March 16 / 14.50 Cheltenham

14.50

Soft

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

  • Prize money: £211012.5
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 13-317 C

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Has seven Grade 1 wins on his CV, the most recent at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in November; ran poorly in the King George when last seen but that just looked a clear off-day and he's likely to rebound; has form figures of 113 in completed starts at the Cheltenham Festival, winning the Champion Bumper in 2019 and Ballymore in 2020 then third in the Champion Chase in 2022 (all on soft ground); that record gives him a solid chance back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

His remarkable haul of ten Grade 1 wins includes three at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was at that level that he won at Down Royal in November on his sole outing this season; however, he was a well-beaten third in the Ryanair last March and, now 12, today's task is likely to prove beyond him.

25/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected.

9/4

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected.

9/4

OUR TIP

4/5

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 11P-31 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 174

Form & Verdict
Has been a real powerhouse at 2m and he's a dual Cheltenham Festival winner (2020 Supreme, 2021 Arkle); physical issues contributed to his flops in last year's Champion Chase and this season's Tingle Creek; had a second wind surgery prior to staging a big revival in the Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft; tongue-tie applied) last month, proving well suited by the new trip and gliding clear impressively; has won on all types of ground; top on ratings and should be hard to beat provided he remains in peak form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

1st

2

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:05 Newbury

Shishkin

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, raced in second, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, soon faced challenge, not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in

4/6

25/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2-21P2 D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Placed many times at Graded level, most recently second in the Denman Chase at Newbury (2m7f, good) where he started favourite; runner-up in two Grade 1 races last term; however, still seeking first win above Class 2 grade and this switch to Cheltenham is an unknown (first run here); it remains to be seen how much he'll find up the hill, even with cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Hitman

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off.

33/1

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hitman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.

8/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hitman

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there.

6/1

Form: -31252 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Successful in Grade 3 novice chase at Thurles (2m2f, good) last term and ran creditably in a Grade 2 contest there (2m4f, yielding; bare form can be marked up) most recently; strictly has something to find back at Grade 1 level but posted a big effort (close second to Ga Law in major 2m4f handicap) on sole Cheltenham start and could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

French Dynamite

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; creditable third in the Kerry National on stable debut; fair chance with 5lb off again; trainer (responsible for last year's winner) also has Weveallbeencaught in the line-up.

9/1

3rd

5

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

French Dynamite

11st 6lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; his new trainer knows what it takes to win this; possible each-way value.

20/1

2nd

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

French Dynamite

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at this venue last October, beating Minella Indo; ran well for a long way before weakening in the Cross Country Handicap at Cheltenham; never threatened in the Topham.

7/1

Form: 32/31F C BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Useful novice chaser two seasons back, then missed last term; has performed very well in major handicaps since returning to action, including a success in the Paddy Power here (2m4f, good; beat French Dynamite); still held every chance when final-fence faller at Doncaster (upped to 3m) last time; faces a harder task on these terms but may improve further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

3rd

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Ga Law

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

40/1

Form: 2-3133 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who arrives in consistent form having won Grade 2 event at Down Royal (2m3f, yielding) in November and subsequently finished third in a couple of Grade 1 races at Leopardstown (3m, soft/yielding); close third in the Albert Bartlett here in 2020 and had an excuse in the Stayers' Hurdle the following year; likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Fury Road

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, detached from 3rd, pulled up with one circuit to go

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

7/1

Form: 32F-P1 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread in Grade 2 Red Mills at Gowran (2m4f, soft to heavy; back from layoff) last month, which sets him up perfectly for another crack at the Ryanair; creditable second, without proving a match for brilliant stablemate Allaho, in this contest last year (soft) and should go well again; indeed, with Allaho absent he has become one of the likelier winners this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:00 Leopardstown

Janidil

11st 10lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: W P Mullins

visibility reduced by fog, slowly away, towards rear, fell 3rd

40/1

3

27th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:00 Leopardstown

Janidil

11st 10lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: W P Mullins

visibility reduced by fog, slowly away, towards rear, fell 3rd

40/1

7th

5

16th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

14:20 Cheltenham

Janidil

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Has a poor strike-rate since winning a Grade 1 novice chase in April 2021 and current mark reflects a decline in his form; absent since disappointing in a Galway festival race that looked a good opportunity for him (was best in at the weights); new headgear needs to make a difference.

25/1

Form: 3-1112 D BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Turned over at short odds in the Dublin Chase most recently but could well bounce back from that defeat; progressive otherwise and he was impressive at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) the time before, recording a third Grade 1 win; confirmed his stamina for 2m4f with Grade 2 win at Clonmel (soft to heavy) in November and remains particularly unexposed at this trip; respectable third in the Arkle at this meeting last year; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Blue Lord

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders, chased clear leader 8th

6/1

1

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Blue Lord

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders, chased clear leader 8th

6/1

3

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Blue Lord

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Three Grade 1 wins in 2022; this 10yo isn't the same force nowadays but he took a step back in right direction when 13l third of six in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase (2m5f, good) latest; on a dangerous mark and not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 1U-233

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Formerly a high-class chaser (multiple Grade 1 winner) at about 2m on Irish soil but has shown signs of being on the wane this season and a step up to 2m4f failed to help last time; three runs in Britain have not gone well, including twice in the Champion Chase (beaten favourite in 2021, unseated rider in 2022); enough to prove on first Ryanair attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:25 Punchestown

Chacun Pour Soi

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders 4 out, went third after 3 out, went second 2 out, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, faced challenge final 110yds, kept on but headed towards finish

20/1

3rd

1

9th Apr 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:30 Cork

Chacun Pour Soi

11st 12lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: W P Mullins

held up in behind leaders, some headway 6th, briefly went second 10th, pushed along after 2 out, ran on well and briefly went second run-in, lost second towards finish

3/1

9th

2

16th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:50 Cheltenham

Chacun Pour Soi

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Formerly a high-class chaser (multiple Grade 1 winner) at about 2m on Irish soil but has shown signs of being on the wane this season and a step up to 2m4f failed to help last time; three runs in Britain have not gone well, including twice in the Champion Chase (beaten favourite in 2021, unseated rider in 2022); enough to prove on first Ryanair attempt.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.70
Straight Forecast £13.47
Tricast £132.03
Trifecta £241.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shishkin

Daily Record:

Blue Lord

WEST COUNTRY:

Hitman

RP Ratings:

Shishkin

TOPSPEED:

Shishkin

POSTDATA:

Shishkin

LAMBOURN:

Shishkin

The Times:

Shishkin

Telegraph:

Shishkin

The Guardian:

Shishkin

Daily Mail:

Shishkin

D Express:

Shishkin

Daily Mirror:

Shishkin

The Sun:

Shishkin

The Star:

Shishkin