Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 53.36s

Allmankind^h,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 160| CD

5/1

One of the best juvenile hurdlers around last season and this front runner has quickly made into an even better chaser, winning Henry VIII at Sandown and Kingmaker at Warwick on last 2 starts.

Form: 13-3111

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Captain Guinness³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 153| D

10/1

Came a long way in a short space of time over hurdles last term. Has also quickly developed into a smart chaser but Energumene was way too good for him at Naas. Fell at Leopardstown since.

Form: 2B-P12F

Eldorado Allen^t1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| CD

33/1

Made good start over fences with wins at Newton Abbot and here but never competitive behind Allmankind in Henry VIII at Sandown and no match for Shishkin at Doncaster in January. Tongue tie added.

Form: 30-1142

Franco De Port³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| D

8/1

Won first 2 starts over fences, the second a Leopardstown Grade 1, but firmly put in his place by stablemate Energumene back at Leopardstown last month.

Form: 72P-112

Shishkin⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 164| CD

4/9

Won the Supreme last year and has quickly made up into Timeform's highest-rated novice chaser, easily winning all 3 starts this term, the latest a Doncaster Grade 2. Can't oppose.

Form: 111-111

Non-Runners

Numitor²⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: H Main J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Shishkin (4/9), Allmankind (5/1), Franco De Port (8/1), Captain Guinness (10/1), Eldorado Allen (33/1), Numitor (100/1)

The absence of Energumene robs us of what could have been the race of the meeting and it now looks a relatively straightforward task for the hugely exciting SHISHKIN, who can provide Nicky Henderson with a seventh win in this contest. The front-running Allmankind has taken really well to fences and he can hold on for second from Captain Guinness.