Dan Skelton is happy to let Protektorat again take on Cheltenham Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on November 19.
Skelton's seven-year-old finished third, more than 17 lengths adrift of 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 knows it will be tough to turn around that deficit with A Plus Tard in the Grade One feature on Merseyside two weeks on Saturday. But he believes his rising staying chaser is fit and ready to get his season going – and is not afraid of the challenge that awaits.
