".... talking out of his backside - but you can't knock him for it...."

Thursday, 8th January 2026

“…. talking out of his backside - but you can’t knock him for it….”

This new rule needs looking at….

In ATC today….

Dan Skelton is a winner….

…. he’s got the winner’s mentality….

…. and it’s why he was talking out of his backside at Ascot just before Christmas….

Oh…. and you can’t knock him for it either….

Read on….

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“You might as well retire the horse – he won't win for another ten runs at least because the handicapper is going to put him up.”

So said Dan Skelton following Etalon’s win at Ascot just before Christmas….

…. and the likelihood is he was talking out of his backside….

But how serious he was or how much actual substance his words contained isn’t the issue….

…. because Skelton is all about winning…. coming out on top…. getting a hold of every fraction of a percentage point he can get his hands on and getting it to work in his favour….

It’s the champion’s mentality at work….

…. unremitting and relentless…. no detail overlooked…. no stone unturned….

…. and it’s why Dan Skelton’s going to be at the very top of the game for years to come….

Winners want to win everything going…. all of the time….

…. and they scrap like dogs for every possible advantage….

The David Power Jockeys’ Cup was a new initiative last season….

…. offering the winning rider a £500,000 payout….

The Skeltons wanted to win it and didn’t miss a trick in making sure they did….

Jockeys got points for where they finished in 100 specific races – all broadcast on ITV….

…. and I remember Ed Chamberlin recounting a story about some races being called off on account of the weather….

…. and Dan Skelton being the one trainer to get on the phone to the powers that be at ITV – wanting to know asap which races would be televised instead on the Saturday….

…. so that he could make all the necessary entries – and give his brother every chance to maximize his point score and come out on top of the standings at the end of the season….

…. which Harry Skelton duly did….

You can’t knock it – you can only take your hat off to it and learn from it….

And that same game is what Dan Skelton was playing that Saturday at Ascot with Etalon….

His horse had won – and won well (granted off a career high mark)….

…. and straight away Skelton was on maneuvers – ostensibly talking to reporters and the punters back at home….

…. but knowing full well that the official handicapper would also be taking note of his post-race comments….

Here’s what Skelton said before suggesting his horse might as well be retired….

“Everyone credits lots of other jockeys and Harry doesn't get half the credit he deserves. He had no right winning today whatsoever. It was an absolute phenomenal ride – as good a ride as you'll ever see. Out the gate, he was hard over the first few and then he got left alone and he could dictate it the whole way. He had a bit of a fill-up down at Swinley Bottom and the other horse couldn't go with him, everything else has had to work to get within touching distance.”

The message to the handicapper is this….

…. Etalon was only able to win this afternoon because he received a ride for the ages from an inspired jockey doing something you will rarely – if ever – have the good fortune to witness on a British racecourse….

….. something very special happened here this afternoon….

…. the win can’t possibly be taken at face value….

…. so don’t be too hard on the horse when you reassess him ahead of Tuesday morning….

There was no mention of how first-time cheekpieces….

…. in combination with the new riding tactics….

…. might have improved the horse above and beyond anything he’d produced before….

…. and certainly no mention of how much more improvement these adjustments might enable the 9yo to find going forward….

And – let’s have it right – we wouldn’t expect it….

…. because comments of that nature don’t play into Skelton’s agenda – which is to limit the penalty his horse receives for winning a decent handicap….

In the end the official assessor put Etalon up 5lbs to a revised mark of 145….

Too much? I don’t think so….

Too little? Time will tell….

It’s probably about right….

…. but you can’t blame Dan Skelton for trying to muddy the waters and influence the judge….

…. that’s all part and parcel of the handicap game….

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That’s all for today….

Back tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd