Gray Dawning and jockey Harry Skelton extended Dan Skelton’s remarkable run at Haydock by avenging their previous defeat against last year’s Betfair Chase winner, Royal Pagaille. A year ago, Gray Dawning narrowly lost to the two-time champion Venezia Williams, but this time, riding as the 10-11 favorite, Harry Skelton maintained a composed pace, closely following Handstand and Royal Pagaille as they approached the final lap together.
Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleur didn’t make an impact, and Gordon Elliott’s Stella Story was also absent, but three contenders remained in the mix, with Charlie Deutsch just edging out Ben Jones on Handstand. Royal Pagaille initially took a three-length lead, but Gray Dawning steadily gained ground. Jockey Harry Skelton remained calm and poised, allowing Gray Dawning to catch Royal Pagaille by the second-to-last fence and eventually pull ahead to win by nearly three lengths.
The victory was an emotional highlight for the Skelton family, coming just two days before Harry Skelton’s wife Bridget gave birth to their daughter. As the crowd chanted in support of Dan Skelton, he reflected on the significance of the day, recalling when Protect Rat won at the same venue, and expressed gratitude to the horse owner Robert Kirkland.
Dan Skelton praised the whole team, especially Gray Dawning, who had raced so hard the previous year that he needed a recovery period but came back strong. He revealed there might be one more race before the Gold Cup, potentially the Cotswolds Chase, depending on the ground conditions. Skelton noted Gray Dawning won’t run in the King George due to the track’s right-handed layout and discussed possible future races in Ireland.
The trainer is confident Gray Dawning is a serious contender for the Gold Cup, acknowledging strong competition from the favorite but believing their recent performance signals they are serious competition. He also highlighted Harry’s professionalism and maturity as a jockey, noting that while Harry would have pushed harder a decade ago, he now balances experience with caution.
Fan Take: This victory not only cements Gray Dawning and Harry Skelton as serious contenders in upcoming major races like the Gold Cup but also showcases the enduring talent and emotional strength within the Skelton family. For horse racing fans, this story symbolizes resilience and the thrilling potential for new champions to rise, keeping the sport vibrant and exciting.
