Envoi Allen has won the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, travelling superbly on the outside throughout before sweeping to the front and seeing off Shishkin and Hitman in the home straight to score at odds of 13/2.
The former Bumper and Ballymore winner adds an eighth Grade One success to his CV, and jumped excellently throughout having disappointed earlier this season in the King George Chase.
Odds-on favourite Shishkin looked in difficulty throughout, and was no match for the Henry De Bromhead-trained runner who makes it three wins so far at the Festival for the Knockeen handler.
Envoi Allen - magnificent in the Ryanair Chase 👏
🏇 21 runs
🥇 15 wins
☑️ Seven G1 victories
🚀 Three Cheltenham Festival wins
🏆 G1 Ryanair Chase
🏆 G1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
🏆 G1 Champion Bumper
👑 Sumptuous@HenrydeBromhead | @rachaelblackmor | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/vqRAtdb8VX— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 16, 2023
“He’s an incredible horse. He really is”, said Blackmore. “We are always hoping he could do something like this for us someday and fair play to Henry, Davy Roche and all the team who got us there today. He was electric. It’s lovely when you’re able to take back a little bit, he jumped really well and just seemed a much happier horse. It’s phenomenal. This is a magical place and I feel so happy to be able to walk into the winners’ enclosure again.”
😁 "It's phenomenal"@rachaelblackmor is on her way back to the Winners' Enclosure#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/fMiq5axue6
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 16, 2023
“It’s very very emotional”, said Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud. “We knew if Envoi turned up, he would be hard to beat. Rachael was fantastic and for Jack, for Henry, for Heather - everyone, it’s amazing.”
“Unbelievable, what a ride from Rachael. She was so confident. He winged fences but was brilliant. We really appreciate the support. It’s just amazing”, said de Bromhead. “It’s another great day.”
