held up, headway 11th, effort after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, headway 11th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leader until 3rd, close up, pushed along and lost place 8th, ridden after 11th, steady progress from 2 out, stayed on strongly run in, just held
pecked 1st, held up, jumped right from 4 out, effort next, stayed on run-in
hit 1st, chased leader 3rd until after 12th, left 3rd and hampered 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on run-in
led, clear 2nd, hit next, still travelling well when fell 2 out
close up, went 2nd after 12th, left in lead next, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped big last, all out
mistake 1st, close up, left 4th 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
in touch, driven along after 9th, weakened 4 out
Our Vic is either very good or very bad and we will take a chance on him being the former today, although the presence of the classy Monet's Garden, Taranis, and Racing Demon should ensure that this is one of the most competitive races of the festival. Our Vic has disappointed in this race for the last two years but has looked in fine fettle this season and given the likely strong pace, his ability to travel well at speed could be the key to him recording another victory. He arguably didn't get home last time out over a longer trip when beaten here by leading Gold Cup hope Exotic Dancer, however now over his optimum trip he could be the last off the bridle and first up the hill. Too Forward could have done without the drying weather however he could still be competitive, although he is held by Our Vic on their run here back in April of last year. Henry Daly's Billyvoddan was impressive when beating Zabenz over three miles last time wearing first time blinkers and so has place claims at a price, whilst Taranis looks the pick of the Nicholls duo. The youngest in the field, he held on well when winning a prep hurdles race at Sandown last month and should appreciate the ground however it goes. Monet's Garden has a terrific record when starting favourite (eight wins out of nine races) and bounced back to form last time out after a lacklustre effort in the King George. He possibly didn't stay fully that day over the three miles and now dropped in trip he could easily extend that winning sequence. Henrietta Knight has been very selective with where she sends her stable star Racing Demon, and it should be noted that he runs in this instead of the Gold Cup. However his jumping is a cause for concern at the moment and he cannot be truly fancied until he irons out those problems. Overall this looks to be the strongest Ryanair Chase so far and with so many in with very solid chances, we can only tentatively return to David Pipe's Our Vic to land the spoils.
Hi Cloy (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, left 4th 5 out, remote 3rd after 2 out, no impression, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Beef Or Salmon (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Held up behind leaders, took closer order 10th, joined leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, ran on strongly, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 3f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb beating Thisthatandtother (11-7) by 8l, 7 ran.
Our Vic (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Raced wide, narrow lead until 11th, stayed challenging, regained lead approaching 2 out and mistake, headed between last 2, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Exotic Dancer (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Racing Demon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Held up, headway on inside to track leaders 6th, close up and travelling well when fell 4 out in race won by Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, badly hampered 3rd and lost place, steady headway from 12th, led 17th, drew well clear after 3 out, readily, won at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec beating Zabenz (10-13) by 12l, 18 ran.
Crozan (FR) 7-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Limerick Boy (11-7) at Haydock 2m 6f Grad Ch (2) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
Taranis (FR) 9-4fav (10-3) Held up, headway on outer after 3 out, stayed on well under pressure to lead last, all out, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb beating Whispered Secret (10-1) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slightly outpaced 11th, stayed from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Too Forward (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Raced wide throughout, tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, narrow lead going well 3 out, clear approaching last, eased flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Jan beating Nozic (9-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
