Options open for Energumene ahead of possible Ryanair run

Energumene is a possible for the Dublin Racing Festival, though a step up in trip ultimately beckons with the Ryanair Chase his Cheltenham goal.

The 12-year-old has been a mainstay of the two-mile chase division in recent seasons, winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023 alongside four further Grade One titles.

In the late autumn of his career connections are inclined to step him up in trip, and after a third-placed run on his seasonal debut in the Hilly Way, the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase was mooted as a possible run over an extended distance.

Energumene did not line up for that event at Thurles on Sunday and instead may remain at at a two-mile trip for the Dublin Racing Festival as other options over a longer distance are under consideration.

“He’s got an entry in the two-mile chase at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to owner Tony Bloom.

“If it rained all week and the ground came up soft, then there’s a chance he could run there.

“If not we would probably keep him for the Ascot Chase, which is two miles and three furlongs, or the Red Mills Chase at Gowran which is two miles and four.

“Willie is keen to step him up in trip, give him one prep run and then maybe go for the Ryanair – but for the moment everything is ground dependent and weather dependent.”