Ryanair Chase 2022

The Ryanair Chase is one of the most exciting races of the Cheltenham Festival week and although not quite at ‘Championship’ status in official terms, it is every inch the top class Grade 1 Steeplechase in its own right.

The race was first introduced to the Festival in 2005 and was given Grade One status in 2008. Run over two miles and five furlongs the Ryanair Chase usually attracts a high-quality field.

Winners of this race have gone on to bigger and better things. In 2009 Imperial Commander won this then followed up in the Gold Cup twelve months later, whilst the 2019 winner Frodon recently claimed the 2020 King George VI Chase.

In 2021, Allaho was the winner for Willie Mullins, dominating the field and he could well be back in 2022 to try and defend his crown. 

The £350,000 race is contested over an extended two-and-a-half miles on Cheltenham’s New Course. Irish-trained runners have won this contest for four of the past five seasons and it’s been a great race for first and second favourites. 

As the Cheltenham Festival draws closer, we will update this page with our full betting preview, the latest odds for the race and any other key info that punters need before they place their bets.

What Happened in the Ryanair Chase 2021?

Willie Mullins won the Ryanair Chase for a record fourth time at Cheltenham 2021 thanks to 3/1 favourite Allaho‘s strong front-running performance under jockey Rachael Blackmore. The Cheveley Park Stud-owned seven-year-old just drove his competitors into the ground from the start for an impressive 12 lengths victory. Allaho is once again the bookies favourite to retain the crown in 2022. Last year’s runner-up Fakir D’oudairies will attempt to dethrone the champ but is currently a 25/1 outsider to do so with bet365.

Previous Winners of the Ryanair Chase

2021 – Allaho

2020 – Min

2019 – Frodon

2018 – Balko Des Flos 

2017 – Un de Sceaux 

Ryanair Chase Odds

In early February the 2022 Ryanair Chase betting odds were displaying last year’s winner Allaho as the clear 5/4 favourite with bet365 to make it back-to-back Ryanair wins, and is the one they all have to beat. His closest rivals in the Ryanair betting this year are Energumene (9/2), Saint Calvados (10/1) and Shan Blue (12/1). Be mindful that Cheltenham odds can change very quickly as horses complete their final prep runs or confirm their Cheltenham target races. Make sure to use the NRNB (Non Runner No Bet) Cheltenham betting markets where horses have multiple engagements.

Ryanair Chase Tips

The classy Envoi Allen could be an interesting Ryanair Chase contender if connections choose this to go for this race instead of the Champion Chase. He fell at the fourth fence in the Marsh Novices’ Chase last year but is already a two-time winner at the Festival over hurdles. You can currently bet Envoi Allen at odds of 14/1 with Betfred in the ‘Non Runner No Bet’ (NRNB) market. These special Cheltenham betting markets provide a great safety net for horses with multiple Cheltenham entries as your stakes are fully refunded if your horse does not run.

Another horse who could run a big race is the Nicky Henderson-trained Mister Fisher at 14/1 with Betfred. Pulled up on his return in the King George at Kempton in December, Mister Fisher bounced back to form with an facile win in the Silviniaco Conti Chase in mid-January. Although he holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup he is likely to go for the Ryanair Chase and could be primed to make the frame.

* Ryanair Chase betting odds correct at the time of writing. All odds are subject to change.

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