This race has a recent record of being won by horses with considerable experience. Aside from the brilliant Allaho the winner in 2021 and 2022 three of the last five runnings have been won by 9yo. Un de Seaux provides 9yo’s with a 50% strike rate since 2017.
Last year Protekarat defeated two 10yo’s finishing in front of Envoi Allen and Conflated and in 2023 Envoi Allen defeated the 9yo Shishkin.
In Allaho’s second Ryanair win in 2022 the only 9yo or older runner to contest was the outsider Min. In 2021 Allaho completly destroyed the field where only 5 of the 11 runners were able to compete. This was an exceptional performance achieving a rating of 179.
Vautour’s victory as a 7yo in 2016 was rated 175 and all the evidence suggests that in the current era only horses of the very highest calibre can win the Ryanair at 7 or 8 year’s of age.
For the 2025 running, this brings the spotlight firmly onto the King George winner Banbridge who is priced at 4/1 by William Hill NRMB. His run will be ground dependent but despite last years soft/heavy conditions generally the meeting is ran on good to soft ground which will be ideal.
A look through the current Ante post market sees the 8yo Fact to File as the market leader at 6/4. However I am far convinced about the value of his runs this season and have a feeling he may not be progressing – the 8yo is far too short at 6/4.
However, 4/1 about Banbridge could look very good on race day. There is every chance of a field of just 6-8 with possibly half of those only running for the glory of a festival run.
The other 9yo at the head of the market is Jonbon who will head for the Champion Chase as I believe will the other high quality younger horses Gaelic Warrior, Ile Est Francais, El Fabiolo and Il Etait Temps.
The 10yo L’Homme Presse would have a chance on soft ground but if its good to soft the King George third is likely to head for the Gold Cup.
Banbridge has that touch of class, speed and stamina and at this early stage looks value and the most likely winner of the race. He is a dual winner at the track and although his run in the 2024 Ryanair was poor that can be excused by the soft ground, which also means there is every chance if the ground is the same this year he will not run and the Ante Post stakes returned.
Recommend 2pt win Bet
Banbridge Ryanair Chase 4/1 William Hill NRMB
Chrysalis Consortium 
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