Rachael Blackmore said she was thinking of tragic young rider Jack de Bromhead after steering Envoi Allen to win the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.
Envoi Allen was having his second start over three miles and took a while to warm to his task but arrived on the outside going well turning in.
It was going to be a battle to the line with Kemboy and Conflated still in contention, despite the favourite Galvin dropping tamely away.
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Conflated was the first to crack but Willie Mullins’ old stager Kemboy would not lie down, forcing Envoi Allen to pull out all the stops before the 7-2 shot eventually claimed the prize by a length and three-quarters.
Blackmore was riding out for Henry de Bromhead, the trainer of Envoi Allen and father of thirteen-year-old Jack who died in a pony racing accident in September.
And Blackmore said she was thinking of the youngster after winning the Grade 1 prize at Down Royal.
"I didn't jump half as well as I can to be honest," Blackmore said of Envoi Allen.
"He was there when I needed him, though. He's a horse with so much talent and everyone knows that. It was great to get his head back in front.
She added: "He's an incredible horse, he's got so much ability. It's fantastic to win this race but we are thinking of Jack on a day like today."
Henry de Bromhead wasn't at the race meeting but was represented by Robbie Power who said of the race: “It was brilliant. We always thought stepping up in trip would suit him.
"He only ran once before over three miles and that was at the end of a season.
“He didn’t jump brilliant early on, he took a while to warm up to his jumping but, when Rachael wanted him later on, he was there for her.
“That opens up options for us now that he stays three miles. You’d have to think down that line (Gold Cup) anyway, he’s in the King George.
“We’ll get him home and see how he is after that and decide after that.”
He added: “He has maintained his unbeaten record around here. It was fantastic, Henry had him cherry ripe for today. He was in proper order.”
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