14:50 Cheltenham
Thursday 14 March 2024
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 127y | Soft | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 21.43s
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Top-class chaser at his peak but this season has been rather underwhelming, beaten 9½ lengths when third of 4 in Ascot Chase (21f, good to soft) latest. Others arrive with more pressing claims.
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Won Martin Pipe at 2022 Festival and took Cheltenham record to 2-2 in a Grade 2 novice chase in November of that year. Rounded off last season with a Grade 1 novice win at Aintree and returned to beat Pic d'Orhy in Kempton Grade 2 in January. Solid form claims but soft ground possibly not ideal.
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High-class chaser. Couldn't live with his outstanding stablemate Galopin des Champs in the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas but he got back to winning ways in the Grade 2 Cotswold over 25f here at the end of January. This test a bit sharper than ideal.
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Former Irish Gold Cup and Savills winner who was third in last year's Gold Cup at this meeting. Enough in this season's efforts to think he retains most of his ability, set for third when unseating at the last in this year's Irish Gold Cup. Down in trip.
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Landed a third Festival success when seeing of Shishkin in this 12 months ago. Back to that level when neck second of 4 to Gerri Colombe in 3m Down Royal Grade 1 in November. Kept fresh for this since.
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Very smart chaser who returned with good seconds to Dinoblue and El Fabiolo in 2m Graded events at Naas and Cork before Christmas. Well below par on the 2 previous occasions he's raced in excess of around 2m.
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Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup over C&D and fared as well as could be expected when third in 2m Grade 1 here at the end of January. The step back up in trip will suit but the suspicion is he'll find a few too strong again.
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Won last season's Paddy Power and bagged another big middle-distance handicap at this track when seeing off 12 rivals over C&D (good to soft) at the end of January. Only fifth in this last year and probably vulnerable again back at Graded level.
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Third to Envoi Allen in this last year. Ran poorly in top-end handicaps on first 2 outings this term but back on form when 4¼ lengths second of 5 to Shishkin in Grade 2 Denman at Newbury (3m, soft). Doesn't find much off bridle and more a place than win player again.
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Won the Betfair Chase last term and creditable fifth in the Gold Cup here on final start. Remote last of 4 in this season's Betfair Chase but has run with credit in his 3 outings since, finishing 4¾ lengths third of 5 to Shishkin in Denman at Newbury (3m, soft) on latest. Down in trip.
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Won Grade 1 Golden Miller at the 2023 Festival and took his form up another notch with victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here on reappearance in November. Can't have been right when pulled up back here on New Year's Day and likely to bounce back at a course where he has good overall record.
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Forecasts
Envoi Allen (9/4), Banbridge (4/1), Stage Star (6/1), Protektorat (17/2), Capodanno (9/1), Conflated (11/1), Fugitif (16/1), Ahoy Senor (18/1), Ga Law (22/1), Fil Dor (28/1), Hitman (40/1)
Although STAGE STAR bombed out in a C&D handicap last time his overall Cheltenham record, which includes a win in last year's Golden Miller, provides hope that he can bounce back to form with a bang. The likelihood of a soft ground is a slight worry for Banbridge so it could be that the chief threat comes from last year's winner Envoi Allen, a 3-time Festival scorer.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £218,398.002nd: £82,282.003rd: £41,180.004th: £20,571.005th: £10,324.006th: £5,162.007th: £2,562.008th: £1,320.00
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