Ryanair Chase 2023 Tips - Irish chaser can challenge Shishkin

Here's our free guide and tips for the 2023 Ryanair Chase.

No sooner had Allaho been withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase, his place at the top of the betting was filled by Shishkin. Nicky Henderson's star stepped beyond two miles for the first time in the Ascot Chase and Nico De Boinville's mount couldn't have been more impressive as he claimed an emphatic 16-length success.

I don't think the runner-up, Pic D'Orhy jumped as well as he had done on his preview two starts. Fakir D'Oudairies underperformed drastically, but neither of those factors detracts from Shishkin's superb performance. 

If the former Supreme and Arkle winner is in that same vein of form, then I can't see Shishkin being beaten. Four weeks, however, is a quick enough turnaround for a horse who's struggled for form and fitness over the past 12 months. That would be my only worry.

With Allaho now out, Blue Lord could lead Willie Mullins' assault on this year's Ryanair. Blue Lord will likely be joined in the field by last year's runner-up Janidil, who returned to action with an impressive victory over stablemate Haut En Couleurs in the Red Mills Chase.

Fury Road will drop back down in trip, following a solid effort behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup. Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, Envoi Allen will also drop back in distance, having laboured home in the King George VI Chase over Christmas.

Pic D'Orhy and Fakir D'Oudairies look set to skip Cheltenham and wait for the Melling Chase at Aintree. Conflated heads to the Gold Cup. Ga Law needs a run over three miles to qualify for the Grand National. French Dynamite is handicapped well enough to win the Plate Handicap Chase and I don't see either Hitman or Chacun Pour Soi taking up their entries.

Fanion D'Estruval could return for another crack, having finished 30 lengths behind Allaho 12 months ago. Millers Bank and Sceau Royal deserve a mention, but neither has much of a chance.

Shishkin is undoubtedly the most likely winner, but the sharp turnaround is enough to put me off his current odds-on price. I'd rather have an each-way bet on JANIDIL, who looked like he'd improve plenty for that return run at Gowran Park.

Those in attendance noted that Janidil was noticeably tubby in the parade ring prior to the Red Mills Chase, which resulted in Rachael Blackmore's mount drifting out to 7/2. Turning for home, Blackmore still sat last of the four, but a burst of speed between the final two flights saw Janidil pass the flakey Haut En Coulour and Mullins' nine-year-old kept going right through the line.

Janidil got outpaced on day three of the Cheltenham Festival last year. Mark Walsh's mount didn't jump all the fluently either. Yet, Janidil was still able to stay on and claim second place behind the hugely impressive Allaho. Fury Road will likely bounce out and make the running, but he won't be setting as brisk a gallop as Allaho did 12 months ago.