Cheltenham Day 3 Ruby Walsh's fancies: Getting early pace right vital for Allaho
SMILES: Trainer Willie Mullins celebrates after winning with Stattler on Tuesday. He wil have high expectations for Allaho in the Ryanair
T is becoming harder to know which of today’s open Grade Ones. Getting the early pace rightis the feature event. The Ryanair Chase was introduced when Cheltenham became a four-day extravaganza and has thrown up some brilliant winners and great races. On the other hand, the Stayers Hurdle will always have more tradition and does not lack great renewals either.
Both will be fascinating today, and the start of both races could set the tone for what follows. Last year, Mister Fisher and Min went toe to toe with Allaho to the first fence, and Min kept with him until he dropped away from the third. But that early competition set Allaho alight as he steamrolled the opposition.
