Dan Skelton throws down early Cheltenham challenge to Willie Mullins with huge Arkle chance slashed after chase debut

DAN SKELTON threw down an early Cheltenham Festival challenge after a stunning chase debut with huge Arkle chance Kabral Du Mathan.

The reigning champion trainer saw after an easy win at Ffos Las yesterday.

But it looks like he will play second fiddle to first-choice Kabral Du Mathan after he cantered home at Perth.

The 2-9 favourite did suffer a bit of drama with a loose horse but was safely navigated round by Dan’s brother Harry.

Kabral Du Mathan was last off the bridle in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle but finished utterly legless up the famous hill.

Dan admitted it was probably a mistake running him over staying trips last year.

And said the bags of speed he possesses has his firmly set on the two-mile route for the Festival.

Kabral Du Mathan was cut to as short as 9-2 for the Arkle having been 10-1 at the start of the day.

Nicky Henderson’s Supreme winner Old Park Star leads the way at around 3-1 with Sober Glory 7-1.

Mullins, who won last year’s Arkle with Kargese, has Narciso Has at 10-1 and .

And Skelton said: “He’s quite light on his feet and it was lovely to watch.

“Obviously it’s a bit nerve-wracking when you run one over fences first time, but it’s lovely to see that.

“The loose horse made us nervous for a fence or two, but Harry manoeuvred out of the way and got him on the outside.

“Ultimately he went round by himself and didn’t learn much about having horses around him, but at the same time you’ve got to be able to go his gallop to put him under pressure and I think he’s obviously pretty good.

“Much stiffer tests will lie ahead of him.

“We’re working backwards from Cheltenham. He wouldn’t want really bad ground and we will keep him to better conditions.

“As long as the ground has got some soft description in it he will go to the Paddy Power meeting over two miles.

“We’ll look at the Henry VIII (at Sandown in December) or Boxing Day at Kempton (Wayward Lad), two miles.

“One of those two I’d have thought and after that you might not then see him until the Arkle.

“I’m very conscious I don’t want to run him in bad ground, if I can get some experience before the new year it might feel we’ve done the bit we need to do.”

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our .