HENRY DE BROMHEAD hopes he’s found the key to Allen.
Much to the relief of Paul Nicholls and co, classy Envoi Allen will be the only Irish challenger in this year’s King George VI Chase.
He looked untouchable as a novice hurdler and chaser earlier in his career, but he fell on his debut for De Bromhead (right) and the wheels came off afterwards.
However, he bounced right back to his very best when stepped up to three miles in the Down Royal Champion Chase.
He was too strong for the likes of Conflated and Galvin in that race and his trainer reckons there is more improvement to come.
De Bromhead said: “His last win opened our eyes massively. After the John Durkan last December, I said I’m going back to two miles with him.
“I made a right balls of him for a while. We ran him over the wrong trip most of the time.
“He just looked so good at Down Royal and I loved how well he ran through the line.
“He travels really well and, unlike Minella Indo in the King George last year where you always felt it was a bit forced, I think the race will really suit him.
“He could still sharpen up his jumping a bit but he is in mighty form now.”
Envoi Allen is currently the 7-1 for the King George with big-race sponsors Ladbrokes, behind market leaders L’Homme Presse (7-4f) and Bravemansgame (15-8).
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