Mankind “back to its old self”

    (Photo: Focusonracing.com
(Photo: Focusonracing.com

All mankind will look to make amends for a lackluster effort last year when he returns to jumps action in the Fitzdares Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday.

A Grade 1 winner over hurdles and as a novice chaser, the Gredley-owned Allmankind looked set for a decent campaign last term after winning the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

However, he went last of five finishers in the Huntingdon Tour and failed to pull in two subsequent outings, back over hurdles and then in the Marsh Chase at the Grand National meeting.

Trainer Dan Skelton gave the six-year-old a pipe opener on the Flat at Newmarket at the end of October, where Allmankind came home last of 11 runners after racing loose in stages.

Tim Gredley has enjoyed a lot of heart since that Flat spin and says the Sea The Moon mare is showing more of his old lust.

He said: “A lot has changed since last year’s race as we are just on a rebuilding mission but the boys seem happy with him at home.

“He had a very good break with us. He was never the easiest to train the first time, but he had a run on the Flat before that and was well schooled at home.

“Dan said he’s back to his old self as he picks up the bridle and runs away. According to the boys, he loves life at home.

“We know he can put in a big performance every now and then and hopefully this weekend will be one of them and that’s why we’re continuing to push with him.”

Gredley believes the disappointment at Huntingdon last year could be put down to a tough race at Aintree.

He added: “This time last year he went into the race after winning the Old Roan and everything was going. For whatever reason, he found life a little harder after that.

“He put everything into Old Roan and probably never got over it. He’s not a big horse, so to have top weight there was a tremendous achievement.”

Last year’s race winner First Flow returned to defend his title for trainer Kim Bailey with Mister Fisher, Do Your Job, Millers Bank, Pic D’Orhy and Pink Legend forming a seven-strong group for the grade prize two.

Elsewhere on the card, Gredley colors will be worn by performer Flat Father Of Jazz in The Fitzdares Looking Forward To HWPA Tomorrow Novices’ Hurdle.

“Father Of Jazz started to become a bit like Allmankind as he started to get a bit into his racing,” Gredley said of last year’s Winter Derby third.

“He doesn’t have the same jumping pedigree as Allmankind but I think two miles around Huntingdon will be fine as he was classy on the Flat.

“We entered him in the Grade Two at Cheltenham but decided to find an easier race to start him on. As with Allmankind, it’s a bit of an experiment.”

In what could prove a standout race for the future, opposition to Father Of Jazz includes the Roger Teal-trained Kenzai Warrior – a former winner of Horris Hill on the Flat and ninth to Kameko in the 2000 Guineas ago with two years.

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