Cheltenham Festival News: Skelton may prefer Aintree for Elle Est Belle
- Planet Sport writer
- 11 February 2022
Elle Est Belle proved a gritty Huntingdon winner, leaving Team Skelton with a head-scratcher of a choice between Cheltenham and Aintree for the talented mare.
Dan Skelton has a quandary whether to send Huntingdon winner Elle Est Belle to Cheltenham or Aintree.
The six-year-old got up late in Cambridgeshire and has two mares' hurdles entries at the Festival but may wait for kinder conditions on Merseyside.
Elle Est Belle put in a supersonic perfomance to see off Richard Spencer's Wonderwall, winning by a neck in the Listed Huntingdon contest with the feeling their was more in the tank.
Third behind Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season, Elle Est Belle had since won at Listed level over hurdles before finishing four behind star novice Jonbon at Ascot.
Elle Est Belle is now a three-time Listed winner - and will improve further for a proper gallop in front of her, says @harryskelton89 @Huntingdon_Race | @DSkeltonRacing | @rachelcasey11 pic.twitter.com/cz7JoKn2WR
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 10, 2022
Champion jockey Harry Skelton was more than happy with his mount's performance but hinted that the run made Liverpool rather than Prestbury Park the more likely next destination.
"I'm really happy with her. To be fair to Stu's (Edmunds) horse (Gentleman At Arms), he has made the running and didn't deserve to get beat. He has gone out on his shield there so fair play," said the winning trainer.
"I think it was a very competitive race where they didn't go that quick and it turned into a sprint and they were all there. I think the form of the race will be good. I'm not necessarily saying it is all fancy Grade One form. They came in here a bunch of 135 horses and they have certainly cemented that and a bit more really."
He said: "I've got to talk to the owners and they will do what we think is best, but my first instinct is to wait for Aintree."
