Le Milos Carrying Skelton Hopes Into Battle At Haydock

Victory for Le Milos in the ₤ 100,000 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase at Haydock would be really welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly attempts to ward off the may of Willie Mullins.


For the second year in a row Skelton has seen a considerable benefit in the trainers' title race rapidly decrease, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million on deal in the Grand National and then had the one-two in last weekend's Scottish National.


Races with this quantity of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for first place - away from the big conferences are rare, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a good possibility for Skelton to retreat before the Closutton device rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next couple of days.


Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' company and having actually been out at Newbury and Aintree since, should find life a little easier against horses more his age.


"We ran him at Aintree as we were trying to find somewhere where the ground would be best for him," said Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.


"The ground up here will be no issue; he's won on good ground before, and he remains in excellent kind.


Le Milos won the 2022 Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)


"He's running well, and obviously won at Warwick against the veterans, and this is the very first time he's been back versus the veterans because that day. Hopefully he is among the gamers in this league and he can work out here."


Skelton is presently 3-1 with Ladbrokes to claim a first title after keeping Mullins (2-9) at arm's length through the week.


Last year's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has enjoyed a fine season this term too, winning 3 of his 5 getaways - including last time out at Ascot - but that indicates he is practically a stone higher in the weights.


"Numitor is really well. This has actually been our objective the entire season and he is ready to go," said Main.


"Ascot last time wasn't the plan but it wound up being his preparation race for the final on Saturday.


"We didn't understand if he would stay and while he had operated on quicker ground, with a huge horse like him you are never rather sure. But in the end he enjoyed the ground and he loved three miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close but he required a prep run since there had been a bit of a gap because he last ran.


"Although he has actually run mostly in smaller fields, I don't believe field size is to him as long as he enters a rhythm. He likes racing and he loves jumping - he simply pings them which is what he is all about."


Regarding the extra weight Main stated: "It doesn't fret me excessive although I do not desire to be overly positive. He is such a big horse and we feel the larger they are, the more they are able to carry the weight. I hope that shows the case on Saturday."


Joe Tizzard runs both Eldorado Allen and The Widow Maker, Henry Hogarth's Flic Ou Voyou shows up on the back of a win while Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) has been aimed at this all season.