After an eventful three-day Berkshire Winter Millions Festival over the weekend, a clear frontrunner for the £500,000 first prize in the inaugural David Power Jockeys’ Cup has been established.
Another 'Skelton Spring' could assure Harry of the Cup
Harry Skelton leads the way with a healthy advantage in the £1.5million contest and is virtually guaranteed to enter February at the top of the tree.
The 35-year-old jockey – who rides predominately for his brother Dan – stretched his lead at the top of the table to 30 points following three days of stunning action.
He steered home Panic Attack to an impressive victory at Windsor on the opening day of the three-day festival on Friday. After drawing a blank on Saturday, he returned to Windsor with an effortless victory on Protektorat in the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase the following day.
Those two wins and a couple of third places boosted Skelton’s lead at the top of the table to 30 points. He sits in clear pole position in the race to land the £500,000 first prize.
Eyes on the prize for the chasing pack
Sam Twiston-Davies kept himself in the running despite failing to ride a winner. He hit the frame on three occasions to maintain his position in second place.
Harry Cobden was another jockey to fail to hit the bullseye in the qualifying race but he can be comforted by a 30-point haul that saw him join Nico de Boinville in joint-third.
Nico bagged big-race glory on Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday to add to his victory on Secret Squirrel at Windsor the previous day to keep his challenge ticking over.
Harry will benefit from the support of the his boss, 14-times Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, as he set his sights on the inaugural David Power Jockey’s Cup. Nico will also receive significant backing from his chief supporter Nicky Henderson.
They are well-placed to challenge for the huge first prize with nearly three months left to run before the final day of the contest on the eve of the Grand National.
Sean Bowen sits in fourth place having chosen to swerve the David Power Jockey’s Cup races at Ascot and Windsor to chase the Champion Jockeys’ crown by riding a winning at Taunton on Saturday.
Townend title hopes suffer blow with Cheltenham riches on horizon
Irish jockey Paul Townend – Champion Trainer Willie Mullins number one rider – was expected to throw down his challenge at Ascot on Saturday with two fancied rides. However, Kargese and Energumene both could only finish second in their races leaving the Irish Champion Jockey someway adrift of the pacesetters in the David Power Jockey’s Cup.
The captivating competition moves on to Cheltenham and Doncaster next weekend when there is sure to be twists and turns in the quest to be the initiative’s top jockey.
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