DAN’S A DIAMOND GEEZER

DAN SKELTON passed another landmark - and the £4m prizemoney mark for the season ~ when Diamond Dealer landed the BetWright Novices’ Handicap Chase at Kelso.

- BY DAVID YATES

Skelton began yesterday needing £62,000 to become the first trainer in National Hunt racing history to reach the £4m. milestone, his target at the start of the campaign.

And he got there thanks to 100-30 favourite Diamond Dealer's £20,812 contribution under Tristan Durrell (right).

Skelton has finished second to Willie Mullins in the race for the last two trainers’ titles - but looks certain to come out on top on this occasion.

“At the start of the year, we thought, ‘What do we have to do to beat this Mullins fella’,” recalled Skelton, speaking at Newbury.