Cheveley Park stars Envoi Allen and Allaho set for heavyweight John Durkan clash at Punchestown

ENVOI ALLEN, Allaho and Fakir D’Oudairies will clash in a mouthwatering showdown after the trio featured among a highclass field of ten for the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

The Henry de Bromheadtrained Envoi Allen looked to have the world at his feet when going unbeaten in his first 11 starts, but ended last season on a sour note when falling in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before being pulled up at the Punchestown festival.

However, the seven-year-old made an impressive return in Grade 2 company at Down Royal and steps back up to top-level company to take on fellow Cheveley Park Studowned star Allaho, who makes his seasonal comeback in the 2m4½f contest.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was last seen finishing second behind

Chacun Pour Soi in the Punchestown Champion Chase in April but previously dominated his rivals in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Patrick Mullins is set to take the mount tomorrow.

Mullins is set to saddle six runners alongside Allaho in the Grade 1, including last season’s Irish Gold Cup winner Kemboy and top-level winners Asterion

Forlonge and Janidil, while Franco De Port is set to be partnered by Bryony Frost on her first ride for the champion trainer. It is also Frost’s first ride at Punchestown.

Despite having the option of contesting the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, Fakir D’Oudairies has been sent by trainer Joseph O’Brien to Punchestown instead, having made a winning return in the Clonmel Oil Chase last month.

De Bromhead also takes the wraps off last year’s Grand National winner Minella Times for his comeback as he plots his route back to Aintree in the spring.

On what could be a big day for Cheveley Park, 2020 Champion Bumper hero Ferny Hollow – last seen getting the better of Bob Olinger in a maiden hurdle more than a year ago – will make his eagerly anticipated chasing debut in the 2m1f beginners’ chase.

Energumene will begin his quest for Queen Mother Champion Chase glory at Cork tomorrow when last season’s leading Irish 2m novice chaser returns in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase.

The Tony Bloom-owned seven-year-old was impressive in four starts last term, despite missing a clash with Shishkin in the Arkle, and ran out an easy winner of the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

He faces five rivals on his return to action, including the Fortria Chase winner Notebook, and is another big-race ride for Sean O’Keeffe, with trainer Willie Mullins’ other riders at Punchestown and Paul Townend still on the sidelines.

O’Keeffe also picks up the ride on last year’s star bumper performer Kilcruit. The Grade 1 winner makes his hurdling debut in division one of the 2m maiden hurdle.

At Huntingdon, six will go to post in the track’s feature race of the year when Allmankind bids for another Graded success in the Peterborough Chase.

The Dan Skelton-trained fiveyear-old landed the Old Roan Chase on his last start in October and is set to clash with last season’s Clarence House Chase winner First Flow and the classy Master Tommytucker.