Injury forces two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho to withdraw from Cheltenham Festival

Allaho, a brilliant winner of the Ryanair Chase in 2021 and 2022, missed the race last year due to a rare abdominal condition. After 561 days off the track, he returned to win at Clonmel in November. Due to his condition, he will miss the upcoming Cheltenham Festival and will require a period of rest and recuperation. There is hope that he may be back for the Punchestown Festival in April, but investigations are ongoing.

Following this news, bookmakers have made Banbridge the new favorite for the Ryanair, with bet365 offering odds of 3-1. Despite being frustrated by Allaho’s absence, there is confidence in his potential and belief that he will continue to be a major force in the future. His impressive record includes victories at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in 2022. He has won ten of his 20 starts and earned nearly £800,000 in prize money.