Envoi Allen on course for Leopardstown as owners Cheveley Park enjoy code switch

The famous green and gold of JP McManus and maroon and white of Gigginstown House Stud look set to feature heavily at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival, but their silks will not be the only instantly recognisable colours on display at Leopardstown, with Envoi Allen in line to run for Cheveley Park Stud at the meeting.

Party Politics famously carried Patricia Thompson's colours to victory in the 1992 Grand National, but Thompson and husband David have endured top-level success on the Flat in the racing and breeding spheres since.

This winter the duo decided to invest in National Hunt runners in Britain and Ireland, with their runners carrying the famous colours of the Newmarket stud.

Results have been immediate and impressive, with nine winners in Ireland from 22 runners, including a brace of victories for Envoi Allen.

Envoi Allen: winning on debut at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann

The unbeaten five-year-old is in contention for the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars bumper on Saturday, and is as short as 4-1 for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Reflecting on the change in approach, Chris Richardson, managing director for the stud, said on Wednesday: "Mr and Mrs Thompson have always had an interest in National Hunt horses, going back to Party Politics.

"They decided they wanted to develop that last year, expand slightly and have a few horses in Ireland with Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins. It's a new departure with them racing in the Cheveley Park colours but not necessarily a new dimension.

"We're excited by the results. They love their racing as much as their breeding operation and it gives them something to enjoy in the winter months. Tom Malone and Alex Elliott have been instrumental in providing the selections and it's been very rewarding."

A £400,000 purchase at the sales last February, Envoi Allen is odds-on to make it three wins under rules on Saturday, and will be one of a trio of possibles in the race for Elliott.

Malone Road: won't make Cheltenham for Cheveley Park Stud because of a knee injuryCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott is flying in bumpers in Ireland this season with a 22 per cent strike-rate (26 winners from 116 runners). Therefore it's unsurprising that he is well represented in the Champion Bumper ante-post market, with Andy Dufresne advertising his claims for the yard when making a winning debut at Down Royal on Tuesday.

"Envoi Allen's in good form," Elliott said on Wednesday. "We'll declare three – including him – in the morning for Saturday's race and see what happens with the ground. Hopefully they'll get some rain."

However, one horse who will not be running in the Champion Bumper for Elliott and Cheveley Park is Malone Road after he picked up a knee injury last month. Elliott is hopeful Malone Road could return at the Punchestown festival.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com