One of the best battles of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival should play itself out in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday. The highly touted A Plus Tard takes position at the head of the market, with Min not too far behind.
This is one of the most popular races for Cheltenham 2020 betting and 8 runners will be going for The Festival Trophy. It is an extended 2m 4f trip that they face. Will the impressive A Plus Tard deliver the win for Henry De Bromhead?
History was made in last year’s Ryanair with Bryony Frost winning on Frodon and becoming the first woman to ride a Grade 1 winner over the fences in the history of the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Thursday 14:50
A Plus Tard 7/4
Min 5/2
Frodon 5/1
Riders Onthe Storm 7/1
Saint Calvados 16/1
Duc Des Genievres 16/1
Aso 20/1
Shattered Love 33/1
* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:14 GMT on Wednesday, 11th March 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at William Hill
Table of Contents
A Plus Tard
The mighty A Plus Tard is the one to beat in the Ryanair this year. Henry De Bromhead’s charge, with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle, is the 7/4 favourite* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:14 GMT on Wednesday, 11th March 2020).
What has got him to this position? His massive 16l win at the Novices Handicap twelve months ago at the Festival for one. In late December last year he was up against Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown and downed him in a Grade 1 contest.
That was a career-best effort from him and A Plus Tard has the strength to assert himself in this one.
Min
The big hope for Willie Mullins is Min, who comes into action with big credentials. He was fifth in last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival but has won three Grade 1 contests over the distance, so he has it in him.
He has been out twice this season, opening with a win at Punchestown in December. His most recent effort was in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase in early February where he made a little mistake early.
Ultimately in the race, Min didn’t have enough to get the better of Chacun Pour Soi. Min has to be respected through and is at 5/2* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:14 GMT on Wednesday, 11th March 2020)
Key Facts – Ryanair Betting Tip
- All but one of the race winners had won around Cheltenham before
- Just 5 of the last 15 Ryanair winners had won their previous start
- Only five favourites have won the Ryanair before
Frodon
Trainer Paul Nicholls has Frodon, a former course and distance winner taking to the start in this one. That is because Frodon won last year’s Ryanair renewal with a gutsy, brave effort and Bryony Frost gets the ride again after the success.
He loves a trip around Cheltenham does Frodon and punters will back him because of that.
This is the third straight year he has taken a position in the Ryanair. Frodon took a little while to get going this season, but a victory at the Silviniaco Conti at Kempton in early November (Grade 2) showed what he is capable of.
The difference from last year’s Festival is that in 2019 he went into the Ryanair with much more consistent hot from behind him. Frodon is a 4/1 contender* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:14 GMT on Wednesday, 11th March 2020)
Riders Onthe Storm
Riders Onthe Storm was in last year’s Close Brothers, which was won by A Plus Tard. He is now with trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and he looks bang in form and has to be well respected at a 7/1 price* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:14 GMT on Wednesday, 11th March 2020).
There are others in the field who are going to pull betting interest away from him, but after three straight chase wins, he can get in the picture as he goes for an epic four-timer.
Granted his win at Ascot last time out was a little on the lucky side in the Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1). It wasn’t the cleanest of efforts, but he got the job done. He looks to have enough about him to get a bit of Cheltenham Festival redemption in the bag.
Worthy Mentions
Saint Calvados was second on New Year’s Day at course and distance. He has only had the one trip at the 2m 4f distance, which was that Paddy Power Handicap Chase on January 1st (Grade 3) when he took second. That’s four straight runs at Cheltenham and may be up for the trip.
Duc Des Genievres was last year’s Arkle and could be keen to get back into action at Cheltenham. His season has been really disappointing since then. He was fourth at Navan behind A Plus Tard in November, but was a faller at Leopardstown on his last run.
Predictions & Tips
We have a few little stories going on in this one. Frodon will have plenty of appeal because of his affinity with Cheltenham, but he looks as if he is going to have get everything right on the day to retain his Ryanair title.
Min will draw attention and still has to be respected and has been lightly worked in Cheltenham preparations. Neither look as good as A Plus Tard on his day, however. The latter could become a very special chaser without question.
That having been said there is something about Riders Onthe Storm that we just can’t pass up. He’s been consistent in and around the distance and he won last time out at 2m 5f without looking settled. He’s on a four-timer and may be slightly underestimated by the bookies here.
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