Darragh O'Keeffe delivers brilliant display on Envoi Allen at Down Royal

Darragh O'Keeffe is revelling in his role as stable jockey to Henry De Bromhead. 

The Doneraile jockey landed the first Grade One of the National Hunt season on Saturday afternoon aboard the incredibly popular Envoi Allen at a packed Down Royal. Envoi Allen landed the €160,000 Bet Victor Champion Chase for a third time at a venue where he is six from seven. 

In essence, this is his spiritual home and the cheers from the grandstand as he passed the line registered on the Richter scale. 

O'Keeffe is setting a blistering gallop in the race for the 2025/26 Irish National Hunt Jockey title and enjoyed a fruitful weekend at the marquee meeting in Down Royal. The two-day Bet Victor Festival of Racing is one of the biggest early-season meetings on the National Hunt scene. It often provides early clues for Cheltenham in March.

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The old warrior Envoi Allen dug deep at a packed Down Royal. Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, Envoi Allen was easy to back at 11-4, having been much shorter earlier in the week. 

He was late into the parade ring but looked really well for his seasonal reappearance. The Galway Plate winner Western Fold attempted to make it all and was pressed throughout by Affordale Fury. 

O'Keeffe Darragh was patient on Envoi Allen but he made a significant statement when he swept into the lead at the third last. Riding with lots of confidence, he kicked for touch after the second last.

He quickly asserted and kept on strongly to fend off Affordale Fury by three and three-quarter lengths. 

The winner received a huge reception in the winners' enclosure and trainer Henry De Bromhead summed it afterwards in a nutshell.

"Aren't we so lucky to have him? He has just been an incredible horse."

He also paid tribute to his stable jockey.

Super ride from Darragh and fair play to everyone at home – they had him absolutely spot on."   

Fresh from a notable double on Friday, the North Cork jockey initiated this double on Lieber Nicc in the Ampion Testing Handicap Hurdle. 

LieberNicc was back hurdling after a spell over fences Henry de Bromhead's charge was popular in the ring and sent off the 7/2 market leader sporting the colours of the enthusiastic Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club. He finished fifth in this race last year and O'Keeffe set the early fractions on the jolly. 

He was headed on the run to the third last. Darragh O'Keeffe galvanised him to regain the lead at the second last. He kicked for home at this juncture and stretched clear, aided by a fluent jump at the last, to record a seven-and-a-half length success.

He is riding out of his skin just now and his ride aboard Full Of Life in Friday's feature should be an early candidate for ride of the season. He also had luck on his side in Friday's opener when destined for third place only for the front pair to come down. 

He's on the crest of a wave and as he crossed the finish line, he punched the air in delight.