Envoi Allen (166) achieved redemption at the Cheltenham Festival by winning the Ryanair Chase and returning to the winner’s enclosure. The nine-year-old, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, previously won the Champion Bumper (2019) and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2020), but had a disappointing run in the Turners Novices’ Chase, unseating his rider as the favourite in 2021. He finished third in last year’s Champion Chase, but bounced back to his best form at the intermediate trip of the four-day showpiece.

Under the skilled guidance of Rachael Blackmore, Envoi Allen travelled with menace and was fortunate to recover from a near-fall at the third-last fence, the same obstacle that saw the evens-favourite Shishkin (163) make a momentum-stopping blunder. Shishkin was immediately under pressure to maintain his position, while Envoi Allen was gathered up by Blackmore and moved into the perfect spot to attack in the home straight.

The button was pressed approaching the last fence, and the 13-2 winner displayed his engine was still purring loudly, powering to a two-and-three-quarter-length success. Shishkin rallied bravely for second, ahead of Hitman in third. Trainer Henry de Bromhead was thrilled with the result, commenting: “It’s great for the Thompsons (Cheveley Park Stud) as they are great supporters of ours and the industry. It’s just brilliant.”

De Bromhead added that Envoi Allen was as good as ever before his disappointing showing at the King George at Kempton, where he failed to perform along with A Plus Tard (Betfair Chase) and Arctic Bresil (Ladbrokes Trophy). He was pleased that whatever they did seems to be working again. Blackmore was equally impressed with Envoi Allen’s performance, praising his travel and jumping ability. She was also happy to have a clear passage and not encounter any problems during the race.

Envoi Allen’s win was especially significant for De Bromhead, as A Plus Tard will defend his Gold Cup crown on Friday in the same colours. The trainer was cautiously optimistic about A Plus Tard’s chances, saying that while he was more confident after Envoi Allen’s success, each horse is an individual. Blackmore is looking forward to riding A Plus Tard and believes he is in great form.