Cheltenham race to be run in memory of Jack de Bromhead

Henry de Bromhead revealed on Racing TV on Tuesday that the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival will be run in memory of his late son Jack, who died in a pony racing accident in September.

The extended two-mile contest is the long-term target for De Bromhead's Magical Zoe who finished with a rattle to win the Grade Three Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday.

Speaking at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, De Bromhead said he will be aiming his exciting four-year-old, as well as a number of her stablemates, at the Grade Two contest which is run on day three of the Cheltenham Festival, plus also thanked Michael O'Leary for the decision to name the race he sponsors in memory of his son.

“Michael O’Leary (of sponsors Ryanair) has very kindly said they are going to name the mares’ novices’ hurdle the Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle, which is incredible," said de Bromhead.

“I’m hoping to do a Willie (Mullins) on it and try and fill the field if at all possible! We’ll certainly be aiming her towards there I would imagine.

“Magical Zoe is a nice mare. We always thought she was nice but I suppose she did surprise us on Friday in the sense that she’s a bit of an unknown.

“I’m not sure where she’ll go next. I think I want to start at Cheltenham and work backwards with her. She’s only four and only a baby, so we’ll see."

Magical Zoe was one of two notable winners for Henry de Bromhead at Down Royal, with Envoi Allen getting back to winning ways in the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase, and the leading Irish handler expects the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase to be next on Envoi Allen’s agenda.

The eight-year-old appeared to have the world at his feet after winning his first 11 starts under Rules for Gordon Elliott, but results have been mixed since joining De Bromhead last year.

Envoi Allen failed to complete on his first two starts for the Knockeen handler – falling at Cheltenham and pulling up at Punchestown – and while he did manage to win a Grade One over two miles last season, it looked as though his best days may be behind him.

However, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding proved he is no back number on only his second start over three miles in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase and he is now set for a trip to Kempton on Boxing Day.

“He seems good. He was really good the other day and we were delighted with him,” De Bromhead said at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.

“I had obviously gone the wrong way with the trip last year. He seemed to love it, he stayed really well and we were delighted with him.

“I think the plan is to go for the King George, if everyone is happy to do that. That was our plan, if the trip north (Down Royal) went well we said we’d give it a go.”

De Bromhead also provided an update on Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard who is on course to return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19, a race he won by 22 lengths last year. He said:

“He’s going to work tomorrow and he seems in great form. Everyone seems happy with him. We’re looking forward to it, and it’s an exciting time of year.”