UNBEATEN STAR ALLEN IN LINE FOR BALLYMORE
ENVOI ALLEN looks likely to miss the Champion Hurdle in March after he was taken out of the Irish version yesterday.
Gordon Elliott’s (below) unbeaten performer was left in novice hurdles over 2m and 2m6f at the Dublin Racing Festival, as he completes his preparation for Cheltenham.
Envoi Allen now seems set to run in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he is the 6-4 favourite.
His weekend route will see him sidestep a Saturday clash with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle in the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle. The wonder mare has a perfect record, too, and is one of 11 horses left in the contest.
Gold Cup hopefuls also test their mettle, and Presenting Percy’s owner Philip Reynolds expects a big run. A 7-2 chance with Irish Gold Cup sponsors Paddy Power, the 10-year-old was favourite for the 2019 Festival feature but trailed in 22 lengths behind Al Boum Photo.
Presenting Percy goes to Leopardstown instead of going for a hat-trick of Galmoy Hurdles.
“He is hopefully heading to the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13 and there’s no point jumping the small ones when you’re going to be jumping the big ones,” Reynolds said.
“We’ll be eyeing up the same horses in a few weeks’ time so we might as well have a crack at them now.”
■ TOMORROW’S jumps card at Hereford has been called off because of a waterlogged track.
Yesterday’s meeting at Lingfield also suffered the same fate, but Newcastle passed an inspection.