Skelton sees Value in Cheltenham chances

Dan Skelton sees no reason why Value At Risk cannot prove his class by winning Friday’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Following a 13th place finish in last year’s Champion Bumper, the six-year-old returns to the Cheltenham Festival on the back of three straight placings, most notably a victory at Newbury in December, while he also stayed on for second behind Ordo Ab Chao at Prestbury Park last time out.

Skelton feels his charge is in the best condition possible going into the race and is confident his young stayer can make him a Festival winning trainer for the first time.

“I think he has a massive chance and three miles is definitely going to help,” he is quoted as saying by the Racing Post. “It’s going to be important and it’s what is going to make him a competitor. You are going to need a man for the Albert Bartlett and the way he ran from the back of the final flight last time tells me he wants to compete and that he is a real trier.

“I’d love to see it rain on Thursday night or Friday morning but I won’t be at all worried by good ground. If he goes into the race in the form he is right now I’ll be delighted. There will be no excuses.”