fences

Nicky Henderson says 'don't write off Altior just yet' after Kempton defeat

Sunday reaction: 'It was obvious he was not travelling like the force of old'

Members' Club: 'An each-way player at 20-1' – expert views on a wide-open Champion Chase market

Nico de Boinville praises 'incredibly quick' Shishkin after Wayward Lad victory

Appreciate It the new Supreme favourite after bolting up for Mullins and Townend

Kim Bailey delighted as 'extraordinary' First Flow makes it five in a row

Mullins-trained Castlebawn West posts 'huge performance' in Paddy Power Chase

Oliver Stammers delighted with 'fantastic' 2020 as best season continues

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