121114114. Those are the form figures for Dan Skelton-trained and Harry Skelton-ridden chasers in October through December at Haydock in the last couple of years.

They include some very impressive winners, although pointing this out has come a week late to pinpoint recent winners Real Stone and Grey Dawning, who won by 20 lengths and nine and a half lengths on Saturday. I could mull over why the Skeltons do so well at Haydock, and it’s worth considering that the track favours sound jumping and aggressive tactics, which are certainly an excellent match for the Skeltons’ well-schooled chasers as well as Harry’s predilection for injecting pace mid-race as a tactical ploy.