Allaho had been 10/11 favourite to win a third successive Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March; a hospital check revealed Willie Mullins' star had suffered an abdominal bleed; stablemate Blue Lord now 5/2 favourite for Ryanair
Monday 13 February 2023 13:37, UK
Dual Ryanair Chase hero Allaho will not bid for a hat-trick at next month's Cheltenham Festival after suffering an abdominal bleed.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Ryanair in 2021 under Rachael Blackmore and successfully defended his crown with a sublime front-running performance last season in the hands of Paul Townend.
He stepped up to three miles to win the Punchestown Gold Cup the following month, but has not been seen in competitive action since, with an autumn setback ruling out a possible tilt at the King George VI Chase at Kempton Boxing Day.
Hopes were high that Allaho would return to action at the Festival - but Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, has confirmed he will miss the showpiece meeting after suffering a further setback.
A statement issued to PA Media read: "Having worked pleasingly this past Saturday, Allaho was found to be uncomfortable after working and was then taken to the Fethard Equine Hospital, where he was found to have suffered some sort of abdominal bleed.
"Although a very rare condition, this was obviously of great concern. However, following treatment his condition appears to have stabilised.
"According to Willie Mullins this morning, Allaho is bright and comfortable with a normal heart rate, so obviously this is most encouraging, but we have to play things day by day."
Allaho's setback has opened up the Ryanair Chase market, with plenty of eyes now on this Saturday's Ascot Chase, live on Sky Sports Racing.
That could feature defending champion Fakir D'oudairies, who has been cut to 3/1 for Cheltenham in March (SkyBet), behind only Allaho's stablemate Blue Lord, who takes up the mantle as the new 11/4 favourite.
Nicky Henderson's Shishkin looks likely to target the Ryanair after Ascot this weekend and is now 7/2 in the betting for Cheltenham.
In a wide-open contest, which features on the Thursday of the Festival, Conflated is now 4/1, Fury Road 9/2 and Pic D'orhy and Envoi Allen each 8/1.
