Henry de Bromhead sets rejuvenated star Envoi Allen on road to King George

Henry de Bromhead is already priming A Plus Tard for the Betfair Chase and now has his sights set on another of Britain's Grade 1 staying chases, with the trainer keen to have a crack at the King George with Envoi Allen.

The enigmatic eight-year-old bounced back to something like his best and appeared to have refound his enthusiasm when beating Kemboy by a length and three quarters in Down Royal's Champion Chase on Saturday.

The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26 is likely to be the next time racegoers see Envoi Allen, who won his first 11 starts under rules and was hailed as the next big chasing star before losing his way last season.

De Bromhead said: "We were delighted with Envoi on Saturday and he seems to have come out of the race in great order. I was running him over two miles last season but he certainly hit the line very well over three miles on Saturday. He saw out every yard of it. The plan is to go to the King George with him now so we'll look forward to that with him."

The trainer offered an update on Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard, who is on course to defend his Betfair Chase crown at Haydock on Saturday week.

"He's doing great and I'm really happy with him," he added. "He needs to go left-handed and is on course for the Betfair Chase. He looks really well and all seems good with him."

De Bromhead also had positive news about the unbeaten wondermare Honeysuckle, who will once again start her season in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 4 when she will try to make history by becoming the first horse to win the race four times.

He said: "Honey is doing great and we'll stick to the usual script with her. We'll come to Fairyhouse for the Hatton's Grace and kick on from there. She looks brilliant."

'It's an amazing gesture'

De Bromhead revealed he would be taking a mob-handed approach to winning the mares' novices' hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said he would be renaming the race after the trainer's late son Jack, who tragically lost his life in a freak pony racing accident in September.

The sixth event on the Thursday will now be called the Jack de Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle and De Bromhead, whose Telmesomethinggirl was victorious in 2021, said he would be going all out to make sure the trophy goes back to Knockeen.

He said: "It's an amazing gesture and is such a lovely thing for Michael to have done. We really do appreciate the sentiment. I will now go about trying to fill the field to give ourselves the best chance of winning it."

Jack de Bromhead: teenager tragically lost his life in a pony racing accident in SeptemberCredit: Healy Racing

Speaking about his decision to name the race after a teenager who packed so much into his 13 years, O'Leary said: "It is a very suitable way to celebrate the life of a great young man which ended so tragically.

"I spoke to Henry and Heather about it and they were delighted and Cheltenham have been extremely helpful too. Everybody in the industry wants to get behind the De Bromhead family and show them we are here for them.

"Henry and Heather have also kindly agreed to present the prize on the day to the winning owner. We hope it will be his very promising mare Magical Zoe. That would just be a fairytale result."

Magical Zoe is now 8-1 second favourite with Paddy Power after storming home to land the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal last Friday.

Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock, November 19)

Betfair: 1-2 A Plus Tard, 3 Protektorat, 7 Royale Pagaille, 10 Bristol De Mai, 16 Frodon, 20 Eldorado Allen

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30 Kempton, December 26)

Ladbrokes: Evens Allaho, 9-4 Bravemansgame, 6 L’Homme Presse, 10 Envoi Allen, Galopin Des Champs, 14 Frodon, Tornado Flyer, 16 bar

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