Tag Archive for: Ryanair Chase

George points to Cheltenham track after Francais defeat

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Noel George felt the Cheltenham experiment failed to pay off with Il Est Francais following his stable star’s disappointing effort in the Ryanair Chase.

Only reeled in late by Banbridge following a buccaneering front-running performance in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, the seven-year-old was given a trio of options for his Festival debut and ultimately took the intermediate test over the Champion Chase and Gold Cup.

After initially taking a lead off Jungle Boogie, Il Est Francais was allowed to stride on in front by James Reveley heading out onto the second circuit and he produced some prodigious leaps.

However, he looked a sitting duck for the strong-travelling 6-4 favourite and eventual winner Fact To File before the home turn and was a spent force in the straight, eventually finishing a tired sixth.

George, who trains Il Est Francais in partnership with Amanda Zetterholm, said: “James said he was very happy with him and said he was nearly flat out as they went very fast early on.

“He was nice and relaxed and then turning down the back he’s wanted to let him bowl and do his thing and he probably is better right-handed as he was always going a little bit right, even though he was putting in those big leaps.

“When the winner has come past him, James said he had nothing to give. The winner is obviously very good, but I’d say it’s probably not our optimum track.”

While immediate plans for Il Est Francais are uncertain, George already has one eye on a second tilt at the King George in December, adding: “There’s no signs of any issues and where we go from now, we’ll have to see how he comes out of it. We’re looking forward to Kempton at Christmas!”

Henry de Bromhead saddled the second and third home in the improving Heart Wood and old stager Envoi Allen, who was running in the race for third time having struck gold two years ago and finished second last season.

“It was a really good race I thought and they went a savage pace. The winner is obviously very, very good and I’m delighted with both of our horses,” said the trainer.

“Heart Wood ran a cracker, he’s only a baby and he’s coming along really nicely, and Envoi was really tough and really toughed it out up the hill to hold on to third. He’s 11 now and owes us nothing and I thought he ran an absolute belter.

“I think this is Heart Wood’s trip. I tried three miles a couple of times and he just wasn’t getting home, although he is only seven, so we’ll see.”

Last year’s winner Protektorat had to make do with fourth place this time around, but his trainer Dan Skelton was not making any excuses.

He said: “We’re happy with him, it was a better renewal this year probably and fair play to the winner, who looked very, very impressive.

“Envoi Allen got the better of us this year and we got the better of him last year, but there was only a few lengths in it. The other ones are just a little bit better than us this year.

“Maybe softer ground would suit us a bit better at this stage, but I’m not making any excuses about the ground. We’re very proud of him, he’s worn his heart on his sleeve again and never wants to let anyone down.

“We’ll go to Aintree. He’s 10 years old and as I said to Ged (Mason, part-owner), in two years time we won’t be able to run him, so we’ll run him while he’s ready.”



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Fact To File coasts to impressive Ryanair Chase victory

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Fact To File made light work of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham when strolling home an easy winner as the 6-4 favourite.

Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old opted for the intermediate contest instead of the Gold Cup and his charge was ridden by Mark Walsh in a field of nine.

The JP McManus-owned gelding jumped and travelled neatly throughout and looked perfectly poised to put the race to bed at the foot of the hill, something he did with ease when cantering across the line nine lengths ahead of Heart Wood.

Mullins said: “It was a hell of a field and he won very easily, he’s a proper horse.

“They went a good gallop and he just stayed with them and got his jumping right and coming off the bend I don’t think Mark was worried, he just needed to get over the last two fences and he did that well.

“It’s a surprise the manner he has won it and I was hoping coming here he was good enough to win it and he would win it, but when you’ve got Il Est Francais and Protektorat in the field, they are good horses and horses of a lifetime for some people. He was able to beat them like that, which is huge.

“Every day of the week, I think he would be the one to give Galopin Des Champs the biggest problems, I do, and he was in the Gold Cup but we felt it was better to bide our options and let him come to this race.

“He could be a Gold Cup horse next year and he will be a year older, we just felt at this stage of his career, a hard race in the Gold Cup if it turned up soft is not what he wants. That was the way our thinking was all season and JP was very pro that, we just didn’t want him to have a hard race in a Gold Cup, as sometimes that can ruin a horse’s career.

“I’m not going to talk about two-year plans after Lossiemouth, but I imagine that’s where he will be going next year.”

Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh with the Ryanair Chase trophy
Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh with the Ryanair Chase trophy (Mike Egerton/PA)

Fact To File was beaten just under five lengths by Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown last time and Mullins added: “Probably some people felt after the Irish Gold Cup that he didn’t really see it out and that maybe the Gold Cup was a year too soon.

“I heard someone say Mark had a job pulling him up and that is extraordinary.

“He was a lot more mature there.”

The manner of the victory was not unexpected for McManus, who said: “I had a little on today, I couldn’t let him run loose! He’s a nice horse.

“I wasn’t surprised how he did it to be honest, it was very straightforward.”



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File, Francais and Protektorat all set for mouthwatering Ryanair showdown

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Fact To File and Il Est Francais drop back in trip in the Ryanair Chase for what seems certain to be a fascinating battle with the evergreen Protektorat, who attempts to defend his crown at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Fact To File won last year’s Brown Advisory at the Festival, but has found esteemed stablemate Galopin Des Champs too strong over three miles of late, while Il Est Francais led his rivals a merry dance in the King George before being agonisingly caught by Banbridge.

As a result, connections of both have opted for the intermediate championship over an extended two and a half miles in preference to the Gold Cup – which was an option for both – and the Champion Chase.

Noel George, joint-trainer of Il Est Francais, said: “There’s no Gaelic Warrior in there, but you’ve got Fact To File and one or two others and it’s a competitive race.

“Our horse is in great form, all the prep has gone well and it’s just a question mark whether he handles Cheltenham, but he’s a very well-balanced horse and he’s a brilliant jumper, so I don’t think it should be an issue.

“We’ve had a good prep and we’re looking forward to running him.”

Frank Berry, racing manager to Fact To File’s owner JP McManus, said of the Willie Mullins-trained gelding: “It’s a change of tack and a big day on Thursday, but Willie is happy with him, the horse is well and we’re hoping for the best.

“He’s beaten Galopin Des Champs once, but he’s been well beat by him twice since and we make no excuses. Hopefully we’re going for the easier option, but we wouldn’t mind a drop of rain.

“He’s in great shape and he’s still a young horse and there’s every chance he could be back next year maybe in the Gold Cup, but for now we’ll hope for the best in this race.”

The Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat was impressive 12 months ago when winning by four lengths going away from Envoi Allen, who locks horns again.

The 10-year-old returned to winning ways last time out at Windsor when routing the reopposing Djelo in the Fleur De Lys Chase.

Skelton said: “The end of the season was always going to be better than his start.

“Of course there are new challengers, from France and Ireland and maybe he’ll have to be better this year, but at the same time last year he beat Envoi Allen and he was a dual Festival winner and defending champion and we went and won by four lengths in the end.

“It’s always nice to think there’s an extra performance in the locker because he’s an incredible horse, he’s a credit to himself.”

Envoi Allen bids to put a mishap in the King George behind him.

The 11-year-old unseated Rachael Blackmore early on at Kempton and returns to Prestbury Park two years after seeing off Shishkin for Ryanair glory.

His only other start this season saw him get his nose ahead of Hewick in the Champion Chase at Down Royal and trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “He’s in good form and has a similar profile to the year he won the Ryanair.

“He obviously won in Down Royal and was desperate in the King George, not for the first time. I just thought I had a good reason why it happened the first time and he always strikes me as a real King George horse, but I think he’s proven at this stage he’s not.

“He won it two years ago and was second last year. The nicer the ground the better he’ll run, I would say. I felt that’s what beat us last year, albeit he was beaten by a very good horse in Protektorat.”

The County Waterford handler will be tripled handed, with Ascot winner Jungle Boogie and Heart Wood also taking their chance.

De Bromhead said of Jungle Boogie: “He ran really well in the Gold Cup last year, he just didn’t stay. He was there at the second-last. He’s a high-class horse.”

Heart Wood was only just touched off in the Drinmore Novice Chase by Croke Park before finishing fourth to Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

De Bromhead added: “I thought he ran really well in the Savills, he travelled everywhere and a bit like Aintree last year he just didn’t quite see it out.

“I think the Ryanair could be an ideal race for him.”



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Fact To File and Il Est Francais clash in Ryanair

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Fact To File and Il Est Francais lead the way as nine horses were declared for Thursday’s Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Willie Mullins relies solely on Fact To File in the extended two-and-a-half-mile highlight, with Gaelic Warrior not declared while Il Est Francais could be a notable first Festival scorer for his training team of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.

Last year’s winner Protektorat defends his title for Dan Skelton, with 2023 victor Envoi Allen also in the line up for Henry de Bromhead.

Teahupoo won last year’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and he will face 14 rivals as he goes for back-to-back victories.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee finished third on that occasion and tries his luck again while other key names include the Nicky Henderson-trained Lucky Place, winner of the Relkeel Hurdle and Teahupoo’s stablemate The Wallpark.

Springwell Bay tops the weights for the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, but Jagwar does not feature in the 20-strong field.

His trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have instead opted to pitch their novice into open company for the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase, in which 21 runners have been declared.

Maughreen spearheads a strong Mullins-trained challenge in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, with Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf a likely favourite for the Grade Two.

The Pertemps Final features Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet in a full field of 24, while the closing Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase also has 24 contenders lead by Johnnywho.



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Fact To File and Il Est Francais remain in Ryanair reckoning

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A blockbuster clash between Fact To File and French raider Il Est Francais is still a possibility for day three of the Cheltenham Festival after both featured among the 12 confirmations for the Ryanair Chase.

The Il Est Francais team of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm are favouring a shot at the intermediate distance event over the Champion Chase following their agonising defeat at Kempton in the King George, while Willie Mullins has also hinted at a drop back in distance for Fact To File after twice suffering defeat at the hands of Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown.

Gaelic Warrior was missing from the confirmations for the Champion Chase but retains this option, while the Closutton handler has also confirmed Energumene, although a crack at a record-equalling third Champion Chase looks more likely for Tony Bloom’s long-time star performer.

Envoi Allen won this in 2023 and is one of three for Henry de Bromhead alongside Heart Wood and Jungle Boogie, while the home team is led by Dan Skelton’s defending champion Protektorat and Venetia Williams’ Denman Chase hero Djelo.

Envoi Allen was a Ryanair hero in 2023
Envoi Allen was a Ryanair hero in 2023 (Brian Lawless/PA)

Missing from the confirmations is Banbridge which seemingly makes a shot at the Gold Cup increasingly likely for Joseph O’Brien’s King George scorer, with the Owning Hill handler describing the blue riband as “a very special race” and “more likely at this stage” earlier in the week, should ground conditions continue to dry.

Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower is another notable absentee.

Day three begins with the Grade Two Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle where leading players Sixandahalf (Gavin Cromwell) and Galileo Dame (O’Brien) have both stood their ground.

Mullins could saddle up to eight in a race he won five years on the bounce between 2016 and 2020, with Maughreen, Karoline Banbou and Aurora Vega all featuring highly in the betting for the Closutton team.

On Maughreen, whose dam is an unraced half-sister to Faugheen, Mullins said: “She put up a huge performance first time out, jumped like a handicapper for his first run over hurdles, taking on a very experienced horse.

Patrick Mullins returns on Maughreen
Maughreen after her bumper success (PA)

“What she did was really good novice hurdle material, but Cheltenham will be a big ask second time out.

“Since we started schooling, everyone said was a great jumper. I said to connections we maybe should be going for a bumper six weeks out from Cheltenham, but everybody said she’s made to jump and I’d say she’s our top one for the mares’ novice.”

Paul Nicholls also has a strong hand in the race with his pair of Jubilee Alpha and Just A Rose.

He said: “Just A Rose took a while to come to herself, then went to Taunton six weeks ago and bolted in, she won by 25 lengths, Freddie (Gingell) couldn’t pull her up.

“I haven’t been able to run her since, I wanted to go to Sandown but I didn’t want to run her on desperate ground. She’s just coming to herself, she’s coming in her coat but she’s just lacking a little bit of experience.

It could be a big afternoon for the 14-time champion trainer
It could be a big afternoon for the 14-time champion trainer (Steven Paston/PA)

“I actually don’t think there’s much between the two mares, her and Jubilee Alpha. Freddie will ride her with Harry Cobden on the other filly and we like her also.”

He added: “She won her first bumper at Aintree last year then we gave her plenty of time.

“She was a bit unlucky on her debut at Newbury in a Listed race, making a couple of green mistakes. Then she went to Taunton at Christmas for a Listed race and won that very well and then won at the Winter Million meeting at Windsor.

“That form has turned out quite good and I don’t think she was at her best that day. Experience counts for a lot I suppose but the other is very unexposed, I think they’ve both got good chances.”

Nicholls could saddle last year’s winner Monmiral – who also has the option of the feature Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, while the Ditcheat handler could also unleash big-money purchase Caldwell Potter in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

Jagwar is favourite for two races on day three at the Cheltenham Festival
Jagwar is favourite for two races on day three at the Cheltenham Festival (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s Trials day winner Jagwar currently heads the betting for the contest, although he is also the market leader for the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase over the same course and distance later on the card.

Similar comment applies to Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Springwell Bay and Gordon Elliott’s Firefox, are leading names for both contests.

The O’Neill team have a strong hand in the concluding Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase where leading amateur Derek O’Connor revealed earlier in the week he had been booked to ride the JP McManus-owned Johnnywho.



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George favouring Ryanair run for Il Est Francais

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A final decision on Il Est Francais’ Cheltenham Festival assignment could be made next week, with Noel George admitting he is favouring a tilt at the Ryanair Chase at this stage.

The King George runner-up is set to drop back in distance at Prestbury Park, with an enterprising run back at two miles in the Queen Mother Champion Chase still being considered by the seven-year-old’s French based training team.

Both Il Est Francais and his Cheltenham-bound stablemate Stencil underwent pre-match practice on the Chantilly schooling grounds on Wednesday and with it looking increasingly likely the French raider will aim at the Ryanair, a clash with Fact To File could be on the cards.

Priced as short as 3-1 second favourite behind his Willie Mullins-trained rival, George is confident of a bold bid if Il Est Francais meets suitable conditions in the Cotswolds.

Il Est Francais (left) was second to Banbridge (right) in the King George
Il Est Francais (left) was second to Banbridge (right) in the King George (John Walton/PA)

“The Cheltenham runners schooled well on Wednesday morning and all is good. At this stage we’re probably looking at the Ryanair for Il Est Francais,” explained George, who trains the gelding with Amanda Zetterholm.

“The weather could play a big factor and we don’t have to make a decision until next week really and anything could happen in a week, so there is no point rushing.

“I can’t see any concerns about Cheltenham and you can see with how he jumps he is such a well-balanced horse. A lot of people seem to be saying he’s a flat-track bully, but no one really knows and I can’t see that.

“I think if it does come up on goodish, fresh ground in the Ryanair on the Thursday, I think he will take plenty of stopping.”

George also has high hopes for Stencil in Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle after watching the JP McManus-owned youngster chase home East India Dock on Festival Trials day.

Trainer Noel George has a strong Cheltenham hand
Trainer Noel George has a strong Cheltenham hand (John Walton/PA)

Handed a mark of 135, Stencil is the general 5-1 market for the opening day handicap with his trainer describing him as an “exciting runner”.

“I would like to hope the ones above him run so we don’t have top-weight, but he’s a big, strong horse and I’m pretty happy with the mark,” continued George.

“A lot of the ones above him in the ratings I know from French form and I don’t think we’re badly in. He’s an exciting runner.

“For me, East India Dock would be my idea of the Triumph Hurdle winner when you look at the clock and what Timeform have said and everything. I thought we ran a great race in defeat and have improved a little bit since, so we’ve got our fingers crossed for a good run.”



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Djelo goes the distance with Denman victory

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Djelo scrapped to a tough success in the William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase at Newbury.

Venetia Williams’ bay was the 6-4 favourite under Charlie Deutsch in a field of seven for the Grade Two event run over a trip just shy of three miles.

The gelding thrived on the soft going and clearly also enjoyed the extended distance on his first attempt, settled in the early stages by Deutsch before assuming control of the race with two fences to jump.

Djelo got a bit close to the final obstacle but ultimately had plenty in hand and came home three and a half lengths clear of Hitman, who was finishing second in the race for a third successive year.

His Paul Nicholls-trained stablemate Bravemansgame kept on for third, beaten a further six and a half lengths.

Djelo clears the water jump at Newbury
Djelo clears the water jump at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

Djelo was cut to 12-1 from 20s by Paddy Power for the Ryanair Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, with Williams favouring the extended two-and-a-half-mile option over his other entry in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Williams said: “A week ago we were running in the Game Spirit and it was only 15 minutes before entries closed that I took a look what was in the Denman and thought ‘we need to be in there as well’.

“We’ve got him in the Ryanair and we’ve got him in the Champion Chase but not the Gold Cup and there are no regrets about that at all. I would say he would go to the Ryanair now. He’s a King George horse for next season. He’s got better with maturity and it will be straight to Cheltenham now.

“He’s quite a headstrong horse and you have to be forgiving and I think an element of Windsor was not so much him but Protektorat, because he was brilliant.

“Protektorat was ridden with enormous restraint when we beat him at Huntingdon in the Peterborough Chase and we got well away from him, but the same thing happened the other way round at Windsor, the boot was on the other foot.

“We were scratching our heads over tactics and Peter (Davies, owner) and I left it down to Charlie to make up his mind down at the start.

“We didn’t want him being too keen, so he dropped him right out and he settled beautifully, almost to the point that when they turned for home I was wondering when Charlie was going to set him alight. When he did the turbo came in very quickly.

“We can’t do it without the generous owners and their support and I think that is a milestone for both of us. It’s taken us past £1million for the season and we think it has put Peter into second in the owners table.”

Paul Nicholls was pleased with the performances of both Hitman and Bravemansgame, with both now set to head straight to Aintree for the Randox Grand National.

Bravemansgame is now set to head straight to the Grand National
Bravemansgame is now set to head straight to the Grand National (Adam Davy/PA)

Nicholls said: “They’ve both run nice races and will both head to the National now.

“Harry (Cobden) said Bravemansgame keeps a bit to himself and he’s come in here as fresh as paint. He’s had so many hard races over the years and they sometimes just look after themselves a little bit, but the horse has gone round there with his ears pricked loving it.

“They sprinted a bit from two out and the younger legs won the day, but they have both run really nice races. They are both 10, have both been amazing horses and will now both take their chance in the National and I dare say they would love it.

“They both jump well and travel and whether they stay the trip, they’ll have to have a good day the pair of them. But what they will do is jump and travel really well.

“The great thing is Bravemansgame will keep running for another year or two because he looks after himself. He’s gone round there today loving it and he might not quite be as good as he was, but he’s been an amazing horse.

“I think they will both love it round Aintree and I think the one of ours who might be a true unexposed stayer is Kandoo Kid, he’s been round there before and he might run at Kempton two weeks today.”



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Galopin Des Champs stands tall against just five British-trained Gold Cup hopefuls

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Hat-trick-chasing Galopin Des Champs heads 19 entries for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, with just a record-low five British contenders for March’s blue riband event.

Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old has been imperious in winning the Gold Cup for the past two years and after routing his rivals at Leopardstown over Christmas, is a short-priced favourite to replicate the great Best Mate and land three straight Gold Cups.

His chief market rival appears to be stablemate Fact To File, who lowered Galopin Des Champs colours in the John Durkan before seeing the tables turned in the Savills Chase.

He is, however, also among the leading contenders for the shorter Ryanair Chase after 34 put their name in the mix for that particular contest on Tuesday morning.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs parading through the village of Leighlinbridge
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs parading through the village of Leighlinbridge (Damien Eagers/PA)

King George one-two Banbridge and Il Est Francais both feature in the Gold Cup entries, while at the same time also holding tickets for both the Ryanair and Champion Chase, with Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe and Henry de Bromhead’s Monty’s Star are other notable names for Cheltenham’s main event.

The five tasked with upholding British pride are Dan Skelton’s returning Festival hero Grey Dawning, Venetia Williams’ pair of Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille and L’Homme Presse, King George fourth The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville) and Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor.

A surprise omission from the Gold Cup entries is Jimmy Mangan’s beaten King George favourite and John Durkan runner-up Spillane’s Tower, who has a sole entry in the Ryanair Chase.

The JP McManus-owned Jonbon heads the betting for the Queen Mother Champion Chase after 26 were entered.

Amongst his potential rivals is a strong Closutton hand featuring two-time winner Energumene, last year’s Arkle champion Gaelic Warrior and the beaten favourite in the race 12 months ago in the shape of El Fabiolo.



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Protektorat takes flight for Skeltons in Ryanair

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Protektorat proved dropping back in trip was no issue when producing a brilliant display to claim the Ryanair Chase for the red-hot Dan Skelton team at the Cheltenham Festival.

A Grade One winner over three miles, he was third and fifth when tried in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the past two years and connections resisted taking a third crack at the blue riband to revert to one of the day three features

There was plenty of pace on show with Stage Star and Ahoy Senor leading the field along, with Protektorat among those right on that duo’s tail in the hands of Harry Skelton.

Having travelled menacingly into contention it appeared 9-4 favourite and defending champion Envoi Allen was the one the front-runners had to worry about heading into the straight, but neither Stage Star or Protektorat were ready to give up the fight and although Stage Star faded after two out there was still plenty of fight left in Protektorat.

There was little to separate Protektorat and Henry de Bromhead’s charge jumping the final fence, but it was Protektorat’s stamina reserves which then came to the fore late in the day as the 17-2 chance stormed up the Cheltenham hill to victory.

It was Skelton’s fourth victory at this year’s Festival, and also the second in the space of 40 minutes for the collective of owners that include Sir Alex Ferguson and John Hales – whose famous yellow colours Skelton donned in the saddle.

Dan Skelton said: “We’ve been trying the Gold Cup trip because we’ve been trying to make it happen, it’s the race the owners would most like to win. We dropped him in and he finished third and we rode him more aggressively and he finished fifth.

“He wasn’t hitting the Gold Cup standard this year, so we’ve come for this and I thought Harry gave him a supreme ride. When Envoi Allen came upsides us I thought he’s danced this dance a lot of times and maybe we’re booked for second, but then going to the last I thought we’d found a bit more, maybe that’s that stamina that we’ve been filling him with for the last few years.

A triumphant Protektorat
A triumphant Protektorat (PA)

“It’s a massive family thing and the work that the staff put in is phenomenal. I don’t know what the magic dust was this week. What’s going on here is what we all try to do, it just very rarely happens.

“The Ryanair Chase is one of the biggies. Grey Dawning is a Grade One novice with a lot to look forward to and with the handicappers you’ve got to place them well, but this is one of the grails isn’t it?

“Two Grade Ones at Cheltenham on one day, it doesn’t happen.”

Richard Thompson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Envoi Allen, said: “That was absolutely marvellous, very enjoyable. I thought we were going to win coming to the last, but he’s run a marvellous race. We’ve won this race for the last three years, he’s won here three times himself.

“It’s just great to be in the shake-up in a race like this, but this year it was someone else’s turn. I totally believe he knows he’s back at Cheltenham and he certainly runs his best races here. We know we are back here, so why shouldn’t he?

“Rachael (Blackmore) didn’t ask for a big one at the last as I think she thought she would pick him up on the run-in but look, he’s ended up winning quite easily and wasn’t stopping so I don’t think it was down to that jump. He’s been third in a Gold Cup to A Plus Tard and won a Betfair Chase, he’s a very good horse Protektorat.

“I think there’s another big day or two but he’s is 10 so you’ve got to be realistic, there are youngsters coming through.

“It might be Punchestown or Aintree. I was thinking Punchestown, but now I’m thinking it may be Aintree.”



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Envoi Allen ‘in mighty form’ for pursuit of back-to-back Ryanair wins

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Henry de Bromhead is confident the lack of a recent run will not harm Envoi Allen’s chances of becoming the third horse to claim back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase.

Albertas Run did the double for Jonjo O’Neill in 2010 and 2011, while Allaho struck twice for Willie Mullins in 2021 and 2022.

De Bromhead can take heart from the fact the former was a 10-year-old when successfully defending his title and there is also a link to the latter, who carried the same Cheveley Park Stud colours as Envoi Allen.

Last year, Envoi Allen kept on well to see off Shishkin in this race, which made it three Cheltenham Festival victories following the 2019 Champion Bumper and 12 months later prevailing in what is now known as the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 – St Patrick’s Thursday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Rachael Blackmore celebrates after winning the Ryanair Chase aboard Envoi Allen (David Davies for the Jockey Club).

He has only had a couple of outings this term, the most recent a neck second to Gerri Colombe at Down Royal back in mid-November. But De Bromhead has no fears of that proving a negative factor.

“He seems in mighty form, we’re happy with him, so fingers crossed,” said the County Waterford handler.

“I’m not at all worried that he hasn’t run since Down Royal; he’s fit and well, he’s worked well and he runs well fresh.”

Stage Star is another proven Cheltenham performer, galloping on strongly to score in the Turners Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival and winning for the third time at Prestbury Park when surviving a final-fence blunder in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old blotted his copybook when pulled up here on New Year’s Day but Paul Nicholls is happy to write that off as simply a blip on what was bottomless ground.

“If he hadn’t run last time, I’d say he’d probably be favourite for the Ryanair,” said the Ditcheat handler. “We’re very happy he’s back where he is, he needs a bit of nice ground and he likes that New course.

“I just felt it was a long time between the Paddy Power and the Ryanair and sometimes you make the wrong call, but he’s very happy again now.

“If I’d had half an excuse on New Year’s Day not to run, I wouldn’t have, but no harm done, we’re very happy with him now.”

The November Meeting – Day Two – Cheltenham Racecourse
Stage Star ridden by Harry Cobden on the way to winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup (Nigel French/PA).

Nicholls will also saddle last year’s third Hitman, who returned to form when runner-up behind Shishkin in the Denman Chase at Newbury.

“Hitman’s form was red-hot last time when he was third to Shishkin,” added the champion trainer. “He’s a different horse to when he was third last year and he will be thereabouts again.”

Protektorat was just half a length behind Hitman in that race last month and faces a different Festival test this term after finishing fifth and third in the past two renewals of the Gold Cup.

“He’s just not hit the Gold Cup markers this year and that’s fine,” commented Dan Skelton.

“We’ve tried in two Gold Cups and finished third getting a lead and fifth turning for home in front. It hasn’t worked and we’ve left no stone unturned there.

“If you look at him in comparison to the other horses in the Ryanair, he’s equal top on ratings and he will stay that trip out really well – why not have a go.”

Conflated was third in last season’s Gold Cup and was disputing second when falling two out a couple of years ago.

He parted company with his jockey late on in two runs behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown but Gordon Elliott is not giving up on his charge, who has Grade One wins in the Irish Gold Cup and the Savills Chase on his CV.

Elliott said: “He’s in good form and the Ryanair will suit him. He unseated his jockey on his last couple of runs, but he was running well both days and we’re looking forward to Thursday.”

Conflated File Photo
Conflated ridden by Jack Kennedy on their way to winning the Savills Chase (Niall Carson/PA).

Stablemate Fil Dor was runner-up in the 2022 Triumph and Elliott showed his faith in the six-year-old when retaining him at Cullentra House for €620,000 at the recent Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale.

“He’s a new recruit in the Robcour colours and we’re looking forward to him,” said Robbie Power, racing manager for his new owners.

“He’s had some good runs behind El Fabiolo over two miles – especially at Cork the last day. If stepping up in trip brings improvement, I don’t think he will be too far away.”

Banbridge is unbeaten at Cheltenham after landing the 2022 Martin Pipe contest and an Arkle trial last season.

Joseph O’Brien’s eight-year-old has enjoyed his last two trips to the UK just as much, claiming the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April and Kempton’s Silviniaco Conti a couple of months ago.

Capodanno is another Irish raider who does not suffer from travel sickness, judged on January’s Cotswold Chase success for Willie Mullins.

Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senior was well held in fourth that day, but did claim the same prize at Prestbury Park 12 months earlier, plus he was a good second to L’Homme Presse in the 2022 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase here.

The Jamie Snowden-trained Ga Law and Richard Hobson’s Fugitif have both secured valuable handicap victories at this venue during the current campaign.



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Ga Law team roll the dice in search of Ryanair spoils

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Jamie Snowden is excited to see Ga Law strut his stuff at the Cheltenham Festival after connections paid the required supplementary fee to add him to Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.

The eight-year-old is a dual winner over fences at Prestbury Park, landing last season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and another lucrative handicap on his most recent visit in late January.

Ga Law was not beaten when fifth behind Envoi Allen in last year’s Ryanair and as Snowden feels he is in a better place mentally and physically this time around, he was added to the field at Friday’s confirmation stage at a cost of £15,000.

“The original entries for the Ryanair came out before Trials day at Cheltenham in January and he was very impressive that day, winning off a big weight. The handicapper has now put up to a point where it makes sense to have a crack at this,” said the trainer.

“We were fifth in the Ryanair last year when we were perhaps not in the same sort of form that we’re in now. We obviously won the Paddy Power that winter, but we took a nasty fall in the Sky Bet Chase and he probably wasn’t in the same kind of form that he’s in now 12 months ago and he still ran a belter.

“We do feel he’s in far better order now and hopefully he can go a few places better.

“Obviously Envoi Allen won it last year and the reports are that he’s in great order this time around as well. It certainly looks a competitive race, but forgetting the opposition, we hope that we’re coming into it in far better form than we did last year.”

Envoi Allen and Rachael Blackmore will bid for back-to-back Ryanair Chase victories
Envoi Allen and Rachael Blackmore will bid for back-to-back Ryanair Chase victories (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ga Law and Envoi Allen are among 12 horses in contention for the Ryanair, with Banbridge, Star Star and Capodanno also among the leading contenders.

Willie Mullins has confirmed El Fabiolo for the two-mile-five-furlong contest, but he is expected to line up as a hot favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase the previous afternoon.

The other feature on day three of the Festival is the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, with Gordon Elliott’s ante-post favourite Teahupoo one of 18 confirmations.

Elliott has also left in Irish Point, but has raised the possibility of him being switched to Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle, while Flooring Porter is on course to bid for a third Stayers’ Hurdle after his trainer Gavin Cromwell confirmed his intention to switch his stable star back to the smaller obstacles.

Flooring Porter is back for another Stayers' Hurdle
Flooring Porter is back for another Stayers’ Hurdle (Mike Egerton/PA)

Grand National hero Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins) is another major challenger from Ireland, while the home team includes 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle) and his Long Walk conqueror Crambo (Fergal O’Brien).

Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton), Ginny’s Destiny (Paul Nicholls) and Iroko (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero) are the three chief British-trained contenders for the opening Turners Novices’ Chase, with Willie Mullins leaving in Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps and Sharjah.

The Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle, meanwhile, promises to be one of the races of the week, with Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, the Mullins-trained Jade De Grugy and O’Brien’s Dysart Enos all set to put their unbeaten records over obstacles on the line.



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Banbridge remains on course for Ryanair challenge

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The Ryanair Chase remains “very much the plan” for ante-post favourite Banbridge, despite concerns about ground conditions ahead of next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge was a non-runner in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the showpiece meeting last year due to the rain-softened ground and the official going at Prestbury Park on Tuesday morning was soft, heavy in places.

Banbridge made an impressive start to his campaign when accounting for subsequent Ascot Chase winner Pic D’Orhy in the Grade Two Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton and he has since been saved for the Festival, with a final decision on his participation unlikely to be made until the morning of the race.

Banbridge with connections at Kempton
Banbridge with connections at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

“There’s still a long time to go between now and then, there’s lots of racing to happen and lots of weather forecasts that will come and go,” said O’Brien.

“As we’ve said all along, we’ll look forward to the race and hopefully we’ll walk the track on the morning of the race and hopefully he can run.

“Very much the plan is to run. He’s prepared well for Cheltenham so far.”

Banbridge is set to lead a small but select team of “six or seven” runners for O’Brien across the biggest four days of the season in the Cotswolds.

Joseph O'Brien is preparing a small but select team for the Cheltenham Festival
Joseph O’Brien is preparing a small but select team for the Cheltenham Festival (Brian Lawless/PA)

He added: “Hopefully we’ll have something running most of the days, some of them would like the ground a bit softer and some of them would like it a bit quicker.

“At the moment, it looks as if it’s going to favour the horses that prefer a bit of juice, but let’s see what happens – it can dry out fast and it can get softer quickly too. We’ll keep an eye on things over the next week.”

Lark In The Mornin heads the betting for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, but O’Brien revealed his participation is “up in the air”.

Considering some of his other running plans, he said: “Nurburgring is an intended runner in the Triumph Hurdle, he is still entered in the Boodles but he’s going to run in the Triumph.

“Home By The Lee is in the Stayers’ Hurdle, we’ll have Solness in the Grand Annual and Busselton in the Ultima Handicap Chase, so there’s a few runners there.”



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Ryanair tilt ‘more than likely’ for Conflated at Cheltenham

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Gigginstown House Stud are leaning towards trying to win their own Ryanair Chase with Conflated.

A faller in that race two years ago at the Cheltenham Festival, the former Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase hero stepped up in trip for a shot at the Gold Cup 12 months ago, where he finished an honourable third behind Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame.

Although sent off the 20-1 outsider when tasked with taking on Galopin Des Champs again in the latest edition of the Irish Gold Cup on Saturday, Gordon Elliott’s 10-year-old more than played his part and was far from completely out of the equation when unseating Jack Kennedy at the final fence.

Conflated has given the Gigginstown team some big days in the past
Conflated has given the Gigginstown team some big days in the past (Niall Carson/PA)

Conflated currently heads the market for the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, but with the owners having dual winner Delta Work also in the mix for that contest and having proven he is still a capable Grade One performer, the gelding is likely to be pitched into a Ryanair with an open feel following the setback suffered by long-time ante-post favourite Allaho.

“He gave Jack the same unseat as he gave Sam Ewing at Christmas (in the Savills Chase). It was the same corner of the same fence,” explained Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary.

“He was running a huge race regardless and we had just dropped in behind in that moment.

“It will be more than likely be the Ryanair (next, at Cheltenham) – he’s still in the mix for both, but it will more than likely be the Ryanair.”

He went on “We believe he is a quick three-miler who might not get an extended three miles on a staying track in heavy ground, but he’s a quick three-miler and the Ryanair should suit him down to the ground.

“You have to get three miles to win a Ryanair so hopefully that will be the race. Otherwise we have the Cross Country. But I would say it would be the Ryanair.”

Gigginstown went into the Dublin Racing Festival with the favourites for the first two Grade Ones on day one and although neither Predators Gold or Storm Heart came home with the first prize, they both left with their reputations intact by finishing second.

Predators Gold finished second at the Dublin Racing Festival
Predators Gold finished second at the Dublin Racing Festival (PA Wire)

Storm Heart will now head to the Triumph Hurdle where he is a best price of 12-1, while O’Leary believes his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Predators Gold may drop back in distance slightly for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park next month.

“They are both entitled to go on the next day and see what happens,” said O’Leary.

“Storm Heart will go on to the Triumph all being well.

“I imagine Predators Gold didn’t quite settle well enough to get that trip and he’ll likely go for the Baring Bingham over two and a half.”



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Allaho ruled out of Cheltenham Festival due to injury

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Hopes of a third Ryanair Chase win for the brilliant Allaho have been dashed for the second year in succession after connections were again forced to rule him out of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old carried the colours of Cheveley Park Stud to stunning Ryanair wins in 2021 and 2022, but missed the entirety of last season through injury.

He made a successful return from 19 months on the sidelines in the Clonmel Oil Chase in November and while he had to make do with minor honours in third when favourite for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, he bounced back to winning ways when notching a third triumph in last week’s Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles.

That 13-length victory saw Allaho cement his place at the head of ante-post lists for this year’s Ryanair Chase on March 14, but he will not be making the trip to Prestbury Park.

Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park’s managing director, told the PA news agency: “Allaho was found to be lame after his race at Thurles and it’s been diagnosed as a strained hock, so he’s going to require several weeks rest and recuperation and therefore sadly misses Cheltenham.

“It’s very frustrating, as it was good to see him return to form the other day, but he wasn’t 100 per cent afterwards and we’re just going to have to give him the time, I’m afraid.”



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Galopin Des Champs tops 20 Gold Cup contenders

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Last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs is one of 20 entries for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 15.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Galopin Des Champs came out on top in a terrific duel with Bravemansgame last season and the pair are on course to meet again.

Galopin Des Champs returned to winning ways at Leopardstown over Christmas with a spectacular display which propelled him back to the head of the betting, having suffered two defeats at the hands of the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow.

Brassil’s charge has also been entered for the blue riband this year, having gone close in handicap company at the Festival last season. He was a late absentee at Leopardstown.

Fastorslow (red hat) had Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame behind him at Punchestown
Fastorslow (red hat) had Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame behind him at Punchestown (PA)

Mullins has also entered the injury-plagued Monkfish, an impressive winner of the 2021 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, but limited to just three starts since then.

Hewick, Shark Hanlon’s King George winner, Gerri Colombe, Envoi Allen and Gentlemansgame are others from Ireland with the option.

Gary Moore’s hugely-impressive Welsh National winner Nassalam is entered along with the Venetia Williams-trained pair of L’Homme Presse and Royale Pagaille.

Shishkin, so unlucky when coming down two from home in the King George, and Paul Nicholls’ novice Stay Away Fay are also in.

There are 19 entered in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on March 13 in which last season’s first two from the Arkle, El Fabiolo and Jonbon, dominate the betting.

El Fabiolo (left) and Jonbon are building up a big rivalry
El Fabiolo (left) and Jonbon are building up a big rivalry (Steven Paston/PA)

The pair are due to meet at Ascot in the Clarence House Chase later this month first.

Mullins has six contenders in total, including the now nine-year-old Ferny Hollow, who has not seen since December 2021, along with the mare Dinoblue and Appreciate It.

Boothill, Captain Guinness, Edwardstone and Editeur du Gite are others to note, with the last two runners also entered in the Ryanair Chase on March 14.

Mullins’ Allaho will be bidding for a third win in the race having gone close in the King George over Christmas. He is one of eight for the trainer, along with Sir Gerhard, in a total field of 32.

El Fabiolo, Fastorslow, Jonbon and Envoi Allen, winner of the race last season, are among those who have multiple options while Fugitif is in for Richard Hobson



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