Envoi Allen 'in great form' as he prepares to tackle Mullins aces in John Durkan

Henry de Bromhead has confirmed Envoi Allen on course to run in a top-quality Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown on Sunday, when the trainer's Grand National hero Minella Times is also set to return.

Envoi Allen looked back to his brilliant best when winning a Grade 2 chase at Down Royal in October and De Bromhead reports last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle hero to have come out of that assignment in good shape.

Fellow Cheveley Park-owned Allaho, an impressive winner of the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo and Chacun Pour Soi head Willie Mullins' nine entries for the race.

De Bromhead said: “Envoi Allen seems in great form, he’s really good. He’s fit and well. He’d been working really well before he won at Down Royal and we were delighted with him on the day. Everything has been good since then too.

“We know he has plenty of pace. He’s got very good form over two and a half so we’ll go to Punchestown and see how he gets on and we can work on from there.

"The racing in Ireland is so competitive and the John Durkan looks like it could be very strong this year but it’s great to have something to compete in these kinds of races."

Minella Times: the Grand National hero could also return in the John DurkanCredit: Edward Whitaker

Minella Times is also likely to line up, according to Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, whose Fakir D'Oudairies and Janidil feature among the 17 entries.

Berry said: "Henry seems to be very happy with Minella Times and it will be nice to get him back started again at a lovely track like Punchestown.

"We'll make a decision closer to the time with Fakir D'Oudairies. He has a few other entries over Christmas and we'll just wait to see what the weather does over the next few days. Janidil will run. Willie seems to be happy with him."

No trainer has a better record in the John Durkan than Mullins. The champion trainer has won the race seven times, including the past three runnings with the now retired Min, and assistant trainer and champion amateur rider Patrick Mullins suggested Allaho could be the horse to fill Min’s shoes this year.

Mullins said: “This race would look made for Allaho. He does have an average record first time out. Last year in the fog, he didn’t seem to operate at all but it’s the perfect starting place for him. His form does suggest he gets better as the season goes on.

“I think Willie hasn’t ruled out coming back to two miles again. He wasn’t disgraced against Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown and he’s also entered in the King George. For two-and-a-half-mile horses, there aren’t as many top races for them as the other races so he might have to chop and change a bit but he’s well able to do that.”

Mullins added: “It would be a trip short of Al Boum Photo's best but options are limited for him and it’ll be a step towards getting him hard fit for March. With him being a little bit older he'll probably need more races and more work to get his pipes open.”

Elsewhere on the Punchestown card Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Appreciate It could make his eagerly anticipated debut over fences in the BetVictor Beginners Chase, which also features 2020 Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow, who beat Appreciate It by two and a half lengths at Cheltenham.

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