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The Ryanair Chase, a fixture at the Festival since 2005, is a Grade One event over two miles, four-and-a-half furlongs. Taking a closer peek at this year’s renewal, we delve into the Ryanair Chase favourites 2022. We also view the event’s history and some Ryanair Chase tips as the Festival draws nearer. To discover all Cheltenham odds, please visit this page.
Ryanair Chase Odds Winner – Favourites 2022
The Ryanair Chase odds will naturally fluctuate as we get closer to race time. Right now however this is the outlook for the 2022 market.
Ryanair Chase Tips
Staged at an intermediate distance, the Ryanair Chase is now very much a top-tier race in its own right. Willie Mullins has somewhat of a stranglehold on the event in the ante-post Ryanair Chase odds markets right now. Mullins has at least four contenders in the top seven.
Allaho
Allaho won the race in 2021, in impressive style beating Fakir D’oudaries by 12 lengths off level weights. The horse is trained by Willie Mullins, and the rider in the last two races was Rachael Blackmore. Allaho’s Official Rating (OR) is 174 which equates to being the champion over the intermediate distance of two miles and five furlongs.
Chacun Pour Soi was five and a half lengths ahead at the line in a true championship contest. Allaho has won three times in eight chases at the highest level.
He has progressed up the ratings in successive starts and looks like a worthy favourite to win the 2022 Ryanair Chase. The win over Elimay by 3 lengths carrying two pounds more at Thurles in January 2021 is looking like an outstanding piece of form in the context of the 2022 Ryanair Chase. Also, read more about the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Champion Chase.
A Plus Tard
A Plus Tard is trained by Henry de Bromhead and the regular jockey is Rachael Blackmore. The horse has a best OR of 172, placing him just behind Allaho in the standings.
The four wins in 11 starts over fences were achieved in the best company and A Plus tard is a genuine and proven Grade 1 contender. Finishing second behind Minnella Indo in the 2021 Gold Cup off level weights cannot be beaten on form.
The Bromhead trained horse is steadily improving in the ratings and there could still be more progression in the 2022 Ryanair Chase.
However, the gelding was not fluent over the last two fences in the Gold Cup in March and this could again be an issue with Allaho upsides over the final two obstacles. It is then who stays best up the Cheltenham run-in and A Plus Tard can confirm the edge in ratings by winning the 2022 race.
Ryanair Chase Cheltenham Festival
Trainers now specifically target this race given it has earned its prestige. No longer is it seen as an event for those too slow for the Champion Chase or not good enough for the Gold Cup. Ryanair Chase favourites 2022 once again reflect that point.
Racing History
The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham was inaugurated in 2005 when a fourth day was added to the Festival for the first time. Without a sponsor the race would be known as the Festival Trophy, however, under this title, it has become iconic.
Initially a Grade Two event, it has held Grade One status since 2008. From that point on winners of the race have really increased the popularity, notoriety and prestige of what is a top-class, two-and-a-half-mile chase.
The Ryanair Chase is run over two miles and five and a half furlongs and there are 18 fences.
Prize Money
The prize money for the 2021 Ryanair Chase was over £149,000 and something similar should be on offer for the winning horse in 2022.
Famous Winners
While the form of the first three winners of this race was nothing to be sniffed at. Things took a notable turn however when the race was upgraded in 2008.
2009 winner Imperial Commander came back twelve months later to land the Gold Cup itself, while the inimitable Cue Card took the race in 2013. Colin Tizzard’s stable star went on to win a King George and a Charlie Hall Chase later in his career.
Cue Card won the race in 2013 and Frodon was the winner for six years. Allaho is the defending champion and Albertas Rn (2010 and 2011) is the only dual winner since the race was added to the festival schedule when the meeting went to four days in 2005.
The 2019 renewal featured a mega battle between Frodon and Aso, the former winning before going on to land the 2020 King George. If not going for the Gold Cup, he may again be introduced into the Ryanair Chase odds.
Records
The only dual winner of the race is Albertas Run who took the event in 2010 and 2011. Jockey Ruby Walsh is the leading rider with four wins (2005, 2007, 2016, 2014) although he has since of course retired.
Frodon’s amazing win meant Paul Nicholls is joint-leading trainer in the race, his three Ryanair Chase Cheltenham winners coming in 2005 (Thisthatandtother), 2007 (Taranis) and of course in 2019 with Frodon and Bryony Walsh.
The other three-time winner is Willie Mullins. His Vautour (2016), Un De Sceaux (2017) and Min (2020) mean he has dominated Ryanair Chase odds of late.
The leading trainer is Willie Mullins with four wins and the retired Ruby Walsh is the leading jockey with the same number of winners, two of which were trained by Mullins.
Ryanair Chase – FAQs
Before you follow any Ryanair Chase tips, keep in mind the answers to these frequently asked questions about the race.
What Time is the Ryanair Chase Cheltenham 2022?
Post time was 14:30 on the third day of the Festival but the start for 2022 renewal has not yet been announced.
Who Won the Ryanair Chase Last Year?
Allaho won the race in 2021.
Which Horse is the Favourite to Win in 2022?
Allaho is the favourite for the 2022 race at 9/2 in the Ryanair Chase odds.
