Jumping to glory: renowned Flat outfit now a major force in the winter code

As statements go, it was about as auspicious as it gets. An outfit renowned for its prowess on the Flat had three runners at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. Two of them won, while Allaho finished third in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

They weren’t just ordinary winners, either. Envoi Allen stretched his unbeaten record to four under rules when winning the Champion Bumper, in the process establishing himself as the most desirable young store horse in training. A Plus Tard gave weight to all but three of his 19 opponents as he stormed up the hill to win the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase by 16 lengths.

The three horses carried the red, white and blue silks so readily associated with Cheveley Park Stud. The stud is celebrating 45 years under the Thompson family, during which it has become synonymous with Flat racing’s biggest prizes. It is an improbable development that now sees Cheltenham silverware sitting alongside Classic trophies at the stud’s Newmarket offices.