2017 Ryanair Chase

[mayo]

Uxizandre could return to action later this month for the first time since he won the Ryanair Chase in 2015

"He's in the Queen Mother and he's also in the Ryanair. He'll either go to Doncaster or Cheltenham on the 28th," said King.

"We're a bit limited about where to run him as he has to go left-handed."

[Al Ferof]

Cue Card should be Gold Cup bound and I do not see how more of a speed test in a Ryanair is in any way logical for a 11 Y O, especially given his Kempton performance.

To compare- Imperial Commander got beaten about 60 L in a King George yet was short headed in a Betfair Chase beforehand by Kauto and then won the Gold Cup after. Cue Card is a nailed on Gold Cup horse and is proven at the track over fences. Thistlecrack isn't and if God forbid Thistlecrack unseated or tipped up, imagine how Cue Cards connections would feel if they didn't mop up.

I think ALARY ought to be the Ryanair horse if he's as bold a jumper as they say. He's only 6 and it's very late in the season to begin a Gold Cup campaign.

[KingSprinterSacre]

Did pricewise go Empire of dirt?

[DeeBee]

Sub Leuitenant, Black Hercules and Sizing John all shortening for this as the go ahead to head at Thurles tomorrow

[Kevloaf]

Sub Leuitenant, Black Hercules and Sizing John all shortening for this as the go ahead to head at Thurles tomorrow

Very interesting race. I have backed SL and BH for the Ryanair and they we're my only two until NRNB came out...

[Leman14]

Sizing John put down a bit of a marker there and helps a little.
The Ryanair always seems to cut-up a bit and we have:

UDS @ 4/1
Josses Hill @ 8/1
Sizing John @ 8/1
Outlander @ 14/1 (Gold Cup bound...?)
Sub Lieutenant @ 14/1
VVM @ 14/1 (Not sure where, but doubt here)
Black Hercules @ 16/1
Djak @ 16/1 (Gold Cup bound...)
Douvan @ 16/1 (Champion Chase)
Empire Of Dirt @ 16/1
Zabana @ 16/1 (This or GC?)
Alary @ 20/1 (This or GC?)
Ar Mad @ 20/1 (Surely CC bound...)
Fox Norton @ 20/1 (Surely CC bound)
Road to Riches @ 20/1
Taquin @ 20/1
Bristol De Mai @ 25/1
Champagne Fever @ 25/1
Gods Own @ 25/1 (Price would suggest CC bound)
Kylemore Lough @ 25/1
Traffic Fluide @ 25/1
Uxizandre @ 25/1 (2 years off)

I've covered UDS in a couple of multiples and Josses Hill and Taquin at decent prices, but does anyone fancy anything at a price EW?

One (at a price) that I'm tempted with would be Champagne Fever. Entered in this and CC, but has run once this season (and won) over 22f, which would suggest this race.

Has Festival form and given the doubts I have about a fair few towards the top of the betting, I'ds be tempted in at 25's EW. (As long as he doesn't get bitten on the way over this year!)


(As an aside, Taquin Du Seuil is one of my "follow over a cliff horses". I was on him in the JLT (the first race at my first Cheltenham (2014)) and have backed him ever since)

[Zoowraa]

I went through the Ryanair in detail last night and believe I have found the winner.......should this be the final target !
Fully respect UDS and think it needs this trip and easing of the ground will help it further, but not sure it represents a great price.
Sizing John was very impressive last time out, I was tempted by the 25s a couple of weeks back but didnt push the button then, so cant back it now at 6s.

So step forward at Zabana at 16/1 NRNB I'm still not too sure if this horse stays 3m that well so to my eyes the Ryanair looks the right race. Its pretty versatile ground wise, but I believe they have always felt it wants good ground to be at its best and given a positive ride up with the pace on good ground he could be difficult to pick up. Ran well in the Lexus last time out and seem to fade a little in the straight, I think that Lexus form will prove to be decent by the end of the year as I believe Outlander is a serious GC contender.
Quite a few in the betting ahead of Zabana look unlikely runners, so I expect it will be around half this price come raceday if they go down Ryanair route and it could further enhace its claims with a good performance in Irish Gold Cup if it lines up there.

[Istabraq]

Hope you're weong Zoowraa, I'm on Zabana at 40/1 for Gold.
Connections were very very hopeful in last years JLT where his chance was ruined by the starter, I think he does stay the GC trip but it's a flyer.
The Irish have a poor record in this race since its' inception which is worth noting

[Zoowraa]

Hope you're weong Zoowraa, I'm on Zabana at 40/1 for Gold.
Connections were very very hopeful in last years JLT where his chance was ruined by the starter, I think he does stay the GC trip but it's a flyer.
The Irish have a poor record in this race since its' inception which is worth noting

Nice price. I'm not confident either way on its stamina, it's win at Punchestown was at 3m 1f I think so there is certainly some evidence to support him staying. It's just a visual thing for me that leans me towards thinking it will be more suited by a stiff 2m 5f ahead of the GC distance where it seems a little more mixed over 3m plus.
Seems to be bit of a horse under the radar in general, probably down to smaller less high profile stable

[DancingPaddy]

Champagne West

Hello, folks. Been popping over here for the last couple of festivals. Love the information provided by the established posters, especially the summaries of the Preview Nights - got some great winners from them over the last couple of years.

Just wanted to know what people thought of Champagne West's performance today, in the Thyestes?

I backed him, and I thought he was very impressive, though how good the form turns out to be, remains to be seen. 25/1 with Betfair just now, for the Ryanair. Think I'll be having a little of that.

Anyway, glad to see the old names all still here, and here's hoping for a repeat of the last few festivals.

Cheers

[Cashew King]

Hello, folks. Been popping over here for the last couple of festivals. Love the information provided by the established posters, especially the summaries of the Preview Nights - got some great winners from them over the last couple of years.

Just wanted to know what people thought of Champagne West's performance today, in the Thyestes?

I backed him, and I thought he was very impressive, though how good the form turns out to be, remains to be seen. 25/1 with Betfair just now, for the Ryanair. Think I'll be having a little of that.

Anyway, glad to see the old names all still here, and here's hoping for a repeat of the last few festivals.

Cheers

I'm not sure it it might be too short - he was always finding the fences getting in the way when with Hobbs last year - not sure if the improvement isn't through going half a yard steadier over a bit longer and getting into a decent rhythm. Henry was talking about the Grand National after today's race.

[DancingPaddy]

Yep, good point. His jumping was much smoother than usual, probably helped by the slower pace. I just think, if he gets into a nice rhythym up front, with his proven stamina, he could well feature. Its a big if, of course, but at a stand out 25s, probably worth a nibble.

[Morning Glory]

What kind of mark has Champagne West - Handicap on Day 1 and then the National ? Thyestes used to be a good Aintree trial.

found it

He added: "Off 154 you probably need to be a Grade One horse and hopefully he might be.

"He's entered in races at Cheltenham and is entered in the Gold Cup, but that's a big step. We'll enjoy today, speak to Roger and then go from there.

"He's probably going to get a bit of a hike for that. I was going to come back here for the Red Mills if he had stopped at the third-last and we might still do that, I'm not sure yet.

"He'll be entered for Aintree (Grand National). He was always going to be entered in it."

[Kevloaf]

Sounds like Champagne West is Gold Cup bound according to Henry De Bromhead today on ATR...

UDS and Uxiandre came out of the weekend with credit from the re-arranged Clarance House.... 7/2 best price looks short enough for UDS now although I am a big fan of the horse (think he is unfairly crabbed because he was beaten by SS.... got a great attitude and has been exciting his entire career) ... anyway, I digress...

Uxiandre's come back was very pleasing... 8, 10 or 12 (depending on bookies).... as a previous winner of the race, and straight forward tactics make him a solid enough shout. Josses Hill is a similar price and I'd be amazed if JH won a grade 1 chase EVER. Sizing John might go GC?! .... I like him.

[Leman14]

Uxiandre's come back was very pleasing... 8, 10 or 12 (depending on bookies).... as a previous winner of the race, and straight forward tactics make him a solid enough shout. Josses Hill is a similar price and I'd be amazed if JH won a grade 1 chase EVER. Sizing John might go GC?! .... I like him.

Agreed Kev. I've added Uxizandre to my AP portfolio at 9/1.

Whilst he was 25's last week, there were the obvious doubts of being off the track for the best part of 2 years and I would rather have 9's on a horse where well-being in more assured, than a punt at 25's in the hope that fitness/ability remain in tact.

Given that that was his first race in a long while AND that is is proven over C&D AND that he is three times the price of UDS - he was one that I wanted in the book.

(I have UDS in a double with Yorkhill (JLT) and Sizing John in an EW Lucky 15, so Uxizandre seemed the obvious hole)

I do also like Zabana, but the doubt over target would be a concern at this stage