Allaho

Allaho ran a brave race in defeat in the RSA Chase. In front from early and, hunted up by Minella Indo the whole way, he only relinquished the lead at the second last fence. And even after he did, he still kept on over the last and up the run-in to finish third behind Champ and Minella Indo.

It is difficult to argue that Allaho doesn’t stay three miles, he has now finished third in an RSA Chase and third in an Albert Bartlett Hurdle and second in a Grade 1 hurdle over three miles at Punchestown, and he won a Grade 3 novices’ hurdle over three miles at Clonmel last season. That said, Willie Mullins’ horse has such a fluent and enthusiastic way of going about things, it may be that he will be at his best over an easy three miles or a stiff two and a half. As such, it may be that the King George and the Ryanair Chase will be good targets for him next season, not the Savills Chase and the Gold Cup. He is only six and he had raced just three times over fences and just eight times under Rules. He is a hugely talented horse from whom there could be much more to come.

Cheltenham 11^th March, 2020