See also » Envoi-hits-the-headlines-again-at-Cheltenham
It’s great for the Thompsons (Cheveley Park Stud) as they are great supporters of ours and the industry. It’s just brilliant. I kept saying to Richard (Thompson) that he is as good as he was before he went to Kempton, I was so happy with him before the King George, we really fancied him, but like a few of ours who went to England in the first half of the season, he just never showed up. A Plus Tard (Betfair Chase) and Arctic Bresil (Ladbrokes Trophy) just never ran their races. Nothing came to light, A Plus Tard had obvious reasons but not the other two. They were all beaten after four fences. I thought it might have been water and various other bits but anyway we left no stone and whatever we did seems to be working again. I was really happy the whole race, but there was a chance he was doing too much. He was jumping so well. Rachael felt early on he might have been doing too much, but then he settled. He’s a class horse. Everyone was delighted with him and I was hoping he would put his best foot forward and he did. Henry De Bromhead, trainer

Permission was given for Envoi Allen (FR) and Ga Law (FR) to wear a red hood to post.

The performance of Blue Lord (FR), placed eighth beaten by 17 ½ lengths, was considered.

P Townend reported that the gelding was never travelling, and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post- race examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Following the race, Nico de Boinville reported that Shishkin (IRE), placed second, made a bad mistake at the third last fence and hung left-handed throughout.