Ladbrokes Champion Chase
Grade 1, Down Royal 14:40
€160,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus, 3m   
Saturday 1st November 2025

1 Envoi Allen 11/4
2 Affordale Fury 9/2
3 Western Fold 9/4
5 ran NR: Spillane's Tower, Stellar Story
Distances: 3¾l, 1½l, 1¼l Time: 6m 13.10s (slow by 23.10s)

Envoi Allen carved out a little more history at Down Royal, becoming the first horse to win the BetVictor Champion Chase three times. The 11-year-old eased clear of an illustrious group of dual winners — Beef Or Salmon, Kauto Star and Road To Respect — by digging in deep when it mattered and fending off all-comers in the feature Grade One.

Sent off at 11-4 for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe, he faced a market headed by the 2-1 favourite Found A Fifty in what looked a tightly bunched renewal. Western Fold, the Galway Plate hero, set about making the running with Affordale Fury keeping him honest, but as they approached the third last, Envoi Allen moved up with that familiar, unhurried intent, shading into the lead before stamping his presence on the contest after the second-last.

Over the final fence he held all the aces, stretching on with that trademark relentless gallop to beat Affordale Fury by three and three-quarter lengths. It was his third win in the race following victories in 2022 and 2024, and the 10th Grade One of a glittering career.

De Bromhead said: “What a horse, incredible! Amazing, what else can you say?

“Super ride from Darragh and fair play to everyone at home – Davy Roche and everyone involved – they had him absolutely spot on for today.

“Aren’t we so lucky to have him?

“He has just been an incredible horse throughout his career and he just keeps coming back.”

This was yet another reminder of how well Envoi Allen thrives at Down Royal: six wins from seven appearances, the lone defeat being that narrow reversal to Gerri Colombe two years ago. Add in three Cheltenham Festival triumphs and De Bromhead readily places him among the finest he has trained.

He said: “Absolutely, he is up there with the best of them.

“To come back here every year and to win a Ryanair, everything he has done. He nearly won four (Champion Chases in Down Royal), he was just chinned in one.

“He is probably not as wild as he was (at home), but he is definitely as enthusiastic.

“He certainly has a laugh with some of his riders at home which is always good!

“It is brilliant for (owners) Cheveley Park, delighted for them. They are tremendous supporters and of the game.”

Paddy Power have chalked Envoi Allen up at 33-1 for another tilt at the Ryanair next March, although De Bromhead was in no hurry to lay out a roadmap.

Asked whether a light campaign towards the spring might be considered, he added: “I don’t really want to say anything yet, I’m not sure what will happen.

“He’s getting a bit older now, but he didn’t look it there, in fairness to him. Darragh said when he jumped the third-last it was like he had just come into the race, unreal.

“That is probably the most impressive he has won it in the last while. He is class.”

BoyleSports

BetVictor Champion Steeplechase
€160,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m
5 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Envoi Allen 11 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 11/4
2 3¾ Affordale Fury 7 11-10 Noel Meade Donagh Meyler 9/2
3 1½  Western Fold 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 9/4
4 1¼ Found A Fifty 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 2/1F
5 99 Flash Collonges 10 11-10 R K Watson Alex Harvey 300/1
NR Spillane's Tower 7 11-10 James Joseph Mangan Mark Walsh
NR Stellar Story 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan