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14:50 Cheltenham

Thursday 14 March 2019

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

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

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 5m 5.59s

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Selected odds by:

Aso²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 162| CD

33/1

Third in this race in 2017 and produced something close to a career best on seasonal reappearance when bolting up at Newbury. Backed that up with in a Grade 3 here and while not at his best at Ascot last time, has place claims if bouncing back.

Form: 34/5-116

Balko Des Flos⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D F O'Regan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| CD

16/1

Winner of this race last year in very impressive fashion but he hasn't been able to get anywhere near to that performance in four subsequent starts. Tailed off last time at Leopardstown and looks vulnerable in a bid to defend his crown.

Form: 214-439

Charbel^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K C Bailey| OR: 159

40/1

Not the most consistent performer, as seen last time out when tailed off at Ascot and usually proves vulnerable at the highest level. Would have preffered quicker ground.

Form: 312135

Coney Island^t1⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Walsh| T: E P Harty| OR: 158| D

25/1

Grade 1 winner at Fairyhouse back in 2016 but has only won once since and he was well below form in four starts in 2018. Returns with plenty to prove.

Form: 2/1PP-37

Footpad⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| BF| C

7/2

Enjoyed a remarkable novice chase campaign last year when landing four Grade 1 races. Fell at Naas on return and headed close to home at Leopardstown last time but has the class to win this. Should go close provided he sees out the step up in trip.

Form: 1111-F2

Frodon^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 169| CD

9/2

Four-time Cheltenham winner including over C&D and has been excellent at this venue all season, most recently when winning the Cotswold Chase. Drop back in trip is sure to suit and versatile with regards ground. Leading claims for in-form yard.

Form: 50-1211

Monalee²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| D

5/1

Grade 1 winning novice chaser last season and while he proved no match for Presenting Percy in the RSA, he beat the rest well enough. Gained a first win since when winning a Grade 2 at Gowran last time but needs to step up on that to win here.

Form: 12F-321

Road To Respect³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S W Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 169| BF| CD

9/2

Course winner. Two-time Grade 1 winner over 3m. Effective at this trip but it's short of his best and while the soft ground may bring stamina in to play, he's better on a quicker surface. Needs to jump better than he did at Leopardstown last time.

Form: 143-132

Sub Lieutenant^p,t⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 157

66/1

Put up something close to a career best effort last time at Thurles when runner-up but his better recent form has come on quicker ground and he needs another sizable step up to get involved here.

Form: 511572

Terrefort²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159| BF

20/1

Enjoyed an excellent novice chase campaign including two Grade 1 wins and his only loss came when runner-up in the JLT here. Beaten in three starts over 3m this campaign but drop back in trip could suit and he won't mind the ground.

Form: 121-432

The Storyteller³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 161| CD

20/1

Won a Grade 3 handicap chase here over a similar trip at last year's Festival and went on to win a Grade 1 at Punchestown over 3m but has struggled in four starts this time around at both 2m4f and 3m; others preferred.

Form: 51-5463

Un De Sceaux⁹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168| CD

5/1

Nine-time Grade 1 winner including this in 2017 and Cheltenham form reads 12112. Runner-up in this race last year and has remained in form since. Lost nothing in defeat to Altior last time out and hard to see him out the first three here.

Form: 11211-2

Forecasts

Footpad (7/2), Frodon (9/2), Road To Respect (9/2), Monalee (5/1), Un De Sceaux (5/1), Balko Des Flos (16/1), Terrefort (20/1), The Storyteller (20/1), Coney Island (25/1), Aso (33/1), Charbel (40/1), Sub Lieutenant (66/1)

FRODON has been in remarkable form around here all season and showed a game attitude when winning the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here last time out over a trip further than his best. He's only a seven-year-old and has scope for improvement so with the yard flying in recent weeks, he's taken to give Paul Nicholls a third win in the race. Footpad is an interesting runner up in trip and he was only narrowly denied when caught on the line in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last time. Terrefort could be an interesting runner in the same colours, dropped in trip, at a likely bigger price but it's hard to see Un De Sceaux not finishing in the first three given his course form.