'There's always pressure': Envoi Allen out to maintain perfect tally in Drinmore

baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | 2m4f | RTV

Whoever said you should never be afraid of one horse clearly never saw Envoi Allen in full cry.

The unbeaten Gordon Elliott-trained star has put the fear of God into his rivals, with only three taking up the gargantuan task of lowering the colours of the long odds-on favourite.

The disappointing turnout has, rightly or wrongly, dominated much of the pre-race discussion in the build-up to this €70,000 prize.

Click here to watch Envoi Allen's flawless chasing debut

Joseph O'Brien saddles Assemble and Home By The Lee, while the four-runner field is completed by Coko Beach, stablemate of Envoi Allen.

Elliott has been nothing but frank about plans for Envoi Allen and insists it is other trainers' prerogative if they want to try to challenge his dual Cheltenham Festival winner.

He said: "All we can do is say where we are going with the horse and if people don’t want to take us on they don't have to."

Assemble (left): one of two in the field for Jospeh O'BrienCredit: Healy Racing

Envoi Allen was bought to be a three-mile chaser and nothing about his effortless debut victory over fences at Down Royal suggested he will not be even better for scaling the larger obstacles.

While this is not a vintage Drinmore, it represents another step up in class for Envoi Allen, one he is expected to take in his stride.

Elliott added: "He's in very good form and we’re looking forward to running him. There’s always pressure when you are dealing with a horse like that but all you’re hoping for is a clear round and that he comes home safe and sound."

Of Coko Beach, he added: "He had a nice run at Galway, the form of which has worked out well, and hopefully he can pick up some prize-money."

O’Brien has not got to where he is now by being a shrinking violet, and while he admits Assemble and Home By The Lee have their work cut out, he believes the pros outweighed the cons in taking on Envoi Allen.

Coko Beach (left): second to Pencilfulloflead last timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"It’s obviously a disappointing turnout but Home By The Lee is a Graded winner and has earned his place in the field," O'Brien said. "Assemble won his beginners' chase well and also deserved to have a crack."

Asked about his chances of causing an upset, O’Brien added: “It’s a horserace so there’s a small chance. If you’re not in, you can’t win.

"The worst-case scenario is the horses get valuable experience and hopefully they will collect a pay cheque if they get around safely.”

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