There was a shock start to day three of the Cheltenham favourite in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chaseas Envoi Allen, the horse who had gathered much of the attention in the build-up to the Festival, came to grief at the fourth.
With that departure of the odds-on favourite, it was left to fellow point graduate Shan Blue to press on.
However, it was the 9-1 chance Chantry House, who had won a four-year-old maiden at Tattersalls for Cian Hughes, who quickened in the closing stages, jumping the last ahead of stablemate Fusil Raffles before securing a three length victory.
It was a 67th Festival success for owner J P McManus and his first of 2021.
Following the success, Nicky Henderson said: “He was very good, although last year in the Supreme we knew he really wanted another another half a mile, today when he got the extra half it looked as though he wanted another half.
“You’d have to think he might be going over three miles sooner rather than later. I don’t see why not - it depends on how quickly they recover from these races as to whether he can go on to Aintree - but it looks as though he will be looking for three miles.
“He was about in top gear all the way, but when he got there he did it well and he quickened up well. We’ve got a lot of debriefing to do, but it looks as though three miles would help him.
“He was good at Wetherby (on his last run in February); we had a problem here back in December when he had an issue with his back, which we actually had to have surgery on, so he did well to get back in time to get a race in at Wetherby before coming here for this. He’s a lovely horse and I had hoped he would at least give Envoi Allen at least a bit of a race.
“When you get given a chance like that, it’s nice to be able to take it, anyway. It’s a pity Envoi Allen fell, from a lot of points of view - he has looked flawless all year and it was a surprise to see him do that - but you’ve got to grab the chances when you get them.
“It’s very nice to have a winner for JP McManus; we’ve done a lot of talking through the week and we’ve had a couple of disappointments, but it’s nice to get back on the board for him because it’s very important to him, and all of us.”
It proved to be a one-three for Irish Pointers as Asterion Forlonge, another ex-Pat Doyle pointer, came through to take that spot and his trainer Willie Mullins, said:
“I’m very, very happy. He jumped straight and galloped the whole way to the line. I thought we had a little chance coming to the third last, but the ones in front just kept galloping. I’m very pleased with this fella and we’re thinking about potentially Fairyhouse for him next.”
Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Envoi Allen said: "Jack (Kennedy, jockey) just said he was a little bit keen. He just launched at the fence, unfortunately, and that was it. I've had a look at him though and he looked fine, and Jack's fine too, so that's good."
