Cheltenham Festival - Ryanair Chase

Cheltenham Festival (Day 3, Race 3)

Ryanair Chase (2.40)

Pick: Albertas Run (win & each/way)

Albertas Run: Twice a festival winner, having won the RSA Chase here in 08’ and last year’s renewal in 2010; Came back with well beaten fourth in Old Roan but already ran much better when falling 2 out (his pursuit of Masterminded proving futile) in Amlin 1965 Chase; Dreadful run in King George Chase but was beaten 69 lengths before winning this last year and has to be a major player.

Breedzbrezze: Very high class novice over fences a couple of seasons ago, winning Grade 2 at Wincanton and Feltham with ease; Subsequently injured and not gone on from very good return with two really poor efforts; Not up to this.

Gauvain: Went off the boil after winning a Grade 2 Novice Chase 2 years ago, falling to make an impact at Cheltenham and Aintree festival; Won his next 2 starts before being put on side-lines; Showed he retinas all old ability and more when beating Forpadydeplasterer and Tataniano with ease at Open Meeting although he ran well below that form when fifth in the Tingle Creek; Back to from when second to Riverside Theatre and will need  more to be getting close here.

Hey Big Spender: Was really going places last year and romped to wins at Newbury (over Fistral Beach) and here on Trials Day; Didn’t quite go on from that after unseating in the Jewson (Fell behind Mad Max at Aintree), so really good effort to win at Carlisle on his return; Was going well for a long way before tiring in the Hennessy (the fastest run major race of the season so far) and back to form when winning at Warwick; Very good when he’s right but this hard even for him at his best.

Kalahari King: Made fine return last season when winning valuable 2m handicap chase at Doncaster, so disappointing that he was easily beaten first time out this season(not given hard race); Well beaten in Tingle Creek and Jumpers Bumper to start but attracted major interest when staying on from miles back to come very respectable fourth in the Victor Chandler Chase; Will be at peak form although this no easy task in hard race and still something to prove in some respects.

Poquelin: Was a beaten favourite here in this last year after a decisive win in December Gold Cup; Produced near career best when repeating that success in stronger renewal off 161 this year, and has to be given big chance again although he’s not invincible (well beaten into second last year).

Roberto Goldback: Taken his form to new level over past two seasons, and started well with a third behind contenders Traquil Sea and J’yVole; Hasn’t gone on from that and made a hash of easier task then this when second last time when well smashed by Rubi Light.

Rubi Light: Taken giant steps forward with nearly every recent run, having made a good fist of things behind Golden Silver before trashing decent Roberto Goldback and has to be of interest even with drying ground; Major contender if handling ground.

Tartak: Has been in great heart of late, winning the Peterbrough Chase and then an extremely competitive Cheltenham Handicap; Has jumped much better than recently for those wins but jumping went to pot at Ascot last time and no way he’ll win this with better round.

Voy Por Ustedes: Was a class act a few seasons back, winning an Arkle/Champion Chase before coming second to Masterminded and then third in this; Not found best form since then and moved to Nicky Henderson (for physical treatment); Can still figure, but how fit he will be after layoff is another question.

J’y Vole: fine third in this last year and unlucky not to get even closer considering the interference that she suffered at the home turn ;Not gone close to that sort of form since,  doing her best work in the closing stages of the John Durkan (given a lot to do as well); Blewout in Lexus and made hash of easier chance last time, so hard to be very confident about her chances for all that she’ll make a bold bid.

VERDICT: Given that he beat Poquelin convincingly in this last year, it’s hard to see why ALBERTAS RUN is priced bigger than him again this year. 

is very strongly fancied to take this but his seasonal form has failed to convince. J’y Vole can stake a claim once again.