Ryanair Chase
The Ryanair Chase is the third race of St Patrick’s Day at the Cheltenham Festival. It is a Grade 1 chase for horses five years and older. The race is run over approximately 2 miles and 5 furlongs, with a total of seventeen fences to be jumped. The Ryanair Chase was one of several new races included at the festival in 2005 when the fourth day was added. The event was initially a Grade 2 but has held Grade 1 status since 2008.
The Ryanair attracts a quality field and for many of the runners the race offers a better alternative than the more challenging Cheltenham Gold Cup. For some the race is the natural choice before stepping up to the Gold Cup at a later stage. Imperial Commander managed to take the progression in his stride, winning the 2009 Ryanair before going to to Gold Cup glory in 2010.
With the race having only had seven runnings we only have a small set of data to analyse for any potentially useful trends. All six of the winners – Albertas Run has won it twice – have had previous winning experience at Cheltenham. It could also pay to stick to the front of the market, with five of the seven winning starting prices being 6/1 or lower. The race also favours those who have winning form over the race’s trip of 2 miles 5 furlongs. It must be said, however, that these trends make things very narrow. 2012 could be the year where a horse breaks the mould.
Flying To Ryanair Chase Success
The market for the 2012 Ryanair Chase is currently headed by two of the Irish challengers: Noble Prince and Rubi Light. Noble Prince heads the two and appears to have solid evidence that backs up his position at the top of the market. He has run two highly credible efforts in Graded company this season, finishing second behind Big Zeb on both occasions. It could be argued that the trip was a bit shorter than ideal in those races and he will enjoy the extra distance he gets in the Ryanair. The Paul Nolan trained gelding by Montjeu also boasts winning form at the Cheltenham Festival, having claimed victory last year in the Jewson Novices Chase. Rubi Light showed some good form last season and wasn’t far behind in this race last year, a three-length third to Albertas Run. He has impressed this season, looking like beating Sizing Europe in a Grade 2 at Gowran Park before a mistake cost him his chances. He made up for that by taking Grade 1 glory at Punchestown beating the useful Joncol a bit cosily. A step up to 3 miles in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase didn’t seem to suit and reverting to a shorter trip will see him in contention.
The rest of the market looks a rather close-knitted affair. However there are several runners fairly prominent that I suspect will take up alternative arrangements. Captain Chris would have a fantastic chance in the race but it looks highly likely that he will instead opt for the Gold Cup. We then have the reigning Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run who is unlikely to have recovered from injury in time. Finian’s Rainbow is also prominent in the ante post markets but I think the Champion Chase is still the most likely race. I certainly would not be backing any of these horses based on that.
So when looking for value we need to be looking at the horses that have this as their likely target. Kauto Stone has the Ryanair confirmed as his target by tainer Paul Nicholls and is an interesting contender. A more than decent effort in the Tingle Creek over 2 miles, this longer trip should bring about more improvement. A bit of cut in the ground would be a benefit. Alan King will be hoping Medermit can challenge for honours. He went off favourite for last year’s Arkle and was last seen putting in a good performance when coming second in a valuable Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham. A further interesting contender is Nicky Henderson’s Riverside Theatre. He hasn’t been seen since romping to success in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase in February 2011. That has to be a concern but if he was to take his place then he would be a threat to all.
Albertas Runs To Second Ryanair Success in 2011
Last year spectators at the Cheltenham Festival had the pleasure of seeing a brilliant race in the Ryanair Chase. Champion jockey A P McCoy had Albertas Run prominent for the whole race and was at his typical best as he squeezed out some more to fend off his rivals. Kalahari King came through with a strong challenge after being held up whilst Rubi Light had been battling it out at the front for a long way. The well backed Poquelin wasn’t far back in fourth but as the finish unfolded it was the leading three who all put down their efforts. If Rubi Light had jumped with more fluency at a couple of fences he may have got closer, however Albertas Run showed plenty of character to land further glory after winning the 2010 Ryanair Chase.
