Skelton And Kirkland Imagine Pre-Gold Cup Glory With Double

Dan Skelton and owner Robert Kirkland are dreaming of Gold Cup splendor next month with Grey Dawning but before then Double Measure quotes to increase their morale in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton.


Kirkland has been a long-standing advocate of Skelton and has actually seen him turn into the leading fitness instructor in the country and the pair commemorated Grey Dawning's success at the Cheltenham Festival together in 2024.


Double Measure might be the current star provided how easily he won at Huntingdon last time out and while he is amongst the outsiders currently for the Supreme next month, he is set to go off preferred for this Grade 2.


"This is a race I've wanted for him for a long time," Skelton told Ladbrokes.


"He won last time at Huntingdon, and clearly this is a comparable track. He remains in great type - he requires to step up, however I feel like as he's aging, he's getting a bit more powerful and we're getting a bit more experience into him. I believe he's going properly, and I believe he'll be a main gamer."


Harry Derham's Klub De Reve was a 10 on his last check out to Kempton on Boxing Day and is another prominent in the market.


Owner Robert Kirkland (right) and trainer Dan Skelton head to Kempton with Double Measure (Danny Lawson/PA)


"This has been the strategy considering that Boxing Day, we sat down after that and considered whether we need to carry a penalty in a normal beginner or attempt to run in a nice race," stated Derham.


"We chose that, as he 'd had a few runs in fairly quick succession, we 'd refresh him up and get him in really good shape for the Dovecote.


"I think it's quite an open race, any one of a variety of horses might win the race however he goes there in excellent shape.


"We know he loves the track and he's been rather progressive, if he keeps progressing then it ought to put him right there."


Another likely contender is Nicky Henderson's Mustang Du Breuil, bought by JP McManus after winning at Auteuil in October. He consequently won on his UK debut at Doncaster.


"I was really happy with him at Doncaster, albeit it may not have actually been the greatest race, however he's an individual we like a lot and is discovering all the time," said Unibet ambassador Henderson.


"He leaps extremely perfectly and the ground will remain in his favour so hopefully he might wind up quite wise.


"He 'd have had 3 pursue this and requires the experience if we are going to be looking at the Fred Winter."