Harry Skelton believes Nube Negra could run a big race in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but only if the ground is decent.
Trained by the jockey's brother Dan, the nine-year-old finished second behind Put The Kettle On in the day two feature two years ago, but was a non-runner 12 months ago after the ground softened following a monsoon of rain.
Nube Negra finished 13 lengths behind Editeur Du Gite when last seen in action in the Desert Orchid Chase in late December, which was run on soft ground, and Harry thinks the return to a sounder surface could see the Spanish-bread horse outrun his 20/1 odds.
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He said: "It’s a really open race and that is a good price. If the ground stays decent, I think he will outrun those odds. He loves the track and he loves being fresh.
"It was a bit of a muddling race at Kempton over Christmas, but Editeur Du Gite showed the next time at Cheltenham that it was no fluke. We were just beaten by a good horse on the day.
"I haven’t lost any faith with Nube Negra and he won’t be far away if the ground is good. Edwardstone is probably the biggest danger. He’s won an Arkle and a Tingle Creek."
Langer Dan finished second behind Galopin Des Champs in the final race of the Festival, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, two years ago and was brought down in the same contest when sent off the 7/2 favourite 12 months ago.
The seven-year-old is set to take his chance in the Coral Cup this time around and connections are hopeful of a good run.
Harry added: "Langer Dan has entries in the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe and we’re probably heading to the Coral Cup this year. I want to have a go on him!
"We would have liked to have got another run into him before the Festival, but it’s been difficult because of the ground.
"He’s in good form and although you obviously need a lot of luck in a Coral Cup, I’d say he would have a proper chance in that."
But in terms of who he thinks his best chance of a winner over the four days is, Midnight River and Pembroke are the two names that spring to mind.
He explained: "We’ve got a few chances throughout the week, but if I was to narrow it down I would say either Midnight River in the Plate or Pembroke in the County Hurdle.
"Midnight River is an improving horse and won really well over course and distance on New Year’s Day. This has been his target since then and the New Course suits him really well. We’re pretty hopeful about him.
"Pembroke is in really good form. We didn’t have many options so we had to step him up to two and a half miles on Trials Day. He’s a strong travelling horse and it looked like a fast-run two miles would suit him better that day.
"We’ve had a bit of luck in this race in the past and he has a bit of class about him which is what you need in a handicap at Cheltenham."
- Harry Skelton is brand ambassador for BetBudget, the personal finance app for bettors. Download now at BetBudget.app.
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