All class for Allmankind in Finale demolition

Allmankind ran out a very impressive winner of the Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle under jockey Harry Skelton for trainer and brother Dan Skelton.

Sent off the 6/5F after two very imperious victories at Warwick and Cheltenham in recent months, he went straight to the lead and made all in a fashion so imperious, he is not the 8/1 second favourite for the main event for the division, the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Festival in March.

He was already a warm favourite for them two victories, but with Botox Has, who he had defeated in stylish fashion in the Grade 2 Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle at the November Meeting at Cheltenham, franking the form by winning the juvenile hurdle at the International meeting a few weeks ago, the air of anticipation was all about as he entered the parade ring on a foggy and slightly moist Friday at Chepstow.

Harry was not messing around at the start and immediately went to press the lead on him, taking it up from Nordano and Bryony Frost, another genuine front runner. Irish raider Cerberus was settled in behind in mid division, jockey Robbie Power not letting him get loose in the stamina sapping conditions.

Heading around the bottom bend Allmankind has pulled himself into a 5 length lead, relenting to a more sedate gap of a length upon entering the back straight. Going down the back all bar Art Of Diplomacy were going well, Harry Bannister starting to get more anxious at the halfway stage.

At the last down the back Harry decided to let Allmankind go on and he quickly established a 6 length lead, quickly getting all his rivals bar Maskada, Cerberus and Tavus off the bridle. At 3 out he was still motionless on the leader, and Robbie Power decided now was the time to go after the leader.

At 2 out the lead was 4 lengths, but Cerberus could not get any closer to the leader, and despite all his jockey’s urgings, the gap grew to six lengths at the last. A good jump at the last sealed a first Grade 1 for Allmankind, scoring in decisive fashion by 9 lengths to the Irish raider, with Nordano plugging on an equal distance back in third.

Harry described the horse after the race as “ a bit of a freak”, and it remains whether his next run will be the big one in March at the Festival, or possibly some more match practice at the course.