Envoi Allen returned to the winners’ enclosure at Down Royal to hold off Hewick after a thrilling duel to win the Ladbrokes Champion Chase.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Darragh O’Keefe, in the absence of injured jockey Rachael Blackmore, it was a second victory in the race in three years for the 10-year-old.
In this first Grade One race of the National Hunt season in Ireland, last season’s King George VI winner Hewick was the favorite before being joined by the 3/1 second favorite at the penultimate fence.
Hewick, who had trailed 4-1, came back again but O’Keefe had enough to hold off the challenger and claim the €90,000 top prize.
Last year’s winner and 8-11 favorite Gerri Colombe finished a disappointing third, 13 lengths behind trainer Gordon Elliott and Templepatrick jockey Sam Ewing.
Hewick jockey Jordan Gainford put the pressure on those behind by gradually picking up the pace with last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up among those missing out as he lost ground with a poor jump at the fifth of the last fence.
A delighted De Bromhead said: “Obviously it’s a shame for Rachael, but delighted for Darragh, he gave her a great ride and he really stepped up.
“Fair play to him, he’s taking his opportunities.”
De Bromhead said the Allen Dispatch could now target the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
