Envoi Allen (right) beating Hewick at Down Royal© Photo Healy Racing
Henry de Bromhead reports Envoi Allen to be ‘really well’ following his victory in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday and is leaning towards the King George VI Chase as his next target.
“There is not a bother on him, and he was great on Saturday. He is really well and while I now have a couple of ideas, I want to talk to everyone and see,” said de Bromhead after continuing a good recent run with a double at Cork yesterday.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding was just beaten by Gerri Colombe at Down Royal 12 months ago but came out on the right end of a tight finish this time beating Hewick by half a length to bring his career haul to nine Grade 1 wins.
The ten-year-old disappointed in the King George at Kempton back in 2022 and missed an intended Christmas outing last year at Leopardstown due to heavy ground conditions.
“It looks like Christmas next and whether we try the King George again or not. I feel we have unfinished business, and it might be worth having another go.
“Obviously there is also the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, so we'll see.
"He never turned up at all (in the 2022 King George) but we found a few issues afterwards, so we hope that was it. He has been brilliant and is a brilliant horse with such class."
The Knockeen trainer has sent out 13 winners within the past three weeks including Inthepocket, who made an impressive return over fences at Wexford.
The Grade 1-winning hurdler looks set to take high rank in the novice chase division this term but there are no firm plans yet as to where he will appear next.
“There isn't a whole lot coming up over the coming weeks and he definitely has a preference for going left-handed, so we'll see.”
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
