Neil Morrice, our man on the ground in the UK, brings you his preview on the Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) (16:50) on Day 3 of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, Thursday 14th March, 2019.
(Hold your phone horizontally (on its side) to view the full race information below)
|
No
|
Horse
|
Odds
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
|
1
|
Aso (FR)
|
33/1
|
Charlie Deutsch
|
Venetia Williams
|
|
2
|
Balko Des Flos (FR)
|
20/1
|
Denis O’Regan
|
Henry de Bromhead
|
|
3
|
Charbel (IRE)
|
33/1
|
David Bass
|
Kim Bailey
|
|
4
|
Coney Island (IRE)
|
33/1
|
M. P. Walsh
|
Edward P. Harty
|
|
5
|
Footpad (FR)
|
15/4
|
R. Walsh
|
W. P. Mullins
|
|
6
|
Frodon (FR)
|
6/1
|
Bryony Frost
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
7
|
Monalee (IRE)
|
4/1
|
Rachael Blackmore
|
Henry de Bromhead
|
|
8
|
Road to Respect (IRE)
|
4/1
|
Sean Flanagan
|
Noel Meade
|
|
9
|
Sub Lieutenant (IRE)
|
50/1
|
J. J. Slevin
|
Henry de Bromhead
|
|
10
|
Terrefort (FR)
|
20/1
|
Daryl Jacob
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
11
|
The Storyteller (IRE)
|
20/1
|
Davy Russell
|
Gordon Elliott
|
|
12
|
Un De Sceaux (FR)
|
5/1
|
P. Townend
|
W. P. Mullins
|
Betting is subject to change. E&OE.
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Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) 2019 Preview
THE burning question concerning the second of three Grade 1 races on the Day 3 card is whether it will be foot on the gas or foot off the gas from Ruby Walsh as he steers FOOTPAD into new territory distance-wise.
Last year the Willie Mullins-trained gelding skipped around the Arkle Trophy course to come home unchallenged but connections have elected to allow him to step up in trip following his surprise defeat by Simply Ned at Leopardstown.
His rider Ruby Walsh believes the pace and nature of the Ryanair can bring out the best in Footpad, who has shown he can do it from the front or take a lead. Over today’s extended two and a half miles surely he will adopt the latter course of action ?
Mullins has an enviable hand in the race however, because a second string to his bow is the equally exciting UN DE SCEAUX, the mount of Paul Townend.
The veteran doesn’t appear to have lost any of his dash judged on a splendid effort to run Altior to four lengths in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown before Christmas.
Ireland dominate the 12-strong field with two thirds trained in the Emerald Isle. Others that catch the eye include Noel Meade’s grand ROAD TO RESPECT and the Henry de Bromhead-trained pair MONALEE and SUB LIEUTENANT.
Road To Request takes impressive credentials to the table and can play the versatility card under Sean Flanagan. He will be hard to keep out of the frame.
Paul Nicholls fields the battle hardened FRODON with who Bryony Frost had de eloped such an effective relationship, while Nicky Henderson experiments with the talented TERREFORT, bringing him back in distance following an Ascot defeat by Clan Des Obeaux.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
5 – 6 – 8 – 12 – 10
1st – FOOTPAD (5)
2nd – Frodon (6)
3rd – Road To Respect (8)
4th – Un De Sceaux (12)
5th – Terrefort (10)
Click here to BET NOW on the Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) with Hollywoodbets here!
View the previews for the following Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Races below:
Race 1 – 15:30: JLT Novices’ Chase
Race 2 – 16:10: Pertemps Network Final
Race 3 – 16:50: Ryanair Chase
Race 4 – 17:30: Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle
Race 5 – 17:10: Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate
Race 6 – 18:50: Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Race 7 – 19:30: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase
