The Gordon Elliott-trained Envoi Allen has given Ireland the first win of day two of the Cheltenham Festival by landing the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
He crossed the line four lengths ahead of The Big Getaway and Easywork after producing a strong finish under the ride of Davy Russell.
"He's just a marvellous horse and I'm delighted to be associated with him," Russell told ITV Racing.
"He's got marvellous owners and a fantastic trainer. He runs in neutral for a lot of the race and you don't really know when to set him alight but he was just perfect. Gordon is the man and I've no pressure on me.
Gordon Elliott, who saddles Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll in the Cross Country Chase later, says Envoi Allen did what was needed:
"He was our best chance of the week. Everyone was here to see him and he did everything he needed to do. He jumped, he stayed and when he got to the front, he did what he had to do.
"He was bit tired after the race and knows he had a race today. Davy said they went a proper gallop and he showed how good he is. When he swung off the home turn I thought he was too far out of his ground, but listen both our horses ran great races, Easywork in second and him winning - it was brilliant."
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