Harry Skelton tears up as ‘magic’ Grey Dawning stars days after birth of his daughter

Grey Dawning reversed the 2024 placings of the Betfair Chase by defeating his gallant old rival Royale Pagaille. Harry Skelton’s wife Bridget gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday

Harry Skelton showed his emotions as ‘magic’ Grey Dawning sauntered to success in the £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock. The feature race on Saturday turned into a rematch up the straight between last year’s one-two, with Handstands close-up.

However Grey Dawning, beaten by Royale Pagaille 12 months ago, made it a very one-side contest in the closing stages as he eased two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of his old rival. It was a performance that left Skelton close to tears, just days after his wife Bridget gave birth to their daughter Anna on Thursday.

“Last year just didn’t work out when the heavens opened but today he was brilliant,” he said. Clare and Tom (Messenger) our assistant who rides him out every day – they look after him and got him in shape for me to go out and enjoy that.

“It’s all been going on – we had the birth of our daughter Anna. I’m really proud of Bridget and just really looking forward to getting home to be honest!

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“Sportsmen are used to everything, high emotions, but when your wife gives birth and they are all alright that’s all that matters. To do this on the sportsfield is what we want to do and the horses are in flying form.”

The big win added £113,870 to Dan Skelton’s prize money total at the top of the trainers’ table, which he leads clearly having amassed more than £1.2million since April.

“I thought he was going to put up a big performance today and he did just that,” he said, assessing the display from his classy grey chaser.

“We are a year late for what we thought was going to happen last year, but the rain really did us in last year. It was great to watch today.

“Harry is very emotional as he’s got through an incredible 48 hours. To do that for Robert Kirkland – he’s a phenomenal owner. Owners are the most important thing about this game and to be able to give one or two of them days like this is just great.”