Dan Skelton knows Protektorat faces a stiff challenge on his seasonal return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park a week on Saturday – but he is happy to let take on favourite and last year's winner A Plus Tard.
The seven-year-old finished third behind Henry de Bromhead's Gold star in the Cheltenham Festival feature in March, before he disappointed when only fourth in the Betway Bowl at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse the following month.
Skelton is under no illusions about A Plus Tard's standing at the top of the staying chase division, but the Grade One feature at Haydock on November 19 has always been Protektorat's early season aim – and that won't change because of the opposition.
