‘MIGHTY’ ALLEN ON TRACK FOR KING GEORGE
HENRY DE BROMHEAD says Envoi Allen is in “mighty form” ahead of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
The Irish trainer is hoping three miles around Kempton will be perfect for the horse once hailed as a superstar.
The dual Cheltenham Festival winner and three-time Grade One victor was third in last season’s Champion Chase after seeming to lose his way.
But he bounced back to form when put over three miles at Down Royal earlier this month in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase.
De Bromhead (above) said: “He ran well in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but obviously I got the trip completely wrong.
“It might be a blessing in disguise as he’s in mighty form now and was really good the other day.
“We plan to go to the King George and then we’ll see after that – that’s the main aim.
“We can sharpen his jumping up a little bit. We’re so used to him being so extravagant, but maybe over three miles, going that stride slower he’s not as exuberant.
“The way his wind is, he needs nice-ish ground – I’d be more concerned if it came up very soft.
“I loved the way he ran through the line at Down Royal and travels really well. Unlike with Minella Indo last year going to Kempton where I thought ‘I have to force this’, I presume this guy will just travel away in behind them. Hopefully it will suit him.”
De Bromhead also had an update on Minella Indo, winner of the Gold Cup in 2021.“The plan at the moment is to go to Tramore on New Year’s Day and we’ll see then after that,” he said. He’s in great form and worked well the other day.”