Allaho is the firm favourite to triumph in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday
(Picture: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The Cheltenham Festival has arrived and while, as ever, there looks to be some wide open contests, there are also plenty of short-priced fancies across the four days at Prestbury Park.
Last year’s meeting set a record for the most odds-on favourites in Cheltenham history - seven - and while it doesn’t look as if we’ll get quite that many this year, Johnny Ward has run the rule over some of the market leaders.
Are they bankers or blowouts?
Constitution Hill (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Tuesday)
This race will set the tone for day one. How good are the British novices? This fellow is one of at least four really exciting sorts in this race. He won the Tolworth with ease last time but how good is that form? It is hard to be sure, especially relative to the Irish, who absolutely dominated the novice division last year.
Stablemate Jonbon, a brother to Douvan, seems almost equally exciting but is a far bigger price. And, with the Irish novices coming over sensing blood, it might be tough for Michael Buckley’s charge. He’s risky.
Verdict: Blowout
Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle, Tuesday)
The unbeaten queen of the hurdling division seems bereft of genuine rivals. Many who never back her would find it sad if she were ever to lose. It is hard to see how this is any better than an average Champion Hurdle, despite the promise of Appreciate It. He has not run since dominating the Supreme last season and had been expected to go chasing.
Honeysuckle was not impressive by her standards at Leopardstown last month but she is almost impossible to fault. The eight-year-old finds loads for pressure and it is a long time since she looked in trouble in a race.
Verdict: Banker
Sir Gerhard (Ballymore, Wednesday)
Might be short enough in the betting for some but looks sensational. Tough choice for Willie Mullins which race to go for but this looks weaker than the Festival opening Supreme. Sir Gerhard did not jump as well as he can at the Dublin Racing Festival on his previous outing but his engine is something else.
Won the Champion Bumper here and bred to stay, the dam being especially effective over around this trip. A tough one to call but worth opposing at his price.
Verdict: Blowout
Shishkin (Champion Chase, Wednesday)
Eventually got the better of Energumene in the Tingle Creek, despite being patently unsuited by going right-handed, as has been the case throughout his career.
Flawless at Cheltenham and, while he does have Chacun Pour Soi to contend with here, he loves the hill and should win. Seven from seven over fences.
Verdict: Banker
Facile Vega (Champion Bumper, Wednesday)
Out of Quevega, the first horse to win six races at the Cheltenham Festival. Looked good on his debut and better last time but the second horse then was beaten since and he faces American Mike as well as some other potential stars in a red-hot bumper. Vulnerable. Plenty can go wrong in this race.
Verdict: Blowout
Bob Olinger (Turners Novices’ Chase, Thursday)
Utterly sensational in his novice performance in the Ballymore Hurdle here last season. Not extended to win both starts over fences and seems to be the apple of everyone’s eye at Henry de Bromhead’s yard.
Looks to have another gear that very few possess, including rival Galopin Des Champs. Who will go off favourite?
Verdict: Banker
Allaho (Ryanair Chase, Thursday)
Five from 10 over fences, he produced a sensational performance in this race last year when ridden by Rachael Blackmore, beating Fakir D’oudairies by 12 lengths. That rival has decided not to show up here — as have many others — and it is hard to know what can beat him.
He looks set to go off shortest of all favourites at Cheltenham. He is as good a jumper as you will see at the Festival.
Verdict: Banker
Vauban (Triumph Hurdle, Friday)
Renews rivalry with Pied Piper, who edged him at Punchestown, but showed a smart turn of foot in winning a key trial at Leopardstown, batting Fil Dor. This looks a match and, trained by Mullins, looks to have lots going for him. The slight concern is he can edge a bit right at hurdles.
Verdict: Banker
