DESPITE sporting a nasty black eye, Harry Skelton made it safely through the Cheltenham Festival with his David Power Jockeys’ Cup lead intact, leaving him determined to close out the competition and claim the £500,000 first prize.

A Turners Novices’ Hurdle victory on The New Lion and several placed efforts at Prestbury Park, plus Saturday’s Uttoxeter strike on Hidden History, has put Skelton 78 points clear of Harry Cobden at the summit, with Nico de Boinville a further 22 points back in third.

“There are only three days left in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup. I’ve got a decent lead of 78 points and hopefully I’ve made it difficult for the guys behind to catch me,” said Skelton.