Mick Fitzgerald, former rider and presenter of Sky Sports activities Racing, took an professional have a look at 4 of the primary contenders for Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Competition.
Race winner Willie Mullins final yr, God is the favourite to grow to be the primary horse since Albertas Run (2010 and 2011) to win back-to-back titles.
Shane Bleu seems to be main the potential opposition to Taj Allah after he was particularly concentrating on the competition after his fall at Charlie Corridor Chase again in October.
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God
Godo is nearly sure to return out of the short-priced favourite, however it’s fairly exhausting to stroll away if you have a look at his kind this season – he received the John Durkan Trophy in Punchestown in December and the fifth Twister Flyer received a king with George and Envoy Allen behind him.
It is exhausting to say for certain that he would positively win with Asterion Forlonge simply when he takes down his three riders, however my very own ideas are that he may have received that day. There have been some crack horses like Janidil and Melon, and the form is absolutely good.
When you consider what he did at Cheltenham final yr when he beat Fakir D’oudairies by 12 lengths at Ryanair. He was in his personal league that day and went on as runner-up and received first division Marsh Chase at Aintree, so the look has a very sturdy look on him.
Rachel Blackmore celebrates God’s return to the winner’s fold at Cheltenham
Likewise, folks overlook he nonetheless has an opportunity on the RSA Novice Chase in 2020, Champ received it, whereas final yr’s Gold Cup winner Minello Indo is again in second place, and irrespective of the way you have a look at his degree he’s very strong.
He additionally completed third within the Albert Bartlett Junior Race in opposition to Minella Endo and scored on the Cheltenham Competition very clear. Now they’ve discovered what appears like his good flight in Ryanair Chase and it might take one thing actually particular to convey his colours down.
energy level – He is superb at Cheltenham and has the strongest degree within the present.
weak spot level – There isn’t a weak level.
shan blue
Shane Bleu is an fascinating competitor to Ryanair because it seemed like he would win the Charlie Corridor Chase race, and comfortably win, when he loses three.
Nonetheless, he was a well-defeated fifth at Chantry Home within the Marsh Novices’ hunt final yr, and as you already know I am an enormous fan of Cheltenham’s confirmed kind, which is a priority in case you’re a fan of Shan Blue.
The form of Charlie Corridor had knocked him down a bit, however there was little doubt that he was a mile away and he would have been a formidable winner if he had stood.
Shan Blue heads straight for Ryanair Chase after falling into Charlie Corridor Chase
There was a miscommunication between the rider and the horse that day and he ended up on the bottom, however he is proven up to now to be an amazing leap.
When he received the Kauto Star Novices race in Kempton in 2020, his fencing was breathtaking at instances and he traveled very well in the course of the race. Nonetheless, for no matter motive, he hasn’t been in a position to match that efficiency since then.
energy level – He is a robust race traveler and often makes an excellent bounce.
weak spot level – He nonetheless has to show himself at Cheltenham.
San Calvado
I like St Calvados very a lot and Ryanair appears to be the best race for him. He shot a thunderbolt at King George when he was trying to go together with something, and Ryanair’s two-and-a-half-mile trip appeared good for him.
It’s important to do not forget that he was solely overwhelmed within the neck by Min within the race in 2020, with the A Plus Tard in third, and in case you convey that form into the sport, it have to be a bang. There’s a likelihood.
Saint Calvados has transferred to Paul Nicholls from Harry Whittington this season
This was an excellent tour and it seemed like he is again to that form of degree in Kimpton. I feel he is a participant, and with the present odds of round 8/1, it appears like a strong wager in each path.
He does not seem like a everlasting resident to me and that appears to be the best race for him on the pageant.
energy level – His run in Ryanair introduced him near the firing line.
weak spot level – He did not have many miles across the clock late.
Eldorado Allen
Eldorado Allen received the Denman Chase three-mile race in Newbury final weekend on first rate floor and the climb-up step of the trip appeared to actually go well with him. He is jumped brilliantly at Newbury too, however has been wanting equally efficient throughout this two-and-a-half-mile trip and has accomplished little incorrect this season.
He received the Hitman’s Haldon Gold Cup first at 2 miles and a furlong, was a strong third for First Movement at Peterborough Chase and was second solely to Mister Fisher at Silviniaco Conti Chase in Kempton, however I want him to Mr. Fisher at Ryanair for the straightforward motive that he is an individual Way more daring.
Eldorado Allen, crossed by jockey Brendan Powell, strikes to Betfair Denman Chase
He was second solely to Shishkin at Arkle Chase final yr and we now know the extent may be very, excellent, and he is been doing very well within the latter levels.
He has labored properly at Cheltenham up to now and happening this flight at Ryanair appears to be a logical final result of the connections. Colin Tizzard’s workforce is in nice form, and I can see him going very properly.
energy level – Winner of Denman Chase and second in final yr’s Shishkin Competition.
weak spot level – Is he adequate to win?
