Ryanair Chase 2021

[Run4Home]

The assumption will be Townend picks Min. It would be a bold call to choose otherwise. Personally I think it's a no brainer.
But that said Allaho is a horse who has always worked extremely well and showed them a lot at home, plus generally improving as the season progresses and into Spring.
He's been backed into favouritism in both the RSA and the Punchestown novice hurdle when on form others had stronger cases (Minella Indo, Champ) and I actually could see a similar position with plenty of money coming his way by the morning of the race. It's also assumed that Min will meet defeat to CPS next weekend. So there could very well be a scenerio where Allaho is making stronger recent claims (off the back of a win, working very well) to be the number one Mullins runner.

My guess..

PT on Min
Rachel on Allaho
Patrick on Melon

Don't think there is any chance PT would not be on Min.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Would take Rachael Blackmore all day if available.

Have to say she’s right up there with the best now imo. Although most of the top jockeys are all similar level I feel now. You just had Ruby and AP a level above.

Wouldn't have any concerns about it either.

I think she is the best now. I appreciate that may be considered quite a bold statement but like Ruby she is a good judge of pace and generally hugs the inside rail. She gives the horse the best chance of winning. If I owned a horse she’d be my #1 pick. I think she has more tactical intelligence than many others. I can imagine she’s tough on herself, always wanting to improve and better herself. For me that’s what separates good jockeys from great jockeys.

[opatcho]

Ruby reiterated that Min was the faster horse of the 2. Got the impression if he had the choice, he'd ride the younger Allaho.

You think?
I've always struggled with Allaho, he's a good horse but I've done well going against him. He never makes my shortlist come March

[Lobos]

I'm with Ruby on this. I think PT will go with the younger Allaho knowing that he has a few more years racing than the Old man Min. Makes complete financial sense.

[jonthehammer]

Ruby reiterated that Min was the faster horse of the 2. Got the impression if he had the choice, he'd ride the younger Allaho.

I thought i heard Ruby said he would ride Min out of the two.

[opatcho]

I'm with Ruby on this. I think PT will go with the younger Allaho knowing that he has a few more years racing than the Old man Min. Makes complete financial sense.

Interesting...

I see the logic, but unless Min runs a dog next weekend I can’t see how PT jumps of the horse that currently holds the title

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I thought i heard Ruby said he would ride Min out of the two.

He was very clear. He said he would ride min.

[jonthehammer]

He was very clear. He said he would ride min.

Not sure what Lobos was listening to then

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Not sure what Lobos was listening to then

Perhaps he’s a bit Mutt and Jeff

[Lobos]

He was very clear. He said he would ride min.

What, today on ITV ?

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

What, today on ITV ?

On The RTC on RacingTV on Thursday night. He couldn’t have been clearer.

[Lobos]

On The RTC on RacingTV on Thursday night. He couldn’t have been clearer.

Ahh right. Different to today on ITV then. He was pretty non committal but did say PT would have a very difficult choice between the younger Allaho and experienced Min.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Let’s remember though Ruby was very opaque the year when people were asking if he would ride Hurricane Fly or Faugheen, which is a little similar. It was always obvious, to most observers at least, that he would ride Faugheen but outwardly he was expounding the virtues and record of Hurricane Fly.

[SeanRock]

I was all in on Min last year but Allaho has been in the back of my mind for this race all year.

Min was foot perfect in this last March but he didn’t exactly win with plenty in hand which led me to look elsewhere this year considering he isn’t getting any younger! Allaho has been the bridesmaid in previous festivals but I’ve a sneaky feeling the step back in trip might see the improvement needed to break his festival duck!

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I was all in on Min last year but Allaho has been in the back of my mind for this race all year.

Min was foot perfect in this last March but he didn’t exactly win with plenty in hand which led me to look elsewhere this year considering he isn’t getting any younger! Allaho has been the bridesmaid in previous festivals but I’ve a sneaky feeling the step back in trip might see the improvement needed to break his festival duck!

I agree with you on Min. It took all of PT’s jockey skills to secure the win by blocking Saint Calvados. I think the race is due a new winner form the up and coming brigade. Perhaps one of: Saint Calvados, Allaho or Fakir D’Oudairies? That said, I would love to see Samcro win.