StableTalk: “The race should be run to suit him so there are lots of positives”

It was always a probability that Vautour would run in the Ryanair Chase as he had been declared for the race at every declaration stage so today’s announcement is not too much of a surprise. If I was training the horse, I would have gone for the Ryanair, so saying he was never running in public did surprise me when the Mullins camp leave it open until the last minute. He was always the best horse in the race and he was probably always going to turn up so we should never have discounted that. It was never going to be Al Ferof’s race to lose, it was competitive without Vautour but it has now just been made even more competitive.

The second thing you have to think of is apparently the horse is only 90%. The Ryanair is not a weak race at the distance. It would be a weaker race at 3m2f but it is not, it’s over 2m4f. If he is only 90% as they say, he could be in trouble at any distance.

I’m really happy with Al Ferof as he is in good shape heading into the race.

I run two in the opening race on day two of the Festival, Its’afreebee and Welsh Shadow. Its’afreebee got a form boost the other day with Le Prezien winning impressively at Kelso. I think he will stay the trip.

Welsh Shadow is absolutely crying out for the trip in my opinion. He has come on a bundle for his run at Kempton. They are both in really good form. Harry has chosen Welsh Shadow but I don’t know how much you can read into that. One will be ridden prominently and the other will be held up.

I honestly felt last year that Welsh Shadow would be one of my top novices and would certainly be lining up at the Festival. His rating suggests he has a lot to find but I think he could outrun it as Mister Miyagi did on Tuesday. Its’afreebee has done nothing but improve for us. He is very tough and genuine.