2019 Ryanair

Race shaping up to be extremely competitive, wouldnt lay him personally at that price jas but i do think hes poor value in such a field… very strong race in prospect

I cant see past Monalee in this race. It will take a very good one to beat him today.

Monalee looks the solid option, just get the feeling in this deep a race he will find one too good like normal

Don’t think he doesn’t stay 3 mile tbh, watching anibale fly close on him in the red mills made me think hes just a weak finisher at any trip

Now iv said that hes bound to romp home

Good luck all

When becomeing obvious he’s going here I backed Footpad. If showing his form could win this fairly easily and how he travelled well for a long way last time is encouraging. The 4.7/1 at that time very worth taking a chance with, because if showing all the old sparkle at home he’d be 5/2 or shorter… and indeed shortened up quite a bit afterwards. However, since then has drifted. Question needs to be asked now: If connections believed Footpad anything like back to his old self, would he be allowed to start 5/1. I don’t think so. So although I thought 4.7/1 was at the time value, wouldn’t take 5/1 right now. Strangely enough for a value punter, had he been 3/1 this afternoon I may well have gone in again. Hopefully he’ll shorten up.

Good news is the other one I’ve backed as a main bet that’s shortened is Road To Respect. Bad news is I’d had an ante-post bet on him for the Gold Cup! So behind in that respect to. If the ground is truly soft then it may well be the correct decision. Seemed outstayed in last year’s Gold Cup, although could also be at his very best on good or good-soft – which is a slight worry. But everything else is for him. Ran well for a long way in the Gold Cup and raced mid-div to win at the Festival two years ago… And (importantly imo) doesn’t need to be up there from the start. All opposition at the top of the market run their best races from the front or at least up with it. So far – Monalee, Frodon and Un De Sceaux are all best making or disputing it, and then there’s other front/prominent runners Sub Lieutenant and Charbel, even Balko Des Flos seems best not too far behind.

Footpad races at or near the pace and had plenty of room at his fences (fair way behind the front two for a long way in the Arkle, but out on his own in doing so). 12 is not a big field but it is for him, 7 being the biggest faced over fences. Expect Ruby to keep Footpad wide.

Un De Sceaux has won this before, but is likely to have more competition for the lead here and in those circumstances can pull his chance away. No Ruby to anchor him either. No real evidence of age catching up with the 11 year old, but hasn’t run this year.

Monalee jumps exceptionally well when making the running, but will he be as good taken on by an equaly good leaper? Seems to be improving and needs to to beat some of these.

Frodon loves Cheltenham and doesn’t need to lead. Handicap form under big weights give him a good chance if Grodon is below form. If there weren’t as many front runners I’d be having a big bet on Frodon. Just a saver because think they might set it up for the closer Road To Respect.

Some of the others aren’t that much behind on form, but equally don’t have much scope to make that improvement necessary. Might place, but unless they go absolutely silly up front (bringing in Coney Island and Terrefort) can’t see an upset.

Money now come for Footpad and none for Road To Respect.

I bet Coney Island at 33-1 ew a while back + after nearly going with Monalee, I stuck with Road To Respect

Backed Aso each way at 40/1, but my main hope is Un De Sceaux. You have to go back a long time to see when he last finished outside the top 2 and this race and conditions are made for him. His run behind Altior last time is right up there with some of the best form in the field. 6/1 is a mad price.

Not a dry eye in the house, just superb Bryony and Frodon