'No such thing as a certainty' - Ruby Walsh on Envoi Allen's 'unlucky' fall

It was the outcome no-one expected as 4-9 favourite Envoi Allen suffered a shock fall in the Marsh Novices' Chase, leaving Chantry House to run out the winner of the opening race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

Both horse, who had been foot perfect in each of his three starts over fences until now, and rider Jack Kennedy got swiftly up and were reported to be uninjured after the fall at the fourth fence.

Envoi Allen's trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "Jack [Kennedy] just said he was a little bit keen and he just launched at the fence, unfortunately. That was that. I had a look at him and he looks fine, Jack's fine too so that's good."

Hot favourite Envoi Allen crashes out in Marsh as Chantry House storms home

Speaking on ITV Racing, the Cheltenham Festival's most successful jockey Ruby Walsh described the incident as unlucky and said: "It looks like he stands off too far and his front feet get caught on the top of the fence and then he knuckles over on his nose. He's paddling then and can't get his feet in the right place.

"It's unlucky but that's jump racing and it just shows you there is no such thing as a certainty. I feel for Jack Kennedy, I've had to make that walk a few times myself."

He added: "Envoi was uncharacteristic at the start. He looked alive and anxious. He was good at the first fence and brave at the second but at the third he was way too far off."

How the incident unfolded

Envoi Allen stands too far off the fourth fence in the Marsh Novices' Chase, leaving him with a lot of work to do to clear the obstacle

Credit: Racing TV

The previously unbeaten seven-year-old's stretches and his front feet catch the top of the fence

Credit: Racing TV

Envoi Allen lands on the other side but his momentum sends him sprawling to the floor to cause a mammoth festival shock

Credit: Racing TV

Credit: Racing TV

Winning rider Nico de Boinville expressed his surprise at the incident, saying: "I didn't even know Envoi Allen had fallen, I was waiting for him to come alongside."

'Millions' saved by bookmakers

The incident has proven disastrous for punters, particularly in the Cheltenham Placepot, as 501,533.60 of the 696,000 units had been placed on Envoi Allen.

Betfair spokesperson Barry Orr estimated the ending of Envoi Allen's unbeaten record could have saved the bookmaking industry millions.

He said: "I couldn't put a number on it but it's fair to say it sunk many multiples across the four days, with liabilities which would probably be counted in millions."

However, punter Paul Dean, whose remarkable five-fold accumulator only needed an Envoi Allen victory to secure over £500,000, was counting his blessings after cashing out for a guaranteed £250,000.

If you want more on the 2021 Cheltenham Festival . . .

Punter wins £250,000 after cashing out amazing £5 acca involving Envoi Allen

It's Rachael Blackmore again as awesome Allaho destroys the field in Ryanair

Envoi Allen's doting groom denied the chance to lead up her star at Cheltenham

Place bets with seven bookmakers without leaving the free Racing Post app. Same prices, same offers, live video. Every race, every day. Search 'Racing Post App' to download for free and tap the odds buttons to get started