Envoi Allen and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
The 4/11 favourite Envoi Allen got back to winning ways with a facile success in the Join Racing TV Chase (Grade 2). Coko Beach disputed the early lead with the odds-on favourite but Rachael Blackmore allowed her mount to go on in front after the second and he made the rest of the running.
Coko Beach kept tabs on the winner until the turn into the home straight but weakened from there as the Cheveley Park Stud-owned 7-year-old readily went clear to win by 22 lengths.
The 90-rated Echoes Of Family a 17-race maiden before today, was the surprise runner-up at 200/1 with the Hartys' grey mare finishing in front of several higher-rated rivals.
Paddy Power cut Envoi Allen to 8/1 (from 20s) for the King George and to 10/1 (from 12s) for the Gold Cup.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "It's brilliant to have him back. Obviously, things just didn't go right for us sadly - obviously at Cheltenham and then at Punchestown as well.
"I had never seen it before but he must have hit the fence so hard. He had a little chip that Gerry Kelly removed and it is fantastic to see him back on track and I'm delighted for Cheveley. He was brilliant.
"To be honest I thought he was mighty going to Cheltenham, possibly too well - too fresh and well. It was just unlucky and Punchestown again just didn't fall right for us.
"It is lovely to start afresh and to start back like that. He jumped brilliant and you can tell by the smile on Rachael's face the buzz she got off it.
"He will step forward from that. I was so focused on this I hadn't really discussed anything but the John Durkan would look a very obvious race for him."
When asked about going three miles plus, he replied: "We'll see. He is a very pacey horse and I'd say it could go either way."
And on Minella Indo s third to Frodon in the feature race, de Bromhead added: "We all love to win but fair play to Frodon he was brilliant on the day."
Envoi Allen was cut from 20/1 to 8/1 for the King George and from 12/1 to 10/1 for the Gold Cup with Paddy Power.
Quotes from Michael Graham
