2.50 2m. 4f. 127yds. 9 Declared. Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £375,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €211,012.00 2nd - €79,500.00 3rd - €39,788.00 4th - €19,875.00 5th - €9,975.00 6th - €4,988.00 7th - €2,475.00 8th - €1,275.00
Formscan - This revolves around the brilliant SHISHKIN, who got his career back on track in the Ascot Chase, hosing up when stepped up to 2m5f on his first start after a wind operation and in a first-time tongue tie. Nicky Henderson's star can make it three wins from four tries at the Festival, while also giving his trainer a third triumph in this race. Envoi Allen, another dual Festival hero, has been hit-and-miss more recently but if he brings his A-game, similar to when landing a Grade 1 at Down Royal before his King George failure, he could have a say under Rachael Blackmore. Blue Lord was beaten at long odds-on over 2m1f at the Dublin Racing Festival, but he struck gold at that trip at Leopardstown over Christmas and was third in the Arkle here last year. He took the Clonmel Oil Chase over this sort of distance in November and is a force to be reckoned with.