'He means a lot to me' - Skelton joy as Midnight River powers to big-race win

Sunday: Cheltenham

Jockeys and trainers tend not to admit to their favourite horses, but Harry Skelton could not hide his delight in sealing a big-race win aboard Midnight River in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase.

The Frank McAleavy-owned eight-year-old showed glimpses of his potential during his novice chase campaign but is much more the finished article this season, improving on a third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup to beat Stolen Silver by two and a quarter lengths in this £100,000 event.

Trainer Dan Skelton nominated the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield as a possible target for Midnight River on January 23.

The winning rider said: "That was brilliant, he means a lot to me. I probably shouldn't have favourites, but he's definitely up there.

"We've had him since day one, broke him in and brought him through his career, and it hasn't been plain sailing as he's had a couple of falls.

"He's learning his trade well, is a real good stayer and is much better on that ground. He has a lot of improvement in him."

Smart prospect

There was another form boost for Challow winner Hermes Allen when Weveallbeencaught opened his jumping account in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle.

The imposing six-year-old, owned by Jimmy and Susie Wenman and Edward and Jane James, finished third to Hermes Allen at the track’s November meeting and confirmed that promise with a length and three-quarter success over Rock My Way under Sam Twiston-Davies.

Weveallbeencaught was a £210,000 sales purchase last January and is rated highly by trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who is inclined to swerve a rematch with Hermes Allen in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and target the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He was cut to 25-1 (from 33) for that contest by bet365, and is as short as 12-1 (from 33) with Paddy Power.

Weveallbeencaught puts in a big leap on his way to victory for Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Twiston-Davies said: “He’s a big, powerful animal and surely hurdles aren’t what he’s made for. He’s very exciting.

"He’s one of the priciest horses we’ve bought, but he’s worth way more than they paid for him. He'll most likely come back for the Albert Bartlett as we don’t want to take on Hermes Allen – we’re not stupid!"

Pinchin power

Charlie Longsdon was full of praise for conditional jockey Lilly Pinchin after she steered Hector Javilex to a seven-length win in the 3m handicap hurdle for local owner David Mason.

Longsdon said: "Lilly is riding on the crest of a wave. Everyone talks about the younger girls getting a chance, and she's taking hers with both hands."

Proud prevails

Tim Radford enjoyed Lincolnshire National success last Monday as a part-owner of Bangers And Cash and celebrated a winner with his first outright-owned horse with Ben Pauling, courtesy of new recruit Fiercely Proud in the bumper.

Pauling said of the £125,000 buy: "The form of his win at Market Rasen is nothing, but his previous trainer Don Cantillon always said he was a nice horse.

"We liked him at home and he came from last to first in the style of a good horse."

Results, replays and analysis

Read this next:

Is Hermes Allen the right favourite for the Ballymore after his Challow win?

WIN two Club Enclosure tickets for the Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival 2023! It's simple and free to enter, all you need to do is log in to your bookmaker account on our new app and wait for the pop-up to make your entry. Download the app here.