Gordon Elliott's stable star Envoi Allen is said to have come out of his win at Punchestown in rude health and the handler is now happy to head straight to Cheltenham, with the Marsh Novices' Chase the most likely race he will head into.
Envoi Allen has been one of the leading jumps horses in the sport over the last two years and now stepping up to go over fences this term, everyone just wants to know how good he can truly be.
The Cheveley Park owned stud is a dual Cheltenham festival winner having taken the Champion Bumper and Ballymore Novices hurdle in consecutive years and is gearing his season towards a third straight win at the event in the Marsh Novices' Chase.
The six year old has gone from strength to strength under Elliott landing all 12 of his races to date, winning one point to point, four bumpers, four hurdle contests and also extended his winning run last time out in his first Grade One win over fences.
Stepping over the bigger obstacles this season, he was very impressive at Down Royal, jumping his fences superbly and showing his classy travelling ability as he has throughout his career.
"There's people who ride horses the length and breadth of the country who would love to have ponies with Envoi Allen's honesty."
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 21, 2021
On the #RoadToCheltenham show, neither Lydia nor Ruby can hide their admiration for Envoi Allen, despite the lack of competition for him last Sunday. pic.twitter.com/h9zPaf3HiG
Elliott then stepped him up to Grade One company at Fairyhouse in the Drinmore Novice Chase and gave another standout performance to take the event by close to nine lengths.
At Punchestown earlier this month he was looking to make it three from three over fences a Grade Three event and was giving serious weight away to the rest of the field, but with Asterion Forlonge falling at the first it made for an easier ride round and again he was foot perfect.
Envoi Allen will now head to the Cheltenham festival ready to put his unbeaten record on the line once more and connections are over the moon with him.
(Credit ATR) Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park’s managing director, said: “It was a shame that the horse was never able to have a proper race, which is what we really wanted to do, rather than what ended up being a piece of work really.
“It was a bit of anti-climax in the end. We were hoping we’d have a bit of a race on our hands, but sadly it didn’t happen.
“He came out of the race fine and bouncing – he was having a ball in his field the next day, having a roll in the mud.
“He’s a very intelligent horse – he knows exactly what he’s up to – and we’re lucky to have him.“Cheltenham is the next stop.”