Envoi Allen Bidding For Third Win In Down Royal Feature

Envoi Allen might be in the twilight of his career at the age of 11, but optimism is high in the Cheveley Park camp that their popular veteran can bag himself a 3rd success in the BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.


It is six and a half years considering that Envoi Allen broke his Grade One duck in the Champion Bumper, the first of 3 victories at Cheltenham Festival while his total high-level tally stands at 9.


There have actually been one or 2 bumps in the roadway along the way, however Henry de Bromhead's charge has actually been near above reproach in the first Grade Among the Irish dives season in each of the past 3 seasons, with triumphes in 2022 and 2024 sandwiching a neck-long defeat at the hands of Gerri Colombe in 2023.


He has actually been off the track given that completing third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March and Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson is excited to see him return to a pleased hunting ground this weekend.


He stated: "He's been a fantastic horse, what a journey he's taken us on.


"He's won nine Grade Ones and is a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner.


Envoi Allen winning last year ´ s Ladbrokes Champion Chase (Brian Lawless/PA)


"This will probably be his last season, I would think, so let's how he operates on Saturday and go from there.


"He has actually had one or 2 down days, but there have been a lot more excellent days than bad. Even the times he's been beaten at Cheltenham he's been put in a Champion Chase and a Ryanair - his CV is just fantastic.


"Henry states he keeps his interest and if he can get 10 Grade Ones it would be remarkable, but as the old stating he goes he owes us absolutely nothing."


Spillane's Tower is a significant non-runner due to inappropriate ground while also dismissed Stellar Story.


He still saddles the returning Found A Fifty, Galway Plate and PWC Champion Chase winner Western Fold, with the field finished by Noel Meade's Affordale Fury and Keith Watson's rank outsider Flash Collonges.