Exciting My Drogo for trainer Dan Skelton will be seen for the second time in his career over fences on Saturday at Cheltenham on a Novices' Chase over 2m4f, whether the monstrous Bob Olinger turns up or not.
The handler has been targeting the bearrene.com Novices’ Chase with his charge since the Grade One-winning hurdler suffered his first defeat over obstacles when falling on chase debut at Prestbury Park in November.
My Drogo came into this year as one of the most exciting novice chasers to follow having landed all four of his hurdle starts last term, including signing off the season with a victory in the Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting.
👀 Do you believe it!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 12, 2021
My Drogo falls at the second-last & despite slithering at the same fence, @rachaelblackmor & Gin On Lime somehow go on to win for @HenrydeBromhead in stunning scenes at @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/1cTnsdTvvn
Looking to make it 5/5 over obstacles, he went into a match race with Gin On Lime for Henry De Bromhead and in one of the most dramatic races of the season, he took a tumble at the second last and was out of the race.
Skelton has no intention of not sending the gelding to Cheltenham this weekend, despite the entry of Cheltenham festival winner Bob Olinger.
He said: “We’re running – it’s as simple as that. It’s our only entry, that’s what we were always planning on doing and that’s where we’re going.
“If we happen to meet Bob Olinger, it’s earlier than expected, but it happens.”
