'He'll take a good deal of beating' - Skelton confident as Allmankind returns

2.05 Cheltenham
Masterson Holdings Hurdle | 2m½f | 4yo | ITV4/RTV

This is a fascinating rematch between Allmankind and Botox Has, who were first and second in the Grade 2 Triumph Trial at this track in November and both went on to better things.

Allmankind had another of these rivals, Nordano, a long way behind when bolting up by nine lengths in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas and followed that with a good third behind Burning Victory in the Triumph Hurdle itself at this track in March.

He did all of his racing last season in the combination of a hood and tongue-strap but trainer Dan Skelton removes the hood in a bid to sharpen up his front-runner. Allmankind has at times looked to be a borderline tearaway, so maybe this is a sign he is maturing.

Two and a half lengths separated Allmankind and Botox Has here in November and Botox Has is 4lb better off at these weights, which gives him a chance of reversing the places.

Botox Has went on to land the Triumph Hurdle Trial at the December fixture here on his next outing but didn’t make it to the track again last season and now returns from 315 days off.

The absence is no great concern given he won on his seasonal reappearance and debut for this yard at Fontwell last year, but this could be a testing race from a tactical perspective.

Botox Has made all when successful here in December, Allmankind likes to force the pace, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Stratagem also made all when successful at Kelso last time.

There may only be seven lining up, but there should be plenty of pace and it could turn into a survival of the fittest on the uphill run to the line if the three market protagonists get into a battle from an early stage. Stamina and not speed might prove the deciding factor.
Graeme Rodway, tipster

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Allmankind
He took high rank as a juvenile, and this will be his last run against four-year-olds. I’m very happy with him. He has a Class 1 penalty, but I'd hope he'll take a good deal of beating and start his season off well.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Stratagem
He's got to improve on his bare form from last season, although he did beat Solo at Auteuil and probably hadn't acclimatised when he joined us. I think he'll run well and he's improved physically, but it's a good race and he's got to progress.

Gary Moore, trainer of Botox Has
We were waiting for Aintree in the spring, which never happened, as I didn't want to run him against Goshen in the Triumph, although he'd have probably won that given how things panned out! He's gone through the summer well and he'll benefit from the run, while we know he handles the track, but he'd prefer a bit more give in the ground.
Reporting by James Burn

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