SKELTONS LAY EARLY MARKER AT CHELTENHAM

BY DAVID YATES CALICO completed a big-race double for trainer-jockey brothers Dan and Harry Skelton as National Hunt racing returned to Cheltenham.

- BY DAVID YATES

Victorious in the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase 12 months ago, the nine-year-old mounted a successful title defence with a seven-length humbling of 9-4 favourite Jasko Des Dames.

“At nine years old he probably shouldn't be putting up a career best, but he just has,” said Dan Skelton.

“He is a great horse to train for this race, and we made sure we had him right for this.”