Skelton backing L’Eau Du Sud to make Maghull impact

Dan Skelton has described L’Eau Du Sud as “one of our best chances of the week” ahead of his bid for redemption in the Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

Despite heading into the Cheltenham Festival as Britain’s leading Arkle hope and at one stage looking the most likely winner, the seven-year-old came home fourth in what was one of the most exciting finishes of the whole week, with his team now eager to correct the record in Liverpool.

“He was unlucky at Cheltenham, just with the way the race played out in the closing stages, but I think Aintree will really suit him,” said Skelton, ahead of L’Eau Du Sud’s rematch with Gavin Cromwell’s Arkle runner-up Only By Night.

“I think in time he will get further, but for now I’m more than happy for him to be racing over two.

“I know he ran at Cheltenham, but he’s come out of the race well and I think there are a few things we can do differently. I think he’s one of our best chances of the week.”

L’Eau Du Sud is owned by a group of well-known names, including Sir Alex Ferguson, who will also be represented by Paul Nicholls’ Kalif Du Berlais.

Impressive over two miles at Newbury earlier in the season and at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, he now drops back in distance after trying his hand over further in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

“You can put a line through his last run over two and a half miles on heavy ground and this will be much more to his liking,” explained Nicholls.

“I actually can’t wait to run him. I think he could be quite a smart two-mile chaser and he’s fresh as he didn’t go to Cheltenham and he’s had a nice time since Sandown. We’re hopeful of a nice run.”

Nicholls’ nephew and former assistant Harry Derham also has a great chance of a winner on the Grand National day card as he saddles Wetherby victor Mossy Fen Road in the concluding Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Derham said: “He’s a smart horse and won well (first time) at Wetherby. I just felt galloping down that hill at Cheltenham on good ground (in the Champion Bumper) was worrying me a little bit and this is obviously a much more level track.

“He’s in great nick and I’m looking forward to running him. He’s done everything right so far, but then they have to go and progress again.”