Skelton Guaranteed Two Runners in Grand National
Midlands-based trainer Dan Skelton is guaranteed at least two runners in this year’s Grand National at Aintree following the release of the weights for the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Le Milos and Latenightpass have been handed 10st 7lb and 10st 6lb respectively, which ensures they both sit in the top 34 horses on the list. Skelton could also have more runners should there be any withdrawals from the field before the final declarations.
Latenightpass Set for Cross Country Test First
Latenightpass is the 34th horse in the Grand National weights this year, so he may carry bottom weight in the marathon contest. He is set to feature in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival a month before he heads to Aintree. He is 10/1 in the Cheltenham betting to prevail in that assignment.
Skelton’s experienced chaser has a 50% strike rate over fences, so he is one of one of the popular Cheltenham Festival tips for this year’s Cross Country Chase. He also won around the same venue back in December so he will be very familiar with the unique course.
The Lodge Hill man has won some of the biggest races in Jumps racing but he has yet to prevail in the Grand National. His 11-year-old horse has been victorious over the bigger fences at Aintree which means there is a great chance of adding his name to the roll of honour.
Le Milos Will Get Second Shot at Grand National
In what was a respectable performance, Le Milos finished 10th in the Grand National in 2023 which was won by Corach Rambler. He jumped well throughout the contest, and that will encourage Skelton ahead of his second attempt.
Le Milos will have 5lb less weight on his back this year. He has featured just twice this season, but those two runs have come over hurdles. They were used to sharpen him up ahead of his primary target at Aintree.
The nine-year-old has multiple entries at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, including in the Ultima Handicap Chase and Plate Handicap Chase. Skelton is likely to make a decision on which race his horse runs in depending on the ground conditions at the meeting.
Galia Des Liteaux Has Shown a Lot of Potential
Connections of Galia Des Liteaux will need to wait patiently to see if their horse makes it into the final Grand National field. She has made an excellent start to her career over fences, with a Grade Two triumph and two Listed victories.
The eight-year-old mare won the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick in 2023. She then ran in the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the Grand National Meeting last season in the race won by Gerri Colombe.
Skelton’s runner has shown she has the stamina for marathon races, and she remains open to improvement. Should she make it into the final declarations, she could end up being chosen by jockey Harry Skelton who will get the pick of his brother’s horses.
The 2024 Grand National takes place on the 13th of April and it will be at the earlier time of 4 pm this year.
