First-class Envoi set to deliver

WHEN Envoi Allen loomed upsides Protektorat between the last two fences at the Festival he looked odds-on to win back-toback Ryanair Chases.

He jumped and travelled so well through the race that his finishing effort was not like a horse who had won at the Festival three times. At the line, he was four lengths adrift of the Skelton’s better stayer on the day.

Envoi Allen, who had gone down gallantly by a neck to Gerri Colombe in November, is normally given a break of about 60 days before Cheltenham. But he hadn’t run for 124 days this time and may have been a fraction underdone.

He can gain his revenge in Aintree’s My Pension Expert Melling Chase (3.30).

Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead, (above), who combine for Envoi Allen, can enjoy a quick double via LIFE IN THE PARK in the Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase (4.05). The sevenyear-old has a jumping technique that looks made for the big National fences.

Also, he’s due an upgrade on his fourth behind Shakem Up’arry in the Trustatrader Plate at Cheltenham having been shuffled back from close up to mid-division four fences from home only to work up a real head of steam in the straight. Blackmore, who comes in for the ride for the first time in six races, is unlikely to be outmanoeuvred quite like that. Tom Lacey has a good record at this meeting and LUTTRELL LAD can outrun his odds in the Alder Hey

Handicap Hurdle (5.15).

He’s below the mark from which he ran a cracker in the 2023 County Hurdle, he acts on heavy ground and cheekpieces are applied for the first time. TODAY’S SELECTIONS Envoi Allen

3.30 Aintree

Life In The Park (ew) 4.05 Aintree

Luttrell Lad (ew)

5.15 Aintree