‘Tried that’ champion trainer Dan Skelton rules star horse OUT of Cheltenham 2027 showpiece

CHAMPION trainer Dan Skelton has ruled one of his juggernauts out of a return to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2027. Grey Dawning, who finished fourth in the race this year, will not give the highly anticipated contest another crack. Champion trainer Dan Skelton has ruled Grey Dawning out of next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup Credit: PA The 2025 Betfair Chase winner will take a different route this season Credit: PA The nine-year-old’s first major assignment will be a bid to maintain his Betfair Chase crown at Haydock in November. Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Skelton said: “We’re aiming for the Betfair, obviously he won the race last year so our plan is to go to the Betfair and then work out the season from there on. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! “Really happy with how he’s going at home, it’s straightforward for him, we just make the plans for Haydock, we’ve tried that for the last two years – one we won and one we were just second in. “So it’s a pretty straightforward plan for him at the start of the year, so hopefully we’re in as good form as we can be for that.” READ MORE IN HORSE RACING When asked if the Haydock run would kick-off a road to another Gold Cup, Skelton said: “No tried that. We won’t be going back to the Gold Cup.” And the decision is perhaps with very good reason – following a devastating display in this year’s edition of the race, it doesn’t seem worth taking on Willie Mullins‘ star three-miler, Gaelic Warrior. It was a historic ride by Irish star Paul Townend, who barely moved a muscle on the eight-year-old for the whole 3m2½f. After finishing fourth in the Gold Cup, Grey Dawning returned to the track in style with victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree – beating Joseph O’Brien‘s Solness by a neck in April. Most read in Sport The three-time Grade One winner stepped back in trip stylishly and made amends on his Aintree Festival performance the previous year, in which he was second to familiar foe Gaelic Warrior, who took the Bowl by three lengths. However, it doesn’t seem that we will see the rivalry renewed at Cheltenham 2027, as Gaelic Warrior connections are sure to fancy defending their title. Rich Ricci’s star is already widely at an ante-post price of evens to take the 2027 Gold Cup. Meanwhile, another short price ante-post pick is Grey Dawning for the Betfair Chase this November, several bookies have him at 4-5 to take his fourth Grade One. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now