BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen, Champion Chase (Grade 1)

HAITI Couleurs ground his rivals into submission in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen, Champion Chase at Down Royal last Saturday.

Owned by Conyers, McDermott and Prowting, the Welsh raider was an easy-to-back 8/1 shot in the first Grade 1 contest of the season but proved too strong at the business end of the three-miler.

Paul Townend asked his mount for more turning for home and he briefly looked like a sitting duck as Romeo Coolio and Fleur In The Park loomed large behind.

The Dragon Dancer gelding wasn’t for passing though as he galloped on stoutly to repel his rivals.

Romeo Coolio cut out passing the second last fence while Fleur In The Park had enough as they ran past the final fence, both omitted due to low lying sun.

Banbridge gave chase on the run-in but he could make no inroads, and eventually lost second late on to Fleur In The Park, as Haiti Couleurs pulled away for a four-and-three-quarter-length win.

Trainer Rebecca Curtis said afterwards: “We decided on it about a month ago. Obviously, with his rating now he is out of handicaps. He was quite hard to place.

“It is a great experience coming here, the owners love it. That was brilliant, he is always good fresh. If you are ever going to go for a Grade 1, now would be the time before the Mullins brigade and a few others are out.

“I wasn’t sure at certain points in the race if he was happy or travelling as well as he can, but he found a second wind. The ground wouldn’t have been ideal, not because he doesn’t go on it, but it doesn’t play to his strengths.

“Obviously, Paul used to come over and ride a lot of mine years ago. We’ve always had quite a good relationship and when we knew we couldn’t have Sean (Bowen), you wouldn’t get a better replacement.”

Townend added: “This race isn’t targeted by Willie, as a rule nearly, so I always wanted to have a good crack at it.

“He looked to be at his best when he was fresh and I thought it was a race that might work out. Rebecca, when she puts her eye on a prize like that, she isn’t too far away either.”

Elliott doubles up

Gordon Elliott has dominated at this meeting in recent years and while his haul wasn’t as large as usual he still landed a double on the card.

Kala Conti led home a one-two for the yard in the Grade 2 Racing Post Chase. Robcour’s Karaktar mare went to post a 5/6 shot and made all under Danny Gilligan in the two-mile-three contest.

She was always doing enough in the closing stages to hold stablemate Jacob’s Ladder by two lengths.

Elliott said: “Jack (Kennedy) had the choice of the two of them and went for the other lad. He thought he worked well during the week.

“I’d say the other lad took a bit of a blow, he looked a bit bigger walking around the ring. Danny was clever on the one in front and got the fractions right. She’s a different filly on good ground.

“I’d imagine she will go down the mares’ route.”

Easy win

Earlier Skerry Hill justified a very short price with a very easy success in the Lough Construction Maiden Hurdle.

The unbeaten Order Of St George gelding went to post a 2/13 shot and made all under Jack Kennedy.

He stretched clear going to the second last and didn’t need to come off the bridle to score by 32 lengths. Elliott said of Ronnie Bartlett’s gelding: “I’ve got a lot of nice horses, but I think this lad is very good. Jack said he flicked off that ground as well and said he felt like he was in second gear the whole way.

When asked if the Royal Bond could be a target he added: “Yes, definitely.”

Paddy Power made the winner a 16/1 shot for both the Supreme and Turners Novices’ Hurdles. They go 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

PADDY Magee is hoping Admiral Will Brown can become a star for his yard after an impressive start over jumps in the opening Lisburn & Castlereagh City 3-Y-O Hurdle.

The Lope Y Fernandez led before the second last, under Josh Williamson, and kicked clear in fine style over the final flight to post a comprehensive six-and-a-half-length win over even-money favourite Kenough.

Magee said of the Terry Hyland-owned 5/1 winner: “I put my neck on the line a bit for this horse. We don’t have the big owners, but I put a few lads together.

“The right people from England were ringing about him. Everyone needs one good horse and hopefully this lad will be mine.

“I would be worried about heavy ground. We might have to run him and see. We might even travel to England for a winners’ of one over there.”

Stuntman avoids drama

Alix Balfe enjoyed his biggest win to date when Stuntman Steve sprang a 50/1 shock in the Kildress Plumbing Handicap Hurdle for MMW Racing Syndicate/Declan Mac Mahon.

There was a dramatic start to the two-miler as 6/5 favourite Ben Hur blundered away Sam Ewing at the first hurdle.

Stuntman Steve led going to the second last in the two-miler and ducked inside the loose horse before the final flight. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding kept on well to post a four-length win.

Balfe said: “This is definitely the biggest winner of my career and big thanks to connections, it is brilliant.

“The loose horse did us no harm the whole way round. Just as I came down to the second last, he started wandering in front of me, but I switched in just in case he went left. He didn’t really bother me too much.”

STATON proved another one for the bookies in the concluding SIS sponsored bumper when scoring at 100/1 for local trainer Paul Traynor.

Anna McGuinness produced the Diamond Boy gelding to lead turning for home and he quickened away from his rivals over a furlong from home to record a 12-length success over Some See Stars.

McGuinness said: “It is my local meeting, I’m half an hour down the road from here.

“To ride a winner at the Down Royal festival is brilliant.

“Paul felt he had him spot on today. He had improved slightly and he has showed it there today, he has put it all together.

“All credit to Paul and Karen (McNeilly), they do all the work with these horses.

“It is brilliant to get the opportunity.”

Smithers shines

Another claimer to shine on the card was Conor Smithers aboard Intense Approach in the Racing TV Handicap Chase.

The John McConnell-trained gelding cut out the running in the three-miler and the 9/1 shot repelled the challenge of Dinoland in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter-length success.

Smithers, who was carrying the colours of Caroline Ahearn, said: “I’m having a great season, thank God.

“It is a long way in without the two (bypassed) fences. Thankfully, when one came to him, he was gameball.

“For being out in front so long, he had every entitlement to maybe throw in the towel when a horse came to him.

“He put the head down and he battled hard.”