Tag Archive for: Ryanair Chase

Snowden able to look back with pride on efforts of Cheltenham team

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Jamie Snowden had a surprisingly clear head the morning after You Wear It Well took the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and is in no rush to make plans for the Grade Two winner.

Nine years on from the Lambourn trainer’s first Festival success with Present View, Gavin Sheehan’s mount was up there all the wa and held off Magical Zoe to score at odds of 16-1.

“She trotted out like a gazelle,” Snowden said. “She’s fantastic, still biting everyone.”

The six-year-old, who is owned by Sir Chips Keswick, could head to Fairyhouse for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final on April 9.

Snowden said: “We will see how she is before making a plan. She is obviously still in the Grade One at Fairyhouse over Easter. I put her in that a couple of weeks ago.

“That is still an option, but we’ll see how we go with her.”

He added: “We will certainly jump a fence with her before her summer holiday and see where we go next year.”

Meanwhile Ga Law, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November before falling when looking the likely winner of Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase in January, could still run in a Grand National, albeit the Scottish version.

The fast-improving seven-year-old stayed on to finish fifth to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase.

Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all - at Ayr
Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all – at Ayr (David Davies/PA)

“I thought it was a good run,” said Snowden. “Obviously we know he wants further than that trip, but we were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“The Gold Cup was a silly option and the Ryanair was too short, but I think he has run to the same level of form he did in the Sky Bet Chase, which was improved form on the Paddy Power.

“I thought it was a cracking run, especially on the back of a nasty fall.

“The long-term plan will be next year’s Grand National. He stays very well, he’s just not very quick. He was outpaced all the way in the Paddy Power and stayed on up the hill.

“He has possibly run a career-best over a trip that is too short, first time up in Grade One company, so he’s run a belter to finish fifth.”

“He’s not qualified for the Grand National next month, so that is a great shame, as that would have been great for him.

“There is obviously the option of going for the Betfair Bowl at Aintree. There is the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown, which we will consider, and there is half an eye on the Scottish National as well. We have got a couple of options.”

Snowden is also looking to the future with Colonel Harry, whose brave effort to make all the running in the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso two weeks ago was scuppered when narrowly beaten by Nemean Lion.

The six-year-old had finished just behind Kerry Lee’s runner when fourth in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and, having backed that up with victory at Newcastle, Snowden was content to see the the Grade One form hold fast.

Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season
Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season (Steven Paston/PA)

“It was a great run at Kelso, “ said Snowden. “That was over two miles two (furlongs). A lot of his pedigree is over two miles.

“I think he wants two miles on deep ground – I think that’s his ideal.

“It was a brave effort and it upheld the Tolworth form with Nemean Lion.

“He will be a lovely chaser for next season. We might have half a look at Aintree, depending on what the weather does, but he’s certainly one I’m looking forward to over a fence next year.”

Shishkin looked like he wanted Gold Cup trip, says Henderson

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Nicky Henderson was left mulling over whether he made the right decision to run Shishkin in the Ryanair Chase rather than the Cheltenham Gold Cup after he stayed on to finish second to Envoi Allen.

Bidding for a third Festival success, the former Supreme and Arkle winner was odds-on for last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase but never travelled on soft ground and was pulled up early by Nico de Boinville.

Subsequently diagnosed with a rare bone condition, he was brought back slowly and after finishing 15 lengths second to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, he was stepped up in trip and duly took the Ascot Chase by 16 lengths.

However, over the same two miles and five furlongs of the Ryanair, he did not quite look himself, jumping left on occasions and making an error at a crucial stage which briefly halted momentum.

Though staying on well after the last, he was never catching Envoi Allen, whose two-and three-quarter-length success was a third at the Festival after victories in the 2019 Champion Bumper and in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle a year later.

Henderson said: “He wasn’t really travelling like we hoped he would. Early on, he wasn’t looking that happy about it, but he’s done bloody well to finish where he has.

“Maybe I should have listened to those people who said we should have gone three and a quarter (mile, in the Gold Cup) – it looked as if that’s what he wanted.”

Asked to put his finger on why Shishkin ran so inconsistently, Henderson added: “I don’t know, it’s unlike him to go left like that – and he was going markedly left.

“He ran at Ascot last time and if you go left round Ascot, you finish up in Windsor Castle and that’s that!

“He schooled on Monday and you’ve never seen a horse jump five fences straighter and quicker, so we’ll have to take him apart and tighten a few nuts and bolts.

“He made one bad mistake coming down the hill, but look at how well he’s finished. I was a bit worried over the first two fences because he looked outpaced again, but he got back there – he’s determined if nothing else.

“Envoi Allen was going to be the next coming when he was young and they’ve done very well, they’ve got him back to his very best.

“You could say it came too soon after Ascot for us, it was a bit of a rush but I certainly want to run him in four weeks’ time over three miles at Aintree – that’s the obvious thing to do.”

De Boinville said Shishkin never gave him the same encouragement as he had felt when scoring so impressively at Ascot.

“It never really went right from when the tapes went up. Even down at the start he was curling up on me a bit and sitting back on his haunches a bit,” said the jockey.

“Over the first two fences he wasn’t taking me anywhere, whereas at Ascot I was able to travel and jump and dictate where I wanted to be. This time I was pushed here there and everywhere.

Nico de Boinville (left) and Nicky Henderson set to run Shishkin over three miles at Aintree
Nico de Boinville (left) and Nicky Henderson set to run Shishkin over three miles at Aintree (Steven Paston/PA)

“He was hanging a bit left and wasn’t the same horse that we saw at Ascot, but we know what he can do, so we’ll get him home and get him absolutely spot-on, and I’m sure he’ll be going three miles at Aintree.

“Over the first two fences it did feel a bit like last year and I was thinking, ‘Oh God’, but all credit to the horse – he’s very genuine, he made an error down the hill and has managed to get back for second when he had every right to be pulled up or tailed off.

“We know what he can do on his good days and there’ll be plenty more good days to come.”

Envoi Allen flies high again in Ryanair Chase

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There was Cheltenham redemption for Envoi Allen who made a triumphant return to the Festival winner’s enclosure by winning the Ryanair Chase.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned nine-year-old is a winner of both the Champion Bumper (2019) and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2020), but suffered an agonising reversal when sent off favourite for the Prestbury Park hat-trick in 2021, unseating his rider early into the Turners Novices’ Chase.

He had to settle for a creditable third in last year’s Champion Chase but back to an intermediate trip for his latest trip to the four-day showpiece, Henry de Bromhead’s charge bounced back to his very best to leave a disappointing showing in the King George at Kempton well in the past.

A big smile from Rachael Blackmore
A big smile from Rachael Blackmore (Mike Egerton/PA)

Always travelling menacingly in the hands of Racheal Blackmore, fortune shone on the Irish raider who was almost down on his nose at the third-last – the same fence evens-money favourite Shishkin made a momentum-stopping blunder.

However, whereas Shishkin was immediately under pressure to hold his position, Envoi Allen was gathered up by Blackmore and soon in the perfect spot to pounce in the home straight.

Eager not to head for home prematurely, the button was pressed approaching the last and the 13-2 winner showed his engine still purrs loudly to stride out to a two-and-three-quarter-length success – with Shishkin bravely rallying for second in the closing stages ahead of Hitman in third.

De Bromhead said: “It’s great for the Thompsons (Cheveley Park Stud) as they are great supporters of ours and the industry. It’s just brilliant.

“I kept saying to Richard (Thompson) that he is as good as he was before he went to Kempton, I was so happy with him before the King George, we really fancied him, but like a few of ours who went to England in the first half of the season, he just never showed up. A Plus Tard (Betfair Chase) and Arctic Bresil (Ladbrokes Trophy) just never ran their races.

“Nothing came to light, A Plus Tard had obvious reasons but not the other two. They were all beaten after four fences. I thought it might have been water and various other bits but anyway we left no stone and whatever we did seems to be working again.

“I was really happy the whole race, but there was a chance he was doing too much. He was jumping so well. Rachael felt early on he might have been doing too much, but then he settled. He’s a class horse. Everyone was delighted with him and I was hoping he would put his best foot forward and he did.”

A Plus Tard defends his Gold Cup crown on Friday in the same colours, and De Bromhead added: “You’d have to be a little more confident after that, but they are all individuals.

“The amount of people, our friends and family who have travelled over, and Michael O’Leary and Ryanair naming the race (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) in honour of Jack (de Bromhead), makes this week very special.”

Blackmore said: “He travelled and jumped really well today. I thought early on he was in my hands for quite a while – it just took me a while to settle him – but then he switched off going past the stands and he was lovely then, he was lobbing away and I was able to fill him up three out.

“He put in a phenomenal performance, but I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone – he’s a supremely talented horse and it’s fantastic that Henry got the day out of him today.

Jubilation for Henry de Bromhead
Jubilation for Henry de Bromhead (Tim Goode/PA)

“Ryanair are so kind to name their mares’ novices’ hurdle after Jack (who tragically died in a pony racing accident), such a kind gesture by them, so it is great to be able to win their race today.

“I actually got a nice clear passage – I didn’t find problems anywhere.”

She went on: “He was so disappointing the last day – going to Kempton we were really happy with him, and he was equally as good coming here today, so we were hoping the last day, whatever was wrong, he just didn’t perform, but we’ve been really happy with him all season.

“It’s a great team effort down there in Knockeen and it’s been a tough year for everyone, but everyone in the yard is a properly good grafter and it’s great to be associated with them.

“A Plus Tard hasn’t had the greatest preparation coming into the Gold Cup, but he’s in great form and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Henderson anticipating tough test for Ryanair favourite Shishkin

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Shishkin “will have to earn” a third Cheltenham Festival success in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The former Supreme and Arkle winner was odds-on for the Queen Mother Champion Chase last season, but was never travelling on very soft ground and was pulled up early in the contest.

He was subsequently diagnosed with a rare bone condition and his career looked to be under threat when he was beaten 15 lengths by Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek.

Nicky Henderson then opted to step up in trip, a decision which proved inspired as Shishkin powered clear to take the Ascot Chase by 16 lengths.

“We knew he was ready, but that was still a bit of a relief, to be honest,” said Henderson. “He’s obviously a very high-class horse, but he has had his problems which are well-documented and he has been given all the time he needed to get him back.

“We’ve always thought he would get further and it was lovely to see him do it like he did at Ascot and while we know it was just a few weeks ago, he has taken it in his stride.

“He goes there in good shape, Nico (de Boinville) has been very happy with him, but Willie (Mullins) has a strong team and he’ll have to earn it. Nothing comes easy at Cheltenham.”

Shishkin takes on eight rivals in the two-mile-five-furlong contest and in what looks a stern examination, Blue Lord spearheads a Closutton assault that also comprises Chacun Pour Soi and Janidil.

Blue Lord in action at Leopardstown
Blue Lord in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Blue Lord has similarly has done much of his racing over shorter trips and bids to give Mullins a fourth successive victory in the race.

A dual Grade One-winning novice, Blue Lord won at Clonmel on his seasonal return and followed up in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas, but he was upset when long odds-on by Gentleman De Mee at the same track last month.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: “He has done most of his racing at two miles, but has always looked like he would improve for a longer trip.

“He has a bit to take on with the hot favourite. Although he has only run once over this sort of trip, when winning at Clonmel in soft ground, he is a horse who has been crying out for a longer trip and now he seems to settle a bit better, it always seemed the right idea to go for the Ryanair as opposed to the Champion Chase.

“He does have a very hot favourite to take on, but he takes his chance and we’re hopeful he will run well.”

Fury Road was a top-class winner as a novice and has been placed in his last two Grade Ones, latterly when third to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Owned by Ryanair and Gigginstown House Stud boss Michael O’Leary, trainer Gordon Elliott would dearly love to secure victory in the race for the first time with the nine-year-old.

Fury Road represents Gordon Elliott
Fury Road represents Gordon Elliott (PA)

Elliott said: “He ran a very good race in Leopardstown, I think the trip will suit him and I think his jumping is very good.

“If you paused it at the last fence in the Irish Gold Cup, if you’d backed the favourite at a short price you’d have been sweating.

“I thought it was a great prep and he goes to the Ryanair with a great each-way chance.

“With Allaho coming out it’s opened up and it’s there to be won.”

Paul Nicholls has won this race three times, most recently in 2019 with Frodon and he saddles Hitman, who will be equipped with cheekpieces for the first time, having been pulled up in the King George before finishing a seven-length runner-up to Zanza in the Denman Chase at Newbury.

“I’ve always thought he had a big race in him but he has been a bit frustrating, didn’t jump well in the King George and then didn’t quite get home last time over three miles at Newbury on ground that was a bit quicker than he likes,” Nicholls told Betfair.

“Yet he is still a young horse, only just six and hasn’t reached full maturity yet, and I’m sure there is better to come over this trip.

“I’m putting cheekpieces on Hitman, I’ve saved them for this day, and if they the same effect on him as they did on Il Ridoto in January then we are in business.

“If Shishkin repeats the form of his recent Ascot win, then we are all running for places. But that was only 26 days ago and there is a question mark that he had a hard race that day.”

Shishkin leads the way among Ryanair contenders

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Shishkin will face eight rivals as he goes for a third Festival win in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson’s charge landed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2020 and followed up in the Arkle over fences the following year, but 2022 ended in disappointment as he was pulled up when sent off favourite for the Champion Chase.

A rare bone condition was blamed for that defeat and after an initial lacklustre return in the Tingle Creek, Shishkin took a switch up to two miles and five furlongs in his stride when blazing home by 16 lengths in the Ascot Chase last month.

Blue Lord will take on Shishkin
Blue Lord will take on Shishkin (Donall Farmer/PA)

Shishkin is a short price for the extended two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair, but he faces a stern test headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Blue Lord, who forms part of a triple Closutton assault along with Chacun Pour Soi and Janidil.

Envoi Allen represents Henry de Bromhead while the Gordon Elliott-trained Fury Road and Mouse Morris’ French Dynamite round out the Irish challenge.

Ga Law, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, has a first crack at Grade One level for Jamie Snowden and the Paul Nicholls-trained Hitman completes the line up.

Mighty Potter is the favourite for the Turners
Mighty Potter is the favourite for the Turners (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

The Elliott-trained Mighty Potter has dominated the ante-post market for the Turners Novices’ Chase after winning each of his three starts over fences, including twice at the top level.

James Du Berlais came home a distant last that day but tries his luck again for Mullins, who also has Appreciate It in contention.

Banbridge is a leading contender for Joseph O’Brien as Henderson’s Balco Coastal and Stage Star for Nicholls head the home defence. Christopher Wood, Notlongtillmay and Unexpected Party complete the field.

Luccia is another leading contender for Henderson
Luccia is another leading contender for Henderson (John Walton/PA)

Favourite Thanksforthehelp heads a maximum field of 24 for the Pertemps Final, with So Scottish the early favourite for the Magners Plate Handicap Chase, which also has a full field of 24 runners.

The Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle has attracted a top-class line-up, with key names including Luccia, Lot Of Joy and Group One Flat winner Princess Zoe. However, Ashroe Diamond did not feature among the 21 declarations.

The race is run in memory of Henry de Bromhead’s son, and the trainer mounts a strong challenge with no less than five contenders, spearheaded by Magical Zoe.

Stumptown and Mr Incredible lead the way in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase with another maximum field declared.

Snowden admits Ryanair would be ‘sensible’ shout for Ga Law

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Connections are still considering the best route to take with Ga Law – and whether the “sensible” option would be to run in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next week and forgo a Grand National bid this year.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup winner is also in the Boodles Gold Cup, a race which offers Ga Law a potential route to the National in that a first-four finish would secure his qualification criteria for Aintree.

He is, however, a big price for the blue riband and much shorter for the Ryanair – and the dilemma comes as Ga Law needs a top four finish over three miles for the National after falling in the Sky Bet Chase, a race he was very much in contention for at the time.

Snowden said: “If he is going to be a progressive horse in graded races next season, then this is the year to have a crack at the Grand National.

Ga Law and jockey Jonathan Burke after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Ga Law and jockey Jonathan Burke after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/Jockey Club)

“But he fell at the last on his most recent start at Doncaster and even though the handicapper suggested he showed improved form over three miles, he is not qualified for the Grand National as he has not finished in the first four over three miles.

“The sensible route is to go to the Ryanair and forget about the Grand National. The Gold Cup is a seriously competitive race and we would have to run our heart out to finish fourth and if we did, it is only four weeks then until the Grand National.

“I think we confirm for the Ryanair and we confirm for the Gold Cup and we sit and wait until declarations and see what it all looks like and make a decision at the time. We have got ourselves into a tricky position, but a lovely position.”

Looking at options beyond the Ryanair, should that be the race he goes for, Snowden said: “If we went for the Ryanair, you could then have a look at one of the Grade One races at Aintree or the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown Park on the last day of the season.

“We don’t need to decide yet. We have the money in the bank from the Paddy Power and we can pay for the confirmation stage at Cheltenham and see what it looks like. We have come this far, so let’s kick the can down the road a little bit further.”

Nicholls readying Hitman to take on ‘awesome’ Shishkin in Ryanair

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Paul Nicholls believes Shishkin will be “unbeatable” in the Ryanair Chase if he can replicate his recent Ascot Chase performance.

The nine-year-old made a successful switch up to two miles and five furlongs in Berkshire, inflicting a 16-length defeat on the Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy as he returned from a couple of disappointing runs in style.

Nicholls may take on Nicky Henderson’s charge with Hitman at next month’s Cheltenham Festival and while the Ditcheat trainer expects his runner to appreciate a drop back in trip, he concedes he would be up against it with an on-form Shishkin.

Hitman could be up against it with Shishkin
Hitman could be up against it with Shishkin (David Davies/PA)

“He blatantly didn’t get three miles in the Denman Chase and middle distances suit him well,” Nicholls said of Hitman.

“He started the season really well and then went to Kempton and didn’t jump particularly well, but he ran much better at Newbury in a really fast-run race.

“He’s the sort of horse who could run really well in the Ryanair. He’s always there or thereabouts and he could easily run into a place.

“If Shishkin performs like he did the other day, he’ll be unbeatable. He was awesome at Ascot. I thought Pic D’Orhy would win and Shishkin was brilliant.

“Pic D’Orhy probably ran a career-best if you look at the third and the fourth. If Shishkin is in the same form everything else will be running for places I think.”

Greaneteen is a Champion Chase outsider
Greaneteen is a Champion Chase outsider (Nigel French/PA)

Greaneteen finished six lengths in front of Shishkin in the Tingle Creek back in December, when neither could get near the victorious Edwardstone, but Nicholls believes his three-times Grade One victor is perhaps over-priced for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He’s been a grand horse, winning all those races at Sandown and two Haldon Gold Cups,” he said.

“He ran at Newbury the other day and was a red-hot favourite and got beat, so he’s gone from 12-1 to 33-1 for the Champion Chase, but actually two years ago he ran exactly the same race at Newbury and he ended up just getting beat at Cheltenham.

“The ground was too fast for him at Newbury, he blew up and then stayed on strongly.

“It would be no surprise to me if he ran really well and finished third or fourth. I’m not saying he’s going to win a Champion Chase, but he’s well capable of running a really tidy race.”

Stage Star at Ditcheat on Monday morning
Stage Star at Ditcheat on Monday morning (Adam Davy/PA)

Stage Star has multiple options at this stage, with both the three-mile Brown Advisory and two-and-half-mile Turners Novices’ Chase on the radar.

He won over the shorter trip at Cheltenham on Trials Day last month and conditions will be key to his target.

Nicholls said: “He’s been a grand horse. He was a Grade One winner over hurdles, he won first time up over fences at Warwick and I just think he found the ground very fast at Newbury next time.

“We went to Plumpton after Christmas and he won well and then he went to Cheltenham and won on Trials Day.

“He’s in the Turners and the Brown Advisory. We’ll just see what the ground does, but he’ll run in one or the other. If the ground was on the good side I wouldn’t be afraid to go for the Brown Advisory as I think he’ll get three miles, but if it’s on the slower side we can run in the Turners.

“You can run really well and finish third or fourth at Cheltenham, but he’s a progressive horse.”

Shishkin ‘100 per cent’ after Ascot – with Ryanair Chase still favoured next

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Nicky Henderson has all but ruled Shishkin out of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, remaining in favour of the shorter trip of the Ryanair Chase for his rejuvenated superstar.

The Seven Barrows trainer was an emotional onlooker as any doubts about the nine-year-old’s return to prominence were dispelled with a tremendous display in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, where he was trying two miles and five furlongs for the first time under rules.

The Joe Donnelly-owned gelding downed Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at the same track last term but subsequently disappointed in both the Champion Chase and this season’s Tingle Creek.

However, a couple of physical problems had come to light, being diagnosed with a rare bone condition in the wake of the Champion Chase and then a “flipped palate” delaying his move up in distance after the Tingle Creek.

Shishkin in full flight
Shishkin in full flight (Steven Paston/PA)

Yet, just as he had done with Sprinter Sacre six years ago, Henderson brought Shishkin back from the brink and the sheer joy the handler exuded after his 16-length defeat of Pic D’Orhy said it all.

Though Shishkin was cut to as short as 8-1 for the Gold Cup by Paddy Power, Henderson feels the extended two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair Chase on March 16, for which he is 11-10 favourite with the same firm, is the only option.

“I can’t think we’re not going to go for the Ryanair, but there is no way of finding out,” said Henderson.

“The way I would see it, in the perfect, perfect world – and with horses it is not easy to go very far, about 24 hours is about as far as you dare look ahead – but in the perfect world, you’d go Ryanair, then three miles at Aintree.

“Then that will tell us what to do next year. It would tell you whether to go to the Betfair Chase or King George VI Chase, or stay at two and a half (miles). At two and a half, you are a bit limited.”

Though last season’s runaway Ryanair Chase winner Allaho will miss the race with an abdominal bleed, Henderson said his absence has not swayed any decision to bypass the Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

He added: “The Ryanair is still a very high-class race and it is not to be sniffed at.

“He’s certainly not going to come back to two (miles), so I can’t believe we need to go to three and a quarter.

“Going up in trip trip made an enormous difference. It was as simple as that. Maybe he would stay three and a quarter, but you have got the Ryanair available to you.

“One is aware Allaho is not there, but we won’t go there because of that. I would have thought we would still have gone that route even if he was there. It is the obvious thing to do.

“We’re delighted with him and he’s absolutely 100 per cent this morning.”

A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin
A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

Meanwhile, Henderson was left ruing the ground conditions at Newbury on Sunday, withdrawing Quick Draw and Boom Boom.

Both were favourites for their respective races, with the former leaving Dalamol to walk over in the opening Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Henderson added: “We are struggling a bit today, I must admit. This ground at Newbury has got so firm, we can’t run.

“We took one out in the first race, which left a walkover. I can’t risk it. I hate doing it, because it is no good for anybody, but the horse comes first.”

Mullins hoping Cheltenham experience can aid State’s case

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Willie Mullins insists track experience will help as State Man heads for a mouth-watering Champion Hurdle clash with “freak” Constitution Hill.

State Man landed the County Hurdle at the Prestbury Park track last March and has subsequently won four consecutive top-class races.

Following Sunday’s defeat of Honeysuckle in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, the six-year-old Doctor Dino gelding was cut to a general 11-4 second favourite behind Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten Constitution Hill for the March 14 showpiece.

“Horses for courses is the old saying and State Man has won around the track, which is huge in our preparation,” said Mullins.

“We’re looking forward to it and I’m sure they’re looking forward to it.

“There’s other horses in the race as well, but at the moment State Man looks to be the leading Irish contender and Constitution Hill looks to be the English one.

“Constitution Hill could be a bit of a freak and maybe we’re going to be unlucky to come against a horse like that, but it’s all there to play for at the moment.

“Fingers crossed, we all get there and we get to compete.”

Allaho, a brilliant winner of the last two renewals of the Ryanair Chase, has not run since taking the Punchestown Gold Cup in April but Mullins is happy with his condition at present.

Allaho at Willie Mullins yard on Monday
Allaho at Willie Mullins yard on Monday (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

The nine-year-old had been expected to feature in both the Clonmel Oil Chase in November and the King George VI Chase at Kempton, but met with what his owners, Cheveley Park Stud, described as “a couple of niggles”.

However, Mullins, speaking at a media morning at his Bagenalstown-based stables on Monday, revealed he is nearing a return to fitness and said: “I’m very happy with Allaho. He’s doing some fast work.”

The imposing Monkfish, who had been vying for 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup favouritism when suffering a tendon injury that has ruled him out of action since finishing runner-up in a Punchestown Grade One in April 2021, is also on the comeback trail.

Monkfish is on the comeback trail
Monkfish is on the comeback trail (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Mullins added: “Monkfish is just a little bit behind him, but at the moment they’re both going well, and Klassical Dream is another one that comes back into the picture.

“It’s going to be touch and go whether they make it, but certainly I’m much happier with Allaho than any of the others.

“I think he’s a specialist Ryanair chaser. A lot of people want to see him in a Gold Cup, but I’d be more worried about him going three and a quarter miles than I would about Galopin Des Champs.

“Allaho is so spectacular over the Ryanair trip. I think he could go back to two miles if you wanted to, but with his style of racing, it might break his heart if he got beaten and we don’t want to do that.”

Ryanair remains on Morris’ radar for French Dynamite

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The Ryanair Chase remains a possibility for French Dynamite following his second in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles earlier this month.

Mouse Morris’ eight-year-old has enjoyed a good season to date, winning on his reappearance over hurdles and then going down by less than a length in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November.

He followed that by showing up well for a long way in the Savills Chase at Leapordstown over Christmas, before dropping back in trip to chase home Fakir d’Oudairies in Grade Two company most recently.

Leopardstown Races – Sunday 7th March
French Dynamite, here winning over hurdles at Leopardstown, could be a live outsider in the Ryanair Chase (Niall Carson/PA)

Having settled on the two-and-a-half-mile distance, it now appears that ground conditions could be the determining factor on whether Morris’ charge gets a shot at the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival – a race for which he is a best price of 33-1 with bet365.

“I thought French Dynamite ran a cracker on difficult ground,” said Morris.

“He is a good ground horse and I think that distance (two and a half miles) is bang on.

“I have a plan if the ground is good and we’ll have to think about something like the Ryanair Chase, but will have a meeting first to decide.”