14:50 Cheltenham

Thursday 15 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (registered As The Festival Trophy)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 4f 166y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   6 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:50  |   Winning time: 5m 23.3s
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1
Horse silk
Balko Des Flos77
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR:  157| D
8/1
Produced a career best to land the Galway Plate in convincing fashion and excelled himself in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown when last seen. Better ground appeared to suit there (handles soft/heavy) but not ruled out of this on recent form.
2
Horse silk
Cloudy Dream33
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR:  158| BF| D
10/1
Strong travelling chaser who is versatile with regards to distance but looks best short of 3m. Yet to win this season (set some tough tasks) and is now returned to a more suitable distance although does need to find more off the bridle.
3
Horse silk
Cue Cardt110
Age: 12|  Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  168| CD
9/2
Now reaching the veteran stage but he's still capable of top class form as he showed when second to an up-and-coming chaser last time. Had his ups-and-downs since his last win but hard to write off in what could be his swansong. Won this in 2013.
5
Horse silk
Frodont47
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  154| CD
9/1
Already a smart chaser when he produced a career best to land a big handicap here on his penultimate start. That run has forced him into a better grade and he showed he was up to the task, running with credit last time; will be at home in the mud.
6
Horse silk
Sub Lieutenantt95
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: S W Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR:  161
18/1
Sound jumper who was second in this last year (to Un De Sceaux) and returned to form when last seen in December on heavy ground. Has run well when fresh before so absence is no problem and this remains his best trip; usually prominently ridden.
7
Horse silk
Un De Sceaux54
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR:  167| CD
8/11
Always appears at home at the Festival and put up one of the best performances seen in this race last year. Has proved his well being in his last two races both over 2m on deep ground and comes here once again as a worthy market leader.

Non-Runners

4
Horse silk
Douvan365
Weight: 11-10|  Age: 8
T: W P Mullins  J: Unknown Jockey
NR

Forecasts

Un De Sceaux (8/11), Douvan (4/1), Cue Card (9/2), Balko Des Flos (8/1), Frodon (9/1), Cloudy Dream (10/1), Sub Lieutenant (18/1)

Verdict

An intriguing contest where despite the dominance of UN DE SCEAUX, you could make a case for all of the other likely five runners. Last year’s winner does look the most likely victor again having looked in good form of late over shorter trips and if the ground does stay testing it should suit. A win for Cue Card would bring the house down and provide what would be a likely fitting end to his career but he may just come up short. Balko Des Flos acts on this ground but may just prefer a firmer surface while it remains to be seen if Frodon and Cloudy Dream can handle a test such as this.
  1. Un De Sceaux
  2. Balko Des Flos
  3. Cue Card

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
17/2
2023
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
13/2
2022
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 8
4/7
2021
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 7
3/1
2020
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
2/1
2019
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 7
9/2
2017
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
7/4

Prize Money

1st: £199,325.002nd: £74,795.003rd: £37,450.004th: £18,655.005th: £9,380.006th: £4,690.00

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