Envoy handed Ascot mission

Special Envoy will bid to secure a richly-deserved big-race prize in the BGC Long Walk Hurdle on December 22.

Peter Bowen’s grey has the Ascot heat on his agenda after running with great credit behind Inglis Drever in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the start of the month.

Special Envoy had previously fallen at the last with a valuable race at his mercy for the second time this year at Haydock in November.

“He’ll go in the Long Walk and he’s in good form,” reported Bowen.

“He’s a very, very good horse but he’s just blooming unlucky.

“When you think he’s lost £100,000 in two races it’s quite sickening.”

The Haverfordwest handler has also entered exciting youngster Souffleur in Ascot’s £100,000 Grade One showpiece but is likely to be represented solely by Special Envoy.

“One is a novice and one isn’t so Souffleur will keep to the novice route for most of the season I’d think and Special Envoy will have to go and beat the big boys now,” Bowen added.

Special Envoy is currently a best-priced 20-1 with sponsors Ladbrokes for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.