SMART ALLAHO IN RYANAIR BID
ALLAHO moved a step closer to a Cheltenham Festival showdown with stablemate Min by winning at Thurles yesterday.
Paul Townend let the 10-11 favourite bowl along in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, as another Willie Mullins-trained runner, Elimay, joined him at the final fence.
The market leader, however, pulled away for a three-length triumph. Allaho is Paddy Power’s 5-1 joint-favourite (from 6-1) for the Ryanair Chase, alongside 2020 hero Min.
“He (Allaho) is making progress, and I think he will improve into the spring – which is the time of year you want to improve in,” Mullins said. “I’m looking forward to his next run, and he’ll probably go straight to Cheltenham.”
Mullins and Townend doubled up in Grade Two company with Coolmore N.H. Sires Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase heroine Colreevy (4-5f).
A trip to Limerick may be next for the unbeaten novice, now the favourite with some firms for the new mares’ race.
“We might revise plans, but we’ll see – whether or not she has enough experience over fences to go to Cheltenham is another day’s work,” Mullins said.