Allaho likely to head straight to Ryanair Chase after smooth Grade 2 victory

Allaho restored his reputation as one of Willie Mullins' brightest senior chasers with a cosy success in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Wednesday, bouncing back to form after a low-key start to his season.

Seemingly always held in high regard, the Cheveley Park-owned seven-year-old was pointed towards the RSA Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival when gunned down by Champ and Minella Indo over 3m, but the suspicion that he could be at his best over a mid-range trip was apparently confirmed in the race registered as the Kinloch Brae.

Having disappointed when reportedly jumping poorly in the fog under David Mullins in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December, the former Albert Bartlett third failed to live up to expectations when beaten 20 lengths in fourth behind A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite here to register his first win since getting off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse a year ago, the mount of Paul Townend raced with enthusiasm on the front end throughout, jumping a touch to his left at times.

Some of his main challengers, Battleoverdoyen and Annamix, failed to fire but Allaho's well-backed stablemate Elimay, owned by JP McManus, looked set to throw down a legitimate challenge approaching the final fence.

Relive Allaho's victory

However, any potential for the favourite being turned over was quickly quashed once Paul Townend asked his partner for more, pulling clear by three lengths to reaffirm his position as a live player in the Ryanair Chase.

"I was a little worried when Elimay got to Allaho but he picked up and went away like a decent horse," said Mullins of the 5-1 joint-favourite with Paddy Power for the Ryanair Chase.

"He's a huge horse. I thought he could be a three-miler but maybe he's better coming back to two and a half miles or two-five. We're looking forward to his next run, I'd imagine he'll go straight to Cheltenham. I'd be thinking he could go for the Ryanair."

Of Elimay, Mullins added: "She ran a decent race again. We'll probably go for the Opera Hat at Naas and then head on to the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham."

Battleoverdoyen was last of the six finishers and rider Jack Kennedy said: "He just didn't fire and I wasn't happy from a long way out. There'll be another day for him."

The IHRB veterinary officer noted the gelding was blowing hard post race and it took some time to recover.

Results, replays and analysis

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