Get ready to witness the rise of a potential superstar in the world of horse racing, because Dan Skelton has just dropped a bombshell: 'Precious Man is the fastest juvenile I’ve trained since the legendary Allmankind.' But here's where it gets even more exciting—this four-year-old hurdler isn’t just quick; he’s a natural speedster with a bright future ahead. After a stunning victory in the 2m juvenile hurdle, Skelton is now setting his sights on Graded races, starting with the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February, followed by a potential Aintree challenge. Why Aintree over Cheltenham? Skelton believes it’s a better fit for Precious Man’s style, and this is the part most people miss—sometimes, it’s not about the biggest stage, but the right one. Is Skelton making the right call, or should he aim for Cheltenham’s glory instead? Let’s dive deeper.
Precious Man’s win wasn’t just impressive; it was a statement. Under the skilled guidance of Harry Skelton, he pulled away effortlessly to win by four and a quarter lengths, leaving King Al in his wake. Skelton praises the horse’s lightning-fast jumping, though he admits there’s room for improvement in his hurdling technique. ‘Harry holds him into the jumps to teach him proper form,’ Skelton explains. ‘As he matures, his hurdling will only get better.’ But here’s the controversial part: Could Precious Man’s raw speed be both his greatest asset and his Achilles’ heel? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate is on cloud nine after their novice hurdler, Baron Noir, clinched a two-and-a-half-length victory in the 2m hurdle. This win has earned him 25-1 quotes for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, mirroring the syndicate’s earlier success with Listed winner Hurricane Pat. Fehily is confident but cautious: ‘We’ve always believed in Baron Noir, but I didn’t want to hype him too early. He’s a hell of a horse, and there’s more to come.’ But is Baron Noir truly Supreme material, or is the competition too fierce? Share your thoughts below.
The day’s highlights didn’t stop there. Alan King secured a treble with wins from The Doyen Chief in the 3m handicap chase and Edwardstone in the Silviniaco Conti Chase. Meanwhile, Lookaway made a triumphant return after a season marred by breathing issues, dominating the 2m4½f handicap chase by 24 lengths. Trainer Neil King couldn’t hide his joy: ‘He’s as tough as they come, and he deserves this win. We’ve finally got him back to where he belongs.’ Could Lookaway’s comeback story inspire other trainers to persevere with troubled horses?
As the racing world buzzes with these developments, one thing is clear: the season is heating up, and these horses are just getting started. What’s your take on Precious Man’s Aintree focus? Do you think Baron Noir can challenge for the Supreme? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
