Envoi Allen crashes out early as Chantry House takes Marsh Chase honours

Chantry House took the Marsh Novices’ Chase after Envoi Allen’s untimely and unexpected early exit in the opening race on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

All eyes had been on Envoi Allen and there was a real sense of anti-climax when the 4-9 favourite came down at the fourth fence, leaving his jockey Jack Kennedy disconsolate.

It was trainer Nicky Henderson who was the beneficiary, saddling the 9-1 winner Chantry House, ridden by Nico de Boinville, as well as the runner-up Fusil Raffles for good measure.

The latter was up front from the start along with Shan Blue, who was given the office by Harry Skelton to stretch the field a long way out.

That injection of pace caught the opposition off guard, but they still were able to reel in Dan Skelton’s charge after three out where the Henderson pair were in prime position.

Chantry House proved the stronger up the hill to prevail by three lengths from Fusil Raffles and give Henderson a 70th winner at the Festival.

Asterion Forlonge was another two lengths back in third, with Chatham Street Lad fourth.

Henderson said: “He was very good. To be fair, when Dan’s horse quickened up down the back, it was a bit like last year. When he ran in the Supreme behind Shishkin he looked to need another half mile and it looked the same again.

“You’d have to think he’ll be going over three miles sooner rather than later.

“At Wetherby last time out he was good, but he needed surgery on his back after he ran here the time before. He did well to get back in time to run at Wetherby, in truth.

“He’s a lovely horse and I’d hoped he would at least give Envoi Allen a bit of a race, but you’ve got to take it when you are given a chance like that.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t go over three miles at Aintree or Punchestown, it just depends how quick he recovers.”

He added: “It’s a pity he (Envoi Allen) fell from a lot of points of view, but on the other hand it was nice to take the opportunity. He’s looked flawless all year so it was a surprise to see him do that.

“We looked in top gear for a lot of the race there, so it certainly looked like going further would help him.

“We’ve had a couple of disappointments this week, it’s nice to get JP (McManus, owner) on the board for the week, too.”

It was a 67th Festival success for owner J P McManus and his first of 2021. Speaking at the post-race press conference, Henderson added: “He was very good, although last year in the Supreme we knew he really wanted another another half a mile, today when he got the extra half it looked as though he wanted another half.

“You’d have to think he might be going over three miles sooner rather than later. I don’t see why not - it depends on how quickly they recover from these races as to whether he can go on to Aintree - but it looks as though he will be looking for three miles. He was about in top gear all the way, but when he got there he did it well and he quickened up well. We’ve got a lot of debriefing to do, but it looks as though three miles would help him.

“He was good at Wetherby (on his last run in February); we had a problem here back in December when he had an issue with his back, which we actually had to have surgery on, so he did well to get back in time to get a race in at Wetherby before coming here for this. He’s a lovely horse and I had hoped he would at least give Envoi Allen at least a bit of a race.

“When you get given a chance like that, it’s nice to be able to take it, anyway. It’s a pity Envoi Allen fell, from a lot of points of view - he has looked flawless all year and it was a surprise to see him do that - but you’ve got to grab the chances when you get them.

“It’s very nice to have a winner for JP McManus; we’ve done a lot of talking through the week and we’ve had a couple of disappointments, but it’s nice to get back on the board for him because it’s very important to him, and all of us.”

De Boinville told ITV Racing: “He was third in the Supreme last year, all credit to the team at home for bringing him back. He slightly struggled in the soft ground round here in December and I’m just absolutely delighted. I hope Envoi Allen is alright.

“It’s great for JP and his team, they put so much work into the sport and it’s fantastic to get the job done.

“I didn’t even know [Envoi Allen] had come down. I was wondering when he was going to come pick me up in the straight, so it’s news to me when and where he went.

“Never discount Nicky Henderson round here, or ever. It’s been a tough couple of months, but the horses seem to be returning to form. Trust in the Guv’nor!”

Willie Mullins, trainer of third-placed Asterion Forlonge said: “I’m very, very happy. He jumped straight and galloped the whole way to the line. I thought we had a little chance coming to the third last, but the ones in front just kept galloping. I’m very pleased with this fella and we’re thinking about potentially Fairyhouse for him next.”

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Envoi Allen said: "Jack (Kennedy, jockey) just said he was a little bit keen. He just launched at the fence, unfortunately, and that was it. I've had a look at him though and he looked fine, and Jack's fine too, so that's good."