Welsh National favourite and two Arkle movers: how Saturday impacted the markets

After another marquee Saturday, plenty of horses enhanced their Cheltenham Festival hopes while others were dashed. There were also big moves in the Welsh National market.

Sporting Life Arkle
8-1 (from 25)

A classy juvenile over hurdles last season, Allmankind announced himself as a main player in the Arkle after an excellent performance in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.

He beat a subsequent winner on his chasing debut at Warwick last month and made the majority of the running here, having most of his rivals in trouble down the back straight.

He was clear turning for home and was always keeping the runner-up at bay up the hill. Shishkin looked phenomenal on his recent chasing debut, but Allmankind looks a worthy festival adversary.

What connections said:
Harry Skelton, jockey: "He was electric down the back straight and his jumping over the Railway fences helped me fill him up. You have to be brave with him, and he has a big heart to keep going at the end – it was a great thrill. He's won two Grade 1s and is only four, so who knows how far he could go."

How the market looks:
William Hill 6-4 Shishkin, 8 Allmankind, 10 Sharjah, 14 Felix Desjy, 16 Hitman, Andy Dufresne, Unexcepted, 20 bar

Betway Champion Chase
8-1 (from 14)

While perhaps benefiting from the absence of Altior, nothing should be taken away from Politologue, who dealt with his Tingle Creek rivals as a reigning Champion Chase winner should.

He went into an early lead and his customary good jumping allowed him to get into a great rhythm under Harry Skelton, the pair pulling seven lengths clear of stablemate Greaneteen.

Politologue: on course for his Champion Chase defenceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Politologue is as reliable as any at Grade 1 level but appears to remain something of an underappreciated asset. He is likely to make a bold bid to retain his crown come the spring.

What connections said:
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "He's in the form of his life and that might be a great opportunity, he's not getting any younger. It's a Grade 1 and there's a nice gap to Cheltenham. He's a true, staying two-miler, goes a gallop and keeps jumping, that's what he is."

How the market looks:
Sky Bet 7-2 Chacun Pour Soi, 6 Altior, 8 Put The Kettle On, Politologue, 14 Duc De Genievres, Rouge Vif, 16 Notebook, 20 bar

Sporting Life Arkle
16-1 (from 25)

Good winner of a Grade 3 novice chase at Navan, but his future targets may be limited as he jumped noticeably out to his left throughout and going left-handed looks a must.

That is not to say he didn't jump well, it was mistake-free and he stayed on to good effect to see off a promising runner-up in Embittered.

Andy Dufresne: undefeated in two starts over fencesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A step up in trip could well see him to better effect but, with stablemate Envoi Allen looking to have the Marsh locked up, the Arkle could be the race for him.

What connections said:
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "He does want a bit further. Christmas might come a bit soon for him and he could be a really nice horse in the spring."

How the market looks:
William Hill 6-4 Shishkin, 8 Allmankind, 10 Sharjah, 14 Felix Desjy, 16 Hitman, Andy Dufresne, Unexcepted, 20 bar

Coral Welsh Grand National
10-1 (from 20)

Fell on his seasonal return but made it two from two at the track with a comfortable success in the Welsh National Trial in tough conditions.

This was only the eighth run of his career, but he has mainly been an effective recruit to chasing and clearly stays well at extreme distances.

He holds an entry in the Welsh National and will head in that direction. His love for the course and progressive profile make him a serious player.

What connections said:
Evan Williams, trainer: "It's always nice when they go like that after a fall last time because you always worry. He was very good and that was lovely to see. The Welsh National will be next."

How the market looks:
Paddy Power 10 Secret Reprieve, Yala Enki, 12 Sam Brown, Springfield Fox, 14 Native River, The Two Amigos, Truckers Lodge, 16 Bobo Mac, Ramses De Teillee, 20 bar

Saturday's reports:

'We wanted to take on Altior' – reaction of Paul Nicholls after Tingle Creek win

Santini and Native River thwarted in Many Clouds Chase by outsider Lake View Lad

Allmankind puts in jumping exhibition as four-year-olds dominateHenry VIII

'He's a star' – Vieux Lion Rouge storms to second Becher win on fifth race run

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