Cheltenham Festival: Ruby Walsh on Envoi Allen v Monkfish 2022 Gold Cup

This is a match-up we would love to see.

Ruby Walsh Envoi Allen

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change

The Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner and excitement is building ahead of the equine extravaganza at Prestbury Park – where Paddy Power is offering non-runner money back on every single race!

Al Boum Photo is targeting a historic third consecutive Gold Cup, but some punters are already thinking about next year after seeing a host of promising novice chasers light up the division this season.

Writing in to our From The Horse’s Mouth ‘Countdown to Cheltenham’ podcast, one listener asked Ruby Walsh who is the most likely winner of the 2022 renewal – Monkfish or Envoi Allen?

Our resident jockey-turned-pundit said: “Both horses have the same question to answer, in that neither has any form beyond 3m.

“We have seen loads of horses in the past – Florida Pearl, One Man – keep going after 3m but Monkfish is by Stowaway and I’m not certain of Stowaway’s record at 3m2f plus.

“The 2020 Ballymore was the furthest we have seen Envoi Allen race, on a racecourse. I know he won a point-to-point but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a dour stayer.

Envoi Allen Novices' Hurdle Cheltenham March 11, 2020

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“Stamina would be the only question mark hanging over the two of them. Which one of them, at this time, looks the most likely stayer? I don’t know, but I just think there is something ‘wow’ about Envoi Allen.

“I think he has achieved more than Monkfish has thus far, so if you’re pushing me for an answer it would be Envoi Allen. But I would like to see both racing over further than they have raced before.”

Monkfish will line up for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase while Envoi Allen is set to run in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at this year’s meeting.

Both are currently odds-on antepost favourites in their respective races, and it remains to be seen which charge will kick on over the next 12 months.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL‘S BIG RACES

March 16 – 13.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 16 – 13.55 – Arkle Chase latest odds and tips

March 16 – 15.05 – Champion Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 16 – 15.40 – Mares’ Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 17 – 13.20 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 17 – 13.55 – Festival Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips

March 17 – 15.05 – Queen Mother Champion Chase latest odds and tips

March 17 – 16.50 – Champion Bumper latest odds and tips

March 18 – 13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips

March 18 – 14.30 – Ryanair Chase latest odds and tips

March 18 – 15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 19 – 13.20 – Triumph Hurdle latest odds and tips

March 19 – 14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips

March 19 – 15.05 – Gold Cup latest odds and tips

March 19 – 16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase latest odds and tips

*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.

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