14 horses were confirmed as potential Ryanair Chase runners, a race was full of intrigue in the build-up this year as it will be during. That is due to the potential participation of Fact To File, the Irish Gold Cup hero.
The race often causes controversy due to it being a middle distance contest. It therefore gives horses such as Fact To File a suitable option away form the championship races, the Gold Cup and Champion Chase.
It was suggested after Fact To File’s Irish Gold Cup triumph that a supplementation for the Gold Cup was due. However, with owner JP McManus boasting such riches in that race, the Ryanair Chase remains as appealing an option.
To further that point, he was one of 14 confirmed for the Ryanair Chase on Friday. He won the race impressively by nine lengths 12 months ago.
Jonbon still engaged for Cheltenham
Nicky Henderson appeared to suggest earlier this week that Aintree would be preferred to Cheltenham. It was hinted that going straight to the Liverpool track was likelier than stopping by Prestbury Park first.
However, a final decision clearly has not been made just yet. Jonbon is also among the 14 left in the Ryanair at the six-day stage.
He is one of just four British-trained entrants still in the race. The Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies-trained pair of Master Chewy and Matata have Ryanair options, as does JPR One for Joe Tizzard.
Gaelic Warrior & Il Etait Temps add further intrigue
It is not just Fact To File who has his choices up in the air. Gaelic Warrior has also been confirmed for the Ryanair Chase. He has already been entered in the Gold Cup unlike his stablemate.
The temptation for his owner Rich Ricci may come in where Gaelic Warrior will be the priority. In the Ryanair Chase, he would be ridden by Paul Townend, whereas in the Gold Cup, Townend is likely to stay faithful to two-time hero Galopin Des Champs.
That said, there is another Closutton-based champion in the Ryanair mix. Il Etait Temps, who is also in the Champion Chase, was confirmed for the Thursday contest. The diminutive grey has won over a middle distance trip before despite Grade 1 prowess over two miles. His flop at Ascot, coupled with Majborough’s intimidating presence in the Champion Chase, may convince connections to choose this race.
Novice heads rest of Irish challenge
The novice Romeo Coolio also retained his Ryanair entry. The Arkle, which appears to be his main target, looks a strong race this year. As such, connections have left his options open should this be preferred.
Last year’s runner-up Heart Wood and King George runner-up Banbridge may well turn up here too. They were confirmed among the rest of the Irish contingent, which also featured Croke Park, Firefox and Impaire Et Passe. 12-year-old two-time Champion Chase hero Energumene may also have his swansong here.