Skelton runner best by a Country Mile at Cheltenham

Country Mile looked a smart prospect for the Skeltons as he relished getting back on some decent ground when denting some big reputations in the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old finished second to Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Roadlesstravelled at Haydock on Betfair Chase day in the mud, but looked a completely different prospect on a quicker surface.

Settled well of the pace by Harry Skelton, the Sam Thomas-trained Palacio set a strong early gallop while all eyes were on Nicky Henderson’s French recruit That’s Nice and Gordon Elliott’s Wingmen, who dominated the market.

However, when that pair closed in on the leader, Skelton was still sat motionless on Country Mile (5-1).

That’s Nice found disappointingly little, leaving Wingmen in front but Country Mile was galloping all over him, with his jockey motionless as he sauntered to a seven-and-a-half-length win.

Delighted trainer Dan Skelton said: “It was a surprise to see him win like that really. They obviously went quite hard and he’s loads of ability, hasn’t he?

“He jumped a lot better today. He didn’t jump all that well at Haydock and I think the ground really got to the bottom of him that day as well.

“We knew he had ability, but I thought if he was ever going to win a race of deep quality he’d do it hard. I didn’t think he’d saunter round like that, but they went so quick in front.

“I don’t know what we’ll do with him now, we’ll see what the handicapper does.”