Cheltenham Festival result, report and free video replay: Envoi Allen wins Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
4/7 favourite Envoi Allen led home a Gordon Elliott one-two in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Big Getaway and Easywork led the field a merry dance for much of the second circuit and turning in the market leader had ground to make up on them.
However, Davy Russell conjured a strong run from the six-year-old and he reeled his rivals in jumping the final flight.
He thundered on up the hill to pull four-and-a-quarter lengths clear, with 12/1 chance Easywork getting the better of his duel with The Big Getaway (9/1) to claim the forecast spot.
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle result
- Envoi Allen 4/7 favourite
- Easywork 12/1
- The Big Getaway 9/1
Russell said on ITV Racing: "He's just a marvellous horse and I'm delighted to be associated with him. He's got marvellous owners and a fantastic trainer. He runs in neutral for a lot of the race and you don't really know when to set him alight but he was just perfect. Gordon is the man and I've no pressure on me."
Elliott said: "He was our best chance of the week. Everyone was here to see him and he did everything he needed to do. He jumped, he stayed and when he got to the front, he did what he had to do.
"He was bit tired after the race and knows he had a race today. Davy said they went a proper gallop and he showed how good he is. When he swung off the home turn I thought he was too far out of his ground, but listen both our horses ran great races, Easywork in second and him winning - it was brilliant.
"He was our big runner of the week, so there was big pressure on us. I have to discuss it with the owners, but we will enjoy today and see what happens. He was bought to be a three-mile chaser and that's all I'm saying.
"I'd imagine Punchestown will now be the plan. It wasn't an easy decision (to go for this race over the Supreme Novices' Hurdle), but thankfully it worked out right."
Willie Mullins said of the runner-up: "Our fellow ran great and was beaten by a proper horse. We're happy. He looks a real chasing type, with his style of jumping. I imagine he'll be an RSA horse this time next year, but we might meet the winner there as well!"