Henry de Bromhead expresses confidence that Envoi Allen's absence from recent races will not hinder his bid to become the third horse to secure consecutive victories in the Ryanair Chase.
Albertas Run achieved this feat under Jonjo O'Neill in 2010 and 2011, while Allaho accomplished it twice for Willie Mullins in 2021 and 2022. De Bromhead finds solace in the fact that Albertas Run successfully defended his title at the age of 10 and notes a connection to Allaho, who shared the same Cheveley Park Stud colours as Envoi Allen.
Envoi Allen clinched victory over Shishkin last year, marking his third win at the Cheltenham Festival following successes in the 2019 Champion Bumper and the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle a year later.
Despite having only participated in a couple of events this season, finishing as a close second to Gerri Colombe at Down Royal in mid-November, De Bromhead remains unworried about the impact of this lack of recent races on Envoi Allen's performance. The County Waterford handler confidently asserts,
"He seems in mighty form, we’re happy with him, so fingers crossed. I’m not at all worried that he hasn’t run since Down Royal; he’s fit and well, he’s worked well, and he runs well fresh."
Stage Star is another seasoned Cheltenham competitor, displaying a strong performance in the Turners Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival and securing victory for the third time at Prestbury Park in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, despite a final-fence blunder. The eight-year-old faced a setback when pulled up on New Year’s Day, a situation attributed by Paul Nicholls to challenging ground conditions. Nicholls remarks,
"If he hadn’t run last time, I’d say he’d probably be favourite for the Ryanair. We’re very happy he’s back where he is, he needs a bit of nice ground, and he likes that New course. I just felt it was a long time between the Paddy Power and the Ryanair and sometimes you make the wrong call, but he’s very happy again now. If I’d had half an excuse on New Year’s Day not to run, I wouldn’t have, but no harm done, we’re very happy with him now."
Nicholls will also field last year’s third-place finisher Hitman, who demonstrated a return to form by finishing as a runner-up behind Shishkin in the Denman Chase at Newbury. The champion trainer notes,
"Hitman’s form was red-hot last time when he was third to Shishkin. He’s a different horse to when he was third last year and he will be thereabouts again."
Protektorat, who finished just half a length behind Hitman in the recent race, presents a fresh challenge this season after placing fifth and third in the past two editions of the Gold Cup. Dan Skelton mentions,
"He’s just not hit the Gold Cup markers this year and that’s fine. If you look at him in comparison to the other horses in the Ryanair, he’s equal top on ratings and he will stay that trip out really well – why not have a go."
Conflated, who secured third place in the previous season's Gold Cup, has faced difficulties in recent runs but Gordon Elliott remains optimistic about his chances in the Ryanair. Elliott states,
"He’s in good form and the Ryanair will suit him. He unseated his jockey on his last couple of runs, but he was running well both days, and we’re looking forward to Thursday."
Stablemate Fil Dor, who was the runner-up in the 2022 Triumph, has received strong backing from Elliott, who retained him at Cullentra House for €620,000. Robbie Power, racing manager for Fil Dor's new owners, expresses excitement about the six-year-old's potential, hinting at a promising future if he transitions to longer distances. Power comments,
"He’s a new recruit in the Robcour colours, and we’re looking forward to him. He’s had some good runs behind El Fabiolo over two miles – especially at Cork on the last day. If stepping up in trip brings improvement, I don’t think he will be too far away."
Banbridge, undefeated at Cheltenham after winning the 2022 Martin Pipe contest and an Arkle trial last season, continues to impress with victories in the UK, including the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree and Kempton’s Silviniaco Conti. Capodanno, a successful Irish contender, demonstrated his prowess with a victory in the Cotswold Chase for Willie Mullins in January.
Ahoy Senior, trained by Lucinda Russell, and Ga Law from Jamie Snowden have also showcased their talents with notable wins during the current season.