'Incredible' Envoi imperious at Down Royal once again In the words of commentator Richard Pugh, 'they can start commissioning the statue', after Envoi Allen claimed the BetVictor Champion Chase for a third time in four years. Registering his 10th win at the highest level and completing a double on the day for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O'Keeffe, the brilliant son of Muhtathir proved surprisingly easy-to-back and was returned an 11/4 chance (was as short as 7/4 in early shows). Content to track the front-running Western Fold and jumping well throughout, he was poised to challenge between horses from four out and disputed the lead from the next. Gaining an outright advantage approaching the penultimate obstacle, the admirable 11-year-old was soon pushed along and skipped clear, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by three-and-three-quarters of a length. Noel Meade's Afforadale Fury (9/2) finished a gallant second under Donagh Meyler, while Western Fold and 2/1 favourite Found A Fifty were third and fourth respectively. "What a horse, incredible! Amazing, what else can you say?" de Bromhead enthused. "Super ride from Darragh and fair play to everyone at home - Davy Roche and everyone involved, they had him absolutely spot on for today. "Aren't we so lucky to have him? "He has just been an incredible horse throughout his career and he just keeps coming back." When it was put to him that Envoi Allen must be right up there with all the great horses he has trained, he replied: "Absolutely, he is up there with the best of them. "To come back here every year and to win a Ryanair, everything he has done. He nearly won four (Champion Chases in Down Royal), he was just chinned in one." "He is probably not as wild as he was (at home), but he is definitely as enthusiastic. He certainly has a laugh with some of his riders which is always good! "It is brilliant for Cheveley Park, delighted for them. They are tremendous supporters and of the game. "I don't really want to say anything yet (regarding future plans), I'm not sure what will happen. "He's getting a bit older now, but he didn't look it there, in fairness to him. Darragh said when he jumped the third-last it was like he had just come into the race, unreal. "That is probably the most impressive he has won it in the last while. "He is class." O'Keeffe added: "He is some horse and the whole way around I just felt like I was cruising. I went in between Donagh (Meyler) and Danny (Gilligan) and it was just like he had joined in. "He cantered the whole way down to the second last. I was hoping Donagh would keep going just to give me something to aim at, but I just said after jumping the second last that I would let him roll away. He jumped the last well and we were able to enjoy it a bit more this year! "He is being trained brilliantly by Henry and all the staff at home have done some job with him, keeping him fresh and this has been his target. "There is not many 11-year-olds going that win Grade 1s like that. He is some horse and fair play to everyone involved. "I remember watching him win his maiden hurdle up here. Everyone knows how good he is and for him to be still delivering this many years on is great to see." STEWARDS REPORT A. Harvey, rider of Flash Collonges (FR), trained by R. K. Watson, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount did not travel in the early stages. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
