Allaho solidifies festival claims with comfortable Grade 2 victory, emerging as Ryanair Chase favorite

Paragraph 1: Despite being the favorite for the Cheltenham Festival target, Allaho had questions to answer. He had been sidelined for 561 days due to a bleed on his spleen before his successful reappearance at Clonmel in November. Additionally, he was now ten years old and had been beaten for the first time since the 2021 Punchestown festival in the King George VI Chase at Kempton last month. However, his performance in the Thurles Grade 2 suggested that a third Ryanair Chase could be in his future.

Paragraph 2: In the King George, Allaho took a lead but then returned to his more typical front-running tactics. He dominated the race from the beginning, jumping well in the testing, windy conditions. He attacked the fourth- and third-last fences aggressively and had a two-length advantage over his nearest pursuer, Stattler. Although there was a moment of concern between the final two fences as it looked like Allaho might be struggling, he quickly regained his composure and won the race for the third time.

Paragraph 3: The trainer expressed his satisfaction with Allaho’s performance, mentioning that he looked back to his usual self after not quite getting home in the King George. He also commented on Allaho’s age and how it took him a while to warm up to his jumping but stated that he is better going left-handed. He praised the race at Thurles, calling it a Grade 1 in all but name, and mentioned that it is a race they try to target every year. The trainer confirmed that it is now all roads back to the Ryanair for Allaho.

Paragraph 4: Stattler, the winner of the 2022 National Hunt Chase, finished as the runner-up in the Thurles Grade 2. Appreciate It, another horse from Closutton, completed the top three, although his performance was underwhelming considering he went off as the second favorite. French Dynamite, trained by Mouse Morris, finished last among the four runners.

Paragraph 5: Patrick Mullins, a jockey, praised Stattler’s performance and mentioned that the horse had been showing some promise in recent months. He also commented on Appreciate It’s run, stating that he had a good position but was ultimately found wanting. The paragraph ends by mentioning that Racing Post has the best offers, all in one place.