1 minute Turners Novices' Chase Result
A fine Cheltenham Festival for the Skelton team continued on Thursday as Grey Dawning took the opening race of the afternoon at odds of 5/2. Grey Dawning edged out the Paul Nicholls-trained Ginny's Destiny in the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase to avenge a narrow defeat here at Cheltenham in December.
Djelo rounded off the top three for Venetia Williams, ensuring a British 1-2-3 in the race.
Harry Skelton told ITV Racing:
"He's just magic. This is unbelievable. He was great today and after a long discussion Dan got the right race.
"We just thought on the ground a galloping track would suit him down to a tee. Everything just went perfect. He absolutely pinged the last two fences and he's very good. I hope he's a bit special."
Skelton added: "Hopefully he's got a long career ahead of him and to put up a performance like that was fabulous. It was plan A and Harry was great on him.
"Sometimes on a horse that good you need one plan. I'm delighted for everyone involved."
Grey Dawning's odds for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup have been reduced to 8-1 from 25-1 by Betfair Sportsbook, and his owner, Robert Kirkland, is considering a challenge for the major event next year.
He said: "I'm speechless, he's outstanding. He's got the ability and the stamina for the Gold [Cup] and we hope for the future he's a horse for that race."
Facile Vega, who started the race as the 5-2 joint favourite with Grey Dawning, had another underwhelming performance and finished in a distant seventh place.