The 2016 Ryanair Chase

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OddDog

OddDog

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Jun 2, 2011
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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:

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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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I mentioned on the antepost thread that Road to Riches was one I really should have backed at 16s before Christmas but didn't but I did back him at 6/1 with Hills the other day. Seems a toss coin to me whether him or Valseur Lido go here, but what swayed me was at Willies press day Valseur Lido was automatically included in Willies Gold Cup horses...Add in the fact you could argue that RTR had his chance, and failed, in an easier Gold Cup than this year's I think RTR might just have to make do with the consolation race. To me he's blatantly the only Grade One horse in the race, I think it's really a case of whether he runs or not and at the price I'm happy to chance it. You could always go NRNB too, if you're more risk averse.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
Think Noel Meade has won the argument with Willie Mullins as it seems VALSEUR LIDO runs here, leaving my selection Gold Cup bound. This is the same Valseur Lido who finished a furlong behind Vautour over C & D last year and blatantly needs 3m+.... Incredibly it seems Ryanair just don't want to win their own race <yikes>
 
Any ideas if Vautour will be running here or the Gold Cup, would be interested in lumping on him for this race, but wouldn't touch him for the Gold Cup.
 
I think Village Vic could run a big one here. Tough and progressive. 33/1 e/w looks a sporting bet. Ground probably perfect for him. Have never prescribed to the view that Old Vic's progeny necessarily like heavy ground; good or good-to-soft probably best.
 
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 ........................
 
OddDog said:
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.
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Think Ruby chose Djak and that's why they switched. Even below his best he'd be tough to beat too.
 
I think saying he's not 100% is just an attempt to wriggle out of the criticism that's coming the owners way for switching races. I personally think he will hack up. Its a poor race Vautour aside.

Agree aswell that it is probably to do with the jockey situation, as I fancy they'd of tried to make the running in the Gold Cup, and they probably wouldn't trust another jockey to judge the pace right.
 
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