Chepstow opens its doors for the 2026-27 jumps season on Friday and champion trainer Dan Skelton (photographed) seems set to feature prominently after making a whopping 18 entries. Skelton was crowned champion for the first time last term and has set his stall out to retain the title.
However, he is also determined to better the 243 winners Martin Pipe saddled in the 1999-00 campaign.
It is therefore no surprise Skelton, who registered his 87th winner of the season at Perth recently, has a bumper entry at Chepstow, which hosts the first afternoon of its three-day DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival on Friday.
The fixture will not include any chases because of ground conditions but many jumps fans see the meeting as the start of the core period of the winter code and will be keen observers.
Friday’s highlight is the DragonBet Persian War Novices' Hurdle, which is worth £80,000. Perhaps it is a signal of intent, but Skelton’s only entry in that is North Shore, who started his career on the flat in France.
He then moved to Ireland, where he was trained by Gavin Cromwell, for whom he produced some useful form. The four-year-old joined Skelton’s Warwickshire operation in recent months and could easily make his mark, although Lord Byron would be a formidable rival if he lines up.
Trained at Sir Anthony McCoy’s yard near Lambourn by Faye Bramley, he has yet to win over hurdles but was a fine fifth at the Cheltenham Festival in March before finding only King Rasko Grey too good in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in May.
A recent run on the flat could have put him spot on, while Cosmic Connection, beaten just once in four outings over hurdles and a potential star of Chris Gordon’s Winchester stable, is another eyecatching entry.
The £50,000 DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle also takes place on Friday and a likely starting point for that is Sam Thomas and Dylan Johnston. Based on the outskirts of Cardiff, Thomas has won the race for the last two years and both times Johnston has been aboard. They could combine with Doctor Blue, who appeared a smart prospect last autumn, but has slightly lost his way since.
Skelton has five entries in that contest but Le Beau Madrik could be the chosen one given the trainer’s brother Harry, who is leading the race to be champion jockey from Welsh rider Sean Bowen, is lined up for the mount.
Lightly raced, Le Beau Madrik was last seen bolting up by 15 lengths at Haydock in April.
The Persian War and Welsh Champion Hurdle will be screened live on ITV, while the first race on Friday is at 1.57pm. Gates open two hours before that and tickets are still
available with a three-day pass costing just £39.
Saturday’s action, which includes the £75,000 Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, begins at 1.35pm and it is a 1.27pm start on Sunday.
