2024 Ryanair Chase

[BuckingThe Trend]

Ruby's tipped up Appreciate It, Envoi and Jonbon for the race as well so that sort of tells you what he thinks the chances of Allaho are.

Tells me to pile on Allaho quick !!!

[FinalFurlong91]

Allaho an intended runner on sunday

A little surprised by that given he had such a hard race in the King george

[Quevega]

Allaho an intended runner on sunday

A little surprised by that given he had such a hard race in the King george

If he does run that suggests they're definitely looking for more spark.

[charlie]

Allaho an intended runner on sunday

A little surprised by that given he had such a hard race in the King george

Thats a head scratcher. They've gone from 1 target in mind and an easy campaign to the King George (which was a tough race) and now possibly racing Sunday.

The complexion of this race could change entirely by Sunday night if Allaho runs poorly and EF beats Jonbon. Lots of ifs and buts, but it's intriguing.

[ComplyOrDie]

If he does run that suggests they're definitely looking for more spark.

He'll hammer that field if he turns up there, even on his worst form this season (whichever run you believe that was).

His nearest rival on official figures is Envoi Allen, and he'd have to give him 4lbs in the race.

I'm not convinced he'll run though, despite what has been said.

[Lobos]

If he does run that suggests they're definitely looking for more spark.

That's how I see it. May not go to Cheltenham if he runs flat.

[Kevloaf]

He'll hammer that field if he turns up there, even on his worst form this season (whichever run you believe that was).

His nearest rival on official figures is Envoi Allen, and he'd have to give him 4lbs in the race.

I'm not convinced he'll run though, despite what has been said.

I Appreciate It might be tough for you to understand, but Allaho won't be hammering this field

[ComplyOrDie]

I Appreciate It might be tough for you to understand, but Allaho won't be hammering this field

OK, on official ratings, he should be though, even if Appreciate It winning this then the Ryanair would be fantastic.

Hopefully Allaho just doesn't turn up.

[Craigy14]

I Appreciate It might be tough for you to understand, but Allaho won't be hammering this field

On Appreciate It, do we not think he’s becoming a bit unreliable? Six starts since his last victory and even those were in 2 very poor 2m novice chase runs. He couldn’t even beat Feronily who bounces between disciplines more than we’ve had hot dinners!

I Appreciate he has dined at the top table in all those starts but he surely had to be winning one or more of those races to be even thought of for Cheltenham?

His comeback run was very good don’t get me wrong, but then sent over 3m and beaten out of sight at Xmas.

[Lobos]

Agree. AI has been consistently average for a long time now.

[Kevloaf]

OK, on official ratings, he should be though, even if Appreciate It winning this then the Ryanair would be fantastic.

Hopefully Allaho just doesn't turn up.

Haha, I just wanted to get the pun in.

I thought it looked a decent field though rather than the walkover you'd said.

Allaho's level of form is still decent but he's not untouchable. Long time since he was superb IMO, KG was only 'good'

[Eggs]

Banbridge could head straight for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival following his successful reappearance at Kempton.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge proved his worth at the highest level as a novice over fences last term, placing in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse and the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown before enjoying his day in the sun in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree in the spring.

Banbridge made his first competitive appearance in nine months in last weekend’s Silviniaco Conti Chase, and O’Brien believes his defeat of the race-fit Pic D’Orhy is clear evidence the eight-year-old has improved since last season.

He said: “It was a lovely ride from J J (Slevin) and a lovely performance from the horse. It was a career-best on figures and we’re looking forward to the spring with him.

“You’re always hoping they might put up a nice performance on their reappearance and he has been delayed a couple of times so he was a little bit rusty, particularly in the straight jumping the second- and third-last, but he got a good jump at the last and went and won nicely.

“It’s one thing being a Grade One novice, but it’s another jump up to hold your own in open company. It looks as though he might be able to do that in the spring.”

Banbridge is a 5-1 shot with Paddy Power for the Ryanair Chase, and while he will be aimed for Cheltenham, O’Brien hinted he could look elsewhere should testing conditions prevail in the Cotswolds, adding: “The programme will map itself out and the Ryanair is the obvious next spot for him, but we’ll be watching the weather.”

[AaronLad]

Ash tree meadow is surely being overlooked for this race?
He is higher rated than stablemate fil dor who Is half the best odds at 33's
He's higher rated than appreciate it who is best odds 14/1
He won the Galway plate, look where 2022's winner is now.
He was improving rapidly, before a well earned break.
Comparing his runs in 2022 with 2023 and it's clear the type of horse Gordon considers him now 10 runs compared with 4 I think.
He'll be back with some big spring targets, and I think the Ryanair will be one of those.

[Zachx02]

Ash tree meadow is surely being overlooked for this race?
He is higher rated than stablemate fil dor who Is half the best odds at 33's
He's higher rated than appreciate it who is best odds 14/1
He won the Galway plate, look where 2022's winner is now.
He was improving rapidly, before a well earned break.
Comparing his runs in 2022 with 2023 and it's clear the type of horse Gordon considers him now 10 runs compared with 4 I think.
He'll be back with some big spring targets, and I think the Ryanair will be one of those.

This is why I'm not the biggest fan of ratings, racing all a out the eye test imo. If it was a handicap you'd be thinking wtf is going on if Appreciate It was being given weight against Ash Tree Meadow, not to say he isn't a good horse but probably one of those who runs in all the big handicaps like the galway plate, Irish National, Thyeste ect

[AaronLad]

This is why I'm not the biggest fan of ratings, racing all a out the eye test imo. If it was a handicap you'd be thinking wtf is going on if Appreciate It was being given weight against Ash Tree Meadow, not to say he isn't a good horse but probably one of those who runs in all the big handicaps like the galway plate, Irish National, Thyeste ect

I'm not sure he'd have taken such a break if handicaps were the future plans, a couple of mediocre runs to get some lbs off would have more than likely been on the agenda.
I've noticed the way Gordon has spoken about him, he's surprised him.
He's been home to his owners while all the others have been at it.
I think he might also surprise you by the end of this season