The Grade One Champion Chase at Down Royal is one of the biggest races of the National Hunt calendar in the UK and Ireland. It has been won by some big names in recent years, and this year’s renewal is expected to be strong again.
Defending Champion Likely to Make His Return to Action
In 2022, Envoi Allen added his name to the roll of honour at the Belfast-based racecourse when he won the Champion Chase for trainer Henry De Bromhead. He was ridden to success by Rachael Blackmore, who became just the second female jockey to win the race in history.
The eight-year-old chaser stayed on strongly at the back end of the three-mile contest to score by just under two lengths, beating the favourite Galvin, and leading Irish chasers Kemboy, Conflated and Beacon Edge.
De Bromhead runner’s success at Down Royal was a catalyst for an excellent season. Later in the campaign, he was victorious at the Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Chase, beating Shishkin and Blue Lord.
Envoi Allen is expected to defend his crown in the Champion Chase this year. It will be his second start of the season, as he ran at Gowran Park in September, finishing third of six runners in what was a rusty display by the Grade One winner.
Although De Bromhead was disappointed in Envoi Allen’s performance at Gowran Park, he did say he expected him to improve from it. He should be much fitter for his second assignment of the campaign.
Third Time Lucky for Galvin?
Galvin is expected to be one of the strongest challengers to Envoi Allen in the Champion Chase this year. It will be the third time that Gordon Elliott’s runner will feature in the Grade One contest. He finished second in 2021, while 12 months ago, he came home in fourth place.
The nine-year-old ended last season with a first appearance in the 2023 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse which was won by Corach Rambler. He was fancied to run well in the world’s most famous steeplechase, but his race did not last long, as he unseated his rider Davy Russell at the opening fence.
The eight-time chaser winner will be making his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal, and his connections will be hoping he can make a winning start to his campaign.
Strong Cards Across Two Days of Meeting
It is not just the Champion Chase which takes place at Down Royal during this meeting. There will be two days of top-class Jumps Racing, with lots of opportunities for horse racing owners to see their horses in action.
With the 2023/24 National Hunt season now up and running, many horse racing fans will be considering purchasing racehorse shares in Jumps horses, like Jolly Nellerie from RaceShare, who is available from as little as £18 per share. He is trained by leading UK-based trainer Venetia Williams, a woman who often sends her best horses across to Down Royal for the Champion Chase meeting. She was successful in the Grand National in 2009 and she will be hoping for more major success this season.
The two-day meeting will also be the chance for the leading contenders in the Irish Trainers’ Championship to pick up some valuable prize money. The likes of Willie Mullins, Elliott and De Bromhead will all be big players in the race for the prestigious trophy this season.
This year’s Champion Chase meeting takes place from 3-4 November and tickets are available for the two days on the racecourse’s official website.
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