Ardlethen

Ardlethen ran well to finish sixth in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Settled back in the field and towards the inside early on by Harry Skelton, he jumped and travelled well through his race and he made nice ground as they raced towards the end of the back straight. He came under pressure as they raced to the home turn, but he picked up in the home straight and he jumped into seventh place over the fourth last. He landed over the third last in fourth place, but his progress just flattened out from there, the first three got away from him, and he just kept on to take sixth place.      Dan Skelton’s horse may do better when he can get back on softer ground. All his good form last year was on soft or heavy ground. Also, it may be that this three-and-a-quarter-mile trip just stretched him. He has good form over two and a half miles, and it may be that three miles on soft ground will be optimal for him now. He is only seven, and this was just his eighth run over fences.

Newbury, 28^th November 2020