2.40 Cheltenham (Day 3, Race 3)
Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy Chase)
(Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £156,612
Advice: 1 pt win, 1 pt place Al Ferof (6/1 general, evs
Paddy Power)
Al Ferof: Supreme Novices’ Winner of 2011 who wasn’t quite
so good in first season as a novice, disappointing at both spring festivals (2m
far too quick for him at top level); 2m5f around here was perfect for him
however, when landing Paddy Power Gold Cup before injury sadly intervened; No
contest on comeback in match race before well beaten third in King George,
slightly disappointing effort on face of it although first two were both
premium chasers; Blew out at Newbury latest but three miles and extremely
testing ground not a combination that sees him at his best and big chance today
with good ground and his preffred trip. 
Benefficent: Patent non-stayer over 3m on reappearance but
showed the same form that he did when a clear-cut winner of JLT here last year
in Grade 1 win at Leopardstown at Christmas over 2m1f; Looks sure to run a big
race and mastered Dynaste in no certain terms last year after he’d looked
beaten before; Should run a mighty race. 
Boston Bob: Quality novice staying hurdler and was making
into as good a chaser before jumping errors cost him both times last year,
falling when set to play a big hand in RSA and against Punchestown; Presumably
going back to hurdling when a clear cut winner on seasonal return but amiss in
Cleeve and surprising to see him going back to this trip, especially on ground;
Jumping worries too for all the engine is year. 
Dynaste: Exemplary novice chaser last year, winning four of
his five races and impressive for all of those wins, but the only defeat came
here when he looked the winner all over before being nailed on the hill and
well beaten by Beneficent in JLT; Betfair Chase second the best form on offer
and way he stuck on suggests good things stamina wise even though he flopped in
King George latest; Big chance today. 
Hidden Cyclone: Threatned to be a superstar chase and while
things haven’t gone so well for him over past two seasons, his form this season
has been rock solid, a close second to Beneficent at Christmas and then unable
to match Sire De Grugy in Clarence House although that form underlined
yesterday; Good each/way shout and arguably should be shorter. 
Hunt Ball: One of the stories of the season a year ago, a
wide margin winner of Novices’ handicap event over C&D before placing in
Aintree’s 3m Gold Cup afterwards; Ownship dispute saw him go to USA where he
didn’t adapt to racing there but return run here was good and if building on
that for Henderson yard, can show up well. 
Kauto Stone: French import who took his Grade 1 in 2012 when
beating First Lieutenant but woefully out of form since and hard to see him
making an impact.
Medermit: Third in one of the great finishes for this race
two years ago but long absence since and below his best when making belated
comeback in Ascot Chase; Not sure if he still retains ability of old based on
that and needs more
Menorah: Easily good enough to go very close in this, as his
second in Betfair Bowl last year would suggest and also his handicap run
afterwards, but only the one run this year and that was a no show; Pulled up
behind Cue Card last year.
Radjhani Express: Winner of novice handicap at this meeting
last year and just getting the worst of things when left clear at Ayr
afterwards; Only the one run this year, that when fifth in the Paddy Power, a
creditable effort off 15lbs higher than for last year but one that leaves him
short here.
Rathlin: Nowhere on last two starts but if back to the form
he had been shown in summer, would be of great interest, and notable that
better ground has bought out better form from him; Still improvement needed
from him to make an impact but not without his chance if back in form.
VERDICT: There are doubts for some regarding how much
ability AL FEROF retains but today’s ground, track and trip may be perfect for
him and we could see him show his best today which would give him a real chance
of winning for the second time at the festival. Beneficent and Dynaste are in
no certain terms the ones he has to beat, while Hidden Cyclone is the each/way
bet for those considering one outside the top three.
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