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 2nd year in a row Skelton has actually seen a significant advantage in the trainers' title race quickly reduce, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million available in the Grand National and after that 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 huge meetings are uncommon, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a likelihood for Skelton to retreat before the Closutton maker rolls into Plumpton and Perth over the next few days.


Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' company and having been out at Newbury and Aintree because, need to find life a little simpler versus 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 problem; he's won on excellent ground before, and he's in good kind.


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


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


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


In 2015's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.


The grey has delighted in a great season this term too, winning 3 of his five trips - including last time out at Ascot - but that indicates he is practically a stone greater in the weights.


"Numitor is truly well. This has been our objective the entire season and he is all set to go," stated Main.


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


"We didn't understand if he would stay and while he had worked on quicker ground, with a big horse like him you are never ever rather sure. But in the end he enjoyed the ground and he enjoyed 3 miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close however he needed a prep run since there had actually been a bit of a gap since he last ran.


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


Regarding the extra weight Main said: "It does not stress me too much although I do not desire to be . He is such a big horse and we feel the bigger they are, the more they are able to carry the weight. I hope that proves 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 focused on this all season.