Ryanair Chase Tips: The each-way selection up against the mighty Allaho

The 2022 Ryanair Chase is dominated by last year's winner and odds on favourite Allaho trained by Willie Mullins.

This will be the eight year old's fourth visit to the Cheltenham Festival where he finished third in the 2019 Albert Bartlett behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. He was third in the RSA Chase behind Champ in 2020 before last year's 12 length demolition of the Ryanair field.

Beaten in the Punchestown Champion Chase at the end of last season over two miles which was just too sharp for him, he's bounced back this year with two wins from two outings. First off in the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown before winning a Grade 2 at Thurles last time out, beating Fakir D'oudairies by 12 lengths into second, the same as in the 2021 Ryanair. Bet365 go 4/6 about his chances of a repeat here (at the time of writing).

Second in the betting comes Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated who steps back in trip here for Gordon Elliott. The 13/2 chance was something of a surprise winner at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and is officially rated as the second best horse in the race.

The Dan Skelton trained Shan Blue looks to represent the home team's best chance according to the odds. Fifth here in the Turners Novices' Chase 12 months ago, he was second at Aintree albeit beaten a distance and a faller on his only race this season in the Charlie Hall Chase. The odds seem to belie his chances here given his past form, third fav at 9/1 with Bet Victor.

Colin Tizzard trains Eldorado Allen (14/1) who was last seen winning the Denman Chase at Newbury. Second in the Arkle last season, albeit beaten 12 lengths by Shishkin, the eight year old won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance and second behind Mister Fisher in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January.

Willie Mullins saddles 14/1 chance Janidil who has been placed three times in his last four outings. A Grade 1 winner at Fairyhouse last season as a novice, he was beaten two lengths by Allaho in the John Durkan before respectable runs in both the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup (3rd) last time out. At the prices and given connections he looks to have a nice each-way chance this week.

At bigger prices, 16/1 shot Melon, another runner for Willie Mullins takes his chances again in a race where he pulled up in last season. He has form to find on both Allaho and stablemate Janidil and this looks like being too hot a race for him.

Nicky Henderson, who last won this race with Riverside Theatre back in 2012 trains Mister Fisher who pulled up in this race last season. The eight year old is a bit of an enigma but does have course and distance winning form when the Peterborough Chase was redirected to Cheltenham in 2020 and is a big price here at 28/1.

A 25/1 chance is the Paul Nicholls trained Saint Calvados who was second in this race back in 2020. Meanwhile, Venetia Williams trains the seven year old Fanion D'Estruval who was fifth in this race last season.

Allaho looks the pick here on form but I like the look of JANIDIL each-way at odds of 14/1 with Bet365. He's a Grade 1 winner as a novice and has been running well in good company this season and can outrun his price here.