Date: Thursday 17th March 2022
The Ryanair has become a race where the winner usually has a very obvious profile. You want a horse in the 7 to 9 age range, already proven over an intermediate trip, with Grade 1 class and enough recent form to show they are arriving at the Festival in peak condition.
Irish-trained horses continue to dominate this race and that remains a major angle. This year’s market has a clear standout and the ratings strongly support that view.
These are the three that come out best on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Allaho | 228 |
| Conflated | 208 |
| Janidil | 201 |
| Saint Calvados | 188 |
| Eldorado Allen | 179 |
| Fanion D’Estruval | 171 |
| Torn And Frayed | 164 |
The ratings this year put huge emphasis on Grade 1 class, proven form over at least 2m4f, previous Cheltenham form and the increasingly powerful Irish-trained angle in this race.
MAIN SELECTION
Allaho (4/7 available)
He comes out miles clear on the ratings and looks the one they all have to beat.
He has the exact Ryanair profile you want. He is in the right age bracket, already proven at the trip, has Grade 1 class in abundance and arrives with strong recent form. Everything about him screams Ryanair specialist.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Conflated (4/1 available)
The obvious danger and one with enough class to make this interesting if the favourite underperforms.
He has recent Grade 1 form and comes from the right side of the Irish trend. He is not as naturally suited to this exact test as the main selection, but his level of ability keeps him right in the argument.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Janidil (12/1 available)
A bigger-priced horse who still fits enough of the trends to make the shortlist.
He has the trip credentials and comes from a stable that knows exactly what sort of horse wins a race like this. He may lack the brilliance of the top two, but the profile is still interesting enough at the prices.
SUMMARY
Allaho dominates the ratings and is taken as the main selection, with Conflated the obvious danger and Janidil the more interesting alternative in a race where the specialist intermediate-distance angle remains key.
