The 2016 Ryanair Chase

One of several new races introduced when the 4th day was added to the festival in 2005, the Ryanair Chase is run over 2 miles 5 furlongs and there are 17 fences to be jumped. Pitched at horses who don't have the speed for the 2 mile Champion Chase but don't stay the 3m 2f Gold Cup trip, the Ryanair Chase has produced some spectacular and emotinal moments during its short history, including providing AP McCoy with a Grade 1 winner during his last festival on board Uxizandre last year. Here the previous winners:



A combination of speed and stamina is required to win this race, together with accurate jumping.

The market for the 2016 renewal has been heavily skewed by the presence of Willie Mullins Vautour, who shortened dramatically for the race when apparently failing to stay in the King George over Christmas. Whilst many feel he only needs to turn up here to win, connections remain adamant the Gold Cup will be his race, with Rich Ricci even going as far to say that if Vautour doesn't run in the Gold Cup then he won't run at Cheltenham at all this year. He remains odds-on for this race with a number of firms but most bookies have taken the chance to shorten other fancied runners on this news.

If we take Vautour out of the market, we have an uneasy favourite in Road To Riches, a close 3rd behind Coneygree in last years Gold Cup, followed by Toppy's old favourite Al Ferof. Indeed with 34 still entered, it is difficult enough to know who will run, never mind who will win. One horse I would love to see run is Felix Yonger, but Willie Mullins has said he goes Champion Chase. Although he couldn't get to Taquin De Seuil in the JLT a few years ago, I think as an older horse he would get this trip, and his defeat to Road To Riches on seasonal debut at Clonmel was probably due to lack of fitness. If you can get NRNB I think he might be worth a dabble at anywhere between 20 and 33-1.

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Entries

 

Taquin De Seuil supplemented for this today and you can get anywhere between 7/1 and 14/1 about his chances. It also looks increasingly likely that Noel Meade will be overruled by Gigginstown and Road To Riches will end up here rather than in the Gold Cup.

 

Just backed Felix Yonger e/w at 16/1 NRNB for this. He'll probably go Champion Chase in which case I get my money back, but if this race cuts up as badly as I think it might, they might just get tempted to run him and I can see him going off 5/1 fav with Ruby riding. I guess it will depend on what the Gigg lads want to do with Valseur Lido.

 

I'm really struggling to get to grips with this race now that both Vautour and Road To Riches are confirmed. If you trust Vautour's form and fitness then this is a slam dunk BUT there have been so many strange vibes around the horse it is difficult to know where to stand as a punter. At cramped odds I'm happy to swerve Vautour and either (1) just watch and enjoy the race or (2) look for an e/w alternative. If Village Vic adopts front-running tactics it could make things very interesting and I also think Vibrato Valtat is interesting at the prices. Need to study this a bit more ........................

 

Dunno Nass, what do you make of the fact connections say he isn't 100% so won't go to the Gold Cup? Was it just a jaded piece of work or something more? There is suddenly a bit more risk attached to the horse.

 

Really? I thought Ruby was in love with Vautour? Maybe knows he wouldn't get the trip?

 

Dunno about that Beefy - the Gold Cup was 3m 2f on soft ground, this is 2m 4f on good. Some difference.