Allaho© Photo Healy Racing
Allaho is the odds-on favourite to return to winning ways in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Sunday.
The dual Cheltenham Festival winner made a successful return from over 18 months on the sidelines at Clonmel in November and was beaten less than two lengths when third to Hewick in the King George at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
“Allaho came out of his last race fine,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.
“I think it’s fair to say we were hoping for a bit more from him (in the King George), maybe the ground was a bit lively and there is maybe a slight question mark whether he really stayed the three miles.
“I think coming back in trip will suit him well, so hopefully he can run well on Sunday and then we can head back for the Ryanair again.”
Cheveley Park Stud are also represented by eight-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen, while another Willie Mullins trio of Appreciate It, Capodanno and Stattler along with Mouse Morris’ French Dynamite complete a strong field of six runners.
“He’s grand, the ground is good so I’d be hoping for a good run,” said Morris.
“It’s a good race, they always are but this is the right race for him. It’s a Grade Two on good ground and I don’t have a lot of options.
“I still have to get him qualified for the National, he needs to be in the first four over three miles so I don’t know just yet. I’m hoping for a big run this weekend anyhow.”
Coral's Lewis Knowles said, "We have seen some money for Appreciate It at a bigger price, but Allaho should be winning this if he’s back to anything like his best, and he looks set to go off odds-on."
Coral bet: 4-5 Allaho, 9-2 Envoi Allen, 6-1 Appreciate It, French Dynamite, 14-1 Capodanno, 20-1 Stattler.
