Gigginstown`s Don Cossack Looks To Scoop The Ryanair

The Ryanair Chase is the Festival`s day three 2m,5f Grade One steeplechase, each runner taking on 17 obstacles on the new course. This season 14 entrants line up to take on the challenge of the Ryanair, the betting currently being topped by George Elliott`s Don Cossack, another Gigginstown racer prominent in the Cheltenham markets. The two-time Grade One chase winner can be backed at 4/1 (Numerous) to collect the plaudits this afternoon. Don Cossack`s greatest strength is his consistency, having finished first past the post on all of his previous four outings. Whilst all these wins came in Ireland they were all at graded level and at a distance of at least 20f. What isn`t in the favourite`s favour, however, is the fact that the eight-year-old is used to much smaller fields than the one he`ll take on this afternoon, no more than six runners were entered for each of the races he has won this season. As a result, his able to adapt is unknown.

The son of Sholokhov took on the RSA Chase at the Festival last year but made numerous untidy jumping errors before eventually falling. His subsequent runs have proved that he can do better and he shouldn`t have taken against the course despite suffering only his second ever career fall here. Any ground should suit.

Hot on the Elliott horse`s heels in the betting is Nicky Henderson`s mare Ma Filleule who will benefit from her 7lb mares weight allowance. Such a weight differential has seen her shoot up to second favourite in the Ryanair Market - a 11/2 shout with 32red, 888sport and betway.

Ma Filleule is yet to win this season, being a beaten favourite in a listed three mile and one chase at Aintree back in December. She must also make up ground on Balder Succes who beat her by three lengths in the Grade One Ascot Chase at this distance. Contrarily, the Simon Munir charge handles Cheltenham well, her second in last year`s handicap chase at the Festival her second place at the track in four outings. She was also able to pick up the Topham Chase on her first subsequent run following the Festival and will be well adjusted to the hurly burly of such competitive graded races. Not a certainty but one to watch should she take the step up to grade one status.

Henderson`s mare`s Ascot Chase rival Balder Succes is next in the market, available at 8/1 at a number of bookmakers. This horse was the beaten favourite in both the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton before managing to grab a victory in Kempton`s 20f listed chase in January. This preceded February`s Ascot triumph.

Whilst Alan King`s mount should be better fancied than Ma Filleule on form, he undoubtedly has a soft ground preference and may not be able to adapt to such a good running surface. Indeed, the seven-year-old is another who has made his name scooping victories in small fields but being rated just three points behind Don Cossack in the official ratings should be in with a shout should things fall his way.

The last of the big contenders is Ted Walsh`s Foxrock, a 21f Grade A handicap winner at Leopardstown back in January before securing a runners-up place in the 3m Grade One Irish Hennessy a month later at the same course. The 10/1 (Coral, Stan James) shout finished ninth in the Terry Biddlecombe last year in his only run in mainland Britain and will have to overcome his wanting for soft ground should he be successful here.

The best of the rest include last year`s runner-up Hidden Cyclone (11/1 - Betvictor, sportingbet) and Taquin Du Seuil, last season`s JLT winner is available at 12/1 at most bookies.

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12/03/2015     © Frixo 2026