The Marsh Novice Chase was formally known as the JLT Chase and is one of the newer races to place Cheltenham free bets on.
Ireland have a fantastic record in this race since inception, and make sure when you are placing your bet on Cheltenham for this race that you look at their runners.
Envoi Allen looks every bit a superstar and he continues to go through his career on the unbeaten run that he has. People are already speculating about his Gold Cup chances next year, but one step at a time for him.
His biggest test will come in the Marsh Chase, but he has shown to have a real engine and jumps superbly.
There are a lot of racing fans, us included, that make Envoi Allen the banker of the entire meeting and we can’t wait to see him run. If the Irish have a strong meeting then expect his price to contrast on the day, with accas and other bets rolling up onto him.
We do have one question mark, and that is the change in yard, moving from Gordon Elliott to Henry de Bromhead like all of the Cheveley Park runners. However, assuming that doesn’t affect him, he looks a class above his rivals.
Envoi Allen is a shade of odds on now, with 5/6 the best price you can get about him.
The chances are that his price will depend on other Irish bankers before him, if horses such as Chacun Pour Soi and Monkfish win earlier in the week, bookies will have doubles, trebles and accas rolling up onto Envoi Allen, if not they may try to get him beat and push the price out.
Behind him, Shan Blue at 8/1 looks to be the best of the British Challengers, with a couple of runners owned by JP McManus, Sporting John and Chantry House, capable of running big races and they are both 10/1.
*Odds correct at time of publication
