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14:50 Cheltenham

Thursday 14 March 2024

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

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

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 4f 127y  |   Soft  |   11 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 14:50  |   Winning time: 5m 21.43s
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1
Horse silk
Ahoy Senor26
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR:  160| C
18/1
Top-class chaser at his peak but this season has been rather underwhelming, beaten 9½ lengths when third of 4 in Ascot Chase (21f, good to soft) latest. Others arrive with more pressing claims.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Banbridge61
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR:  162| C| D
4/1
Won Martin Pipe at 2022 Festival and took Cheltenham record to 2-2 in a Grade 2 novice chase in November of that year. Rounded off last season with a Grade 1 novice win at Aintree and returned to beat Pic d'Orhy in Kempton Grade 2 in January. Solid form claims but soft ground possibly not ideal.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Capodannot47
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR:  161| C
9/1
High-class chaser. Couldn't live with his outstanding stablemate Galopin des Champs in the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas but he got back to winning ways in the Grade 2 Cotswold over 25f here at the end of January. This test a bit sharper than ideal.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Conflated40
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-10| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR:  166
11/1
Former Irish Gold Cup and Savills winner who was third in last year's Gold Cup at this meeting. Enough in this season's efforts to think he retains most of his ability, set for third when unseating at the last in this year's Irish Gold Cup. Down in trip.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Envoi Allent124
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR:  164| CD
9/4
Landed a third Festival success when seeing of Shishkin in this 12 months ago. Back to that level when neck second of 4 to Gerri Colombe in 3m Down Royal Grade 1 in November. Kept fresh for this since.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Fil Dort95
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-10| J: K M Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR:  151
28/1
Very smart chaser who returned with good seconds to Dinoblue and El Fabiolo in 2m Graded events at Naas and Cork before Christmas. Well below par on the 2 previous occasions he's raced in excess of around 2m.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Fugitifp,t47
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: R Hobson| OR:  157| CD
16/1
Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup over C&D and fared as well as could be expected when third in 2m Grade 1 here at the end of January. The step back up in trip will suit but the suspicion is he'll find a few too strong again.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
Ga Lawp47
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR:  156| CD
22/1
Won last season's Paddy Power and bagged another big middle-distance handicap at this track when seeing off 12 rivals over C&D (good to soft) at the end of January. Only fifth in this last year and probably vulnerable again back at Graded level.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
Hitmanp,t33
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  157| BF
40/1
Third to Envoi Allen in this last year. Ran poorly in top-end handicaps on first 2 outings this term but back on form when 4¼ lengths second of 5 to Shishkin in Grade 2 Denman at Newbury (3m, soft). Doesn't find much off bridle and more a place than win player again.
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Timeform
10
Horse silk
Protektoratt33
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  165| C
17/2
Won the Betfair Chase last term and creditable fifth in the Gold Cup here on final start. Remote last of 4 in this season's Betfair Chase but has run with credit in his 3 outings since, finishing 4¾ lengths third of 5 to Shishkin in Denman at Newbury (3m, soft) on latest. Down in trip.
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Timeform
11
Horse silk
Stage Star73
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  166| BF| CD
6/1
Won Grade 1 Golden Miller at the 2023 Festival and took his form up another notch with victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here on reappearance in November. Can't have been right when pulled up back here on New Year's Day and likely to bounce back at a course where he has good overall record.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Envoi Allen (9/4), Banbridge (4/1), Stage Star (6/1), Protektorat (17/2), Capodanno (9/1), Conflated (11/1), Fugitif (16/1), Ahoy Senor (18/1), Ga Law (22/1), Fil Dor (28/1), Hitman (40/1)

Verdict

Although STAGE STAR bombed out in a C&D handicap last time his overall Cheltenham record, which includes a win in last year's Golden Miller, provides hope that he can bounce back to form with a bang. The likelihood of a soft ground is a slight worry for Banbridge so it could be that the chief threat comes from last year's winner Envoi Allen, a 3-time Festival scorer.

Previous Winners

2023
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
13/2
2022
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 8
4/7
2021
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 7
3/1
2020
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
2/1
2019
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 7
9/2
2018
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 7
8/1
2017
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 9
7/4

Prize Money

1st: £218,398.002nd: £82,282.003rd: £41,180.004th: £20,571.005th: £10,324.006th: £5,162.007th: £2,562.008th: £1,320.00

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