Cheltenham Festival 2019 – Thursday, March 14th
This is one of the championship chases that goes off at the Cheltenham Festival. It is a race which is sandwiched between the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup really in terms of a test. This goes off at the intermediate middle distance between the two of them at 2 miles and 4 furlongs.
There have been some famous winners of this race down the years including Cue Card, Vautour and Un De Sceaux. Footpad goes as this year’s favourite at 4/1* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 13th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
Ryanair Chase 2019 Winner Odds*
Footpad 4/1
Monalee 9/2
Road To Respect 9/2
Un De Sceaux 9/2
Fordon 13/2
Balko Des Flos 16/1
The Storyteller 20/1
Terrefort 22/1
Charbel 25/1
Coney Island 33/1
Aso 40/1
Sub Lieutenant 66/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 13th, 2019 at 3:51 pm)
This actually doesn’t look like a very strong field at all for a championship chase. Anyway, it is Footpad, who is in his second season of chasing who is heading up the field for this one at 4/1 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 13th, 2019 at 3:51 pm). There was a feeling that he was going to the Champion Hurdle but his connections have stuck with him in the Ryanair.
Sitting in this weaker field may be the right call. He hasn’t looked good with his jumping form having gone downhill. He’s not quite developed on from the novice skill set that saw him arrive on the scene so boldly. He has been out twice this season and has lost both of them. He was second at Leopardstown last time out but looked wholeheartedly unsure of himself.
Monalee in the picture
So the favourite is worth taking on here and Monalee could fit nicely. Twelve months ago he was coming home second to Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase. After a few tests over longer distances not working out for him, this is a good option for him to drop back down to. Perhaps still hasn’t done as much work as he could have done, but should be fresh and keen for this one.
Road To Respect was going for the Gold Cup but made a late switch. That will have been because of distance and deciding to take on this challenge in a weaker race. If he hits top gear and gets his pace right, he could be a good threat. He hasn’t been over this distance though for a couple of years. Veteran 11-year-old Un De Sceaux is a former winner of the Ryanair, back in 2017. He couldn’t quite defend his title last year.
Un De Sceaux goes again
He was beaten to the punch by Balko Des Flos. Despite his age, Un De Sceaux put in a great challenge against Altior at the Tingle Creek back at the end of last year. He could have easily gone back up against Altior at this year’s Festival, but this is a wise move instead to swerve him. Would be a bigger threat with a big heavier ground going for him, but nonetheless is a decent 9/2 each way odds option* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 13th, 2019 at 3:51 pm).
As for last year’s winner Balko Des Flos, he is back for a title defence. He powered to a big win over Un De Sceaux last year. That was a huge upset as Balko Des Flos didn’t have any seasonal form behind him ahead of that. He hasn’t been great this season and doesn’t look anywhere near his top mark right at the moment. Hasn’t won in four outings this season, but then that didn’t bother him twelve months ago.
Predictions
The each way option on Un De Sceaux is so appealing. Simply because of his showing at the Tingle Creek in December. There are vulnerabilities with the favourite Footpad to take him on. Monalee sits as a very nice straight win option for the Ryanair 2019.
