Envoi Allen looks another star for OJA

Purchased for £400,000 in February having won his only Irish point-to-point for Colin Bowe, Envoi Allen was a four lengths winner on his Rules debut at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Owned by Cheveley Park Stud and trained by Gordon Elliott, the gelded son of Muhtathir was given a confident ride by Jamie Codd. Making headway on the outside, the four year old quickened up well to readily reel in the race fit Port Stanley. Elliott initially indicated that Envoi Allen may only have one more run this season before being prepared for a hurdles campaign next Autumn. However, news broke on Monday morning that the same connections Malone Road - ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Festival bumper - had suffered a setback and is unlikely to race again this term. Therefore it begs the question will Envoi Allen be aimed at the Festival next March. Either way, he is a most exciting prospect and yet another budding star unearthed by One Jump Ahead (see page 20).

Kalashnikov made it two out of two over fences with a wide margin victory at Plumpton on Monday. Last season's Festival runner-up followed up his Warwick victory with an eighteen lengths success. Jack Quinlan's mount jumped well throughout and never came out of second gear. The Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton (27th December) is his next target before a possible trip to Doncaster a month later - the Lightning Novices' Chase. The Arkle Trophy, which is his ultimate target, is threatening to be a terrific event with Lalor and Mengli Khan also stating their cases in recent weeks.

David Pipe hasn't enjoyed much luck this term with King's Socks suffering an injury when falling in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month and then promising novice Extra Mag fell at the last with the race in safe keeping on his British debut at Wetherby last week. Thankfully, the Pond House team had a change of fortune at Plumpton with former Irish pointer Eden Du Houx (featured on page 111 of OJA) winning on his Rules bow in the concluding bumper. The Irish Wells gelding was well backed beforehand and he was always going well under Tom Scudamore. A two lengths winner, he is only four and has a bright future ahead.

Talking of bumper horses, I suggest readers keep an eye on the horse featured on page 107 (the 5th one down) of One Jump Ahead - he is due to make his racecourse debut tomorrow and his trainer liked him a lot when we spoke during the summer.