‘Maybe it’s worth trying again’ – Henry de Bromhead ponders King George’s bet with Envoi Allen

This was reported by Henry de Bromhead Messenger Allen to be in excellent form after his successful reappearance at Down Royal on Saturday, with a second tilt in the King George VI Chase very much under consideration.

Envoi Allen defeated Hewick in a thrilling climax to Ladbrokes Champion Chaseand favorite Gerry Collomb, who has a chance to win, is back in third place. It was the ten-year-old’s ninth Grade 1 win in his first outing after finishing fourth in the Melling Chase at Aintree, the final start of a campaign that saw respectable results at Down Royal and the Cheltenham Festival.

De Bromhead sent Envoy Allen to Kempton in 2022 after another win in the Champion Chase at Down Royal, but he fell short of expectations, finishing seventh of nine runners, beaten 51 lengths.

However, there have been excuses for this run and De Bromhead is considering another crack at the festive stage.

Envoi Allen (right) stands up from the stands from Hewick in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday

Envoi Allen (R): Beats Hewick to claim second Down Royal Champion Chasecredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: “No worries and he’s been really well since. He was great on Saturday. I’m not sure where we’ll go from here, but I have a few ideas. I want to talk to everyone and see first.

“It looks like Christmas next year and we’ll decide whether or not to try King George again. Maybe you should try again. Apparently there’s a pursuit of the Savillas in Leopardstown too, so we’ll see.

“He never showed up at all when he went to the (King George) race, but after that we found a few problems, so hopefully that’s it.”

Il Est Francais is 7-2 favorite for the King George, while the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow is next in the market at 4-1. Envoi Allen can be backed at 20-1.

In The Pocket and Mark Walsh win 2m Novice Chase at Wexford

In the pocket: 10-1 kick for Arklecredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In the pocket is another chaser the Knockin stable can look forward to this season after producing a brilliant display at Wexford last month to clear the mark over fences, beating Grade 1 hurdler winner Farren Glory by 15 lengths length

In 2023, the seven-year-old finished fourth to Marine Nationale in the top novice hurdle event before taking Grade 1 honors at Aintree. He made his pursuit debut in November 2023, finishing second to Facile Vega, but then suffered a setback that ruled him out for the season.

He could hardly have been more impressive on his return to action in Wexford, prompting the bookies to cut him to 10-1 for Arkle. De Bromhead is keen to keep him on left-handed tracks and said: “Intepoket is in good form after Wexford. He definitely likes to play left-handed.

“There’s not much coming up for him in the coming weeks, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

King George VI Chase (Kempton, December 26)

Coral: 7-2 Il Est Francais, 4 Fastorslow, 6 Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior, 10 Galopin Des Champs, 12 Hewick, Jonbon, Protektorat, 14 Banbridge, Capodanno, Gerri Colombe, Gray Dawning, 16 Envoi Allen, 20 bar

More details:

Envoi Allen wins thrilling battle with Hewick as Gerri Colombe disappoints in Champion Chase

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Ante-post favorite remains in contention after confirmation stage for Saturday’s Grand Sefton National Fence

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