'Aren't we so lucky to have him?' - Envoi Allen rolls back the years with historic third win in Champion Chase at Down Royal

There'll be something missing each November at Down Royal when Envoi Allen eventually calls it a day and this performance will be one of the focal points of what will be a fabulous career highlight reel.

He sparkled once again at his early-season playground to land a third Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase for Henry de Bromhead.

From seven visits to Down Royal, including two for former trainer Gordon Elliott, the evergreen 11-year-old has landed a maiden hurdle, beginners' chase, a Grade 2 and three Grade 1s, the only defeat coming two years ago when he gave way close home to Gerri Colombe. 

He's landed 17 races from 30 starts, including an incredible ten top-level victories, and this was one of his most impressive displays, illustrating the sterling job the Knockeen stable has done with one of the modern stalwarts of the jumping game.

Darragh O'Keeffe has had the leg up on Envoi Allen twice and won two Grade 1s. His ride to land him half a length in front of Hewick last year was something special. This was more straightforward as his mount blasted around the place with spectacular verve, leaving O'Keeffe motionless until shortly before the penultimate fence.

Approaching the third-last, it was apparent viewers were in for a treat as Affordale Fury, Western Fold and Envoi Allen charged at it with half a length between them, while 2-1 favourite Found A Fifty was stalking just behind. 

Envoi Allen put in a trademark nimble, electric leap and landed with an advantage but O'Keeffe kept a lid on him and reined him back to dispute the lead before the pair flew the second-last.

O'Keeffe released the already creaking hand-break on landing, leaving the winner to rocket clear and maintain a healthy three and three-quarter advantage over Affordale Fury while being roared home by his adoring crowd, who fully appreciate a horse who will undoubtedly go down as a legend of Down Royal.

"What a horse, what else can you say?," said an elated De Bromhead. "It was a super ride from Darragh and fair play to everyone at home, they had him absolutely spot on for today. 

"Aren't we so lucky to have him? He's been an incredible horse and he keeps coming back. He's up there with the best of them and to come back here every year is incredible.

"He's probably not as wild as he was, but he's definitely as enthusiastic. He certainly has a laugh with some of his riders at home! It's brilliant for Cheveley Park; they are fantastic supporters of ours and of the game."

The question on many racegoers' lips was whether this would be the glorious swansong. However, it's hard to pull up stumps given the sheer appetite for the game he still exudes, and it has to go down as one of the training performances of the season, even at this early stage. 

De Bromhead and his team have consistently produced the three-time Cheltenham Festival winner in sensational nick at this meeting in each of the last five years.

Asked whether the winner would be participating come spring, De Bromhead said: "We'll see, as I'm not sure. He's obviously getting a bit older, although he didn't look it there. Darragh said when he jumped the third-last, it was like he had just come into the race; he was unreal. 

"That's probably the most impressive he's won it. He's class and it's permanent. There's a great team at home and they've worked wonders with him. Davy Roche and everyone involved has done brilliant, so a big thanks to them."

Thank you to the Racing Post for this article