IT was another weekend to savour for team Skelton as Harry guided Le Milos (158) to victory for brother Dan in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

In a fiercely-run contest, the well supported 9/2 favourite found just enough to fend off the late challenge of Remastered (158) who made it clear he would have gone close in last year’s renewal if not for falling at the first in the home straight.

The pace was strong from flagfall, evident by several contenders struggling to go the gallop as early as the cross fence on the first circuit.

There was no slackening of the pace as the field headed out on the final circuit either, as a split screen comparison with the two-mile front runners Amarillo Sky (143) and Bun Doran revealed Annsam (145) and Bussleton (147) were their equal.

Harry Skelton eased Le Milos into contention at the end of the back straight on his way to completing his race from the fourth last fence in 57.7secs, which was just a second slower than Amarillo Sky who covered significantly less ground.

The strong finish also resulted in there being just 1.5secs between the two winners through the final circuit, which is the hallmark of a top-class staying handicap chase.

Dan Skelton suggested the Grand National to be on the agenda for the winner, where he may well be joined by David Pipe’s pair Remastered and Gericault Roque (153+).

The last named will, in my opinion, be well suited by the demands of the Aintree showpiece as he races prominently and is a superb jumper of a fence.

Survived

Zanza (140+) produced the finish of the day over fences as he survived monumental blunders at the fourth and third last fences to stop the clock at 52.8secs for his closing sectional.

Phillip Hobbs’ gelding adores Newbury, taking advantage of his first visit since 2020, to further enhance his profile at the Berkshire track where his only defeat was when sixth in the Betfair Hurdle (only beaten two lengths).

On the evidence of his finishing effort on Saturday, the eight-year-old still has the speed to be competitive at two miles.

Nicky Henderson is once again developing an embarrassment of riches in the two-mile hurdling division as First Street (155+) confirmed he remains on an upward trajectory with victory in the Gerry Feilden.

The time figure posted by the five-year-old places him on the fringes of Champion Hurdle standard and confirms his second to State Man in last season’s County Hurdle as a true representation of his ability.

James Bowen delivered the son of Golden Horn just before the final hurdle after tracking the strong pace set by Grivetana (152), covering his closing sectional from the third last hurdle in 55.9secs as he combined the fastest overall time when adjusted for distance with the quickest final circuit.

The master of Seven Barrows was also responsible for the opening race winner Luccia (150+), who was not far behind her stable companion on the clock when winning the listed contest for mares on hurdling debut.

In fact, the four-year-old filly finished off her race slightly quicker, stopping the clock at 55.6secs.