Ladbrokes Champion Chase Day, Down Royal, Saturday 5th November 2022

Good morning one and all, or as they might say in these parts, “Dia dhaoibh ar maidin”. Welcome to Down Royal Racecourse, situated in Royal County Down, Northern Ireland. 3 years it has been since we were last here, and my word we have missed the place. Flying into Belfast this morning, and indeed driving the car to the racecourse this morning, memories came flooding back. Water might actually be quite a theme today, as it is awfully miserable and rainy at the moment, but with sun forecast for later, we are hopeful Mr Blue Sky will make an appearance.

The big race of the day of course is the Ladbrokes Champion Chase (Grade 1). Run over 3 miles, some of the names that have graced this roll of honour are legends in their own right; Kauto Star, Florida Pearl, Beef or Salmon, Don Cossack. There will be a new name on the roll of honour this year, as last year’s winner Frodon was not entered at the 5-day stage. This year’s renewal is headed by Galvin, who aims to follow-up his winning Punchestown reappearance, but standing before him is a favourite of ourselves, Envoi Allen.

This Muhtathir gelding was clearly not at their best last season, however each time Envoi Allen has come to Down Royal, he has won (1 maiden hurdle, one novice chase and one chase in open company). Personally, we think he has been crying out for 3 miles, and so seeing him in a Champion Chase was not where he would be at his best by any means. Today, that changes, and it would personally be no surprise to see him absolutely romp back to form at a track he clearly loves. It will be a tough race, with Drinmore scorer Beacon Edge and Irish Gold Cup victor Conflated joining tough cookie Kemboy in the race. It is a really good renewal, despite the low numbers, and so we are really looking forward to that!

Before and after the main race; it’s all systems go! And what a list of horses we have running today; in the first, it is between Old Victoria and the ex-Aidan O’Brien trained Cougar. Jack sides withy Cougar, Tom is on Old Victoria (so watch an outsider outshine the both of them!). In the second, a horse with a massive reputation seems to be the one to beat, and that is the Gordon Elliott trained Foxfire Glow. The racecard even says he is likely to get off the mark, and in every race preview we have seen, he is the one they side with. Immediately after the big race of the day is the Grade 2 Eventsec Chase over 2m 3f, with Fighter Allen facing off Fury Road. The Katter has to concede weight all around, however he’s only visited Down Royal once, and it resulted in a win. Previous Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier will definitely want further, however if it turns into a slog on the yielding to soft ground, who’s to say he couldn’t spring a surprise?

In the final race, the Ladbrokes Pro/AM Flat Race over 2 miles, it is all about one horse, who is potentially all about quality, is King of Kingsfield. The son of Vadamos and Passion Planet could not have been any more impressive in his point to point at Portrush in March, winning by 30 lengths. It is very exciting to see the potential of what this lad could do, and as a result, the last race will be one we hope nobody leaves early and misses!

It’s a fantastic, packed day of racing across the world today. Hope everyone has an enjoyable day today!