Ruby Walsh on Envoi Allen's chasing debut success: "I loved it, I really loved it"

It was a big couple of days for Gordon Elliott at Down Royal on Friday and Saturday, with the County Meath handler unleashing some of his stable stars, plus some potential stars of the future.

And Elliott is sure to have been hugely satisfied with how his battalion fared, with the leading Irish trainer recording eight winners over the two days.

Envoi Allen, one of the most exciting horses in training, is sure have been the highlight for Elliott, and he will have high hopes at least one of his bumper or novice hurdle winners can follow in his footsteps.

Below, you will find expert analysis from Ruby Walsh on the youngsters that were successful for Elliott at Down Royal, including Farouk D'alene, Chemical Energy, Quilixios, Ballyadam, Sir Gerhard and of course, Envoi Allen.

Ruby Walsh, who was trackside at Down Royal over the two days with Racing TV presenter Gary O'Brien, is a regular pundit on Racing TV providing top analysis and interesting insight. Click here to join Racing TV.

There was everything to like about his performance.

He was getting a lead going down to the first hurdle, pinged it and ended up in front. We were watching the race knowing he was a 4-1 on chance, but he would have been about 1-8 after the back of the first hurdle, the way he jumped it.

He was really, really impressive until the last hurdle and the last furlong where he got tired, but he was entitled to do that. At no stage watching the race did you think there could be any other result other than Farouk D’alene was going to win.

He was going the easiest every step of the way and absolutely pinged the second-last hurdle.

Jack [Kennedy] had to organise him a bit to jump the last, and he got a little bit empty going to the line but, that said, he went a long way after the line before his rider was able to pull him up.

It was a really impressive performance and he did what he was expected to do. He was a rock-solid bumper horse, he’s a point-to-point winner and he has definitely showed himself to be a pretty capable hurdler as well.

I loved it, I really loved it. He was brilliant.

Watch him at the last, that was magic. They didn't go a mad gallop and he quickened down to the last going faster and faster, met it on the wrong stride and Jack Kennedy was brilliant on him. He didn’t move on him and he leaves it to the horse, who knew what to do himself.

I must say, I enjoyed watching the man on his back who never touched Envoi Allen’s mouth or pulled him back once, he left it completely up to the horse.

He gave him the office to go on when he needed to and it was lovely to watch.

You have to love everything about the performance. He’s only doing enough in front and he has a great temperament.

He’s a novice, so somewhere along the way he’s going to make a mistake, but I love the way the horse knows what he is doing and is always looking.

I’d say Chemical Energy is a really nice horse, and he was given a really clever ride.

He’s run out a ready winner under a very good, tactical ride from Jamie Codd, which is what you’d expect from a champion amateur and leading point-to-point rider.

The horse quickened away and won really well. Jamie always had him where he wanted and it was a dream ride for a jockey, really; a horse that’s sat relaxed and when you ask him to do something, they come straight onto the bridle.

He’s definitely done a lot more than he did at Roscommon on debut and it will be interesting to see if connections keep him in the bumper division, or will they go jumping with him?

Jack Kennedy won’t ride many easier winners than this. Quilixious was very professional. He went along in front and never missed a beat.

Jumping wise, he settled perfectly and did everything you would expect.

It was only a matter of when Jack Kennedy wanted to go faster out in front and put the race to bed, and he waited until before the second last to do that.

He’s a beautifully clean, accurate jumper, and even at the last you could see how clean and fast he was through the air. He was impressive, but what do you expect from a 1-16 shot? Exactly what he did.

You would imagine he will head to Fairyhouse now (for the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle in November) so connections can find out a bit more about him, and I imagine he will take on recent Ballinrobe winner, Zanahiyr, so that’ll be an interesting contest.

You would have to be pleased with that performance. He jumped really well on the whole, much better than the runner-up, Colonel Mustard.

Ballyadam jumped much slicker and he got away from the second last much quicker than the second.

Down to the last, Jack gave Ballyadam a squeeze, his mount changed his mind and he kicked the top bar, but he was good and quick at it.

It was a really, really good performance from Ballyadam and I think if you were giving me him or Farouk D’alene, I’d be taking Ballyadam.

The further he was going, the better this horse started to travel, and that’s always a very good sign.

The first time he started to be keen was when he got to the two-furlong pole, most horses are keen for the first part of the race.

When Jamie Codd decided to let him go, he sprinted away. Whatever the strength in depth behind him, so be it. You couldn’t have been anything but impressed with that.