Jamie Snowden says he’s confident that Ga Law can spring a surprise in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.
The eight-year-old took fifth in the race last March, but in his preparation run, he fell at the last fence at Doncaster.
Ga Law’s preparation has been much smoother this time around and following his win at Cheltenham in late January, Snowden is bullish about a big performance from the gelding.
“He came back to be fifth in the Ryanair last year but he didn’t have the most ideal prep in fairness and he probably wasn’t in the same form he is in now,” Snowden said.
“I was really impressed with how he won on trials day off the mark of 150, that was a very decent performance and the handicapper has obviously put him up to a mark of 156.”
Ga Law was initially entered into the TrustATrader Plate but was supplemented for the Ryanair by the yard a couple of weeks ago.
While he may currently be a 28/1 outsider, Snowden believes if he can cope with his rise in the weights, Ga Law could bring home the prize.
“To win any handicap at the festival you need to have seven or eight pounds in hand and if he can do that then he’s got every chance of winning the Ryanair,” he said.
“Well take our chance and fingers crossed we go there with a decent chance.”
In his win at Cheltenham in January, Ga Law was ridden from the front by Gavin Sheehan, and Snowden revealed the tactics that will be used this time around.
“We’d like to go forward again with him,” he explained. “There is bound to be plenty of pace on but we’ll go forward.”
Snowden’s horse will need to fend off Willie Mullins’ Capodanno, as well as current market leaders Envoi Allen and Banbridge, but the heavy ground could help his cause.
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