The star pointing export Envoi Allen puts his unbeaten record on the line once again when he makes his return to action at Down Royal on Friday.
The six-year-old has won eight straight races since his opening success at Ballinaboola in 2018 for Colin Bowe, and is back over fences for the first time since that point victory as he returns to action having been last seen winning at the Cheltenham Festival for the second year in succession.
The four-time Grade 1 winner got the better of Easywork in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, and now heads to Down Royal on Friday for the Advanced NI Scaffolding Beginners Chase, a race that was won last year by his stable companion and fellow Colin Bowe winning pointer Samcro.
Gordon Elliott gave the Muhtathir gelding his first start over hurdles at the corresponding fixture last year, and once again turns to the Co. Down venue to kickstart his 2020/21 campaign.
Speaking in his recent stable tour with the Racing Post, Elliott provided an update on the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding.
“We can't wait to send him over a fence as this is what he was bought to do,” he said.
“It's no secret that I like to start off my best horses at Down Royal and the beginners' chase that Samcro won last year looks the right place for him to go.
“He can come up and down in trip in Ireland, like he did last season in his novice hurdles, but if I was to put my hand on my heart about what race he'll run in at Cheltenham I'd have to say it would be the JLT.
“He'll have two more strong pieces of work between now and Down Royal and we're very happy with him.
