The Gordon Elliott-trained Envoi Allen kept up his perfect career record with victory in Sunday's Grade Three Sky Bet Killiney Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Enjoying a slight drop in class after winning the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse, seven-year-old Envoi Allen was sent off the 1/2 favourite, despite having to concede lumps of weight all round, and delivered in typically sumptuous style under Jack Kennedy.
There was drama right from the off as the Willie Mullins-trained Asterion Forlonge, considered a serious threat in receipt of 11lb and the well-backed second-favourite, made a mistake and fell at the very first fence, bringing down Sempo in the process.
Envoi Allen was left in front from that point and, jumping economically throughout, made no mistake in getting the job done, ultimately beating Sempo's Joseph O'Brien stablemate Fils D'oudairies (25/1) by three and a half lengths after the runner-up had briefly threatened to make a race of it on the turn for home.
Last year's Ballymore novices' hurdle hero came into Sunday's Punchestown opener with an unblemished 10-10 record under National Hunt rules overall and was taking his tally over fences this season to 3-3.
Elliott has been in record since the start of the campaign when it comes to Envoi Allen's Festival target this time around and, following his latest triumph, he was left unchanged at even money by Sky Bet to make it three on the spin at Cheltenham in March by landing the Marsh Novices' Chase over the intermediate trip of 2m3f168y.
Sky Bet's Michael Shinners said: "Clearly it was very disappointing to lose Asterion Forlonge so early in the race. However, you can’t take anything away from Envoi Allen who jumped beautifully and quickened clear to win decisively. We remain even money for the Marsh Chase at Cheltenham in March."
Paddy Power - who are offering Non Runner No Bet on all Festival races - and Betfair make him 10/11 for the same race.
Like many onlookers, Elliott was taken by surprise at the early mishap of Asterion Forlonge.
The County Meath trainer said: “It’s a bit of an anti-climax when the other horse went at the first. Jack said he went around in second gear, with his ears pricked.
“When he asked him to quicken going to the last, he did. He got a bit under the last and quickened again.
“He didn’t mind the ground, and he didn’t do anything wrong. I think he’d be better with a lead because he’s idle, but he had to do his own donkey work.
"He’s in everything at Leopardstown (Dublin Racing Festival) for fear something happened (with any Covid travelling restrictions) in Cheltenham, but I’d say we will go straight to Cheltenham. He’s been to Cheltenham twice and showed he can win around it.”
Kennedy admitted the loose-running Asterion Forlonge and Sempo had presented a challenge.
He said: “The loose horses had my heart in my mouth a few times. They crossed over me, but Envoi Allen is so honest he never took his eye off the fence. He’s unbelievable, and a very clever horse.
“He only really does what he has to do. He was very idle the whole way around in front – but as soon as I sat into the saddle, he put the race to bed.”