Midlands-based trainer Dan Skelton has made five entries for the 2024 Grand National, as he bids to win the world’s most famous steeplechase for the first time in his career.
Skelton added Ashtown Lad, Galia Des Liteaux, Latenightpass, Le Milos, and Sail Away into the marathon race at Aintree and they will all be handed a weight allocation by the official handicapper ahead of the two-day meeting.
Galia Des Liteaux Could Be Skelton’s Best Chance of Aintree Success
The Grand National has been the plan for Galia Des Liteaux from the start of the campaign. The eight-year-old mare made an impressive start to her chase career last season, winning two races, including a Grade Two contest.
Fantastic chase debut! Galia Des Liteaux looks a smart one over fences for @DSkeltonRacing, landing the Listed Yorton Stallions Mares' Novices' Chase at @BangorRaces under @harryskelton89! pic.twitter.com/nYfUmE8m9m
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 9, 2022
Skelton’s runner is one of the highest-rated mares in the UK and she will test herself against her own sex at the Cheltenham Festival in the Mares’ Chase. She is 12/1 to win the day four contest. If you are considering backing the Lodge Hill runner, check to see if you are eligible for a Cheltenham betting offer on the festival, as you may be able to pick up a free bet up to £30 with bet365 or Tote for a £10 stake.
The connections of Galia Des Liteaux will be hoping their mare can emulate Corach Rambler in 2024. Lucinda Russell’s chase won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 in the Ultima Handicap Chase, a month before scoring impressively in the Grand National at Aintree.
Latenightpass No Stranger to Grand National Fences
Latenightpass wins the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase#ITVRacing | #GrandNational pic.twitter.com/2ua3BTi9KN
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 7, 2022
The Grand National will be the fourth time that Latenightpass features over the biggest fences at Aintree, should he line up in the race. He was victorious around the Grand National Course in the Foxhunters’ Chase in 2022.
The 11-year-old has an excellent record in point-to-points, winning nine of his ten races so far. He also has a 50% strike rate under rules, with his latest success coming in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham back in December.
Latenightpass moved to Skelton’s yard back in November and he has done no worse than second place in his two runs for his new trainer. Gina Andrews has ridden the horse on his last two outings, and she may get the chance to partner the horse in the Grand National in April.
Second Shot at National for Le Milos
Skelton has just one runner in the Grand National in 2023 and that was Le Milos. His chaser finished 10th of 40 runners in what was a good run on his debut in the race. With that experience now on his side, much more will be expected from the nine-year-old on his second shot at the Aintree contest.
Le Milos has been lightly campaigned so far this season, with just one start to date. He finished third at Market Rasen in a handicap hurdle back in November. With no entries for the Cheltenham Festival, he is likely to head straight to Grand National now.
A total of 94 horses have been entered for this year’s Grand National, but only 34 horses can feature. The final declarations are set to be announced on the 11th of April, 48 hours before the race.
