Trainer Dan Skelton identified Fortune De Mer as a major contender for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival during an appearance at the Betting Shop Manager of the Year awards, the Racing Post reported.
Owned by Stephen Bough, the six-year-old secured a Grade 2 novice hurdle victory at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting on his second start over hurdles. He returned in December to win a handicap hurdle at the same track before sustaining a leg injury.
There is one, a horse called Fortune De Mer,
Skelton said when asked by the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead about his festival handicap hopes. He is very good around Cheltenham. We’re getting him ready for the County Hurdle.
The Warwickshire-based trainer outlined a targeted campaign for the horse ahead of the festival. Skelton stated that he plans to run the horse after Christmas to prepare him for the handicap assignment.
He won at the December meeting and everything was perfect, but he unfortunately picked up a leg injury,
Skelton told the audience. I’ll probably run him after Christmas, and he’ll have a second run in the County Hurdle. He’ll sneak under the radar, I’m sure, as he hasn’t been racing, a little bit like Madara.
Skelton draws a direct parallel between Fortune De Mer’s intended trajectory and the path taken by Plate winner Madara. The trainer emphasized that the six-year-old possesses the necessary rating for the competitive Cheltenham handicap.
If it just went right for Fortune De Mer, it could happen. He’s well handicapped,
Skelton added. When you want to win a County Hurdle, you need a few things in hand.
The stable currently operates ahead of schedule in its pursuit to surpass Martin Pipe’s record of 243 winners in a single season.
- Horse: Fortune De Mer
- Owner: Stephen Bough
- Age: Six-year-old
- Target Race: County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
- Previous Wins: Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham Showcase meeting, December handicap hurdle at Cheltenham
Who owns Fortune De Mer?
Stephen Bough owns the six-year-old hurdler.
What race is the six-year-old being prepared for?
Dan Skelton is readying the horse for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a post-Christmas run.
Where did Fortune De Mer win in December?
The horse won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham during the December meeting before picking up a leg injury.
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