Cheltenham Clues: Allmankind shortened for the Arkle

Allmankind impressed on his final run before heading to Cheltenham, seeing off the promising Sky Pirate in the rescheduled Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

The five-year-old made all in the contest and the gelding’s lightening quick pace was too much for his opponents, but he did make a few mistakes and survived a scare at the second last.

Dan Skelton’s prospect saw his price for the Arkle Chase shortened from 10/1 to 7/1, and could be a surprise challenger to the two market favourites, Shishkin and Energumene. Runner-up Sky Pirate remained at 8/1 for the Grand Annual for Jonjo O’Neill.

Two For Gold produced a gutsy performance in the Paddy Power Warwick Castle Handicap Chase, holding off the late advances of Aso and Admiral’s Secret.

Kim Bailey’s eight-year-old, who is a 25/1 shot for the Ultima Handicap Chase, made a strong front-running effort and a top-class ride from jockey David Bass saw the gelding hold out to win by a neck.

Meanwhile at Naas, Capodanno saw his price trimmed for the County Hurdle from 20/1 to 16/1, after making up an eye-catching amount of ground to claim third in the Horse and Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle.