THE CHELTENHAM TRENDS: DAY THREE

RYANAIR CHASE

■ The past 10 winners were all bred in France.

■ All 16 winners (since the race became a Grade One) had won over a minimum of 2m4f.

■ Fourteen of the past 15 winners were aged seven to nine.

■ Thirteen of the past 16 winners had won at the Festival before. BAnBridGe (Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle) and Stage Star (Turners novices’ Chase) are previous Festival winners in the correct age bracket, so warrant considerable respect. Being second-season chasers (six of the past 11 winners ticked this box), both are open to major improvement. Although ENVOI ALLEN is a little older than ideal, he matches up against the French-bred statistic and comes alive at this meeting, having won the Champion Bumper (2019), the Gallagher novices’ Hurdle (2020) and last year’s renewal of this race. A little more experienced than your average winner of this race, the Henry de Bromhead runner has form over further, which is another positive trend when assessing the ryanair, as is arriving on the back of a short break.

STAYERS’ HURDLE

■ Seven of the past 10 winners were second-season hurdlers.

■ Seventeen winners this century were sent off at single-figure odds.

■ Twelve of the past 19 winners had won last time out.

■ Twelve of the past 17 winners were rated 160-plus. WITH irish Point having been re-routed to the Champion Hurdle, the Fergal O’Brien-trained CRAMBO looks to have the best profile for the Stayers’ Hurdle, being an improving, second-season hurdler.

He arrives at Cheltenham on the back of a first Grade One success and is on a sharp upward curve. Teahupoo remains unexposed as a stayer, but being beaten in this race previously is a negative. ■ Statistics provided by Bettrends, courtesy of the Weatherbys 2024 Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide.

■ Bettrends provide services for all major meetings and the following exclusive discount code will get you 25 per cent off the Aintree Service or Aintree Text Service: DMAF24 — available via weatherbysshop.co.uk