'This has been the target since last season' - Gredley reveals Allmankind plan

Sunday: 3.00 Aintree
Jewson Monet's Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

All eyes will be on Ann Hamilton's stable star Nuts Well as he bids to follow in the footsteps of the brilliant grey Monet's Garden, after whom this race is named, by winning back-to-back runnings of the Old Roan Chase.

Nuts Well caused an 18-1 shock in this race last year when he fended off the challenge from Clondaw Castle, Itchy Feet, who reopposes, and Oldgrangewood with a strong staying effort despite hitting the final fence.

The length-and-a-half success as a nine-year-old matched the same feat as Monet's Garden achieved for his first success in this race in 2007.

The similarities don't stretch much further, aside from the duo often adopting stalking tactics and the fact that the Old Roan was used as a seasonal target for both horses.

So, why change something that isn't broken? Hamilton has opted for a carbon-copy preparation by taking in a 2m1f handicap chase, which is also named after a Nicky Richards-trained great in Simply Ned, at Kelso earlier this month, and Nuts Well proved he is firing on all cylinders with a cosy victory.

Nuts Well: a popular winner of the Old Roan last year for Ann HamiltonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He faces a stiffer test and is 4lb higher than last year in a competitive running of the Aintree Grade 2.

Not only does he oppose far younger and unexposed rivals, albeit age hasn't stopped the majority of Old Roan winners (average age of winners since the inaugural running in 2004 is just under nine), but he will have to prove his speed throughout the early stages to live with the enthusiastic Allmankind.

The Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old was best described as a tearaway in his first season over hurdles, but progressed into a highly talented two-miler with victories in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase and Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase last season.

He embarks on a different test now as connections have decided to step him up in trip and racing professionally and efficiently could be the making of Allmankind. He shaped nicely on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow and is sure to improve on his second start since a wind operation.

Itchy Feet, whose lack of fluency over fences has cost him on several occasions, and Tamaroc Du Mathan, who represents three-time winner of this race Paul Nicholls, are worthy of serious consideration. Each-way players may side with Huntsman Son, who often runs best when fresh.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Spanish connection to Skelton star

Owner Tim Gredley won’t be at Aintree to see his jumps flagbearer Allmankind carry top weight in the feature as he is competing in a show-jumping competition in Spain alongside the trainer Dan Skelton’s father Nick.

Four times a winner over fences last season, including at Grade 1 level at Sandown, Allmankind enjoyed a warm-up for this over hurdles at Chepstow 15 days ago.

Speaking from Jerez, Gredley said: “This has been the target since Ayr last season with Allmankind, who enjoyed a recent pipe opener over hurdles. Like last year, he probably needed that first race and he’s a tough horse.

"He has a lot of weight to carry and he’s only run over two and a half miles once before. I know he won but it’s still a bit of an unknown.”

Allmankind: had a recent pipe opener over hurdlesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Gredleys have five in training over jumps, all with the Skeltons, including recent winner Too Friendly and Saturday’s Cheltenham runner Stepney Causeway.

Gredley added: “We were always going to have our jumpers with Dan as obviously I’ve known Nick a long time through show jumping and he’s out here now competing.

"They’re a top class operation and we really enjoy having horses with them. I used to jump on the British team with Nick a few years ago and I’ve grown up with Harry and Dan, so it made sense really."

What they say

Olly Murphy, trainer of Itchy Feet
He’s got good course form and goes well fresh, so he goes there with an each-way chance in a competitive race. He’s had a lot of schooling with Laura Collett and he’s a nice staying type who we may go up with in trip next time.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Tamaroc Du Mathan
He goes there in good shape and the flat track will suit him, but I think he’s still high enough in the handicap for what he’s achieved. This will tell us if I’m right or wrong.

Alex Hales, trainer of Huntsman Son
He’s had a nice summer break but ran very well at Wetherby off a long break last year, so that shouldn’t bother him. It’s a hot race and he’s 11 years old now so is in the senior brigade, but there’s no reason why he can’t run very well.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Killer Clown
He had a palate operation over the summer and is in very good form, so we're very much looking forward to the race. He’ll enjoy the flat track and there are plenty of positives.
Reporting by David Milnes

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