Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Ryanair: potential runners and a long-range shout

The major first half and festive period of jumps racing has passed and that means the build-up for this year's Cheltenham Festival cranks up another notch.

Who will contest each of the 28 season-defining races at the festival will become clearer week by week, and the entries for three of the meetings pinnacle races, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup were revealed on Tuesday.

Chasing greats could be crowned in each of those contests as jumps fans get an early glimpse of what they can expect from some of the best races across an epic four days in March.

Big-race entries: 2022 Cheltenham Festival

Big-race entries

Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.05 Cheltenham, March 18)

Total entries: 30
The key horses: Last year's one-two, Minella Indo and A Plus Tard, are on course to duel again for trainer Henry de Bromhead, despite suffering shock defeats over the Christmas period.

A Plus Tard's Savills Chase conqueror, Galvin, has also been entered and could bid to pick up another festival victory after last season's National Hunt Novices' Chase, while two-time hero Al Boum Photo heads Willie Mullins' battalion as he attempts to regain his crown. Shock King George VI Chase winner Tornado Flyer may also represent the Closutton trainer.

Protektorat: one of Britain's leading hopes for the Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Britain faces a difficult challenge against the Irish-trained entries, but their team could be headed by the Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat, a dominant winner of the Many Clouds Chase last month. The Nicky Henderson-trained pair, Chantry House and Champ, also feature.
Ante-post favourite: A Plus Tard (7-2)

Ryanair Chase (2.30 Cheltenham, March 17)

Total entries: 36
The key horses: Allaho was a destructive winner of the race last year under Rachael Blackmore and he could defend his crown after just one run this season when successful in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown last month.

Plenty of horses in this are dual-entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, including Allaho's stablemate Tornado Flyer and the quirky Asterion Forlonge, who was booked for second place in the King George before falling at the final fence.

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Envoi Allen could try to continue his career revival while classy sorts such as Fakir D'Oudaries, Shan Blue and Saint Calvados are all entered.
Ante-post favourite: Allaho (9-4)

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.05 Cheltenham, March 16)

Total entries: 22
The key horses: One of the undoubted clashes of the week remains on course to happen as last season's star novice chasers Shishkin and Energumene, who both made successful returns this campaign, were both entered.

Shishkin: has won at each of the last two Cheltenham FestivalsCredit: Getty Images

They dominate the market, but Nube Negra and multiple Grade 1 winner Chacun Pour Soi, who filled the places when second and third behind the also-entered Put The Kettle On last year, could provide stern opposition if at their best.

Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen could also aim to better his fourth-place finish last year, while stablemate Hitman and Captain Guinness remain unexposed at this level, having filled the frame behind him at Sandown last month.
Ante-post favourite: Shishkin (11-10)

Long-range shout: Janidil

Ryanair Chase
20-1 with William Hill and Unibet, 14-1 generally

Willie Mullins has become the dominant force in this race in the last decade and he could be in line to strike once more, but not with the one who is expected to be his most obvious candidate.

Mullins, who has won four of the last six runnings of the race, could have his main hope in last year's impressive winner Allaho and will be tough to beat, but his JP McManus-owned stablemate Janidil is very much of the top order too, albeit highly underrated.

The eight-year-old has begun to show his credentials in his last four starts over fences, which has included beating classy stablemate Asterion Forlonge and others in the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup, while also finishing just two lengths behind Allaho in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month.

He was bang in contention in the Savills Chase before his stamina wilted in the final furlong, which suggests this 2m4½f trip will be his optimum. Second-season novices have won this race six times since 2012 and should Allaho disappoint, he has a serious chance of picking up the pieces.
Matt Rennie, reporter

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