Trainer Analysis
D Skelton

Detailed trainer analysis for Dan Skelton at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

D Skelton
Great Britain

BIO

At the festival, Dan has had 13 winners since 2016 though has had over 50% of those in the last three festivals. Well known for success in handicaps, Langer Dan being the best example, 9 of the 13 winners have come in handicaps.

FESTIVAL WINS

STRIKE RATE

8.1%

PROFIT (LOSS)

(£5)

WINS & STRIKE RATE BY YEAR

Chart showing Dan Skelton trainer stats at Cheltenham Festival

WINS & STRIKE RATE ANALYSIS

Although Skelton has a strike rate of 8.1% since 2016, he is the most successful trainer, based on strike rate, over the last three years at 13.7% (7 wins from 51 entries), Mullins at 12% and Henderson on 8.7%.

Pulse Verdict:

Skelton's strike rate is on the rise over the most recent period after a poor start to the decade. Note that in 2026 he had more than double the number of runners than the average over the prior decade (28 runners in 2026 against a 10 year average of 13 runners).

MOST SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL RACES

County Hurdle

BetMGM Cup (Coral Cup)

Graph showing trainer Dan Skelton's wins by race type at the Cheltenham Festival

WINNERS BY RACE TYPE

PULSE STOPPER

Handicap Chase

Excluding last year Skelton was 1/32 (S/R 3.1%) in handicap chases. Madara doubled his handicap chase wins in 2026 though his strike rate remains below other race types at 5% (2/37).

Pulse Stopper Verdict:

Relative to other race types Skelton has struggled in handicap chases and would have returned a loss of £20 to £1 level stakes.

PULSE INSIGHTS

When brother Harry Skelton is riding for Dan his strike rate is generally consistent across all races with one exception.

For handicap hurdles the combination have won 5 from 33 which is an impressive strike rate of over 15%. This would be a profit of almost £11 to a £1 level stake.

Pulse Insights Verdict:

Skelton's average handicap-hurdle strike rate since 2016 is 11.3%. With Skelton on board this average at 15% is an increase of almost one third (32.7%)

PULSE EDGE

Skelton is strongest in handicap hurdles with 53% of his winners since 2016 coming in this sphere.

With four wins in the County hurdle and two wins in the Coral Cup (now BetMGM Cup) he has done so from only 20 and 9 runners respectively.

Pulse Edge Verdict:

Skelton clearly targets handicaps and has a strong record in hurdles. His strike rate in the County at 20% is strong and would have returned a £70 profit to £1 level stakes.

PULSE VERDICT

Skelton's Strongest Festival Targets

County Hurdle 4/20 | 20%

Bet MGM Cup (Coral Cup) 2/9 | 22.2%

Skelton has excelled in handicap hurdles with a strike rate over 11% but particularly targets the County and BetMGM (Coral) Cup.

PULSE SUMMARY

Pulse Rate

County Hurdle 4/20 | 20%

Pulse Stopper

Handicap Chase 2/37 | 5%

Pulse Insight

Skelton & Skelton in Handicap Hurdle 5/33 | 15%

Pulse Edge

County Profit 4/20 | £70 (to £1 level stakes)

ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Trainer Analysis D Skelton

Detailed trainer analysis for Dan Skelton at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

BIO