Nube Negra is ‘ready and there’ll be no excuses’

THE ambitious Dan Skelton is about quality rather than quantity these days and success for Nube Negra in what the trainer describes as one of jumping’s “hallmark” races would underline that move in style, writes James Burn.

In Nube Negra, Skelton (below) certainly has a challenger of quality following his runner-up finish in last season’s Champion Chase.

According to Racing Post Ratings, he stepped up on that to produce a career-best in Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase last month and Skelton, typically, is on the front foot regarding his chances.

“He’s in great form,” he said. “He’s had a run and the rain has stayed away, which I think is crucial to his chances. I’m very happy with him and there are no excuses taking on a solid field. There’ll be no hiding place, but he’s ready – it’s as simple as that. He may have sharpened up for his Cheltenham run.”

Skelton knows what it takes to win the Tingle Creek given his time as assistant to Paul Nicholls, who has captured the prestigious Grade 1 a record 11 times.

“I was very attached to Twist Magic,” Skelton added of the 2007 and

2009 winner. “I loved him and on one of the days he won we watched it from the top of the straight, almost in

the horse chute and that was magical, but so was Master Minded the day he

cantered round [2008]. And even though Azertyuiop [2004] got beat, it was an amazing race. The Tingle Creek is a hallmark race, a biggie.

“I think Nube Negra can be in that group. He’s been second in a Champion Chase and only good horses are at the top of the field in those races. I consider him of that quality, but you can’t talk about them until they’ve done it though, so he’s

got to go and do it.”