'The Ryanair is the plan' - Allaho could go straight to Cheltenham without a run

Allaho could head to Cheltenham without another run as he bids to repeat last year's breathtaking success in the Ryanair Chase in March.

He ran his rivals into the ground when landing the Grade 1 by an emphatic 12 lengths under Rachael Blackmore in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud.

'I was as gobsmacked as anyone'- Willie Mullins thrilled with destructive Allaho

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old was less impressive when landing the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown early last month, when Asterion Forlonge would have given him a race had he not unseated his rider three out.

However, Cheveley Park managing director Chris Richardson stressed: "He was very professional in everything he did at Punchestown and he's a very exciting prospect for the season.

"The Ryanair is the plan. I'm not sure whether he'll go straight there or he'll run again. Quite often to run them back at Christmas can be a little bit quick so we decided to pass over those feature races and it's quite possible he'll go straight there or he may have one run beforehand."

Allaho: less impressive when winning the John Durkan Chase at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Entries close at noon on Tuesday for the Ryanair, as they do for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Gold Cup, which is set to be the next race for last year's runner-up A Plus Tard.

Cheveley Park's Betfair Chase winner was short-headed by Galvin in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, but Richardson said: "It looked like Davy Russell did exactly what he should have done on the winner in that he left us alone with Kemboy, who we managed to get in front of and hold, and then Galvin came with one run wide before we were able to respond to him.

"A Plus Tard had to travel for his last run and that always takes more out of a horse than it might seem, but there are no excuses. The plan will be to go straight to Cheltenham with him now."

Envoi Allen was pushed out in the betting for the Champion Chase after winning in no more than workmanlike fashion at 2-5 at Leopardstown last week.

Envoi Allen: 'It was one of those races that didn't quite unravel for us'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"It was one of those races that didn't quite unravel for us at Leopardstown," Richardson said of the eight-year-old, who features in the markets for all three top chases at Cheltenham. "But he's in great form and plans will be made once we get through the holiday period."

Ryanair Chase betting

Gold Cup betting

More to read:

Gutsy Allaho 'not at his best' but makes all to land gruelling John Durkan

Galvin and Davy Russell edge out A Plus Tard in epic finish to Savills Chase

Envoi Allen gets the job done but fails to impress despite Chacun's absence

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