'He hasn't been the easiest' - Protektorat strikes for Sir Alex and the Skeltons

No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson was smiling. The Manifesto Novices' Chase was a success right out of his playbook.

Sir Alex didn't become Sir Alex without knowing how to get the best out of a tricky customer. Ability is not enough on its own. You need to find a way to get your star performer to deliver it.

So the man who turned the enigmatic Eric Cantona into a perennial match-winner for Manchester United will have fully appreciated what Dan Skelton achieved with Protektorat, the in-and-out chaser in whom he owns a part share.

There are three in line at the last as Protektorat (left) seizes initiative ahead of eventual second The Shunter (centre) and Hitman (right)Credit: Alan Crowhurst

The six-year-old had looked Champions League material in winning his first two starts over fences in the autumn – but more of a relegation candidate when soundly beaten at 1-2 in a three-runner race at Kelso in February.

Skelton got his thinking cap on, changed his headgear, had his wind treated and gave him a crack at Grade 1 company.

And his efforts hit the back of the net as Protektorat scored a decisive success by nearly four lengths under brother Harry, with the owners' apparent first-string Hitman just pipped for second by The Shunter.

"He was very good today," Harry Skelton said. "Dan has probably never thought about a horse as much as he has Protektorat this year. He's a horse we all knew had a hell of lot of ability but he hasn't been the easiest."

Dan Skelton himself said: "I didn't actually expect that to happen, I said to the owners that I thought today was a short-term plan to get a long-term result next year. I didn't expect him to win.

"It's a long way back from what happened at Kelso – he was beat after the second, jumping right-handed and he didn't want to be there."

Sir Alex Ferguson after the victory of Protektorat in the Manifesto Novices' ChaseCredit: Pool

Sir Alex would testify to the need for taking a flexible approach, not sticking to a system that is not working, and Dan Skelton said: "If you do the same thing, you get the same result.

"You've got to mix things up, hood off, tongue-strap on. We've re-done his palate, dropped him in a bit – you've got to experiment with younger horses."

The Skeltons drew a blank at the Cheltenham Festival but had expected to be competitive at this meeting. "A lot of horses have come here fresh," the trainer said.

Harry Skelton's victory was also important in his nip-and-tuck battle with Brian Hughes for the much-coveted jockeys' title.

But Dan Skelton said: "We've put the championship on the shelf for three days. There are Grade 1s galore and we want to get stuck into them. And we'll worry about the championship at the end of it."

Which sounds like something Sir Alex used to say when Manchester united were playing a glamour cup tie – and he won a lot of championships.

Watch: Protektorat stays on strongly to win the Manifesto Novices' Chase

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