The decision to switch Vautour from the Gold Cup to Thursday’s Ryanair Chase has enraged punters.
Owner Rich Ricci had publicly stated that the King George runner-up would either run in the chasing Blue Riband or not run at all at Cheltenham and he’d been well backed for Friday’s feature. But he will now contest the shorter race and looks certain to start at very short odds.
There are reports that the seven-year-old has not been working well, which has prompted the switch. New William Hill customers can get 5/1 on Vautour up to a max of £10 but the rest of us would have to settle for the 5/6 at Boylesports and that just isn’t any value.
The Ryanair features a high-quality line-up which includes Road To Riches, third in the Gold Cup last year, and 2014 winner Dynaste. Taquin Du Seuil and Josses Hill have run well at The Festival before while Annacotty and Vilage Vic are tough individuals who thrive on the track.
AL FEROF finished a dozen lengths behind Vautour in the King George but was held up to get the trip. The grey is the senior runner in the race but has been looked after down the years and goes well fresh. The distance and going should be perfect for Dan Skelton’s charge and he’s attractively priced for an each-way interest at the general 14/1.
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Ryanair Chase Current Best Odds
Vautour (5/6), Road To Riches (8/1), Valseur Lido (12/1), Al Ferof (14/1), Josses Hill (25/1), Smashing and Taquin Du Seuil (20/1), Josses Hill (25/1), Village Vic (33/1), Gilgamboa, Dynaste and Vibrato Valtat (40/1), Annacotty (50/1), Champagne West (66/1), Captain Conan (66/1), Oscar Rock (100/1), Captain Conan (125/1)
Thursday’s other feature is the Ryanair World Hurdle but there is no controversy surrounding the favourite in this one.
THISTLECRACK has looked a class apart in the staying ranks this season and I’m almost surprised that several bookmakers are putting their head above the parapet by offering odds against on Colin Tizzard’s hurdler.
Connections of last year’s winner Cole Harden are adamant that their front-runner will get closer than he did at Newbury in November on 4lb better terms. Drier ground could also close the gap but Thistlecrack just seems to be getting better and better and is hard to oppose at 5/4 . Alpha Des Obeaux is Ireland’s best hope and can make the frame at Paddy Power’s 8/1 but would have preferred softer going.
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Ryanair World Hurdle Best Odds
Thistlecrack (5/4), Cole Harden (6/1), Alpha Des Obeaux (8/1), Saphir Du Rheu (11/1), Whisper (14/1), Aux Ptits Soins (20/1), Kilcooley (22/1), Martello Tower (28/1), Lieutenant Colonel (40/1), At Fishers Cross and Bobs Worth (50/1), Knockara Beau (200/1)
There are a couple of very tricky handicaps on day three but OUR KAEMPFER could run well in the Pertemps Network Final and can be backed at a general 12/1.
He looks to have been ‘laid out’ for this race having been rested since brought down when travelling well at Haydock in November. He’s weighted to reverse earlier Aintree running with the mare Broxbourne and Noel Fehily will be playing him late in what is always a fast-run race.
Pertemps Network Final Forecast Betting
Leave At Dawn (7/1), Arpege D’alene (8/1), Cup Final (9/1), Our Kaempfer, If In Doubt and Missed Approach (12/1), Box Office and Oscar Sam (14/1), Saddlers Encore, Taglietelle, Mall Dini and Warriors Tale (16/1), Broxbourne and Join The Clan (20/1), Westren Warrior, Flintham and Rathpatrick (25/1), Un Ace and All Hell Let Loose (33/1), Dubawi Island (33/1), Kilfinichen Bay, Padge and Rolling Maul (40/1), Ruacana (50/1)
