Skelton And Kirkland Dream Of Pre-Gold Cup Glory With Double

Dan Skelton and owner Robert Kirkland are imagining Gold Cup magnificence next month with Grey Dawning but before then Double to boost their morale in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.


Kirkland has been an enduring supporter of Skelton and has actually seen him develop into the leading trainer in the nation and the set celebrated Grey Dawning's success at the Cheltenham Festival together in 2024.


Double Measure could be the most recent star provided how quickly he won at Huntingdon last time out and while he is among the outsiders presently for the Supreme next month, he is set to go off favourite for this Grade 2.


"This is a race I have actually wanted for him for a long time," Skelton told Ladbrokes.


"He won last time at Huntingdon, and undoubtedly this is a comparable track. He remains in good kind - he requires to step up, however I seem like as he's growing older, he's getting a bit more powerful and we're getting a bit more experience into him. I believe he's going properly, and I believe he'll be a primary gamer."


Harry Derham's Klub De Reve was a 10-length winner on his last visit to Kempton on Boxing Day and is another popular in the market.


Owner Robert Kirkland (right) and trainer Dan Skelton head to Kempton with Double Measure (Danny Lawson/PA)


"This has been the plan considering that Boxing Day, we took a seat after that and thought about whether we need to bring a charge in a regular novice or try to run in a nice race," stated Derham.


"We chose that, as he 'd had a couple of runs in relatively fast succession, we 'd freshen him up and get him in truly good condition for the Dovecote.


"I think it's quite an open race, any among a number of horses could win the race but he goes there in excellent shape.


"We understand he likes the track and he's been rather progressive, if he keeps advancing then it needs to put him right there."


Another likely contender is Nicky Henderson's Mustang Du Breuil, purchased by JP McManus after winning at Auteuil in October. He subsequently won on his UK debut at Doncaster.


"I was really happy with him at Doncaster, albeit it might not have been the strongest race, but he's an individual we like a lot and is discovering all the time," said Unibet ambassador Henderson.


"He leaps extremely perfectly and the ground will remain in his favour so ideally he could wind up quite clever.


"He 'd have had three pursue this and needs the experience if we are going to be looking at the Fred Winter."