CHELTENHAM NEWS

Skelton unfazed by schedule issues

Trainer Dan Skelton says he and his team will not panic if Allmankind’s Cheltenham preparations are disrupted.

The five-year-old is set to run in the Arkle at this year’s Festival at Prestbury Park, with Nicky Henderson‘s Shishkin the favourite for the race.

Wille Mullins‘ Energumene will also line up but Skelton fancies his chances with third-favourite Allmankind.

Allmankind was set to run in the Agetur UK Kingmaker Chase at Warwick, but the recent cold snap could ruin those plans.

Despite the potential late cancellation, Skelton says his team can still get his charge ready for the race on March 16.

He told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast. “Even if you looked a week down the line you’ve still then got three and a half weeks before the Festival.

“I’m not worried about that, and Allmankind is not the type of horse who you’d be complaining about ground or track.

“He is just a simple horse. He just loves to run. Any opportunity you give him to run, he grasps it with both hands and gets on with it and loves it.”