Value At Risk winning at Leopardstown last year© Photo Healy Racing
Dan Skelton justifiably had a spring in his step when leaving Newbury following the magnificent performance of Value At Risk in the EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
The five-year-old, completing a double on the afternoon for the Alcester trainer, was a dual bumper winner for Philip Fenton last season and signed off his campaign by finishing third behind Shaneshill at the Punchestown Festival.
He has switched yards this summer following the steroid controversy that resulted in Fenton's licence being withdrawn and his loss has clearly been Skelton's gain judged by the way the 11-8 favourite destroyed what looked an above-average field in Berkshire.
After taking up the running at the third flight, Value At Risk galloped on relentlessly and came home 22 lengths clear in the hands of the trainer's brother, Harry, without being fully extended.
"To see him do that was just amazing. As you can see he's a chaser and the one thing he'll never do is run on going that hasn't got some soft in it. How he came to me has been well documented, and I'm just so lucky to have him," said (Dan) Skelton.
"That was very good and I'm privileged to have the horse. Hurdles are just an intermediate step for him. What Paul Nicholls taught me about these big chasing types is something I'll never forget, and something I'll always strive to replicate. Sometimes I have to pinch myself - that's how good it's been."
Value At Risk is a 10-1 shot with Betfred for the Albert Barlett Novices' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival and 14-1 for the shorter Neptune.
He disappointed in last season's Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park, but is likely to return to the track on Festival Trials day at the end of January.
"I wanted to give him a little bit more time. He's obviously very good, and a step up in class over two and a half miles would be just the ticket at Cheltenham on Trials day," said Skelton.
The afternoon got off to a flying start for the Skeltons as 7-1 shot Zarib bolted up in the Blackmore Building Juvenile Hurdle.
The former Aga Khan-owned gelding readily outstayed Jalingo to score by four lengths.
"There's improvement to come in his jumping," said the winning trainer.
"His sire is the same as Zarkandar's (Azamour) and his owner, Terry Northwood, loves the ex-Aga Khan horses.
"It would be bold to say he's a Triumph Hurdle horse, but I'll try him in a better race to find out."
