Expert Analysis

There was no Allaho – the brilliant winner of the previous two renewals yet side-lined since last April – but the race went to one in the same colours in Envoi Allen, a bit below the usual winning standard but putting up a performance bordering on high-class even so. The pace was a little stop-start, fast over the early fences but far more measured mid-race, the first 6 all a little faster than par late on, and Envoi Allen himself fastest of all (104.2% finishing speed).

ENVOI ALLEN (c164 here, 163 previously) illustrated the occasionally fickle nature of racing by following a complete drubbing in the King George VI Chase (for which he went off at 4/1) with this Grade 1 Festival win, back to his very best in the process. He tracked the pace travelling comfortably, made a mistake 3 out but was on the bridle again a few strides after it, leading between the last 2 and seeing it out well despite jumping right at the last then edging back left. He gets an easy 3m.

SHISHKIN (c161 here, 177 previously) ran a puzzling race, nothing like what he had delivered at Ascot the time before or on occasions further in the past, looking to lack confidence, or possibly interest, pushed along early on, racing with his ears back when in amongst horses mid-race (also jumping to his left at times) but still a danger in a close fifth when blundering and doing well to stand up 3 out, switched out of traffic between the last 2 and ultimately seeing out his race well (marginally fastest in the final 1f according to official sectionals). It is difficult to know what to expect of him next, a still longer trip not necessarily going to help much if his attitude is not what it could be.

HITMAN (c160 here and previously) was back to his best and is pretty reliable at around this sort of trip, if lacking a bit of what is usually needed to win at the top level. He tracked the pace despite a couple of lesser errors, threw down a challenge at the last but emptied a bit near the end.

FRENCH DYNAMITE (c157 here, 155 previously) seemed likely to be suited by this sort of test and duly ran at least as well as previously, in the first 2 for a long way, leading again briefly 2 out then one paced.

GA LAW (c153 here, 154 previously) was taken off his feet and less than fluent for a long way but closed a bit late on for a creditable effort, shaping as if he will be more at home returned to 3m and a lesser grade.

FURY ROAD (c152 here, 161 previously) may be better at 3m than this trip, despite some previous impressions, but this was not the most encouraging even so, dropping to the rear after halfway and lacking the pace to get back into it.

JANIDIL (c144 here, 160 previously) is probably best forgiven this, though he might not have achieved all that much on his winning return a month previously, blundering at the eighth when in rear and only briefly looking like getting back into it.

BLUE LORD (c143 here, 163 previously) is probably better at shorter unless the pace is steady/the going is less soft, held up before making some headway 2 out, only for his effort to peter out.

CHACUN POUR SOI (c130 here, 165? previously) probably will not get 20f in a horsebox but may be on the decline at the age of 11 anyway. He led despite a mistake at the twelfth until weakening quickly before 2 out.