Down Royal review and free video replays | Romeo Coolio in Royal Bond frame

Special Envoi delivers again

Envoi Allen (3/1) regained the Ladbrokes Champion Chase in a pulsating renewal at Down Royal.

The 2022 winner played second fiddle to Gerri Colombe 12 months ago but the 8/11 favourite was beaten a long way out under Sam Ewing as King George VI Chase winner Hewick set out to put his rivals' race fitness to the test.

It momentarily looked as though Hewick had them in trouble but Envoi Allen drew alongside at the second last and was in front before the final obstacle. Hewick refused to yield but try as he might, he couldn't regain the lead from the gallant Envoi Allen who was winning for the first time since the Ryanair Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

The margin was half a length with 13 lengths back to Gerri Colombe in third.

Paddy Power cut Envoi Allen to 12/1 from 50/1 for the Ryanair Chase.

Winning jockey Darragh O'Keeffe said: "He's been some horse for connections. He loves this place and he loves coming to the races being fresh. Delighted that he went and got the job done.

"It's great to get the chance to ride him; it's unfortunate that Rachael (Blackmore) is out injured at the minute, but very grateful to her and her advice, it was brilliant. The plan was to follow Gerri Colombe but Hewick put it up to everyone from the get-go. I could see jumping the fourth last that Sam (Ewing, aboard Gerri Colombe) was going as quick as he was able and missed a couple of fences.

"So my plan then was to come with one run; I missed the last fence and gave Hewick another chance but my fellow showed a good attitude from the back of the last to put his head down. Delighted and very grateful to connections to give me the chance; it seems a long time ago since I rode A Plus Tard in the Savills so delighted now to win another Grade One."

A delighted Henry de Bromhead said: “It was brilliant and he is just a class horse. Everyone at home has done such a great job. Obviously, it is a shame for Rachael, but delighted for Darragh, he gave him a super ride and he has really stepped up. Fair play to him, he is taking his opportunities. Cheveley Park (Stud, owners) are tremendous supporters of ours and the game, so delighted for them as well.”

When asked if this could have been the best performance of his three runs in this race, De Bromhead said: “Possibly, fair point. He was brilliant and jumped great. He travelled so well. Probably better ground than last year I would have said as well. That would have helped us. I thought when we got under the last, we were going to get done again, but he battled really well.

“I must say I thought Darragh was brilliant on him.

“He’s 10 now, so we’ll see (about future plans). That King George keeps coming back into my head, I feel we have unfinished business there. I need to speak to Cheveley Park and see what everyone would like to do.

“He was going to run at Christmas (in Savills Chase last year), I think the ground just went very testing in Leopardstown.”

All roads lead to Leopardstown

A proud Shark Hanlon said of the runner-up: "He's one of these horses that has to have nice ground. I've said for the last couple of months that I think he's better than he was last year and I'm looking forward to Christmas now or Cheltenham in March.

"The horse that won today was the one I was afraid of but I'm just disappointed with the ground; Jordan said it was definitely yielding. Jordan said he felt the best he ever felt, the horse. I'm very proud of him; he's a little horse. He handles soft ground but he's better on good ground and he showed that again today. The only reason I don't run him on soft ground is the fences look so big to him and I'm trying to mind him. He's a right little horse and a great horse to have.

"It gives everyone a big lift, we're after going through very tough times. I don't know about Kempton, I'd rather go to Leopardstown, if the ground was good I'd be very happy to stay at home."

Gordon Elliott said of Gerri Colombe: "He seems to be okay after the race. I was disappointed. To me, he never looked happy. Sam said he got very tired at the end.

"We'll get him home and see how he is but he definitely didn't run his race because he didn't finish out. We're about a fortnight behind where we were (last year); I didn't get him away but I'm not blaming fitness. For me that wasn't fitness, he was beat with a circuit to go.

"We'll get him home and check and hopefully something will show up and we'll go from there but we'll go the same route. Leopardstown at Christmas is the plan."

Found keeps finding

Elliott enjoyed better fortune in the following contest when his Found A Fifty (11/10 favourite) saw off a strong challenge from Pinkerton in the Grade Two Bottlegreen Ladies Day 2024 Chase.

The top two mile novice chaser was stepping back up almost half a mile in trip and conceding a stone to the progressive runner-up. Pinkerton had hit his stride in the spring, winning a beginners' chase before adding handicaps at the Punchestown and Galway Festivals.

He had warmed up for this with a spin on the flat and looked a live threat to the favourite at the bottom of the straight before Found A Fifty pulled away to win by a shade over two lengths.

"He's had a bit of a blow and will come on from it but it was a good performance," said Elliott.

"He was very free when he was younger but he's settling great now. He's a horse who could come back to two or you could step him up; we'll go home and have a think about what to do but he's a nice horse."

Royal mission for Romeo

Elliott had already saddled a double on the card and seen Romeo Coolio (2/13 favourite) make a copybook start to his hurdling career in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle.

The winning pointer enjoyed a good season in bumpers, winning on debut before finishing second and fifth at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals and Gordon Elliott will be aiming high with the five-year-old in his first season over hurdles.

"He jumped class," the winning trainer said.

"He's a lot stronger now. He’s a speedy horse and I’m delighted with him. He’s a real two-miler, a quick horse. Definitely stay (at) two miles. I'd imagine he'll go to the Royal Bond now all being well."

Paddy Power and Betfair kept Romeo Coolio’s Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle price at 14/1.

Elliott made it two on the day when Kala Conti (4/1) obliged under Carl Millar in the Eventsec Handicap Hurdle. The juvenile was making her handicap debut and first start since finishing a close fifth in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle in February.

Millar said: "She settled in behind and jumped brilliant, she was good. She didn't get too badly hampered (by a faller) and seemed fine to continue. She took a little blow after the third last, and I kept holding on to her, and missed the second last but was very gutsy and showed plenty when I asked her to quicken from the last."

The Cullentra House handler completed a four-timer with Classical Creek (2/9 favourite) in the bumper.

Elliott had won the opening Lisburn And Castlereagh City Council 3-Y-O Hurdle six times in nine years but his Lakota Blue was weak in the market and no match for 11/10 favourite Prairie Angel.

Danny Mullins was standing in for the sidelined JJ Slevin aboard Joseph O'Brien's charge and enjoyed a comfortable success.

"I wouldn't want to see him rushing back when I'm getting these kind of rides," joked Mullins.

"I was hopeful but the Gigginstown could have been anything and looked a fine horse, even walking round at the start beside us but they probably took a blow today and our sharpness, had the edge race fitness, and jumping experience. This one's going the right way, probably still a fraction raw today and she's going to improve as a hurdler again."

There was a surprise winner of the Eventco Marquees Handicap Chase as History Of Fashion (40/1) struck for Harry Sexton and Pat Fahy. The winner had pulled up the last twice and was winning for only the second time over fences in 26 attempts.

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