Allmankind

Allmankind was impressive in winning the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle, despite appearing to race freely from flagfall. Sent to the front by Harry Skelton early, he raced in a clear lead down the back straight. His rivals closed as they started down the hill, but he still travelled well down to the second last flight. He jumped that obstacle in front and, despite the fact that he got in tight, he picked up well from there and quickened off the home turn. He jumped the last well and finished off his race strongly to win well in a good time.

A 90-rated horse on the flat for Michael Bell, Dan Skelton’s horse made all the running at Warwick too on his hurdling now just eight days earlier. He was keen that day too, hence the addition of the hood, which he wore on his first two runs on the flat, but not on his last four.

The form of this race is working out well already too. Runner-up Botox Has won the juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham’s December meeting, while third-placed Repetitio won a handicap hurdle at the same meeting off a mark of 125. It was a good performance by Allmankind and, while he is high enough in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle already, he probably should be even higher than he is.

Cheltenham, 16^th November 2019