PUNTERS were in awe of Harry Skelton’s “insane” ride on the exciting prospect Fortune De Mer in the bumper at Cheltenham.
The 35-year-old jock, who rides for his older brother Dan Skelton, finished half a length ahead of Block Rockin Beats in the two-mile contest.
PAFortune De Mer finished well on the bridle[/caption]
But the form tells only half the story. The four-year-old finished well on the bridle, his jock ingeniously edging ahead of the second-place finisher at the last minute.
Racing TV captioned it: “Coolness personified,” while punters went on to gush about Skelton’s brilliance.
The jock is currently 11/10 second favourite to win the National Hunt Jockeys Championship, behind Sean Bowen at 4-6 and ahead of last year’s Champ, Harry Cobden, at 11-10.
But while he might not be the favourite, punters on X believed he was the best.
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One said: “Best jockey either side of the pond right now.”
Another added: “Unreal. Didn’t move a muscle.”
While one said: “Cheeky. That’s how you keep your handicap down.”
Another added: “Ride out the finish! That had me quaking in my boots!”
The gelding, a shrewd £18,000 purchase from Ireland, finished half a length behind Block Rockin Beats at Cheltenham last time, but reversed the form easily this time around.
Following the impressive win, Dan Skelton confirmed the new kid on the block would be targeted at the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
He said: “I think he’s a real Champion Bumper horse. He’s full of ability and has a big future.
“We’ll give him a run in February and then come here in March.”
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