One of the toughest Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham Festival to get a handle on in the ante-post markets is the Ryanair Chase, which takes place on Thursday 14th March and looks set to be a hugely competitive renewal of the 2m 5f contest. Our editor Steve Chambers has taken a look at the current market and picked out a value play in what should be a cracking contest…
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Odds correct at time of writing
Ryanair Chase – Ash Tree Meadow 1pt e/w 40/1 with BetVictor
Reigning champion Envoi Allen is set to try and emulate Albertas Run and Allaho by winning back-to-back renewals of the Ryanair Chase and the Henry de Bromhead-trained star is a prominent figure in the betting, while impressive Silviniaco Conti Chase winner Banbridge is currently the market leader with BetVictor and is aiming to land his second Cheltenham Festival win after he landed the 2022 Martin Pipe.
A stunning winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase last year, Stage Star is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run at Cheltenham last time out, but the Paul Nicholls-trained raider looks tailor-made for a Ryanair and has to be another key contender.
However, with such a wide open renewal there could be some notable value a lot further down the ante-post betting and one that could outrun his lofty odds is the Gordon Elliott-trained ASH TREE MEADOW, who is in the form of his life having won the Galway Plate in the summer and currently available at 40/1 with BetVictor with the Non Runner No Bet concession he’s an eye-catching each-way player.
Sent to the front early on in the Galway Plate, Ash Tree Meadow produced a spectacular front-running display to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths and if he can get into a decent rhythm in the Ryanair then he could well be a notable menace to the likes of Stage Star, who will likely adopt front-running tactics as well.
Elliott’s eight-year-old continued his winning run with a Grade 2 win at Down Royal in November, albeit over one rival, but he showed that he’s continually improving and while this requires a lot more he’s certainly not worthy of his long odds with the bookmakers.
Second in a novice chase at Cheltenham earlier in his career, the Cullentra House inmate has had experience around the undulations of Prestbury Park and he will need to improve immeasurably to play his part in Grade 1 company, but while some of his rivals may not line up in the best of form he’s a horse that has been thriving this campaign and he could well be a fascinating value play in a wide open renewal.
Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Tips – Power Up on First Race of the Meeting
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle will kick off the 2024 Cheltenham Festival in just four weeks’ time. Our tipsters are beginning to find the value bets across the board for the meeting, and our resident expert, Joe Napier, takes a look at the opening race of the Festival with an eye on one particular Irish hopeful….
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