A RACE with the potential to provide Envoi Allen with an acid test instead turned into a somewhat anti-climactic affair as Gordon Elliott’s stellar inmate took his tally to 11 wins from as many starts in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Killiney Novice Chase.
The dual Cheltenham winner lined up bidding to concede 11lb to his four rivals which were headed by a formidable opponent in the Grade 1-winning hurdler Asterion Forlonge. However, the latter got the first fence all wrong and crashed out, taking down Sempo, which left Envoi Allen to make all the running over the course of this two-and-a-half miles.
In customary style, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding jumped alertly, cleanly and efficiently as he lobbed along in relaxed fashion.
Envoi Allen was utterly unflappable at all stages and he was still cruising along on the bridle with two to jump. Rounding the last bend Envoi Allen moved on from Fils D’Oudairies.
Envoi Allen got in a little close to the last which gave the chasing Fils D’Oudairies another chance but the 1/2 favourite found another change of gear and only needed to be nudged along for a smooth three and a half-length success.
The winner will now head straight to Cheltenham and he could well reserve his best for that meeting.
“Jack said he just went around there in second gear and wasn’t doing a stroke in front,” said Elliott. “It’s job done and we will prepare him for the Marsh Novices Chase at Cheltenham.
“I think a better run race where he is getting a lead will suit him better and what I liked today was that he quickened up turning for home and then quickened again after he got underneath the last.”
THE remarkable story of Dreal Deal took its most dramatic turn yet as Ronan McNally’s charge bridged the gap to graded company in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle to pave the way for a Cheltenham assault.
The six-year-old was returning to the track after an absence of two and a half months as he added to the remarkable autumn spree which saw him win five races in six weeks. When the McNally-owned gelding last ran over hurdles he was contesting a comparatively modest 80-116 rated handicap hurdle. Such was his progress that he had gone up a staggering 57lb in the weights to a rating of 141 but even that marks looks to have underestimated his prowess.
In a race where Echoes In Rain set a furious gallop, the Denis O’Regan-ridden 22/1 rank outsider had it all to do from last turning for home. He soon found another gear or two to close in on the leaders and he cleared the last flight in fine style to run down Ganapathi and claim this Grade 2 contest by an ever increasing three lengths.
“I thought that he was going to be tailed off at one stage but as the pace collapsed turning in I could see him coming and Denis said he’ll improve an awful lot from today,” stated McNally. “The dream was Cheltenham and that is still alive and he could go straight there for the Supreme although he will get a Ballymore entry as well.”
“His preparation wasn’t ideal and that’s maybe why the horse drifted (in price). My horses weren’t one 100% over Christmas and had a week off. We also had frost at home and took him to the beach on Sunday but it was half frozen so he hasn’t really galloped. He hasn’t been eating as well as he can either and his coat hasn’t been great,” observed the trainer..
Mullins back
Willie Mullins was in good form with a double which began with Frere Tuck (11/4) won the maiden hurdle over an extended two miles.
Brian Hayes replaced the sidelined Paul Townend on the Cathal Hughes-owned son of Secret Singer who took the measure of the favourite Colonel Mustard coming to the last before going on to defeat Hurricane Cliff by three and a quarter lengths.
“The tongue-tie made a huge difference to him today, he choked the last day,” reflected the champion trainer. “I think better ground would suit him better and I’d have no problem going back up in trip.”
The Mullins brace was completed by Klassy Kay (13/8) in the mares’ handicap hurdle over two-and-a-half-miles for the Syndi 101 Partnership. Rachael Blackmore was on board the winner, who was 16lb higher than when winning at Fairyhouse earlier in the season, and they led well before the last to a four-length success over the favourite Exit To The West.
“I think this longer trip suited her so we will keep her at this distance and she will prefer the drier spring ground,” reported the trainer.
Owl Creek Bridge avoids the drama to win
NO other race matched the Sporting Life Beginners Chase when it came to drama. Three horses went at the first and then at the first fence on the final circuit a couple of loose horses ran down that obstacle and took out four of the contestants.
This left the well-backed Owl Creek Bridge (18/1-7/1) in front and Conor McNamara’s mount remained in front for the remainder of this two-and-three-quarter-miles event. The Patrick Mullen-owned eight-year-old, who is trained by the father’s rider Eric, finished a dozen lengths clear of Favori Logique.
There was also plenty of incident in the Total Event Rental (Q.R.) Handicap Chase where Atlantic Shore (5/2) booked his ticket in next month’s Grand National Trial back at this track. Philip Fenton’s charge was ideally positioned at the head of the field at the third last where four horses came down and he was able to retain control of the race thereafter for Eoin O’Brien.
The Mike Neville-owned son of Mahler relished every yard of this extended three-mile affair and he kept on well on after the last to hold on by three-quarters of a length from Screaming Colours aboard whom Patrick Mullins excelled as that one looked to be struggling in rear at various stages.
Kristian Goingwel provided jockey Barry Browne with a welcome change of luck in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase as he supplied the rider with a winner on just his third ride back since breaking his collarbone in early December for the Keep The Faith Syndicate.
Now a winner of two of his last three starts, the Oliver McKiernan inmate dug in well under pressure to fend off Wee Small Hours after the last and, despite idling in front, the 7/2 chance reached the line with half a length to spare over Goulane Jessie.