Ryanair Steeple Chase – Ratings and Analysis of Runners

Since 2005, six of the ten winners possessed an official rating of 162 or higher, five coming since 2010. Messrs Henderson, Nicholls, Pipe, and O’Neill have trained two winners each in the same period. Eight and ten-year-olds have shared six wins. There have been no Irish trained winners. Five of the last six winners ran in that seasons King George VI Chase. Course winning form is important with nine winners having won at the track prior to the race. Since 2005, nine of the ten winners were sent off at 6/1 or shorter. Two winning favourites since 2005; nine made the first three.

With doubts over the participation of DON COSSACK TR 183, VAUTOUR TR 180p, and SMAD PLACE TR 169, AL FEROF TR 170 tops Timeform ratings from ROAD TO RICHES TR 167. Both have decent form at this trip despite being effective over longer distances. Since he won at this meeting in 2012, AL FEROF is yet to win a race outside of November and December. VROUM VROUM MAG had been supported in the ante-post market. She is a better chaser than hurdler and would be a threat to all if sent is this direction. Stablechum VALSEUR LIDO TR 162+ looked desperately unlucky not to win the Irish Gold Cup when unseating at the final fence. Improving handicapper VILLAGE VIC holds an entry. AL FEROF is the subject of good reports. It would be a feather in Mr Skelton’s cap if he could land the race. JOSSES HILL is reported to be heading in this direction. His jumping was much improved at Kempton Park, particularly when needed at the last fence. Third in the 2015 Arkle, he is no forlorn hope. SMASHING’S recent win has seen him rise 12lb in the handicap. Whilst he is improving all the time, his profile suggests he is best in small fields, going right-handed. DYNASTE TR 160 showed a bit more sparkle at Ascot while ROAD TO RICHES ran well to finish third in the 2015 Gold Cup. He disappointed recently at Leopardstown; however, that was his first run since mid-November suggesting he is entitled to improve. His three highest RPR’s have all come over three-miles. Should VAUTOUR head in this direction, he will be sent off a short-priced favourite. Mixed reports emanated following work after racing at Leopardstown. However, one cannot fault his performances in the Festivals where he is unbeaten in two visits. GILGAMBOA TR 158 disappointed last time out. Prior to that he ran two decent races in December. The trip should not prove a problem. PROVISIONAL FSF’S VAUTOUR 172 ROAD TO RICHES 167 AL FEROF 164 SMASHING 157 VALSEUR LIDO 153 ANNACOTTY 155 VILLAGE VIC 151 GILGAMBOA 150 http://grahamrichardsonline.co.uk/