Check out the Dan Skelton runners at Ayr this Saturday as the champion trainer looks to move past the £5million mark in prize money.
Dan Skelton Has Four Ayr Runners On Saturday As He Closes In On £5m target
After already being crowned champion trainer, Dan Skelton sits just under £200,000 away from £5million in prize money won this season. There will be five races live from Ayr on the ITV Racing schedule this Saturday.
Skelton became the first ever jumps trainer to suprass £4million in prize money won last month and he’s not done yet as he targets his next milestone.
Willie Mullins has got the better of Skelton in recent seasons, but this year has been totally different. Mullins even won the Grand National again with I Am Maximus, but he still sits over £2million behing his rival.
Skelton’s quest was helped by three Grade 1 winners at Aintree recently. Mirabad was a shock winner of the Maghull Novices’ Chase and Bossman Jack won the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. However, the highlight was Grey Dawning winning the Melling Chase.
WATCH: Grey Dawning Just Gets Up In Melling Chase
THEY ARE ALL OUT!! 💥
Grey Dawning pips Solness in the JCB Melling Chase 🥇
What a finish 😲#ITVRacing | @DSkeltonRacing | @harryskelton89 pic.twitter.com/9c1jD7dLvL
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 10, 2026
With under £200,000 until he reaches the £5million point, Skelton will be hoping for a big Saturday up at Ayr.
Although it’s worth noting that Skelton doesn’t make up any of the Scottish Grand National runners, so he’ll be relying on horses in other races.
With Skelton declaring four horses for Ayr on Saturday, take a look at them all below.
Dan Skelton Runners At Ayr This Saturday
With four runners in four different races at Ayr tomorrow, Skelton will be eyeing at least a treble to get him closer to that £5million mark.
CALICO – 1:10 Scotty Brand Handicap Chase
After recording two impressive wins earlier on in the season, connections of CALICO might fancy his chances here.
He was a runaway winner at both Cheltenham and Ascot in October and November but didn’t perform as well when upped in class on his two most recent starts.
Calico was a big price when tackling the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury and wasn’t actually beaten that far. He then ran in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but was never close.
Dropped a further two pounds and it’s fair to say this 10-year-old still has plenty of love for the game. Can go close.
DIAMOND DEALER – 1:45 Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase
Interestingly, it was the aptly named DIAMOND DEALER who helped Skelton smash through the £4million mark at Kelso last month and he could play a leading role in the next milestone.
This seven-year-old improved leaps and bounds for joining Skelton in September and has three wins from five starts for his new yard.
The only blip he’s had since making the Skelton switch was when pulled up in the Scottish Borders National. Has to be respected here over a trip we know he stays.
TWISTTHENIGHTAWAY – 2:55 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Unbeaten since entering handicap company, TWISTTHENIGHTAWAY is looking for a third win on the bounce.
The handicap races she has contested were low quality and she didn’t look a world-beater in either of them but again given the connections you can’t write off the hat-trick.
Skelton is the master of race planning and this mare has been off the track since February so clearly has been targeted towards a conrtest of this nature.
KEOPS DES BORDES – 4:48 Open National Hunt Flat Race
There’s not a lot to go on for KEOPS DES BORDES but he’s been off the track for almost 18 months after losing out to No Drama This End in a bumper.
But that was in December 2024 and fastforward to now and he’s running in a bumper again. Interesting candidate but couldn’t have too much trust in him due to such a long absense.
All Dan Skelton Ayr Runners & Prize Money Up For Grabs
Below is the prize money Skelton would win if his horses are successful at Ayr.
- Calico – 1:10 (£42,203)
- Diamond Dealer – 1:45 (£25,720)
- Twistthenightaway – 2:55 (£23,148)
- Keops Des Bordes – 4:48 (£8,986)
Dan Skelton Also Has Two Runners On Friday
Just the two runners for Skelton on Friday, also at Ayr.
Hoe Joly Smoke goes in a Handicap Chase.
And Hidden History runs in a handicap hurdle.
Lower grade races, but would still help Skelton reach the £5million mark if they win.
Keep an eye out as he could be even closer to the mark by the first race on Saturday.
