Bob Olinger and Allaho are seen as two Irish bankers on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival..
Not many will oppose Allaho but Bob Olinger has a fierce opponent in Galopin Des Champs in the Turner's Novice Chase (1.30) after dotting up in his two chase victories
However, Bob Olinger, another top horse in the Henry de Bromhead stable, is taken to give him and Rachael Blackmore another major festival winner following her tremendous double Champion Hurdle success on Honeysuckle.
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Bob is no stranger to Cheltenham glory, having won the Ballymore Novice Hurdle in 2021 and recently won a Punchestown Grade Three when briefly looking in trouble before putting four and a half lengths between himself and Willie Mullins's useful Capodanno.
Galopin Des Champs represents Mullins here and he too, is unbeaten in two chase runs, hacking up by 22 lengths at Leopardstown at Christmas before also winning a Grade Three by nine lengths at the same track last month.
Bob Olinger is the better horse and is taken to oblige in what will be an Irish victory as none of the four runners, are trained in the UK. Getting around evens on Bob in such a small field, is a bargain.
Last year’s winner Allaho aims for a repeat in the Ryanair Chase (2.50), triumphing by an effortless 12 lengths. He's impossible to oppose and at 4/6, will be part of 'accas.'
Another Mullins 'big gun,' he won his two warm-up races including the John Durkin Memorial in which he beat Janidil who takes him on again, two lengths. He then destroyed Fakir D'Oudairies at Thurles and should not be troubled today.
The Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) is the feature race and Flooring Porter is another returning for a hopeful second victory. Handled by Gavin Cromwell, he made all in 2021, beating Sire Du Berlais and 2019 winner Paisley Park.
Porter was beaten by Klassical Dream who failed to follow up at 1/3 behind Royal Kahala in the Galmoy Hurdle, so the form is a bit in-and-out. Kahala takes his chance for Peter Fahey and can't be ignored but it may pay to concentrate on the two British contenders Champ and Thyme Hill.
Nicky Henderson has his horses back in full swing and the better ground will certainly help Champ, the apple of Sir Tony McCoy's eyes.
Thyme Hill has been knocking on the door of a big one but Philip Hobb's charge just does not get home over three miles and lost out in the closing stages to Champ in Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle. The latter then failed to hold off Paisley Park here in the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of January, looking all over the winner jumping the last. Expect Champ to strip fitter and take his revenge.
Mullins likes to farm the Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) and has the favourite in maiden winner Dinoblue along with Grangee, Heia, Statuaire, Brandy Love and Braganza.
Rachael Blackmore takes the ride on Heia who won a maiden last time, but the best of the Mullins brigade may turn out to be Brandy Love who has solid form and is the choice of Paul Townend.
Selections
- 1.30 Bob Olinger
- 2.10 Love Envoi
- 2.50 Allaho
- 3.30 Champ
- 4.10 The Glancing Queen
- 4.50 Brandy Love
- 5.30 Ain't That A Shame
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