The Ryanair Chase is one of two Grade 1 races taking place on the third day of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.
The Ryanair Chase was first run in 2005 but has quickly become a popular part of the festival and this year features a star-studded field.
First Lieutenant (5/2) is the favourite in the 2013 Ryanair Chase betting market at Titan Bet (Free £35) followed by Cue Card (7/2) and Riverside Theatre (6/1).
This is a very interesting betting race so our team of racing experts have complied all the relevant form guide facts and betting statistics for the 2013 Ryanair Chase.
2013 Ryanair Chase Form Guide Facts and Betting Statistics
The winner of the 2012 Ryanair Chase was Nicky Henderson-trained Riverside Theatre who was ridden by Barry Geraghty.
Riverside Theatre is aiming to become the second horse to win back to back Ryanair Chase titles.
Cue Card is the only last start winner in the field.
First Lieutenant, Albertas Run, Champion Court, Cue Card, Ghizao, Menorah and Riverside Theatre have previously won at Cheltenham.
First Lieutenant, Albertas Run, Cue Card, For Non Stop, Menorah and Riverside Theatre are all winners at Grade 1 level.
Four of the last five winners of the Ryanair Chase contested the King George VI Chase in the lead-up. Champion Court, Cue Card and Riverside Theatre took place in the 2012 King George VI Chase.
Only one winner of the Ryanair Chase has been priced at odds longer than 6/1. First Lieutenant, Cue Card and Riverside Theatre are the only horses available at 6/1 or less.
2013 Ryanair Chase Trifecta Tip
Cue Card (7/2) from First Lieutenant (5/2) and Riverside Theatre (6/1)
It is tough to split the leading chances in this race but we are giving the slight edge to Cue Card. The seven-year-old was disappointing in the King George VI Chase but bounced back with an excellent performance in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. The son of King’s Theatre is proven over the distance of this race and has had the perfect Ryanair Chase preparation. At his current odds of 7/2 he is an excellent betting option.
First Lieutenant is the clear danger but at odds of 5/2 doesn’t represent good Cheltenham Festival betting value. The son of Presenting is coming off a strong second place finish behind Tidal Bay in the Lexus Chase but appears to have forgotten how to win and hasn’t saluted since December 2011.
Riverside Theatre is a proven Cheltenham Festival performer but has struggled since his excellent effort to win last year’s Ryanair Chase. At his best the nine-year-old is probably the most talented horse in the field but appears to have lost his top form. However, on talent alone he simply must be included in Ryanair Chase trifectas.
Sign-up at Titan Bet (Free £35) and you can receive £35 free bet to back Cue Card or any other horse in the Cheltenham Festival.
You can find the best odds for the entire Cheltenham Festival at Titan Bet (Free £35).
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