2026 Ryanair Chase

[Lobos]

I've been wrong plenty of times before but I cannot see a way Haiti is good enough to win a GC. On ratings he isn't far off but he's of the Tiger Roll mould imo who will win these handicaps off pretty much any weight, to earn their rating, but isn't good enough to bridge the gap to G1 standard when faced with those animals.

Best weight carrying performance I can remember since the Desert Orchid days. Can anyone think of another? Can obviously put a line through his Haydock run due to his back issue meaning he's 5/6 in Chase runs, only beaten on debut chase run, improving what 4 stone? Loves Cheltenham & Festival winner, Champion Jockey, Goes on any Ground, really open looking year. He has a chance for sure.

 

[Quevega]

Best weight carrying performance I can remember since the Desert Orchid days. Can anyone think of another? Can obviously put a line through his Haydock run due to his back issue meaning he's 5/6 in Chase runs, only beaten on debut chase run, improving what 4 stone? Loves Cheltenham & Festival winner, Champion Jockey, Goes on any Ground, really open looking year. He has a chance for sure.

Denman.
Many Clouds.
Both better.

 

[Lobos]

Denman.
Many Clouds.
Both better.

I'll take Denman as a comparison!

 

[Ellisgittings]

A back issue is what they blamed for Haydock? Wouldn't trust he's recovered from a 'back issue' in 4 weeks to win a Welsh national off top weight personally

 

[FinalFurlong91]

A back issue is what they blamed for Haydock? Wouldn't trust he's recovered from a 'back issue' in 4 weeks to win a Welsh national off top weight personally

He missed the start at haydock which ended any chance he had

If it was an absolute bog could see him placing in a gold cup

On decent ground, no chance

Even on a bog though itd be hard as hes going to be front running not picking up the pieces to place like a minella rocco or anibale fly

 

[jrjr]

Croke Park being backed in for the Tramore race today. Still 100/1 for the Ryanair - could look a good ew bet if he wins today.

 

[opatcho]

Backed Crook for todays race only
Heart Wood, not convinced he wants 3 miles

 

[opatcho]

Been banging on about Heart Wood since the Ryanair, didnt like how he ran last time out... arhhh painful watching that win when backing another horse.

 

[Eggs]

….Heart Wood as low as 12-1 after that win.

 

[Kauto’s star]

As many have done already with this race, I’ve been searching for an angle (having FTF covered already). Missed the big prices on heart wood (fair play to those on at 40s plus, but too short now). I have had a nibble on Jonbon at 16s, a stand out with hills. This has to be value given most of the shorties in the market go elsewhere. Over 2m4, just hoping he can get his jumping back going a stride slower, and put it together for one final race at the festival.

 

[Evesham Road]

As many have done already with this race, I’ve been searching for an angle (having FTF covered already). Missed the big prices on heart wood (fair play to those on at 40s plus, but too short now). I have had a nibble on Jonbon at 16s, a stand out with hills. This has to be value given most of the shorties in the market go elsewhere. Over 2m4, just hoping he can get his jumping back going a stride slower, and put it together for one final race at the festival.

It concerns me that Unibet are the biggest price. I'm wondering whether Jonbon is the piece that doesn't fit at Cheltenham for McManus, with Majborough, Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin for the three big chases.

 

[Kauto’s star]

It concerns me that Unibet are the biggest price. I'm wondering whether Jonbon is the piece that doesn't fit at Cheltenham for McManus, with Majborough, Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin for the three big chases.

Yeah you could be right. Only went in small so no drama if he doesn’t go, just think he’ll be half that if he does

 

[YoungHustler]

Djelo. One of the few likely runners is now out for the season. This race is going to be dire. Even if Fact To File ran to his King George RPR, he would probably win this race. That is how bad this race is shaping up and FTF ran no race at Kempton. The 4s available after the KG was a great price and I still think the 11/4 now is decent. Unless one of the Gold Cup contenders or Jonbon turns up, FTF will be odds on imo.

 

[Lobos]

Djelo. One of the few likely runners is now out for the season. This race is going to be dire. Even if Fact To File ran to his King George RPR, he would probably win this race. That is how bad this race is shaping up and FTF ran no race at Kempton. The 4s available after the KG was a great price and I still think the 11/4 now is decent. Unless one of the Gold Cup contenders or Jonbon turns up, FTF will be odds on imo.

Two really poor runs in his last three races though.

 

[Exar Essay]

I wonder if Ben Pauling might reflect nearer the time and send TJM this way? I can certainly see when of the GC contenders blinking, I’m just not sure who.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

As many have done already with this race, I’ve been searching for an angle (having FTF covered already). Missed the big prices on heart wood (fair play to those on at 40s plus, but too short now). I have had a nibble on Jonbon at 16s, a stand out with hills. This has to be value given most of the shorties in the market go elsewhere. Over 2m4, just hoping he can get his jumping back going a stride slower, and put it together for one final race at the festival.

Yep, completely agree.
Just taken the 16 too . Cash out option available.
He’s proven over the distance and imo his only chance of finally getting a festival win. I think in hindsight he should probably have stayed at two and a half when he was stepped up before, maybe could have looked at the possibility of the King George?
Anyway he’s not beating the top 2milers anymore imo and they must know that now.

 

[Wayward Lad]

I wonder if Ben Pauling might reflect nearer the time and send TJM this way? I can certainly see when of the GC contenders blinking, I’m just not sure who.

IMO not a cat in hells chance

There was prior to the KG as Pauling had stated that the Ryanair was the preferred option

However after the KG, how well TJM jumped and stayed on in a quality G1 field, Harry will think about how many more chances at his age, will he get to have a GC runner with a real chance

There may have been doubts about TJM’s quality, OR 152 before the KG and whether he could cut it in graded company and also whether he would stay the trip of the GC……..but after staying on resolutely after the last and then getting up in a driving finish, then both Pauling and Harry will be dreaming of G1 glory come March

 

[Wayward Lad]

Two really poor runs in his last three races though.

Both runs not over the Ryanair trip though were they

His run at the end of last season was over 2m and was a scouting mission IMO post the impressive Ryanair win

Beaten 9 lengths in a quality KG field, over a trip i personally don’t think he gets……watch his BANC win and although it looks easy, he didn’t look to have much left in the tank

Judge him on his race against Gaelic this year, over the trip he won the Ryanair over and maybe he isn’t a busted flush

 

[Eggs]

….Heart Wood 20-1 Ryanair in Hills ‘Road to Cheltenham’ offers, I do think they’re ’win only’.

 

[Exar Essay]

IMO not a cat in hells chance

There was prior to the KG as Pauling had stated that the Ryanair was the preferred option

However after the KG, how well TJM jumped and stayed on in a quality G1 field, Harry will think about how many more chances at his age, will he get to have a GC runner with a real chance

There may have been doubts about TJM’s quality, OR 152 before the KG and whether he could cut it in graded company and also whether he would stay the trip of the GC……..but after staying on resolutely after the last and then getting up in a driving finish, then both Pauling and Harry will be dreaming of G1 glory come March

Yeah you're more than likely right. It's a small chance, but the way he jumped and the speed he showed would rally suit the Ryanair. Added to which, Pauling did say he'd be a Ryanair horse even if winning the KG at the start of the year. I appreciate more recent comments have undone that to an extent. It'll be interesting to see which of the Gold Cup favs gets an entry here.