Rubi Light is set for a run out at the Gowran in February before heading into action at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The two-and-a-half mile contest is seen as a perfect test for the seven-year-old who will be looking to build on a third place finish at the Ryanair Chase in 2011.

Prior to this impressive performance, the Robbie Hennessy trained horse secured victory at the Red Mills Chase, so everyone involved in preparation for this year’s Cheltenham Festival will be hoping for a similar outcome.

Referring to the plans for Rubi Light, Hennessy explained: “We are going to give him a run in Gowran Park on the 18th of February in the Red Mills and that’s something to look forward to with him first.”

“He won it last year and the weather forecast is bad for the foreseeable future, so I imagine the ground will be testing, which would play to his strengths.”

“After that we’ll just keep him ticking over for Cheltenham. He doesn’t need long coming out of his races. He need the same last year.”

Rubi Light is seen as a major contender for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham this year of course. Currently the second favourite behind Noble Prince after a successful campaign, the William Hennessy owned horse is being backed by many punters.

Elsewhere, after a successful trials day at Cheltenham, the Festival options for The Giant Bolster are being considered by trainer David Bridgwater.

The stable star has already been entered for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and Betfred Gold Cup, but these might not be the only races he is taking part in at Cheltenham.

Bridgwater explained: “We will have a look at the Racing+ Chase at Kempton for him now and see how that’s shaping up.”

“Obviously you want to win at the Festival and it’s on everyone’s radar, but we just need to do what’s right for the horse. We’re on a positive with him now and we don’t want to take a step back with him.”

“He will go up a few pounds for Saturday and if he were to go up 10lb or 12lb and then go and win at Kempton, he would suddenly be something like third or fourth favourite for the Gold Cup.

“We need to see how he runs next time but there are options there for him. He’s entered in the World Hurdle but basically that’s in case something went wrong. We will see how he runs next time before setting out a plan.”

With just a matter of weeks to go until the Cheltenham Festival, the planning from trainers and owners is certainly going into overdrive at the moment. By the time the action kicks off on the 13th March though, the talking will stop and the racing will begin.

Trainer Paul Nolan has admitted he was disappointed with Noble Prince’s most recent display, but is convinced that the horse will be more than ready for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March.

The eight-year-old lost out to Blazing Tempo at the Normans Grove Chase on Sunday and instead of brush off the defeat, Nolan admitted it was a slight concern, but is hopeful that it won’t affect the chances of success at Cheltenham.

He said: “He’s 100%. We were disappointed, but hopefully ground-wise he’ll improve for Cheltenham and he has to improve on that run.”

“We’ll get him ready for Cheltenham now. The same views about the ground at Fairyhouse were given about the mare that beat us. We’ve just got to hope he improves for Cheltenham.”

“He likes a break between his races, but we’re not making excuses for Sunday’s defeat.”

The performance at the Normans Grove Chase will soon be forgotten if Noble Prince storms to victory at the Ryanair Chase in March of course. Perhaps it will ensure that everyone involved with the horses preparation is even more focused than usual.

Elsewhere, another horse looking at making sure their preparation for Cheltenham is spot on is Long Run. Fancied as a massive contender for the Gold Cup, it has been confirmed that the Nicky Henderson trained horse will take part in the Betfair Denman Chase next month.

Henderson revealed today: “The plan is to go to Newbury for the Denman Chase as I do want to get another run into him before Cheltenham.”

“We narrowed the gap between Kauto Star from Haydock to Kempton and I’d like to think Cheltenham will be in our favour.”

Henderson is definitely correct when he talks about the rivalry between Kauto Star and Long Run. It is set to be one of many battles to take place at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham entry Rubi Light will bypass the Irish Hennessy and instead aim for back to back wins at the Red Mills Chase at Gowran next month.

The hugely talented seven-year-old stepped up to three miles in the Lexus Chase in December, coming home in second place behind the impressive Synchronised, but will instead drop down to the two miles four furlong race at Gowran ahead of another crack of the whip in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Rubi Light finished third in that race last year, and trainer Robbie Hennessy says the plan is to target the Red Mills Chase ahead of the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival later this year.

“The plan is to go for the Red Mills at Gowran, a race he won last year, and then go to the Ryanair,” said Hennessy.

Hennessy also revealed that he did not plan to enter Rubi Light into a three mile race for the rest of the season.

“We will leave three miles for the rest of the season. He’s only young and we don’t want to put the gun to his head too soon.” He said.

Jockey Andrew Lynch rode Rubi Light to victory in the Red Mills last year but success at Cheltenham eluded him, and Hennessy is hopeful that if conditions go their way he take the win this time round.

“It would be great if there was a bit of juice in the ground at Cheltenham this time.

“He ran well in the Ryanair last year, but the first thing Andrew (Lynch) said getting off him was that he’d have won if it had been a bit softer.”

Hopes of an Irish winner of the Gold Cup were dealt a blow with the news Rubi Light will go in the Ryanair Chase instead of competing in the prestigious Gold Cup, where his odds had drifted as short as 20/1 before Hennessy’s announcement.

The action continues to come thick and fast as our beginners guide to the Festival co

By the time the third day of the Cheltenham Festival comes around, the action is in full swing and punters are loving every second of the racing. Two days of thrilling action have been and gone, but there are two more to come, starting with seven races on St Patrick’s Thursday.

The whole day has an Irish flavour with everyone attending the Cheltenham Festival celebrating St Patrick’s day a couple of days early. It all makes for an excellent atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable day.

As mentioned though, there are seven races taking place and it is all extremely competitive. The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is perhaps the highlight, but the rest of the events – including the Ryanair Chase – very much have their place.

The Ryanair Chase is run over two miles and five furlongs with competing horses five years or older. Ideal competitors are ones who struggle to maintain their speed for three miles and fall slightly short of the quality expected for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

As far as the betting market is concerned, it is one of the more fascinating across the four days of racing. Quite simply, there are several chasers capable of winning and it could change a great deal between now and next year.

There are favourites though of course, with Noble Prince the current favourite at 6/1. Emphasising how close it is at this stage though, Master Minded is available at the same betting odds.

Then, Riverside Theatre is available at 8/1, followed by Albertas Run at 10/1. One thing for sure is that trainer Paul Nicholls has some quality chasers and should have a successful Ryanair Chase.

Between now and the race – set to take place at 2.40pm on Thursday 15th March – it is worth studying the form of particular chasers as those dropping down from three mile events and those moving up from two mile events come head to head.

The current market leader in the Ryanair Chase is Poquelin,(7/2 with Stan James)  from the stable of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and runner-up Tranquil Sea (9/2 with Bluesq) in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when conceding 2lb to that rival. The seven-year-old subsequently landed the Grade Three Boylesports.com Gold Cup over the course and distance on December 12, his most recent appearance.

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The Queen went close to enjoying a winner at The Festival when Barbers Shop (6/1 with VCBet) was runner-up in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase two years ago and the same horse is set to carry the Royal silks in the Ryanair Chase, having finished third behind the mighty Kauto Star on his latest appearance in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Barbers Shop’s trainer Nicky Henderson could also be represented by Petit Robin, (14/1 with Bet365) third in last season’s Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Jack The Giant, a high-class performer at his best but not seen out since winning at Ascot in November, 2008.

Voy Por Ustedes (16/1 with Bet365) is a regular at The Festival, having taken The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy in 2006 and the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase the following season.

Last year, he was the two-length runner-up to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase and could attempt to go one better this year, while Schindlers Hunt, third 12 months ago, is another possible starter.

Ryanair Chase Tip

• Back Voy Por Ustedes (16/1 with Bet365)

Imperial Commander, last year’s winner, had taken the race by the scruff of the neck at the top of the hill, but it was when Voy Por made that crucial mistake that Paddy Brennan seized his opportunity and kicked ‘The Commander’ clear.

Both Voy Por Ustedes and Schindlers Hunt attacked the leader up the straight, but the Cheltenham fences are unforgiving, and the couple of lengths that Brennan had nicked on Imperial Commander were sufficient to see them home. Therefore, inrunning punters should have their finger on the button at the fourth last – ironically, it was also here where Our Vic turned the screw and went clear of the pack the previous year and also where Taranis assumed command in 2007, having been left in front when Crozan crashed out.

Similarly, Fondmort had taken up the cudgels four out in the previous two years, readily holding the late challenge of Lacdoudal in 2006 but being nailed close home by Thisthatandtother 12 months earlier.

The switch from the Champion Chase to this race for Petit Robin has thrown another contender into the mix as he has a chance, but I am sure Henderson rated Barbers Shop his number one as Petit Robin is far from certain to stay 2m5f at top level and he was stuffed when upped to 2m4f in the Melling Chase last season. It could be that his Champion Chase running when third had left its mark for Aintree rather than the trip but it is a concern.

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Poquelin (7/2 with Bet365) has improved with every run this season to cement his position as the likely favourite for this contest. He can handle soft ground, but ideally prefers a sounder surface so good or good-tosoft would be ideal. Ruby has ridden him in different ways this season, but it is likely that he will stalk the leaders and look to pounce up the run-in. His price is unlikely to get much bigger than his SP so a back-to-lay strategy looks the best trading option.

The Paddy Power and Boylesports Gold Cups have been a good trial for this race in the past, but he is taking on quality opposition and there is the possibility he will find one too good.

Nicholls said:

“He is in good order and he loves to be fresh.I don’t know why he is a better horse this year and why he’s jumping better, but he has probably just matured. It is a step up from a handicap to a Grade One but his form has worked out well and he is one of my best chances of the week. I would say he is better than my previous two winners as he has loads of speed and stays.”

Owner Andy Stewart added:

“This time last year he was favourite for the Grand Annual but he didn’t jump and fluffed his lines He is a young, progressive horse and we couldn’t be happier with him. He gave weight to Tranquil Sea in the Paddy Power, good ground suits him and I think he will run a really big race.”

Edward O’Grady is Ireland’s most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival and Tranquil Sea (4/1 with Bet365) will aim to become the first Irish-trained winner in the race’s five-year history. He ran well at Leopardstown last time and although all of his best form this season has been with cut in the ground, his trainer reckons he will be better on a decent surface.

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Andrew McNamaranormally holds him up and makes his move with around a mile to go so there may be some value in backing him in-running. He could potentially get run off his feet coming down the hill, but that would be the time to step in as he should find plenty under pressure.

The Queen’s runner Barber Shop (6/1 with Paddy Power) is undoubtedly talented but he hasn’t won in over a year and has yet to win at Cheltenham.

He has travelled well in his last three races – the King George, Hennessy and Gold Cup – before emptying out. This is his trip and he has finished second in both the Jewsons Novices’ Chase and the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The way he travels almost guarantees that he will trade short in-running and it would be no surprise if he was leading jumping the last.

However, we’ve seen before that he’s not quite been good enough to hold on here.

Not the most natural of jumpers, Planet of Sound (12/1 with Bet365) – as proved by his crashing fall at Ascot last time – but talented nonetheless. He made a mistake at the first in last year’s Arkle and it will be necessaryto watch how he jumps the first few obstacles before getting involved.

However, he has onlyfallen once in his career and if he does make a few small mistakes it may be worth backing himat a bigger price. He had only been unplaced once in 14 starts prior to Ascot and if he can stayon his feet there’s every chance that he will play a part in the finish.

Ryanair Chase Tip

• Back Planet of Sound @ 12/1 with Bet365

Tranquil Sea boosted his claims for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham with a tremendous victory in the Newlands Chase at Leopardstown.

Edward O’Grady’s eight-year-old led after the second-last and pulled clear on the run-in thanks to a good jump at the final fence.

The 4/6 favourite was driven out by Andrew McNamara to hold Natal by two and a half lengths with Snowy Morning half a length back in third.

Boylesports quote Tranquil Sea at (9/2) for the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

It isn’t often things go as much to plan as that. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards and I couldn’t have asked for more,” said O’Grady.

The owners decided we would be as well off running for 26,000 euro as schooling after racing.

It was a very delicate balancing act as we wanted a bit of work and wanted to win the race but didn’t want him to have a hard race. It worked out well.

Hopefully he’ll come on for the race. It’s his first Graded chase and if he improves from it he must have a shout (in the Ryanair).

He has won on soft but I think he’s better on better ground and I think he should come to hand in the spring.

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Tranquil Sea will face the likes of Poquelin (4/1), Barber’s Shop (11/2) and Planet Of Sound (9/1) in the Ryanair Chase.

Tranquil Sea

Planet Of Sound had a far from ideal prep when taking a crashing fall early on in the Ascot Chase and I know from my stats just how hard it is to win at the Festival directly off the back of a fall.

That part of his game has been a problem as a bad mistake cost him the Amlin Chase back in November and a poor first-fence jump shuffled him back to rear in last season’s Arkle Trophy so it was always an uphill task from then.

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As such, I really can’t him for the Ryanair. Monet’s Garden won the race for the second time but looks like waiting for the Melling Chase at Aintree but the runner-up Albertas Run looks like taking his chance but if he couldn’t beat a near a 12-year-old I can’t really have him on my mind here.

Paul Nolan confirmed that Joncol definitely doesn’t travel which was no great surprise and he will wait for Punchestown.

The only smidgeon of hope his supporters have is that he is a spring horse that clearly needs further than 2m1f these days and he has not ever really ran that well in this race either on his previous two cracks at it whereas he loves Cheltenham and he did start to make up some of the lost ground on the run-in.

Interestingly though, Alan King wasn’t anywhere near as negative afterwards as I thought he would be just putting it down to the trip.

The vibes I am getting is that appears less likely that Joncol will come over and he will be saved for Punchestown instead and Tartak is now being aimed at the Grand Annual instead so opposition is starting to fall away for Poquelin here.

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One horse at a big price that is potentially interesting is Master Medic but I have not read or heard anything that suggests this is definitely the plan with him and Scotsirish still half interests me as I feel he is under-rated but whether he runs or not I am not sure especially after his trainer confirmed the weekend winner J’Y Vole as an intended runner so will he run both?

Joncol and Schindler’s Hunt did their Ryanair Chase chances no harm at all in the Irish Hennessy but just a word of warning though if you think that Joncol’s class and progression can see him through and win a third Grade 1 of the season, his trainer stated afterwards that he is only 50-50 to run here as they have the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown also on his agenda.

A giant of a horse standing over 18 hands tall that bypassed hurdling altogether, he did well to win having running down the final fence and can develop into a live Gold Cup hope for 2011 but, recognising this is a year too soon, connections took away any temptation by not even entering so it’s the Ryanair or nothing as far as this season’s Festival is concerned.

What Schindlers Hunts wants is 2m5f on decent ground so his third behind Joncol in the Irish Hennessy, where he looked the most likely winner at the final fence until his stamina gave way over three miles on testing ground, was a screamer of a run where he didn’t help himself again with a last-fence mistake.

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The only time he has had his ground this season was at Ascot in November when he was a disappointing fourth behind Albertas Run but the trip of 2m3f would have been short enough for him.

Beaten in his last 12 attempts in Grade 1 company, and no spring chicken with 25 chase starts on the board, although he could conceivably place again, it is hard seeing him going all the way.

Looking at collateral formlines, Kalahari King’s win at Doncaster can be viewed as a positive for Planet Of Sound as he only finished a place behind in last season’s Arkle despite a series of mistakes, notably at the first fence which shuffled him back to rear from the start.