Henry de Bromhead is confident the lack of a recent run will not harm Envoi Allen’s chances of becoming the third horse to claim back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase.
Albertas Run did the double for Jonjo O’Neill in 2010 and 2011, while Allaho struck twice for Willie Mullins in 2021 and 2022.
De Bromhead can take heart from the fact the former was a 10-year-old when successfully defending his title and there is also a link to the latter, who carried the same Cheveley Park Stud colours as Envoi Allen.
Last year, Envoi Allen kept on well to see off Shishkin in this race, which made it three Cheltenham Festival victories following the 2019 Champion Bumper and 12 months later prevailing in what is now known as the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.
He has only had a couple of outings this term, the most recent a neck second to Gerri Colombe at Down Royal back in mid-November. But De Bromhead has no fears of that proving a negative factor.
“He seems in mighty form, we’re happy with him, so fingers crossed,” said the County Waterford handler.
“I’m not at all worried that he hasn’t run since Down Royal; he’s fit and well, he’s worked well and he runs well fresh.”
Stage Star is another proven Cheltenham performer, galloping on strongly to score in the Turners Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival and winning for the third time at Prestbury Park when surviving a final-fence blunder in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The eight-year-old blotted his copybook when pulled up here on New Year’s Day but Paul Nicholls is happy to write that off as simply a blip on what was bottomless ground.
“If he hadn’t run last time, I’d say he’d probably be favourite for the Ryanair,” said the Ditcheat handler. “We’re very happy he’s back where he is, he needs a bit of nice ground and he likes that New course.
“I just felt it was a long time between the Paddy Power and the Ryanair and sometimes you make the wrong call, but he’s very happy again now.
“If I’d had half an excuse on New Year’s Day not to run, I wouldn’t have, but no harm done, we’re very happy with him now.”
Nicholls will also saddle last year’s third Hitman, who returned to form when runner-up behind Shishkin in the Denman Chase at Newbury.
“Hitman’s form was red-hot last time when he was third to Shishkin,” added the champion trainer. “He’s a different horse to when he was third last year and he will be thereabouts again.”
Protektorat was just half a length behind Hitman in that race last month and faces a different Festival test this term after finishing fifth and third in the past two renewals of the Gold Cup.
“He’s just not hit the Gold Cup markers this year and that’s fine,” commented Dan Skelton.
“We’ve tried in two Gold Cups and finished third getting a lead and fifth turning for home in front. It hasn’t worked and we’ve left no stone unturned there.
“If you look at him in comparison to the other horses in the Ryanair, he’s equal top on ratings and he will stay that trip out really well – why not have a go.”
Conflated was third in last season’s Gold Cup and was disputing second when falling two out a couple of years ago.
He parted company with his jockey late on in two runs behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown but Gordon Elliott is not giving up on his charge, who has Grade One wins in the Irish Gold Cup and the Savills Chase on his CV.
Elliott said: “He’s in good form and the Ryanair will suit him. He unseated his jockey on his last couple of runs, but he was running well both days and we’re looking forward to Thursday.”
Stablemate Fil Dor was runner-up in the 2022 Triumph and Elliott showed his faith in the six-year-old when retaining him at Cullentra House for €620,000 at the recent Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale.
“He’s a new recruit in the Robcour colours and we’re looking forward to him,” said Robbie Power, racing manager for his new owners.
“He’s had some good runs behind El Fabiolo over two miles – especially at Cork the last day. If stepping up in trip brings improvement, I don’t think he will be too far away.”
Banbridge is unbeaten at Cheltenham after landing the 2022 Martin Pipe contest and an Arkle trial last season.
Joseph O’Brien’s eight-year-old has enjoyed his last two trips to the UK just as much, claiming the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April and Kempton’s Silviniaco Conti a couple of months ago.
Capodanno is another Irish raider who does not suffer from travel sickness, judged on January’s Cotswold Chase success for Willie Mullins.
Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senior was well held in fourth that day, but did claim the same prize at Prestbury Park 12 months earlier, plus he was a good second to L’Homme Presse in the 2022 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase here.
The Jamie Snowden-trained Ga Law and Richard Hobson’s Fugitif have both secured valuable handicap victories at this venue during the current campaign.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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