Ace Of Spades

The overall record reads five wins and nine places from 14 races, which works out at winning more than 1 in every 3 races he enters (36%). That is a strong figure, but the recent progression is what makes this horse interesting. His first career win only came in April 2024 at Warwick. By November that year he was winning at Cheltenham. By October 2025, Aintree. By January 2026, Huntingdon again. That is a horse moving steadily upward, not one who has plateaued. Trainer Dan Skelton has noted that stepping up to three miles — rather than the shorter distances Ace Of Spades ran over earlier — has clearly suited him, and the January win at Huntingdon was a qualifying race pointing toward bigger things.

The partnership with jockey Harry Skelton, Dan's brother, is worth noting. The pair have ridden together 11 times and won five of them — a win rate of 45%, or nearly 1 in every 2 rides. That level of consistency between horse and rider suggests a genuine understanding. After the Cheltenham win, Dan Skelton was careful not to overcommit — pointing out that waiting late in the race, rather than pushing on early, was the key tactical decision. It is the kind of small detail that suggests a trainer who knows exactly what this horse needs.

Dan Skelton's yard at Alcester has sent out 194 winners this season alone, making it one of the most productive operations in the country. When a stable of that size picks out a horse as a potential each-way player at a major festival, it is worth paying attention. Ace Of Spades last raced 29 days ago and is currently in training. Whatever comes next, this is a horse that has shown it can win at big tracks on big days — and is still improving.