Dan Skelton Cheltenham 2026: Kateira the each-way pick as nine runners head into day two
dan skelton has declared nine runners for day two of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 and has singled out Kateira as his each-way horse of the week, saying the ground has come right for her. He previewed a busy day that includes Bossman Jack, Soldier Reeves, L’Eau du Sud and three bumper entries, and set clear expectations for improvement and fresh runs at Cheltenham. The trainer stressed preparedness and highlighted weights, recent form and race types as decisive factors for each contender.
Dan Skelton’s Cheltenham day two runners
Skelton outlined the lineup by race slot and outlined his thinking on each horse’s chance:
- Bossman Jack & Soldier Reeves — 1. 20 race odds
- L’Eau du Sud — 4. 00 race odds
- Calico & Be Aware — 4. 40 race odds
- Mets Ta Ceinture, The Skecher & Vango Can Go — 5. 20 race odds
On the opening pairing, Skelton warned it is a strong contest but stressed upward potential: “You don’t need me to tell you, but this is a bloody good race. I think both my horses have nice form coming into it and Bossman Jack feels like a big improver, and he was very good on his last two outings. He hasn’t stepped into graded company yet, but we like what we see, and we are happy to take our chance in a race like this. We’re expecting improvement, and we’re going to need to see it. ” — Dan Skelton, trainer, training base in Alcester, Warwickshire.
He offered a contrasting profile on Soldier Reeves: “Soldier Reeves has a few runs under his belt and we’ve been very happy with what we’ve seen. He was second the other day to Old Park Star up at Haydock and it was a very good run and this step up in trip will very much suit him. He is a big price but I think his run style, dropped in, should suit this race from an each-way perspective. ” — Dan Skelton, trainer, training base in Alcester, Warwickshire.
Kateira, weights and the Grand Annual duo
On Kateira Skelton was unequivocal about form and weight: “I have put up Kateira as my each-way horse of the week in all the previews and the ground has come right for her in the old Coral Cup. She looks fantastic and I am very happy with how she has been and trained. I am really looking forward to getting out there. She has 11stone, not 12stone, in a handicap which is the first time that has happened in a long time and fingers crossed for a big run. ” — Dan Skelton, trainer, training base in Alcester, Warwickshire.
For the Grand Annual pair he framed Calico as a proven two-mile performer and Be Aware as an improving novice: “We have two in the Grand Annual, starting with Calico who really knows how to run his best races over two miles especially around this track. He won back in the autumn, and he’s had a remarkable year. The handicapper’s obviously got him quite tight, but he knows how to run well in these races as I said. ” “Be Aware comes into it as a novice which historically was a good thing. I have been very happy with what I have seen this year without winning a graded race and this should suit him very well. ” — Dan Skelton, trainer, training base in Alcester, Warwickshire.
Bumpers and wider season context
Skelton confirmed an unusual three-horse entry in the bumper: Mets Ta Ceinture, The Skecher and Vango Can Go. He described Mets Ta Ceinture as a four-year-old filly with strong French form and a weight concession: “Harry rides Mets Ta Ceinture, who is a four-year-old filly. I couldn’t tell you how many four-year-old fillies have ran in this race before let alone won it, but she looks very good at home and her form in France has been very good, where she has graded form. She gets 17lbs which is a lot. She looks good at home, now let’s see it at the track. She has an each-way squeak at least hopefully. ” The Skecher and Vango Can Go were described as stout types likely to run on strongly to the line.
Quick context: Dan Skelton is described as Britain’s Champion Trainer in waiting and has reflected publicly on learning from past mistakes while managing a large, in-form squad at his Alcester base.
What’s next
Eyes will be on how the nine entrants handle the unique Cheltenham environment and whether Kateira can turn Skelton’s each-way confidence into a big result. The trainer emphasised freshness and preparation for the tougher contests and signalled he will be watching race-day conditions, weights and how the pace unfolds before final conclusions are drawn. Expect further updates from his yard as day two unfolds and post-race reactions from the trainer at his Alcester base.
