Envoi Allen foot-perfect in stylish introduction to chasing at Down Royal

It was a tough start to the day for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy after some surprise defeats with odds-on favourites, but Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner Envoi Allen restored order with an easy success at odds of 1-14 in the 2m3½f beginners' chase.

The unbeaten superstar raced handily under Kennedy, who was riding Envoi Allen for the first time in public, and met every fence perfectly before quickening clear from a bunch of inferior rivals, making a brilliant first start over fences.

The six-year-old was already at the head of the market for the Marsh Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and was trimmed into 9-4 from 5-2 by Paddy Power and Betfair for that contest.

"That was brilliant. He jumped unbelievably," the winning rider said. "He was a little careful at a few of them, but you wouldn't mind that and as the race went on he was brilliant.

"He's straightforward enough that anyone could ride him. I'd give him 10 out of 10 with it being his first run of the season, and he didn't get lit up when the horse came by me in front of the stands.

"You couldn't fault him. We all know at this stage he only does what he has to do. He beats what's in front of him, but he's so versatile."

Elliott was similarly pleased with the performance of Envoi Allen, who took his unbeaten record to nine under rules, and expects to step his stable star back up to the highest level at Fairyhouse in December.

"Job done," he said. "You would have to love his attitude, he just popped away and then quickened after the second-last. It was nice to get that out of the way. His jumping was very good, he had plenty of work done in Colin Bowe's. I couldn't be happier. All being well he will go to the Drinmore."

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