Seventeen fences over 2 miles 5 furlongs constitutes the challenge of the Ryanair Chase, a race which has divided opinions since its inception in 2005 as one of a number of new races introduced with the move to a 4 day festival. "Racing Purists" argued it was a stop gap race for horses who were either too slow for the Champion Chase but lacking the stamina for the Gold Cup, and that it would reduce the number of participants in the 2 more established contests. But I maintain that there is a huge chasm between the speedy, slick jumping of the 2 mile championship and the gruelling test of the blue riband, and this race fills that gap admirably.
Only 1 horse has won the Ryanair Chase twice, Trevor Hemmings' wonderful Albertas Run in 2010-2011, but the race has seen some memorable performance down the years with the likes of Un de Sceaux, Vautout and Cue Card putting in tremendous equine performances. The race also marked the final, emotional, heart-warming festival triumph for the legend AP McCoy on Uxizandre.
The 2019 renewal has attracted 44 initial entries, with the highest official rating belonging to Waiting Patiently on 170, followed by several horses in the 165-170 bracket. Current favourite in most layers books is Min at a general 5/1 (some 6/1 in places) and he looks a worthy favourite based on a combination of form, rating and likelihood to run. My slight concern is that he has yet to win at Cheltenham (beaten by Altior in both the Supreme and the Arkle so excuses there) and a general tendency to find one or two too good at the highest level (won a weak renewal of the John Durkan on seasonal debut). Some firms have Waiting Patiently at 5/1 NRNB and there are sufficient doubts around his participation that I would want the NRNB concession. But the price doesn't attract me, he has never run at Cheltenham with the trainer (and her father previously) having voiced concerns about the suitability of the undulations around Prestbury Park. Munir and Soude have both Footpad and Top Notch entered, I could envisage Top Notch running and Footpad going Champion Chase, whilst Paul Nicholls has both Politologue and Cyrname towards the head of the betting. Politologue must hold a major chance here but the 12/1 available with Hills is likely to be available on the day, given how competitive the race is likely to be.
With the current doubt around who will run and much of the value already squeezed out of the market, this looks like another race where I will place a bet on the day of the race, not before.
Only 1 horse has won the Ryanair Chase twice, Trevor Hemmings' wonderful Albertas Run in 2010-2011, but the race has seen some memorable performance down the years with the likes of Un de Sceaux, Vautout and Cue Card putting in tremendous equine performances. The race also marked the final, emotional, heart-warming festival triumph for the legend AP McCoy on Uxizandre.
The 2019 renewal has attracted 44 initial entries, with the highest official rating belonging to Waiting Patiently on 170, followed by several horses in the 165-170 bracket. Current favourite in most layers books is Min at a general 5/1 (some 6/1 in places) and he looks a worthy favourite based on a combination of form, rating and likelihood to run. My slight concern is that he has yet to win at Cheltenham (beaten by Altior in both the Supreme and the Arkle so excuses there) and a general tendency to find one or two too good at the highest level (won a weak renewal of the John Durkan on seasonal debut). Some firms have Waiting Patiently at 5/1 NRNB and there are sufficient doubts around his participation that I would want the NRNB concession. But the price doesn't attract me, he has never run at Cheltenham with the trainer (and her father previously) having voiced concerns about the suitability of the undulations around Prestbury Park. Munir and Soude have both Footpad and Top Notch entered, I could envisage Top Notch running and Footpad going Champion Chase, whilst Paul Nicholls has both Politologue and Cyrname towards the head of the betting. Politologue must hold a major chance here but the 12/1 available with Hills is likely to be available on the day, given how competitive the race is likely to be.
With the current doubt around who will run and much of the value already squeezed out of the market, this looks like another race where I will place a bet on the day of the race, not before.
