Cheltenham Festival: Chantry House gives JP McManus first winner of the week
Chantry House won the Marsh Novices Chase for Nico de Boinville, owner JP McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson. Picture: Healy Racing
The week had been going all too swimmingly. Few reverses, some great results for short-priced players, and the meeting moving along nicely. But the Festival, whatever the circumstances, cannot pass without great disappointment, and it was served up early on Thursday afternoon when the previously unbeaten Envoi Allen crashed out at the fourth fence in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase.
There was no crowd to provide the dramatic gasp, but doubtlessly a collective one came from every living room on these islands. So unexpected and such a shame, but such incidents are always a possibility in this great sport. Thankfully, he and rider Jack Kennedy were both quickly to their feet and while the horse was being led away, Kennedy cast a lonely and dejected figure.
