Ryanair Chase tips 2023
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View our tips for the Ryanair Chase
When is the Ryanair Chase 2023?
Cheltenham Thursday 16th March 2.50pm
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)
Distance: 2 Miles 5 Furlongs
Weights: 11st 9lbs (5yo), 11st 10lbs (6yo+), 7lb allowance for mares
Race three on day three is the Ryanair Chase, a grade one chase over a distance of two miles and five furlongs on the new course, where they have to clear 17 fences.
This is a middle-distance race for the top chasers, being longer than the Queen Mother Champion Chase and not as gruelling as the Gold Cup.
Ryanair Chase Records
Fastest Win: UXIZANDRE 2015 ridden by AP McCoy trained by A King finished in 301.1s – 5 minutes 1.1 seconds
Most successful horse (2 wins):
Albertas Run – 2010, 2011
Leading jockey (4 wins):
Ruby Walsh – Thisthatandtother (2005), Taranis (2007), Vautour (2016), Un De Sceaux (2017)
Leading trainer (3 wins):
Paul Nicholls – Thisthatandtother (2005), Taranis (2007), Frodon (2019)
Source: Wikipedia
Ryanair Chase Trends and Statistics
12 Year Trends and Statistics
- Age – 11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9. 6 of them were aged 7.
- Sex – All of the last 12 winners were geldings. Only 5 mares have run and just 2 of them were placed.
- Trainer – Willie Mullins 3 and Jonjo O’Neill 2 are the only trainers to win more than once in the last 12 years.
- Horse – Alberta’s Run (2) is the only horse to win the race more than once in the last 12 years.
- Country – 8 of the last 12 winners were bred in France, 2 in Ireland and 2 in Great Britain.
- Colour – 9 of the last 12 winners were bay.
- Weight Carried – Geldings carry 11st 10lb and mares 11st 3lb.
- Starting Price (SP) – 9 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of 6/1 or less.
- Starting Price Rank – 4 of the last 12 winners started as favourite and 10 were in the first 3 in the betting market.
- Headgear – 11 of the last 12 winners wore no headgear.
- Days Since Last Run – 8 of the last 12 winners had run between 26 and 60 days ago. 3 were between 76 and 90.
- Last Run Form – 5 of the last 12 winners had won last time out, 9 of them finished in the first 2 last time.
- Official Rating – 11 of the last 12 winners had an official rating at least 162.
Who are the Ryanair Chase Leading Contenders?
ALLAHO can successfully defend the crown he won twelve months ago and Willie Mullins’ charge could take some beating if posting a similar performance to that which saw him conquer Fakir D’oudairies by twelve lengths.
Unlike last campaign the No Risk At All gelding comes into this race unbeaten for the season having struck on his seasonal return at Punchestown in December in the John Durkan Memorial and adding to his tally by beating Fakir D’oudairies again in a Grade Two contest at Thurles.
Both those pieces of form are working out really well; the John Durkan Memorial has thrown up both the King George VI Chase and Red Mills Chase winners in Tornado Flyer and Melon, while Fakir D’oudairies won the Ascot Chase recently so it’s going to take a good one to beat him here.
He also has a good record at the Festival, finishing third in both the 2019 Albert Bartlett and 2020 RSA Chase before breaking through last season in this contest; he’s expected to be firmly in the mix again and no surprise if he were to successfully defend his title.
ANTE-POST SELECTION: ALLAHO
ALLAHO – Third in the RSA last year and third in the Albert Barlett in 2019.
IMPERIAL AURA – Won the Novices Handicap Chase at last year's festival. Has since steped up and taken a Grade 2 at Ascot.
MIN – Fifth festival appearance for MIN who won this race in 2020.
KEMBOY – Landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup at this year's Dublin Festival and this target seems more realistic than the Gold Cup.
What’s our Ryanair Chase Tips?
ALLAHO can successfully defend the crown he won twelve months ago and Willie Mullins’ charge could take some beating if posting a similar performance to that which saw him conquer Fakir D’oudairies by twelve lengths.
Concerns about ALLAHO and IMPERIAL AURA being good enough in Grade 1 company sway's me towards MIN and KEMBOY for the shortlist.
To be sure to find out who Keith selects on the morning of the race, join our VIP Club
On the day, this is what we told our VIP Members:
MIN 14:30 Cheltenham 9/2 – Now on his fifth Cheltenham Festival and after finishing behind ALTIOR in the first three he finally got home in front in this race last year. With a similar preparation to last year he won this third John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in December before a bad mistake scuppered his chances at Leopardstown. With doubts about ALLAHO being good enough to land a Grade 1 it could be FAKIR D'OUDARIES who follows him home.
How did we do?
MIN led until 2nd, chased winner until after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
This is what Keith wrote for the 2020 Ryanair Chase:
Going through the leading contenders I will start in reverse order:
CYRNAME has that lofty reputation but has never run at Cheltenham before and may well struggle up the hill.
DEFI DU SEUIL is far more likely to run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
FRODON has been there, done that, got the t-shirt and is right back to his best form.
A PLUS TARD is likely to go to the very top of the chasing game but not this year and at just six misses the vital age statistic of previous winners.
MIN has twice been runner up at the Cheltenham Festival and is highly likely to make the frame again.
My selection for the Ryanair Chase 2020 is: FRODON 7/1 each way
On the day Keith stuck with FRODON who led the Ryanair Chase until the 6th fence but once headed was well held and finished fourth.
Ryanair Chase Results
Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m5f (4527 yards +38 yards rails adjustment) Prize (winner): £211012 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 7 Going: Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 1 Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 9.71s Avg OR: 164 Median OR: 164 Fences: 16
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | Weight | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st | Allaho (FR) | 8 | 11-10 | 174 | Mullins, W P | Townend, P | 4/7 (Fav) | |
| jumped well, made all, drawing clear before 2 out, not fluent last, impressive BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 1.62 Owner: Cheveley Park Stud | |||||||||
| 5 | 2nd | 14 | Janidil (FR) | 8 | 11-10 | 164 | Mullins, W P | Walsh, M P | 12/1 |
| held up towards rear, went 4th 11th, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out until 2 out, went 2nd again last, no chance with winner BF IP MIN 13.5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr John P McManus | |||||||||
| 3 | 3rd | 0.75 | Eldorado Allen (FR) | 8 | 11-10 | 166 | Tizzard, C L | Powell, Brendan | 14/1 |
| with winner until 3rd, stayed 2nd until final bend, went 2nd again 2 out until last, no chance with winner, kept on BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: J P Romans & Terry Warner | |||||||||
| 4 | 4th | 13 | Fanion Destruval (FR) | 7 | 11-10 | 162 | Williams, Miss Venetia | Deutsch, Charlie | 28/1 |
| not fluent in rear, behind when mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never involved BF IP MIN 30 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr David Wilson | |||||||||
| 6 | 5th | 2.75 | Melon | 10 | 11-10 | 164 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, Mr P W | 16/1 |
| chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mrs J Donnelly | |||||||||
| 9 | 6th | 1.25 | Shan Blue (IRE) | 8 | 11-10 | 148 | Skelton, Daniel | Skelton, Harry | 10/1 |
| chased leaders, switched right before 4 out, effort to dispute 2nd 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when left 4th 2 out, lost 4th flat BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr Colm Donlon | |||||||||
| 2 | F | Conflated (IRE) | 8 | 11-10 | 168 | Elliott, Gordon | Russell, D N | 7/1 | |
| soon held up in 5th, dropped to last 8th, headway after 3 out, staying on to press for 2nd and 5 lengths down but no impression on winner when fell 2 out BF IP MIN 8 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud | |||||||||
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m5f (4527 yards +57 yards rails adjustment) Prize (winner): £149116 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 11 Going: Good To Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 1 Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 9.40s Avg OR: 162 Median OR: 162
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st | Allaho (FR) | 7 | 162 | Mullins, W P | Blackmore, Rachael | 3/1 (Fav) | |
| prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 4 out, clear after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on strongly, impressive BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 4.7 | ||||||||
| 4 | 2nd | 12 | Fakir Doudairies (FR) | 6 | 162 | OBrien, Joseph Patrick | Walsh, M P | 11/2 |
| mid-division, not fluent 5th, hit 10th, headway 4 out, not fluent 3 out, went 3rd final bend, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, kept on BF IP MIN 3.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 14 | 3rd | 0.5 | Tornado Flyer (IRE) | 8 | 162 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, D E | 25/1 |
| in rear, pushed along early stages, not fluent 10th, went 6th 12th, went 4th after 3 out, switched right after last, soon went 3rd, no chance with winner but kept on to close on 2nd BF IP MIN 7.6 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 7 | 4th | 6 | Kalashnikov (IRE) | 8 | 159 | Murphy, Amy | Quinlan, Jack | 25/1 |
| mid-division on inside, headway 11th, driven into 2nd after 3 out, never got near winner, lost 2nd after last, no extra and soon dropped to 4th BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5th | 35 | Fanion Destruval (FR) | 6 | 157 | Williams, Miss Venetia | Deutsch, Charlie | 66/1 |
| behind, mistake 10th, remote 7th when not fluent 3 out, left 5th 2 out, tailed off BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 2 | PU | Chriss Dream (IRE) | 9 | 164 | Bromhead, Henry De | Power, R M | 28/1 | |
| in rear, mistake 6th, last when mistake 8th, soon well behind, pulled up before 12th BF IP MIN 29 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 6 | PU | Imperial Aura (IRE) | 8 | 163 | Bailey, K C | Bass, David | 8/1 | |
| chased leaders, slow 4th, lost place 11th, slow and behind next, pulled up before 13th BF IP MIN 9 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 8 | PU | Melon | 9 | 165 | Mullins, W P | Cooper, Bryan J | 8/1 | |
| chased leaders, lost ground 2nd, struggling 11th, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out BF IP MIN 8.8 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 9 | PU | Min (FR) | 10 | 168 | Mullins, W P | Townend, P | 4/1 | |
| led until 2nd, chased winner until after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out BF IP MIN 4 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 10 | PU | Mister Fisher (IRE) | 7 | 162 | Henderson, N J | Boinville, Nico | 8/1 | |
| prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 9th (water), hit 12th, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out BF IP MIN 5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
| 13 | PU | Samcro (IRE) | 9 | 160 | Foster, Mrs Denise | Kennedy, J W | 15/2 | |
| chased leaders on outside, lost place after 2nd, pushed along and struggling after 6th, mistake 7th, went right next, soon behind, pulled up before 10th BF IP MIN 9.8 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||
Non Runners – Real Steel (FR), Saint Calvados (FR), Dashel Drasher
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy)
Distance: 2m5f (4527 yards +38 yards rails adjustment) Prize (winner): £196945 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 8 Going: Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 1 Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 19.66s Avg OR: 163 Median OR: 162
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds | BF | BFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1st | Min (FR) | 9 | 170 | Mullins, W P | Townend, P | 2/1 | 3.15 | 1.49 | |
| tracked leader, led narrowly 5th, made most after, joined turning in, shaken up before last, ridden 11/2 lengths clear flat, hard pressed towards finish, edged right, all out BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 3.5 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 2nd | NK | Saint Calvados (FR) | 7 | 161 | Whittington, H | Sheehan, Gavin | 16/1 | 23.51 | 4.50 |
| held up in touch in last trio, tracked leaders on inside 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, hit and lost ground last, rallied towards finish, just held BF IP MIN 1.58 BF IP MAX 65 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 3rd | 1.5 | A Plus Tard (FR) | 6 | 166 | Bromhead, Henry De | Blackmore, Rachael | 7/4 (Fav) | 2.92 | 1.42 |
| tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, headway before 3 out, joined winner turning in, ridden after 2 out, one pace in 3rd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, not quite able to get back on terms with front pair BF IP MIN 2.1 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 4th | 13 | Frodon (FR) | 8 | 168 | Nicholls, P F | Frost, Bryony | 11/2 | 7.40 | 1.95 |
| led to 5th, tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace before next, never able to get back on terms, well held in 4th between last 2 BF IP MIN 6.4 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 3 | 5th | NK | Duc Des Genievres (FR) | 7 | 161 | Mullins, W P | Power, R M | 18/1 | 22.21 | 4.52 |
| held up in touch in last trio, headway 3 out, chased leaders on outside turning in, no extra before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2 BF IP MIN 8 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 8 | 6th | 8.5 | Shattered Love (IRE) | 9 | 151 | Elliott, Gordon | Walsh, M P | 20/1 | 29.52 | 4.75 |
| prominent, pressed winner from 6th, ridden and lost place turning in, weakened 2 out BF IP MIN 13.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 7th | 35 | Aso (FR) | 10 | 162 | Williams, Miss Venetia | Deutsch, Charlie | 25/1 | 49.11 | 5.84 |
| prominent on outside, led briefly 7th, pushed along and lost place 5 out, soon behind, tailed off 3 out BF IP MIN 30 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 6 | F | Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) | 7 | 162 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Twiston-Davies, Sam | 11/1 | 16.50 | 3.10 | |
| held up in touch in last trio, switched towards outside before 8th, headway and close up when fell 3 out BF IP MIN 13 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
Ryanair Chase Previous Winners
| Date | Going | Runners | Winner | Stallion | Age | Jockey (Clm) | Trainer | Odds | Weight | OR | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.03.2022 | Soft | 7 | Allaho (FR) | No Risk At All (FR) | 8 | Townend, P | Mullins, W P | 4/7 | 11-10 | 174 | 53d |
| 18.03.2021 | Good To Soft | 11 | Allaho (FR) | No Risk At All (FR) | 7 | Blackmore, Rachael | Mullins, W P | 3/1 | 11-10 | 162 | 50d |
| 12.03.2020 | Soft | 8 | Min (FR) | Walk In The Park (IRE) | 9 | Townend, P | Mullins, W P | 2/1 | 11-10 | 170 | 40d |
| 14.03.2019 | Good To Soft | 12 | Frodon (FR) | Nickname (FR) | 7 | Frost, Bryony | Nicholls, P F | 9/2 | 11-10 | 169 | 47d |
| 15.03.2018 | Soft | 6 | Balko Des Flos (FR) | Balko (FR) | 7 | Russell, D N | Bromhead, Henry De | 8/1 | 11-10 | 166 | 77d |
| 16.03.2017 | Good | 8 | Un De Sceaux (FR) | Denham Red (FR) | 9 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 7/4 | 11-10 | 171 | 47d |
| 17.03.2016 | Good | 15 | Vautour (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 7 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | Evens | 11-10 | 176 | 82d |
| 12.03.2015 | Good | 14 | Uxizandre (FR) | Fragrant Mix (IRE) | 7 | McCoy, A P | King, A | 16/1 | 11-10 | 161 | 33d |
| 13.03.2014 | Good | 11 | Dynaste (FR) | Martaline | 8 | Scudamore, Tom | Pipe, D E | 3/1 | 11-10 | 169 | 77d |
| 14.03.2013 | Good To Soft | 8 | Cue Card | Kings Theatre (IRE) | 7 | Tizzard, Joe | Tizzard, C L | 7/2 | 11-10 | 165 | 26d |
| 15.03.2012 | Good | 12 | Riverside Theatre | Kings Theatre (IRE) | 8 | Geraghty, B J | Henderson, N J | 7/2 | 11-10 | 168 | 26d |
| 17.03.2011 | Good | 11 | Albertas Run (IRE) | Accordion (IRE) | 10 | McCoy, A P | ONeill, Jonjo | 6/1 | 11-10 | 166 | 61d |
| 18.03.2010 | Good | 13 | Albertas Run (IRE) | Accordion (IRE) | 9 | McCoy, A P | ONeill, Jonjo | 14/1 | 11-10 | 162 | 26d |
| 12.03.2009 | Good To Soft | 10 | Imperial Commander (IRE) | Flemensfirth (USA) | 8 | Brennan, P J | Twiston-Davies, N A | 6/1 | 11-10 | 156 | 76d |
| 13.03.2008 | Good To Soft | 9 | Our Vic (IRE) | Old Vic | 10 | Murphy, Timmy | Pipe, D E | 4/1 | 11-10 | 165 | 47d |
| 15.03.2007 | Good To Soft | 9 | Taranis (FR) | Mansonnien (FR) | 6 | Walsh, R | Nicholls, P F | 9/2 | 11-0 | 152 | 40d |
| 16.03.2006 | Good | 11 | Fondmort (FR) | Cyborg (FR) | 10 | Fitzgerald, Mick | Henderson, N J | 100/30 | 11-0 | 157 | 26d |
| 17.03.2005 | Good | 12 | Thisthatandtother (IRE) | Bob Back (USA) | 9 | Walsh, R | Nicholls, P F | 9/2 | 11-3 | 155 | 47d |
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Cheltenham Festival Thursday
Race Schedule
| START TIMES | RACE | DISTANCE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | The Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 2m abt 4f | Chase |
| 14:10 | The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) | Abt 3m | Hurdle |
| 14:50 | The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (feature race) |
2m abt 5f | Chase |
| 15:30 | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | abt 3m | Hurdle |
| 16:10 | The Craft Irish Whiskey Co Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Grade 3) | 2m abt 5f | Chase |
| 16:50 | The Daylesford Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m 1f | Hurdle |
| 17:30 | The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) | 3m abt 2f | Chase |
The Countdown to Cheltenham 2024
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