Date: Thursday 14th March 2024
The Ryanair often rewards the horse that fits its own very specific profile rather than simply the most fashionable name in the field.
Age, proven form over at least 2m4f, previous Cheltenham form and a top-two finish in one of the last couple of starts remain very strong trends. This year’s race looks competitive enough, but the ratings still point towards a clear shortlist.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Banbridge | 219 |
| Envoi Allen | 214 |
| Protektorat | 206 |
| Stage Star | 192 |
| Conflated | 184 |
| Fil Dor | 176 |
| Hitman | 168 |
The ratings this year place major weight on proven intermediate-distance class and whether the horse already looks a natural Ryanair type rather than one being rerouted from another target.
MAIN SELECTION
Banbridge (7/2 available)
He comes out top on the ratings and looks very much the type for a race like this.
He has Grade 1 class, the right age and crucially already looks at home over this sort of intermediate trip. He also comes here with the right kind of current form and makes a lot of appeal in a race where trip specialists so often come to the fore.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Envoi Allen (9/2 available)
The defending winner has to be respected and again rates highly on the figures.
He has Cheltenham form, Grade 1 class and the right overall shape for the race. He may not have quite the same upside as the main pick this time around, but he remains a major contender on his best form.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Protektorat (10/1 available)
A bigger-priced horse who still fits a lot of the stronger race trends.
He has the age, enough Cheltenham form and a solid level of class. He is not the flashiest name in the field, but he has enough of the right boxes ticked to make him a legitimate alternative.
SUMMARY
Banbridge tops the ratings and gets the vote, with Envoi Allen the obvious danger and Protektorat the more interesting bigger-priced alternative in a race where the intermediate-distance specialist angle remains very strong.
