Ryanair Chase Tips Free Bets

Turn the clock back 12 months and you will recall that it was four fences from home when Voy Por Ustedes, the odds-on favourite, blundered his chance away, and, while this is a relatively new race, it is uncanny how this is almost always the point when things take shape.

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.

Ryanair Chase Free Bets

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