Envoi Allen gets the job done but fails to impress despite Chacun's absence

Monday: Leopardstown

In an era when horses are often required merely to have a pulse after crossing the winning line before being cut en masse by bookmakers for a race at the Cheltenham Festival, it takes something particularly extraordinary for one to be pushed out in the betting after just landing a Grade 1 by nearly eight lengths.

Envoi Allen, the enigma that continues to bamboozle, managed that distinction here. More than that, he wasn't just lengthened in the betting for one festival race, he was pushed out to 14-1 (from 10) for both the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Ryanair by all the major firms. That's a pretty ignominious accolade, and not really a fair reflection of a six-time Grade 1 winner.

The problem with Envoi Allen, of course, is that his dizzy exploits as a young horse are the burden of expectation he now carries around. He was supposed to be the next Arkle, so anything less is an anti-climax. And this was a lot less.

Willie Mullins reveals hamstring problem for Chacun Pour Soi

With Chacun Pour Soi scratched in the morning, the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase lost all of its intrigue. It was Envoi Allen's to lose, and it looked like he would do just that as Battleoverdoyen threw down the gauntlet. From the second-last, the challenger seemed to have the upper hand, but Envoi Allen eventually got on top after a bit of jostling turning in.

When you are struggling to shake off Battleoverdoyen in a two-mile contest, you probably aren't a two-miler at all. The thing with Envoi Allen is, though, it's hard to gauge exactly what he is anymore.

It's easier just to acknowledge he isn't the horse many expected he would be, and the best you could say about his latest lacklustre display – at odds of 2-5 – is that at least he got the job done. Eventually.

It also came at a time when some of Henry de Bromhead's team simply don't seem to be firing, with Minella Indo and Largy Debut both misfiring badly. In that sense, maybe Envoi Allen is due a little extra credit.

"They can only beat what they're up against, I suppose, so I'm happy with him," Blackmore said of Cheveley Park's seven-year-old. "It's brilliant to get back on track with him. We had a bit of a scare turning in, but he put his head down and galloped away to the line."

Rachael Blackmore in the winner's enclosure with Envoi AllenCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

With Sizing Pottsie unseating two out when well beaten, Envoi Allen and Battleoverdoyen were the only finishers. It was a dire state of affairs for a race of this stature, although De Bromhead wasn't complaining.

"That was great and it's lovely to win another Grade 1 with him," he said from home. "I thought he jumped really well most of the way and we're delighted to get him back on track. It should do his confidence the world of good and hopefully he can continue to progress now."

Asked where he might go next, De Bromhead replied: "He has so much class that anything is possible. All options are open to him. We'll enjoy this one first."

Paddy's Rewards Club Chase: full result and race replay

Of Minella Indo, who ran so poorly in the King George on Sunday after setting frantic early fractions beside Frodon, he said: "I checked him over this morning and all seems to be okay with him. We'll monitor him over the next few days to see how he is. He was hugely disappointing. It was just too bad to be true."

Blackmore was also asked about the Gold Cup hero's dismal showing. She didn't dress up her answer: "Yesterday wasn't my best riding performance but he was still beaten good and early."

She was a lot better here, as was her mount. Onwards and upwards.

Read these next:

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