Ditcheat Q&A: Assistant trainer Dan Skelton

Twenty-five-year-old Dan is Paul's right-hand man at Ditcheat. Read his unique insight into yard life here!

Name: Dan Skelton

Position: Assistant trainer

Age: 25

Marital Status (If you are single, why do you think that is?): In a relationship...and it's going well!

How long have you been at Ditcheat: Seven years

Favourite horse in time at the yard: Twist Magic

Most difficult horse in time at yard: Sanctuaire (NAP)

Lowest moment in racing: Losing Twist Magic at Newbury before Christmas.

Best moment in racing: Any Cheltenham Festival winner, but Sanctuaire especially!

Funniest moment in racing: Argento Chase, Cheltenham, 2011. Tidal Bay is closing fast on Neptune Collonges half way up the run-in and I'm in hysterics watching Neptune's passionate owner John Hales on the lawn, riding a finish to match McCoy's!

Pet hates: Poor timekeeping, untidiness and people jumping to conclusions.

Best piece of work you have ever seen at Ditcheat: Obviously Master Minded's work with Kauto is well known but Poquelin did a bit of work before his first run last season that suggested he was a different horse...he won on that run at Cheltenham off 139 and ended up rated 164 that spring.

Member of Ditcheat staff you would least like to be stuck in a lift with and why: Dan Collins, one of our Amateurs. When asked to describe a horse he's ridden he begins...."Well, we left the paddock, and one stirrup was shorter than the other so I pulled it up a hole, which wasn't enough, so I took another hole....."

Who is the unfunniest person in the yard and why? Well, David Prichard is the funniest. Ian Popham is the least funny, always wanting to go and ride at far-flung destinations which is not big, funny or clever!

What horse from another stable would you like to see in the yard? Peddlers Cross.

Cheltenham Banker: Poquelin

Sum up Paul Nicholls in one sentence: A dedicated, generous and talented horseman.

Tony Calvin / 18 Feb 2011

Ditcheat Q&A: Assistant trainer Dan Skelton

The Team / Tony Calvin / 18 February 2011 / 1

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The man, Dan Skelton

"Who is the unfunniest person in the yard and why? Well, David Prichard is the funniest. Ian Popham is the least funny, always wanting to go and ride at far-flung destinations which is not big, funny or clever!"