What wins the Ryanair?

Was very impressed by Uxizandre at Trials Day.

Very fizzy for half the race and that run should have calmed him down and bought him on. Enough time between races for the 'bounce' not to be a factor you'd think and the Ryanair seems to be 'the plan' for him.

I'm on Uxizandre and Sub Lieutenant. I had also backed Sizing John so gutted he's going for the Gold Cup, still got fingers crossed they see sense and go Ryanair

I've backed Uxizandre & Sub Lieutenant e/w for this, can't have UDS...

I read your other thread and agree with you on Gods Own meatlof.

Gods Own only has a length to make up with UDS on their last run but one is 25/1 and the other is 7/2. We know how Gods Own improves in the spring.

Then look at all the probable non runners ahead of him in the betting and surely his price will contract? Sizing John, Fox Norton, Bristol de Mai, VVM, Outlander, Djakadam, Champagne West, Douvan and Road to Riches.

I'm just concerned Gods Own may go for the Champion Chase - hope I'm wrong!

I'd be very interested in More Of That if he ran in this, notwithstanding his latest fall at the last, he has shown quite a bit more life in his last two runs and has travelled really well in those races, he looks like he's coming back to the boil just at the right time.

O'Leary said on TV today that both Sub Lieutenant & Empire Of Dirt would run in this and I think they've every chance. I have backed SL and he's my pick but I may have a saver on Uxizandre come the day.

empire of dirt is now going for this race and ive backed it 7/1

Douvan, he's entered and will do a Vautour!

Only detour he would make would be gold cup class gets you home

Josses Hill my clear choice. His win at Huntingdon was a big improvement and he just needs a clear round to win for me.

Has Ricci anything for this race? If none, and post Limini's win VVM could be this way bound, yes?

Ballycasey is entered, and has been bet last 24 hours

Thanks for the info, Fabulous.

and Black Hercules, and Un De Sceaux, and Djakadam (won't run,obvs)

and Douvan

Douvan is a certainty Rease

Yep, on top of his brilliance he gets a day's start on the others...

sorry, imp misread your question - BH and UDS not Ricci obviously.

Black Hercules got a bit to prove these days...

Surprised at the love for UDS in almost preview I've read... almost every pundit / jockey / trainer going tips this fella for this race.

Personally I cant see him wining.

Nor me and im a huge fan of the horse,just don't think hes a natural chaser and I don't think the distance will suit.
Now watch him p!ss up!!!

Bl00dy hard to pick the winner,looks very competitive with a load of chances.
Can see a thrilling finish up the hill.
Not had a bet yet,but have been thinking of doing two......Josses Hill and Sub Lieutenant.

UDS,...I thought it was fairly straightforward, no? Unless of course either of his stablemates with an entry gatecrashes (again).

I think he has negatives either way I look at it. He seems to prefer it soft, but if he gets that, it will make it a real test and I cant see him staying 2m5f around Cheltenham on soft ground.... yet if its good, I don't think he will produce anything like his best.

If it runs,Zabana.
   GL ALL

Uxizandre. 2nd in the JLT, won the Ryanair before, 2nd after 2 years off to UDS last time out which was the performance of the day. Providing the bounce factor doesn't come into play (which is less likely given he has had 45 days to recover), then I can see Uxizandre winning this over a C&D he clearly loves.

Empire Of Dirt, preferably on the bridle.

Zabana confirmed for this by trainer Andy Lynch in preference to Gold Cup.

Where did Andy Lynch confirm that? With the ground drying I thought he'd go for gold cup.

News of Zabana broke yesterday but it's in Racing Post today.

ok cool

Just been confirmed Zabana running here and not the Gold Cup; good chance however, I think Empire Of Dirt might need further to show his best.

Proper pace and the distance will be ideal for Empire Of Dirt. The fact that he can stay a little further is a plus. What they don't need to happen is just letting Walsh dawdle along in front. It obviously benefits the field to stretch Un De Sceaux but you know what these jocks are like. I would expect Sub Lieutenant to take it on and Empire Of Dirt to sit in rear.

Uxizandre has to lead I would think

Cant believe the lack of love for Sub Lieutenant. 10-1 or whatever price he is, is an absolute gift of an each way bet

I agree JB. Personally thought he'd have beaten Sizing John last time if the last Fence had been jumped and he's certainly franked the form. Ground will be perfect and has always been aimed at this race.

If genuine good ground on wednesday Zabana could be the one but Empire Of Dirt is not for me though for this race.

Looking at what's left in, they're going to go fast here.

Village Vic, Uxizandre (assuming he reverts to type) and Un De Sceaux (although they may be a bit more conservative and having the other two in may suit him).

I think Irish Cavalier is interesting, one of the most ground dependent horses in training, hard to get the image of him powering up the hill in the novice handicap two years ago out of my head and this is his trip.

Village Vic and Irish Cavalier both got handicap entries though, so I'll wait.

It looks competitive to me - would concur on Sub Lieutenant's chances also.

the don out of gold cup,they might reoute empire of dirt to GC

Alary, well regarded, distance looks spot on, 33/1 and worth a punt.

Zabana out. Dirty scope.

Just saw a replay of last year's Festival Plate and I had no idea how badly hampered Empire of Dirt was at the beginning of the race.  At the third fence he ran into the back of a faller and nearly put Cooper out the side door, leaving him last of all runners, losing a chunk of momentum.

To come back from that in a red hot handicap was one hell of a run, especially as he won with so much in hand.  Added to the fact he was a bit checked at the end of the Irish Gold Cup last time out, I can't let him go unbacked for the Ryanair, so him and Sub Lieutenant vs the field will do for me.

I backed him at 10/1 for the Ryanair and 20/1 Gold cup both nr/nb though the last 3 months have been my worst that I can remember for beating s/p easily only to have my selection run abysmally .

Think they are pretty desperate to win their race and have two real good chances.
At least this year they wont have one of their trainers stitching them up as happened last year.

What was the reason given for taking their horses away again??  Fees??!!

Fees, my foot! Gigginstown and others were stitched up by Mullins and Ricci last year.

FFS its about time the 2 of ye changed the record. Its a fact that O Leary sent Mullins an extra 20 horses at the start of this season. But sure why would you let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Thought that might get someone going!!

Anyway....Whatever you believe,it was certainly a stitch up.

I don't feel the need to believe in fairytales budd. A stitch up!!

Both Vautour and Valseur Lido were double entered in Ryanair and GC. As things turned out Ricci beat O Leary in the Ryanair and O leary beat Ricci in the Gold Cup and I would safely say the right horses ran in the right races. If you think it was a stitch up because O Leary should have been given a free hand to win his own race then I don't think much of that opinion.

Well stitch up or not,this may have well have made them think,and when the fees went up that may have been the straw that broke the camels back.In other words not just the fees but maybe a build up of things.

But hey,none of us know for sure. And its just thoughts.

Anyway more important things to concentrate on now.

Well if they sent Mullins an extra 20 horses after being "stitched up" ,as you put it,then I think its reasonably fair to assume it didnt make them think.

And seeing as both parties readily admitted the row was about nothing but fees,(10% and the first increase for ten years) I'm more inclined to believe that rather than one of your wild conspiracy thoeries.

Ok mate

Good luck today.

Cheers and good luck