held up rear of mid-division on outside, closed when not much room 11th, went 3rd from 2 out, soon ridden and hung left, not fluent last, held flat, kept on
held up in rear, slightly hampered 4th, lacked pace to ever get on terms, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 9th, challenged before 2 out, led approaching last, driven flat, stayed on well
chased leaders on inside, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, went 4th from last, hung left, no impression
lacked fluency and slow at times, always in rear, behind 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, fell 4th
led until after 7th, chased leader, led again before 2 out, headed before not fluent and pecked last, held by winner flat, kept on
tracked leader, challenged 7th, soon led and upped tempo, not fluent 8th, clear 10th, hit 4 out, reduced lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, not much room and weakened flat
Unless a change of surroundings has had an adverse effect, ENVOI ALLEN looks one of the meeting’s bankers. The Cheveley Park gelding is unbeaten in 11 starts under Rules and was an impressive winner of the Ballymore here 12 months ago. He’s looked a natural over fences this season and looks destined for the top. Last year’s Champion Hurdle third Darver Star has had his limitations exposed over the larger obstacles while Chatham Street Lad steps out of handicap company but Shan Blue is a Grade 1 winner over fences and back over his best trip, though was well behind the selection over hurdles here last year. Chantry House was almost 14 lengths behind stablemate Fusil Raffles here in December and is 3lb worse off.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden into 4th before last, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 18l behind Monkfish (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Blackbow (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway on inner into mid-division halfway, 4th 3 out, 2nd and pushed along entering straight, 3rd and ridden run-in, no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 10 3/4l behind Energumene (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Chantry House (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Always prominent, led 3 out, nudged along flat, readily, won at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb beating Coconut Splash (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Disputed lead, led from 4 out, mistake and ridden 2 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Daly Tiger (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Darver Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, dropped towards rear halfway, no impression 2 out and eased in rear early straight, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor, 7th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Energumene (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Envoi Allen (FR) 1-2fav (12-0) Tracked leader, left in lead 1st, almost joined from before 2 out, travelling smoothly straight and went on, reduced lead and pushed out to assert run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan beating Fils D'oudairies (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 16-5 (11-8) Chased leader, mistake 13th, lost 2nd before 3 out, went 2nd again approaching last, led flat, stayed on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec beating Lieutenant Rocco (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Shan Blue (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-4) Chased leader and keen, led 9th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after next, joined last, idled hung left and headed final 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Sporting John (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
