rear of mid-division, headway 3 out, 6th entering straight, headway to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th entering straight, 5th 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong
led and disputed, slight mistake and headed 5th, close 2nd and pushed along entering straight, ridden in close 3rd 2 out, soon no impression
led and disputed, led from 5th, pressed and briefly joined 2 out, ridden to lead before last, edged left after last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
in rear, closer 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders on outer in 5th, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression and dropped to 6th when bad mistake 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th entering straight, 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division on inner, ridden in moderate 8th entering straight, no impression
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden in last entering straight, moderate 8th 2 out, no impression
ENVOI ALLEN's hurdling debut at Down Royal was eagerly awaited and he made all, jumped well and sauntered home. The winner of a point-to-point and all four starts in bumpers, including the championship race at Cheltenham which is working out brilliantly. He's facing very much better rivals including his stable companion Abracadabras, who was five lengths behind at Cheltenham but has been equally impressive in his two starts over timber, the latest in a Navan Grade 3, but should still come out on top. Midnight Run looks best of Joseph O'Brien's pair. Just over four lengths behind the selection in a Navan bumper in December, he could hardly have been more impressive on his hurdling bow at Cork and can reward each-way support. Darver Star keeps on winning but all of his five successes have been over further, as have the last two victories of Foveros.
Abacadabras (FR) 9-10fav (11-1) Held up in touch in rear, headway on outer entering straight, improved travelling well to dispute lead approaching 2 out, led at last and quickly went clear, stayed on strongly, not extended, easily, won at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Latest Exhibition (11-1) by 3l, 6 ran.
Darver Star (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Raced in 4th, closed up and prominent on outer from 3 out, travelling smoothly into straight, challenged from before 2 out, stayed on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Oct beating Fast Buck (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Embittered (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 2 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to dispute again bypassing last, edged ahead closing stages, won at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Blackbow (11-12) by 1/2l, 25 ran.
Envoi Allen (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Made all, went clear travelling well after 3 out, well clear at last, stayed on well run-in, very easily, won at Down Royal 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Front View (11-9) by 6 1/2l, 17 ran.
Fast Buck (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Prominent early, disputed lead 2nd and headed next, dropped to 4th at halfway, ridden in 4th after 3 out, 3rd next, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Abacadabras (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Midnight Run (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ran around slightly approaching 1st, disputed after 4 out, led after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, clear before last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Colreevy (11-5) by 9 1/2l, 15 ran.
Turnpike Trip 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, travelled well and asserted after 2 out, 4 lengths clear when mistake and stumbled badly last, soon ridden and kept on well closing stages, won at Tipperary 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Oct beating Razoul (10-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Foveros (FR) 6-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders in 3rd, ran freely early, 4th halfway, went 3rd again travelling well before 2 out, progress to lead last, ridden and kept on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 5f sft in Oct beating Quartz Du Rheu (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Soviet Pimpernel (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, tracked front pair turning in, every chance last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, edged left towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Quel Destin (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m (2) hvy in Oct.
