'Get stuck in' - Willie Mullins bemused on market drift of Ryanair hope Allaho

Willie Mullins has said Ryanair Chase favourite Allaho is in "fine form" ahead of his assignment in Thursday's Grade 1 despite a marked drift in the market on Tuesday morning.

Allaho had been at the head of the Ryanair betting since his impressive victory in a Grade 2 at Thurles in January, but the Cheveley Park-owned seven-year-old was matched at 39-1 on the exchanges, leading to rumours that his participation was in doubt.

However, he went back into 17.5 before being shortened further into 10-1, and his participation in the 2m4½f contest was confirmed at the final declarations stage, the drift coming as a surprise to a bemused Mullins.

Ryanair Chase card

"GSI – get stuck in," Mullins joked on Racing TV. "With all our horses every year, I don’t know who starts these rumours but they drift and they go out and I get phone calls from people. He’s in great form.

Willie Mullins: 'Paul is going to have another visit with his doctor during the week.'Credit: Patrick McCann

"Energumene is the only setback we’ve had. Everything else is grand."

Allaho, who was placed in both the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and Broadway Novices' Chase on his previous two festival appearances, will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore for the first time with Mullins' stable jockey Paul Townend remaining loyal to last year's winner Min.

Those stars are vying for outright favouritism in the race for the trainer, who has the first three in the market courtesy of Melon, and will also be represented by outsider Tornado Flyer in the 14-strong field.

Ryanair Chase betting

Betfair: 5-1 Allaho, Min, 13-2 Melon, 7 Imperial Aura, 8 Fakir D'oudaries, Mister Fisher, 10 Samcro, 11 Saint Calvados, 16 bar

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