2026 Ryanair Chase

[darlojim]

“We would be hoping we could get him to Cheltenham and something like the Ryanair could be right up his street. There is then a month from Cheltenham to Aintree where he won last year and then a smaller gap to Punchestown, but those spring festivals are where we want him racing really.”

This was 5th February from DJ. Good ground important to him though.

'He is in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran this weekend. He is one I feel could skip Cheltenham and maybe go to Aintree instead.'

That was last week

 

[Lobos]

'He is in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran this weekend. He is one I feel could skip Cheltenham and maybe go to Aintree instead.'

That was last week

Thanks Darlo.

What a difference a week makes

So bloody contradictory!!!!

 

[BigChaang]

If you haven't had a bet in the race yet

Just back both Gaelic Warrior (5/4) and Fact to File (Evs) NRNB

And you'll be sat on something that is either 4/6 or 1/2 on the day

F.T.F. r/air and G.W. g/cup would do me .
On at 4-1 , and 25-1..

 

[Pisto]

That’s where I’d like to see them both heading too

 

[Lobos]

That’s where I’d like to see them both heading too

As others have said, I think Jonbon has put the nail into that coffin. JP can supplement F2F knowing JB would hold a huge chance in the Ryanair. If IEP goes here with PT up then Gaelic would go GC with Patrick up.

That's how I see it potentially playing out.

 

[Pisto]

Potentially yeah. FTF would be an odds on shot and JB wouldn’t and that could also sway thoughts. It’s interesting and frustrating at the same time!. GW should be going for Gold though Imo. Not long to find out

 

[Hurricane fly]

Jonbons form figures are absolutely fantastic, but it can't be missed that his strikerate goes from 74% overall down to 28% at Cheltenham and he is 0/3 at the festival.

His first Shloer chase was impressive but since then, it is a 1.5 length win over Boothill and a couple of 2nds with jumping mistakes(and last year he record only stayed intact thanks to a faller). I would be seeing him as a JP Wildcard in whichever race he goes to and not impact his number 1 choice.

 

[Lobos]

Jonbons form figures are absolutely fantastic, but it can't be missed that his strikerate goes from 74% overall down to 28% at Cheltenham and he is 0/3 at the festival.

His first Shloer chase was impressive but since then, it is a 1.5 length win over Boothill and a couple of 2nds with jumping mistakes(and last year he record only stayed intact thanks to a faller). I would be seeing him as a JP Wildcard in whichever race he goes to and not impact his number 1 choice.

All over 2m though. From day one on here , many have said he looks more of a Stayer.

 

[Hurricane fly]

Still jump the same fences which he fluffs his lines at each time. He wasn't foot perfect jumping in his Melling wins either so no reason to think he won't smack atleast one going round.

However, they may decide the competition is subpar and it won't matter as he could be 6lb below his best and still win.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I think by now we all know Jonbon the horse. His form is there for all to see.
As for Cheltenham this year, as a backer I will hope that the extra distance and different pace of the race will help him not hit one like he did last year and basically end any hope of winning.
IMO he’s been a stayer since his hurdling days but such has been the standard of 2m chasing in the uk he has stayed at the distance and that’s proved successful.Ive never had any doubt that he would stay 3m if asked so going 2m5 was never an issue for me.
I can understand people not backing him because of Cheltenham and his relative jumping performances there, let’s see how he gets on there with the difference of distance.
If he don’t clout one it will take a very good performance to beat him, should he turn up in good shape.

 

[archie]

Jonbon's record is statistically impressive but like most stats you can rephrase them to suit your purpose.

In 27 races under rules he has finished in front of just 118 competitors who, in recent years, have been repeat victims like Edwardstone. He has only ever run in 6 races where the bookies have paid 3 places and he only won 3 of them (2 of them being his first 2 hurdle races).

That's not his fault but, for all the criticism of Henderson, it's been a masterclass in the placement of a horse.

 

[Lobos]

Yeah, read that earlier that he's never run in any race of more than 9 runners

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Jonbon's record is statistically impressive but like most stats you can rephrase them to suit your purpose.

In 27 races under rules he has finished in front of just 118 competitors who, in recent years, have been repeat victims like Edwardstone. He has only ever run in 6 races where the bookies have paid 3 places and he only won 3 of them (2 of them being his first 2 hurdle races).

That's not his fault but, for all the criticism of Henderson, it's been a masterclass in the placement of a horse.

And a pretty damming state of uk 2m chasing at Grade 1 level ,
But as you say, not his fault.
He’s as genuine a horse that any owner would want,always giving everything.
Love to see him in the King George in his last season.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

Hes an excellent horse who has thrived in a weak division in the UK

Not a top notcher but an admirable consistent horse who takes his racing well and gives it his all every run

Edwardstone probably has nightmares about him

 

[Ellisgittings]

Hes an excellent horse who has thrived in a weak division in the UK

Not a top notcher but an admirable consistent horse who takes his racing well and gives it his all every run

Edwardstone probably has nightmares about him

Tbf he'd have been running in King Georges if the graded chasing scene was to a better standard. So i think it's impressive what he's achieved parading round 2 miles

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yeah, read that earlier that he's never run in any race of more than 9 runners

Mainly because he’s run in a lot of grade 1’s over 2 miles and their ain’t many others of that calibre, so hardly surprising he’s had not many opponents.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Tbf he'd have been running in King Georges if the graded chasing scene was to a better standard. So i think it's impressive what he's achieved parading round 2 miles

Yeah absolutely.
Just hope he’s still in decent shape next season and given a go at the KG.

 

[Lobos]

Mainly because he’s run in a lot of grade 1’s over 2 miles and their ain’t many others of that calibre, so hardly surprising he’s had not many opponents.

Yep, not knocking it at all. Just a very surprising stat in view of how many races he's been in.

 

[Lobos]

Yeah absolutely.
Just hope he’s still in decent shape next season and given a go at the KG.

Gold Cup next year as a finale without a doubt. Imagine that Ryanair and Gold Cup in succession. Brilliant.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yep, not knocking it at all. Just a very surprising stat in view of how many races he's been in.

I know you weren’t, was just agreeing with you Lobos and reasoning why.