The Cheltenham festival buzz is building and much talk is surrounding Envoi Allen, who is likely to start as the shortest priced favourite across the four days. He has continued to prove a very popular selection for punters using the bet365 bonus code, in which he is now the 11/8 favourite for the Ballymore, which is his most likely target.
The six year old is unbeaten in his seven starts under rules, which is why he is one of the most exciting horses in training. He started out by landing a flat race at Fairyhouse by four lengths very impressively. Following this result, he was sent to contest the “Future Champions” flat race at Navan and again landed the odds. Sent off at 4/11, he stayed on powerfully to assert and win by just under five lengths.
Hype was already building around the horse, who was then sent off at 4/6 in his next start to land a Grade two at Leopardstown. He was made to work hard for the result, but again battled on well in the final furlong to win by just over a length from the Joseph O’Brien trained Meticulous.
Next up for Envoi Allen was his final bumper start and he was sent off as the 2/1 favourite for the Champion bumper at the Cheltenham festival. He travelled ominously well throughout the race and took up the running from three out. Envoi Allen was then ridden from just over a furlong out and strongly pressed by the Willie Mullins trained Blue Sari. However, he ran on gamely to hold on by just under a length. This was an impressive performance and further extended his impressive winning run.
? Envoi Allen wins the Champion Bumper ?
? Unbeaten
? One of jump racing’s finest prospects
? More Festival glory for Gordon Elliott and Jamie Codd pic.twitter.com/mJL1BJfaW8— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2019
Following a 234 day break, the horse made his first start over hurdles in a maiden at Down Royal. Sent off at odds of 1/4, he made all to win very easily by just over six lengths. Next up was a step up to Grade One level against his stablemate Abacadabras. The latter now the general favourite for the Supreme Novices’ in March. He again travelled strongly before taking up the running from five out. He was then joined by Abacadabras two out but kept on well to win going away by just over a length. Both horses appear one’s to follow.
Finally, Envoi Allen was stepped up in trip and landed another Grade One at Naas. Sent off at odds of 1/4, it was another impressive performance by the horse to beat Elixir D’ainay by just over three lengths. Envoi Allen is not a flashy horse but always delivers on the track. He is now going to take all the beating, as he looks to win at the festival for the second year in succession.