The two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho returned from a 561-day lay-0ff to win the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday with ease. A victory that saw the best UK horse racing bookmakers shorten the Willie Mullins star in both the King George VI and Ryanair Chases for the upcoming National Hunt season.
Allaho Back With A Bang With Smooth Clonmel Oil Chase Success
Racegoers last saw Allaho 561-days ago when romping away with the Punchestown Gold Cup on 27th April 2022, but the long-awaited return of the two-time Cheltenham Festival winner went without any hiccups with jockey Paul Townend guiding him to victory.
In the end Allaho only had to face two other rivals, with the Mouse Morris-trained French Dynamite pulled out on the day, and the result played out as the betting suggested with the hot 1/4 favourite seeing off his stablemate and old rival Janidil by 9-lengths.
Townend, who was winning the race for the fifth time, took up the running from the off and after jumping well never saw another horse.
Allaho probably got a tad tired after jumping the last, but after a 561-day layoff this was to be expected and he’s sure to come on for the run.
The win for Allaho also provided trainer Willie Mullins with his eighth success in the Clonmel Oil Chase – with his past winners – Arvika Ligeonniere (2013), Champagne Fever (2014), Alelchi Inois (2016), Kemboy (2018), Douvan (2019), Bachasson (2020), Blue Lord (2022).
😍 Love to see it!
🐎 ALLAHO IS BACK!! He wins the Clonmel Oil Chase @ClonmelR for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend
🎉 561 days off the track and he’s back with a bang! pic.twitter.com/le8XCQ0LgA
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 9, 2023
Allaho Career In Numbers
- Runs: 18
- Wins: 9
- Chase Runs: 13
- Chase Wins: 8
- Total Prize Money: £753,670
Bookmakers React By Chopping Allaho’s King George VI and Ryanair Chase Odds
The layers were clearly waiting to see how Allaho returned after his lengthy lay-off, as prior to the Clonmel Oil Chase win the Willie Mullins-trained 9 year-old was on offer at 8/1 for the King George and 9/2 to land a third Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024.
However, as soon as he crossed the line at Clonmel the bookmakers were beavering away at both markets and are clearly taking no chances with Allaho into 5/1 (from 8/1) for the Kempton King George with the best UK betting sites and as short as 3/1 (from 9/2) for a third Ryanair Chase win at the Cheltenham Festival.
The betting now sees Allaho as the clear Ryanair Chase 2024 favourite, but is still third in the King George VI Chase market behind last year’s winner Bravemansgame and Shishkin.
Neither races have been confirmed as a firm target, while Allaho also still holds an entry for the John Durkin Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday 26th November.
King George VI Chase Odds 2023 (Ante-Post)
- Bravemansgame 13/8
- Shishkin 7/2
- Allaho 5/1
- Galopin Des Champs 8/1
- L’Homme Press 8/1
- Gerri Colombe 11/1
Note: Odds are from BetMGM, subject to change and others on request
Ryanair Chase Odds 2024 (Ante-Post)
- Allaho 4/1
- Jonbon 5/1
- El Fabiolo 8/1
- Bandridge 12/1
- Shishkin 12/1
- Star Stage 14/1
- Envoi Allen 16/1
Note: Odds are from BetMGM, subject to change and others on request
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WATCH: Allaho Winning Punchestown Gold Cup in 2022
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