Two-time Ryanair Chase hero Allaho has been ruled out of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival after straining a hock in victory at Thurles. The ten-year-old was the ante-post favourite to score a third Ryanair Triumph on Thursday, 14th March.
Having also missed last season’s Festival in what would have been a bid for a hat-trick of successes in the race, he returned with victory at Clonmel before finishing third to Hewick in the King George at Kempton. However, after a 13-length triumph in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, owners Cheveley Park Stud have ruled Allaho out of a second successive Festival.
His absence ensures one of Willie Mullins’ strongest favourites will be absent from the Festival as he seeks to be top trainer for the sixth successive year at Cheltenham. Mullins’ chief hopes in the race now look set to be Classic Getaway, in the same colours as Allaho, and former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Appreciate It.
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, a recent winner of the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton on his return, is now at the head of the market for the Ryanair Chase at a best price of 11/4. Another Cheveley Park-owned runner and defending champion Envoi Allen is vying for that position, as is last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner Stage Star for Paul Nicholls.