Ryanair Chase Runners 2023: Shishkin Heads Cheltenham Betting

The Ryanair Chase runners 2023 are topped by the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin, who bounced back to form to win the Ascot Chase and is now the clear favourite for the Cheltenham Festival day three feature.

See below the latest Ryanair Chase betting and intended runners for the day three Cheltenham Festival feature on Thursday 16th March.

Ryanair Chase Runners 2023: Shishkin Tops Ryanair Betting After Return To Form

Shishkin threw his hat firmly into the ring for the Ryanair Chase after returning to form to win the Ascot Chase with ease (18th Feb) and is now the clear favourite to follow-up in the day three Cheltenham Festival feature.

The Nicky Henderson-trained 9 year-old clearly loved the step up in trip at Ascot, which was Shishkin’s first try beyond 2m2f, and with the Ryanair Chase not looking one of the strongest renewals it’s easy to see why the bookmakers have shortened the former Arkle Chase winner into clear favourite.

Shishkin will also be looking to follow in the hoof-prints of Riverside Theatre, who also did the Ascot Chase/Ryanair Chase double in 2012 – oh, and he was also trained by a certain Nicky Henderson.

Two-Time Winner Allaho Won’t Be Back for Ryanair Chase Hat-trick Bid

We also now know the 2023 Ryanair Chase WON’T have the winner from the last two years – Allaho – in the race as the Willie Mullins-trained 9 year-old has suffered a training setback. His absence had given the race a more open feel, but Shishkin’s return to form in the build-up to the race has given the market another short-priced favourite

Gordon Elliott Confirms Ryanair Chase as Target For Fury Road

The Ryanair Chase is always at Cheltenham Festival race that the Gigginstown House Stud like to target as it’s sponsored by the boss of the budget airline – Michael O’Leary. That said, their only success in the race to date has come in 2018 running with Balko Des Flos.

This year they will pin their hopes on one of the Gordon Elliott 2023 Cheltenham Festival runners – Fury Road, who has been confirmed by the County Meath handler as having the Ryanair Chase as his main target.

Conflated, who is also owned by the Gigginstown House Stud also has an entry in the race, but it’s no secret that the Gold Cup is his preferred option.

Willie Mullins Has Won Five of The Last Seven Ryanair Chases

Trainer Willie Mullins has won the most Ryanair Chases since the race was first run in 2005. The top Cheltenham handler has mopped up 5 wins in the last 7 years – including the last three runnings.

No Allaho for Mullins this year, but at this stage the County Carlow trainer still has Blue Lord, Chacun Pour Soi and last year’s runner-up Janidil entered.

8 Of the Last 10 Ryanair Chase Winners Returned 9/2 Or Shorter In The Betting

The Ryanair Chase is also a race that punters tend to get right more often than now – 80% of the last 10 winners returned just 9/2 or shorter in the betting, which is another big plus ahead of the chances of the hot favourite Shishkin. While, if making the final Ryanair Chase runners, Blue Lord and Fury Road could also easily go off shorter than 9/2 in the betting.

What Date & Time Is The 2023 Ryanair Chase?

��Time/Date: 2:50pm (Thursday 16th March 2023)��Racecourse: Cheltenham�� Purse/Winner: £211,013