Allmankind made almost all to defy top weight in the Jewson Monet’s Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday.
A brilliant performance from Allmankind to win the @Jewson Monet's Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase under top weight!
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) October 24, 2021
A terrific ride from @harryskelton89 for @DSkeltonRacing ?? pic.twitter.com/HQffIxHi7L
A Grade 1 winner over hurdles as a juvenile and a top-level scorer too as a novice chaser last term, a mark of 160 ensured Allmankind shouldered the steadier of 11st 10lb in this Grade 2.
Trainer Dan Skelton had given him a prep run over hurdles at Chepstow this month – and while he could finish only third as favourite on that occasion, he made no mistake back over the bigger obstacles.
A noted front-runner, Harry Skelton’s mount was swiftly into stride, with Killer Clown and Itchy Feet trying to make their presence felt in the early exchanges as Allmankind set a decent pace.
He built up a couple of lengths lead at one point, but at the top of the straight there were really only three in contention – with Midnight Shadow travelling well in the hands of Ryan Mania.
A mistake from Allmankind three fences out briefly handed the initiative to Midnight Shadow, but the 9/4 favourite took the last obstacle much better to grab back the lead – and he kept finding for pressure all the way to the line.
Itchy Feet, who made a couple of errors in his fencing, finished with real purpose but was beaten a length at the line – with the same distance back to Midnight Shadow in third.