'A proper race' - buckle up for a fast and furious Henry VIII Novices' Chase

1.50 SandownPlanteur at Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

On paper, Hitman could have the Arkle won already. In winning at Ffos Las by 30 lengths on his British debut, he had a handful of useful sorts in all sorts of trouble leaving the back straight.

The reality is a bit less flattering. None of his rivals really gave the impression of relishing either the fences or the ground that day. Hitman did both, a couple of decidedly scrappy jumps notwithstanding.

A similar theme runs through the Henry VIII Novices' Chase. Chipping away at most of the runners' form reveals more weaknesses than strengths. Phoenix Way will lose ground at every fence if he jumps like he did at Warwick; Ga Law is promising but probably more of a stayer; Eldorado Allen was the second-likeliest winner when the November Novices' Chase almost literally fell at his feet.

Tamaroc Du Mathan: perhaps the main danger to AllmankindCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Tamaroc Du Mathan's win at Wincanton was deeply impressive and even if you regard the form as not all that, price-conscious punters should have him on their shortlist at double-figure odds. He has not done enough, however, to suggest he is as likely a winner as Allmankind.

It is rare for a jockey to get a practice run at a big-race ride, but Harry Skelton does. In the race that follows, he will ride Politologue and it is fancied that he will employ the same bold tactics that Allmankind virtually commands. He was impressive as a juvenile hurdler doing just that, it carried him to Grade 1 success and third in the Triumph Hurdle.

On his first run over fences at Warwick, Allmankind looked a natural, jumping with the fluency his style of racing demands as he buried some useful rivals from three out.

That Zanza, an easy handicap winner at Newbury last week, finished second is not the primary point. It is that, under tender handling, he was able to pick off Stolen Silver and Fred, both superior hurdlers who paid for trying to live with the winner. Allmankind's form has the resilience that Hitman's lacks.

The Henry VIII could be a classic, full of intrigue, or it might just turn out to be straightforward. Either way, it will make for compelling viewing.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

Excitement awaits as Allmankind takes on Sandown

A frenetic front-runner, seven stiff jumping tests that include the famous Railway fences along the back straight and Grade 1 glory waiting at the finish – no wonder the prospect of Allmankind lining up at Sandown on Saturday is generating such excitement.

Since joining Dan and Harry Skelton, Allmankind's jumps career has been striking with his electric performances of slick jumping from the front, whether it be over hurdles or fences.

Yet the prospect of him flying rapid-fire over Sandown's fences could be a sight to behold, and for jockey Harry Skelton, who will partner Champion Chase winner Politoligue in the Betfair Tingle Creek, the potential for one hell of a buzz.

Allmankind: bolted up on chase debutCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

"He's a thrill to ride," he said. "He likes to get on with things, as we know, and he's always been the same so we let him do that.

"He seems to handle any ground and while it's a big test jumping around Sandown, it's also a test jumping those five fences down the back at Warwick and he flew over those. He was very impressive actually and the form has worked out well."

He added: "It's a proper jumping test, a proper race, and I'm really looking forward to it."

What they say

Joe Tizzard, son and assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Eldorado Allen
We thought he deserved a crack at a Grade 1 and the rain they've had at Sandown will suit him. We know he has good form around the track, and while he has to give weight to the four-year-olds, he's a smart horse with a good chance.

Harry Fry, trainer of Phoenix Way
It's a big step up from winning at Warwick last time, so he's going to have to improve. He stayed further over hurdles but it's a stiff two miles at Sandown and we wanted to dip our toe in the water with him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Tamaroc Du Mathan and Hitman
Tamaroc Du Mathan won a handicap at Wincanton very well off a mark of 131. A lot more is needed to win this race, but he's progressive over fences. Hitman is short on experience, but he won very nicely at Ffos Las and we'll take our chance in this. It's a very interesting race.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Ga Law
Gavin [Sheehan] and I will have a discussion on tactics and see what the best thing to do is with Allmankind in the race. He's dropping back in trip and the soft ground is an unknown, but we trained his half-brother Val De Law and he handled it. We'd like to think he's still improving.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

Saturday's previews:

Altior absence leaves Tingle Creek at the mercy of Paul Nicholls-trained pair

Will the Grand National fences reignite the spark in mercurial Might Bite? (Members' Club subscribers)

'His first-time-out record is 1111' - Mark Howard fancies an Aintree contender (Members' Club subscribers)

Becher Chase: Minellacelebration fancied to tee up owner's Grand National dream

Class counts: how the Becher Chase is copying its older cousin (Members' Club subscribers)

'I know the Tizzards are very happy with him' – Native River returns in hot race

Can 'devastating' Cloudy Glen be tamed in his bid for another National of sorts?

Grand Sefton: betting insight and trainer quotes for Aintree's closing handicap

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here