DOUBLE HANDFUL
THIS year’s Ryanair Chase looks a tough race to call — it has that in common with the other 27 races at this meeting. Twelve horses have been declared for today’s contest, including last year’s winner — and my tip 12 months ago — Balko Des Flos, who won at 8-1.
I mention this merely to show off.
Historically the Ryanair has been punter-friendly in that the winner tends to come from the leading fancies.
This is pretty much what punters expect from betting, the bigger the odds the less chance that horse should have of winning and vice versa.
If only racing reflected basic logic on a consistent basis.
Ten of the last 12 Ryanair winners have been from the front three in the betting and I think the winner will once again hail from this domain.
This means the 2019 hero is going to be one of Footpad, Monalee or Road To Respect.
Let me narrow it down further for you, the 2019 winner of the Ryanair Chase will be
I’ve always liked Noel Meade’s charge, in fact he was my tip for last year’s Gold Cup. I mention merely to show
I’m fallible.
The drop back in trip for the eight-year-old shouldn’t be a problem given he was a handicap winner over course and distance at the 2017 Festival.
In three starts this season he’s won one, came a credible second to Bellshill in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last time and finished third. Pretty decent form. Un De Sceaux is too old at 11 and in my opinion shouldn’t be hacking round here any longer.
The popular pairing of Frodon and Bryony Frost would lift off the roof if they were to emerge victorious but I can’t see the pair getting it all their own way up front — and that is very much the key to success for them.