Superstar Allaho for leading trainer Willie Mullins is set to go back up in trip for his final run of the season when looking for more Grade One glory in the Punchestown Gold Cup over three miles.
Having been a smart hurdler, finishing third in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle back in 2019, he was sent chasing the next season and took some time to really find his form, but his narrow third in the Grade One RSA Novices' Chase was a big step forward.
It wasn't until last season that he properly matured and was a horse to take notice of, finishing a good fourth in the three mile Savills Chase at Christmas and off the back of that was finally dropped back to his preferred 2m4f.
He went to Thurles in January 2021 where he saw off stablemate Elimay with ease to land the event by an eased down three lengths.
This set him up perfectly for last years Cheltenham festival where he gave the performance of the season to win the Ryaniar Chase by a clear 12 lengths.
Allaho finished off last term at the Punchestown festival when stepping down to, two miles against stablemate Chacun Pour Soi and although running a big race had to settle for second, not having enough speed for the trip.
WAS IT EVER IN DOUBT? ALLAHO RETAINS THE RYANAIR!! ✈️
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) March 17, 2022
The festival NAP for many makes every yard of the running, delivering in fine style for @PTownend & @WillieMullinsNH 😍
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The eight year old returned this term in the Grade One John Durkan Chase and from the front went on to see off a superb field of runners.
The form of that race has worked out fairly well and Allaho franked that next time out when winning the same race at Thurles he did before heading to the festival.
Looking to dominate from the front in the G1 Ryanair again he was just as impressive with no horses being able to live with him and he went on to take the event by 14 lengths.
Mullins has now decided to step him back up in trip for his season ender with the Punchestown Gold Cup looking very winnable this year and the handler believes he is mature enough to handle the further trip.
(Credit ATR) “Yeah, he’s very good over that trip (two and a half). I think he could stay the three miles of the Punchestown race,” said Mullins.“
If Energumene or Chacun Pour Soi weren’t in the two-mile race (in which he was second to Chacun Pour Soi last year), I’d love to go back some day over two miles with him. He has that sort of ability.
“The way that the race is setting up this year, I think we’ll go for the three-mile with him. I imagine Henry de Bromhead might have a say in that race too! He’s got the top staying chasers around as well.”