The opener on day two could end up being one of the races of the week.
Envoi Allen (11/8), the unbeaten Chevley Park Stud star is unbeaten in all seven races he has contended. The winner of last year's Champion Bumper is still prominent in the betting for three races at the Festival.
It's the Ballymore however where the Gordon Elliot charge looks most likely to end up. His form lines are staggering with winner after winner coming out from behind him.
He will most likely go off odds-on on the day of race, and he, alongside Paisley Park, will form the bedrock of many punters' accumulators.
As like Paisley Park in the Stayers', opposition is difficult to predict with most wanting to avoid Envoi, however, Sporting John (6/1) is one of the most interesting runners. Phillip Hobbs' unbeaten charge has looked imperious in his four runs – most recently beating Master Debonair by 12 lengths at Ascot and with Barry Geraghty on board, he could push Envoi as close as he ever has.
Another with some strong form lines is Willie Mullins' The Big Getaway (6/1), a win over Fiddlerontheroof last year and a 17 length success on Boxing Day puts him in the mix for the Ballymore, which Willie admitted is his likely route. He's another where if the ground has some ease in it (which it likely will have) will be right in the mix.
Thyme Hill (15/2) is unbeaten this season and has beaten some nice types along the way including The Cashel Man, Fiddlerontheroof and Champagne Well – he may lack the star quality to win a Ballymore but he digs in and gets the job done.
Envoi Allen vs Sporting John vs The Big Getaway – if all get to the Festival in one piece, the opening race on St. Patricks Day could well be one of the races of the week and one where Envoi will have to be at his very best to beat some strong opposition.
| # | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Chantry House | 9.00 8/1 800 | |
| Longhouse Poet | 17.00 16/1 1600 | |
| Latest Exhibition | 21.00 20/1 2000 | |
| Sporting John | 4.00 3/1 300 | |
| The Big Breakaway | 7.00 6/1 600 | |
| Easywork | 15.00 14/1 1400 | |
| Five O'clock | 34.00 33/1 3300 | |
| Aione | 34.00 33/1 3300 | |
| Shakem Up'arry | 101.00 100/1 10000 | |
| Asterion Forlonge | 5.50 9/2 450 | |
| Mossy Fen | 34.00 33/1 3300 | |
| Decor Irlandais | 34.00 33/1 3300 | |
| Protektorat | 67.00 66/1 6600 | |
| Berkshire Royal | 67.00 66/1 6600 | |
| Foxy Jacks | 51.00 50/1 5000 |
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