Cheltenham Festival - Ryanair Chase Preview 2012

This year’s Ryanair Chase looks arguably the best renewal since its inauguration at the start of the four day Festival in 2005 – and Albertas Run will have it all to do if he is to land a hat-trick of victories after taking the glory in 2010 and 2011.

The eleven-year-old is still easily the star of trainer Jonjo O’ Neill’s stable however with age now catching up on him, charging up the Cheltenham hill at the end of this two-mile-five-furlong championship contest may not be quite as straightforward as previous efforts.

Coupled with the anticipation of a top class field in opposition, Albertas Run looks a little too short at 10/1; nevertheless he still has to be respected due to his experience, course form and the likelihood that he will once again come into his own being a traditional spring horse.

There are a handful of classy, younger candidates who really catch the eye and it is Alan King’s Medermit who perhaps makes most appeal.

Last year’s Arkle second returned with a fantastic win in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter before placing third behind Master Minded at Ascot – a course which hardly played to the eight-year-olds strengths.

Medermit has shown time and time again how well he can finish at Cheltenham and it only seems a matter of time before he can get his head in front in a Grade One event at the Festival.

The grey was nabbed close home carrying lots of weight in the boylesports Gold Cup and a repeat of that course run would surely see him go close.

Available at 16/1 a few weeks ago, Medermit has been one of the most well supported Cheltenham fancies ante-post and was even flanked up by pricewise but only after dropping down to 9/1.

King’s yard has been firing all season long and Medermit looks a good thing to lead his team into battle and potentially provide the stable with another high profile Festival success.

Somersby finished in front of Medermit earlier in the campaign at Ascot and Henrietta Knight’s charge has to be taken seriously after attaining a maiden Grade One triumph in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

In contrast to Medermit, Somersby seems to prefer the characteristics of Ascot’s flatter track and may struggle to stay in momentum at Cheltenham due to his tendency to make jumping errors at vital stages during the race.

At a best price of 8/1, Somersby still looks value each way nonetheless and can chase Alan King’s horse home.

Many may feel that Riverside Theatre, owned by TV celebrity Jimmy Nesbitt, is at the head of the form after beating Medermit at Ascot recently.

But in truth, Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old was struggling to hold on at the end of the race and questionable stamina certainly does not bode well at Cheltenham.

Elsewhere, last year’s Jewson winner noble Prince has to rate as a main danger and he undoubtedly carries Ireland’s best chance of a winning the race.

Poquelin and Great Endeavour add good depth to the field considering their previous handicapping successes whilst Realt Dubh may prove to be the proverbial dark horse after he went well for a long way in the Arkle twelve months ago.

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03/03/2012     © Frixo 2024