National Hunt stalwart Envoi Allen is on course to bring the curtain down on a memorable career in a first attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The 12-year-old veteran has earned £1,117,315 in prize money in a glittering career spanning across six years. He was unbeaten in eleven starts for Gordon Elliott, winning five Grade 1’s. Two of those came at the Festival, firstly in the Champion Bumper before winning the Ballymore.
Envoi Allen changed hands to Henry De Bromhead in 2021, but fell when favourite for the Marsh Chase. He recorded his first Grade 1 over fences in the Paddy Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown. Envoi Allen returned to the Cheltenham winners enclosure in 2023 when beating Shishkin in the Ryanair.
Each of his last four wins have come when fresh, and connections are hopeful he can bow out successfully in what’s been a glittering career.
“We’ll draw stumps after the Gold Cup” – Richard Thompson
Speaking to the Press Association, via Racing TV, Richard Thompson spoke about the longevity and consistency of Envoi Allen. The Cheveley Park director said: “This will be his eighth Festival in a row, he’s won three times and been placed three times.
“We just thought he’s won the Ryanair, he’s been second in the Ryanair and been third in the Ryanair. It’s his last race, why not give it a spin?
“It’s 100 per cent his last race. We’ll draw stumps after the Gold Cup. We’ve kept him fresh after Down Royal because he runs well fresh and bearing in mind he was running through the line a Down Royal, we thought the Gold Cup was worth a go.”
Envoi Allen would become only the third 12-year-old to win the contest after Silver Flame and What A Myth.
“He’s 12 years old and it’s a long shot, but he’s working well and he’s in great form,” stated Thompson. Connections know what it takes to win the Gold Cup, as A Plus Tard jumped his way to glory in 2022.
“It’s an open year. The Gold Cup as we know is all about dreams. We lived the dream and it became reality four years ago with A Plus Tard winning. It’s hard to expect it again, but it’s fantastic to be part of it.”
Envoi Allen isn’t the only Cheveley Park veteran to race at Cheltenham next week, as 11-year-old Ballyadam lines up in the County Hurdle.
“Ballyadam has performed well at the Festival over the years,” Thompson notes. “He was second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he’s finished fifth in the County Hurdle twice and has been second and third in the Coral Cup in the last two seasons. He’s 11 now and he’s been another good horse for us over the years. He had a nice spin on the Flat the other day, so let’s see how he goes.”