Ruby Walsh predicts what Gordon Elliot might do next with Envoi Allen

Envoi Allen’s form is rock solid and he did exactly what you’d expect him to do when winning the Naas Novice Hurdle last weekend.

He’s as good a novice as we’ve seen in a long time.

So why the criticism? Well If you think Longhouse Poet who was third beat Conflated seven-and-half-lengths, Latest Exhibition only beat him six-and-half at Navan.

So when you look at the form and put another seven lengths to Envoi Allen, maybe people are crabbing up a little because he didn’t sprit away from Elixir D’Ainay in second.

Elixir D’Ainay is really good horse, Longhouse Poet was really fancied and he’s a very good horse. And we think Latest Exhibition is too.

Theoretically they would have all finished in front of Latest Exhibition if they’d run in the same race. So despite the form being rock solid, there’s a few doubts around because he didn’t sprint up the hill in this.

But I don’t know what they’re expecting? I thought it was a very good performance.

It looked like trainer Gordon Elliott had left something to work on. He said he did.

Envoi Allen looked slightly heavy. You’d think he’d get more trained up and houndish-looking as the season goes on, but he actually looked a little bit ’round’.

In fact, I thought he looked quite tired in the ring afterwards – like a horse who had given plenty.

I’d say that’s a worry with the Dublin Racing Festival coming up soon.

It depends on how quickly he recovers, but I’d imagine Gordon would sacrifice a run at Leopardstown next month to get him to peak for Cheltenham in March. That’s why some trainers are very good, and others aren’t.

Gordon Elliot will have seen that in the parade ring and thought about getting him to peak for March.

But I know one thing: If you’re giving us all a horse for Cheltenham – he’s the one we’re all on.