Henry excited to bag his own special Envoi BOB OLINGER
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
WHEN Henry de Bromhead says his preparations for Cheltenham 2021 were like nothing that he has known before, he means every word.
That’s not a reference to COVID-19, but the arrival two weeks ago at his Co Waterford yard of horseboxes containing five thoroughbreds — including unbeaten superstar Envoi Allen.
When the Cheveley Park Stud announced their split from Gordon Elliott in the wake of the ‘dead-horse’ photo storm, eight horses were divided between de Bromhead and Willie Mullins.
“They’re obviously very exciting horses to be getting,” says de Bromhead.
The same owner’s A Plus Tard is already housed in Knockeen, along with fellow Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Minella Indo, while Honeysuckle is the bookies’ favourite in the Champion Hurdle.
ENVOI ALLEN Marsh Novices’ Chase
Thursday (1.20) UNBEATEN in 11 starts under Rules, including Cheltenham’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2019 and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival last March, in which he beat ill-fated stable-companion Easywork.
Sent chasing by Gordon Elliott this winter and now three from three over fences, opening with a six-length margin at Down Royal in October.
Elliott nominated the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse a month later as the next objective, and Jack Kennedy’s mount justified 2-11 favouritism by eight and a half lengths, before defying a penalty in the Group 3 Killiney Novice Chase at Punchestown in January.
DE BROMHEAD SAYS:
He seems great. He’s a gorgeous horse and we feel very fortunate that Cheveley Park have sent him to us. It’s obviously not the circumstances of how you’d like to get horses, but these are the horses everyone’s trying to get.
You’re just trying to get them there as best you can. If we can do as good a job as Gordon has done, we’ll be delighted.
NEWSBOY’S VERDICT:
Proclaimed as one of the headline acts of the meeting — and that was before his dramatic switch of stables.
Has done everything easily over fences thus far and it will be one of the stories of the Festival if he tastes defeat for the first time. ODDS: 4-6
Wednesday (1.20)
FINISHED a distance clear of the third when second to Ferny Hollow at Gowran Park in November before going one better by 14 lengths in Navan maiden hurdle the following month.
Stepped up to Grade 1 level to lift Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle in January, travelling easily en route to beating Blue Lord by six and a half lengths.
DE BROMHEAD SAYS:
He
was good the first day against Ferny Hollow, when he probably lacked a bit of experience.
He’s had three runs and won his Grade 1 at Naas — the Lawlor’s is a really good race — so I didn’t feel any need to go to the Dublin Racing Festival.
He’s a good moving horse, he’s got a lot of pace and works well on goodish ground.
He seems great and we’re delighted with him. Hopefully, Cheltenham will suit.
NEWSBOY’S VERDICT:
Only career defeat has come at the hands of a horse who is sidelined through injury and, while he’s seen by connections as a chaser of the future, still has as-yet untapped potential over hurdles.
ODDS: 15-8