ENVOI ALLEN GOT the better of a late battle with Hewick to reclaim the Ladbrokes Champion Chase trophy at Down Royal.
Henry de Bromhead’s 10-year-old took top honours in the 2022 renewal of this Grade One contest but went down by a neck when second to Gerri Colombe 12 months ago.
This time, Gerri Colombe was in front early on but King George hero Hewick then took over at the head of affairs passing the stands for the first time.
Jordan Gainford put pressure on those in behind by gradually upping the tempo, producing a series of fine jumps, with favourite Gerri Colombe among those to be found wanting as he dropped away turning for home.
However, Darragh O’Keeffe – standing in for the sidelined Rachael Blackmore – had not panicked on Envoi Allen and he came through to challenge two out before staying on strongly to score by half a length at 3-1.
Envoi Allen is 12-1 from 20-1 with Coral for the Ryanair Chase, while Hewick is 12-1 from 16-1 for the King George.
A delighted De Bromhead said: “It was brilliant and he is just a class horse. Everyone at home has done such a great job.
“Obviously, it is a shame for Rachael, but delighted for Darragh, he gave him a super ride and he has really stepped up. Fair play to him, he is taking his opportunities.
“Cheveley Park (Stud, owners) are tremendous supporters of ours and the game, so delighted for them as well.”
When asked if this could have been the best performance of his three runs in this race, De Bromhead said: “Possibly, fair point. He was brilliant and jumped great. He travelled so well.
“Probably better ground than last year I would have said as well. That would have helped us.
“I thought when we got under the last, we were going to get done again, but he battled really well.
“I must say I thought Darragh was brilliant on him.”
On future plans, De Bromhead said: “He’s 10 now, so we’ll see.
“That King George keeps coming back into my head, I feel we have unfinished business there.
“I need to speak to Cheveley Park and see what everyone would like to do.
“He was going to run at Christmas (in Savills Chase last year), I think the ground just went very testing in Leopardstown.”
With doping and match fixing the Olympic spirit is finished
Just looks like an alternative version of the truth !!!!
The fights were not FIXED , but an air of collusion. So in other words they were fixed. They gotta make you laugh. Bunch of jokers.
not all judges will be re-instated but no signs of collusion?
No evidence apart from what everyone saw with their own eyes
I really hope ppl didn’t believe the truth would’ve came out.
That was some investigation, the dogs on the street know that the referees and judges were obviously in collusion . Money as usual is the root of all evil.
Well sure that’s alright then…..
How to apologise without apologising.
Can’t wait to see Conlon’s debut.
I know a lad named hickey that can get tickets for it.
Tell that to Katie and Michael who were robbed
Katie wasn’t robbed, that was a 50/50 fight to call but it was hardly robbery. Conlan on the other hand….
Good on ya Michael!!! Punish the athlete for speaking the truth but as usual the cream skims away
What a shower of idiots
When you’ve got the AIBA investigating itself, it’s hardly going to make any other conclusion.
My ass, fixed, rigged, call it what u want, cheating
This is the alternative news report on Rio.do they think people are stupid.
Smoke screen!!!
Total cop out. It either was or wasn’t. More likely the former.
And that’s an alternative face
Fact
Remember the President of Brazil was put into power thanks to the CIA, it makes you think?
What a load of crap. Pure corruption
Complete joke
It’s called an air of collusion so no one is brought to task over it.
Olympics is no longer he’ll in high esteem.
Held in high esteem ( pretext f up )