tracked leader, left in lead 1st, almost joined from before 2 out, travelling smoothly straight and went on, reduced lead and pushed out to assert run-in, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, slight mistake and slightly impeded 1st, waited with behind leaders, slightly slow 2 out and no impression and pushed along, one pace
tracked leaders, left 2nd from 1st, almost on terms from before 2 out, pushed along before straight, soon under pressure, no impression run-in, kept on without matching winner
waited with in rear, hampered and unseated rider 1st
Unbeaten in 10 starts including five at the highest level, ENVOI ALLEN has won both starts over fences in fine style including a Grade 1 novice chase at Fairyhouse last time. Gordon Elliott’s star should have the measure of these despite carrying a penalty before heading for Cheltenham in March. Willie Mullins has won two of the three previous renewals but Asterion Forlonge, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, came a cropper at Limerick on his second outing over fences. He looks the main danger to the likely favourite with a clear round given novice chase winners Dinny Lacey and Fils D'oudairies have plenty to find on these terms though the latter beat Punitive at Navan last time and is preferred to stablemate Sempo.
Envoi Allen (FR) 2-11fav (11-12) Led, joined approaching 2 out, soon regained lead travelling smoothly, quickly asserted, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Assemble (11-12) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Led, one length clear at 10th where mistake and fell, at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Dinny Lacey (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led early, prominent in 2nd, on terms after 6th, soon led, went on 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec beating Stormy Judge (11-5) by 8l, 10 ran.
Fils D'oudairies (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in touch in 5th, 4th at halfway, went 3rd and pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Braeside (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Sempo (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Towards rear, jumped right 1st and 7th, some headway when slight mistake 5 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression when jumped right last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 24l behind The Big Getaway (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Yielding in Dec.
Punitive (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, 5th at halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Fils D'oudairies (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
