Envoi Allen has ‘definite aim’ of going for gold at Punchestown

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Cheltenham Festival 2023 – St Patrick's Thursday – Cheltenham Racecourse

hero on course to clash with Galopin Des Champs later this month.Download


Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen will target the after his fantastic Ryanair Chase success.

The multiple Grade One winner disappointed in the George VI Chase on Boxing Day day but was right back at his best at the Cheltenham , defeating ‘s Shishkin by two and three-quarter lengths.

De Bromhead has drawn a line through the run and is now targeting the Cheveley Park-owned gelding at the Ladbrokes-sponsored showpiece on April 26.

“This is a definite aim for Envoi Allen,” he said of the Punchestown feature.

““He was a good winner of the Grade One in Down Royal (Ladbrokes ) over three miles and his only blip this season was in the King George VI at Kempton.

Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen
Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen

“At that time, we had three that went over to England and ran appallingly, though Envoi and A Plus Tard had independent reasons for that. Still, they were all beaten after three fences.

“In fairness to Envoi, he has done very little wrong and was brilliant in the Ryanair. He seems really good since then.”

However, plans are still fluid for stablemate Minella Indo, who was pulled up with a lap to go when trying to reclaim his title.

“Minella Indo was very disappointing in the Gold Cup,” De Bromhead said.

“The start was a mess for him and nothing seemed to go right after that. He seems well again now and we’ve got three weeks to decide what we want to do.”

Envoi Allen and Minella Indo are part of a potentially stellar cast, which includes Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins) and runner-up Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls). Shark Hanlon’s Hewick – who was still in the mix when departing two from home in the Gold Cup – is also engaged.

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