Envoi Allen wins Champion Chase for second time after thrilling battle with Hewick as Gerri Colombe disappoints

It was almost a carbon copy of last year. Envoi Allen got in a bit tight to the last and opened the door for his main rival, but where he was beaten a neck by Gerri Colombe 12 months ago, he emerged in front in a finish just as close as he held off Hewick by half a length.

The Cheveley Park-owned ten-year-old has been the dominant force in this race in recent years, having won it in 2022, and with Darragh O'Keeffe replacing the injured Rachael Blackmore, the son of Muhtathir may well have put up his best performance of the three.

He travelled and jumped really well for O'Keeffe before his tendency to miss the last fence almost cost him dearly again, but the manner in which he picked up displayed his class. He was cut to 12-1 from 50s for the Ryanair Chase, a race he also won two seasons ago.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “He's just a class horse and everyone at home has done a great job with him. It's a shame for Rachael but it's great for Darragh. He has really stepped up and gave him a super ride; he is taking his opportunities. I'm delighted too for Cheveley Park, they are great supporters of ours and of the game.”

“He was brilliant. He jumped great and it was better ground than last year, which helped us. He travelled really well. I thought when he got under the last again, like last year, we were going to get done again, but he battled really well.

"He's ten now, so we'll see where we go next. The King George keeps coming into my mind. I feel we have unfinished business there after two years ago, but we will see what everyone would like to do.”

Darragh O'Keeffe (right) is congratulated by Donagh Meyler (centre) and Keith DonoghueCredit: Patrick McCann

It was a ninth Grade 1 win of Envoi Allen's glittering career and a 16th for the Cheveley Park-owned star overall.

It was a second Grade 1 success for O'Keeffe, who said: “He's a class horse and I was just delighted to get the ride on him. He raced lovely, travelled and jumped well. He just missed the last and that was his only mistake, but he found plenty again. We were in front at the right time.

"It's great to get an opportunity to ride these horses and I'm really grateful to the owners. My only other Grade 1 winner was in these colours on A Plus Tard in the 2020 Savills Chase at Leopardstown.”

Take out the winner, and the story was the return to form of last year's King George winner Hewick, who made a bold-jumping bid from the front under Jordan Gainford.

The watering of the track, however, raised the ire of trainer Shark Hanlon, who said: “If they hadn't watered the track he would have won in my opinion. I think that ground went way too soft for him and I was very near not running him.

"I'm glad I ran him, but I don't know why they can't leave these tracks alone and let it be. I know nobody wants firm ground, but Jordan said that ground rode yielding to soft on that horse. But he ran an absolute cracker and I couldn't be happier with him.

“I said earlier that he is a better horse this year, and we will take on the big boys again at Kempton at Christmas. My aim after that will be the Gold Cup and the Grand National. I don't care about anything else. The winner was the one I was afraid of. I'm disappointed but thrilled at the same time.”

Gainford was found to have used his whip with excessive frequency by the stewards and was suspended for nine days.

The disappointment was last year's winner and 8-11 favourite Gerri Colombe, another 13 lengths away in third for Sam Ewing. Trainer Gordon Elliott said: ”Sam said he was going as hard as he could the whole way and he was never happy on him. He had a good blow afterwards, so we'll take him home and see how he is."

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