The third race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ryanair Chase. This is a Grade One held over two miles and five furlongs on the New Course. There’s a top quality field set to go to post this campaign.
The favourite in the betting right now is Empire Of Dirt at 5/2 for Gordon Elliot, who has made a dream start to the Festival.
Elliot has said on a number of occasions he was pretty keen for this horse to go for the Gold Cup, but this is where he will line-up and he has a massive chance.
Despite being a ten-year-old, the horse is improving all the time and was a course and distance winner last season.
Empire Of Dirt won a big handicap in Ireland this campaign as well before then running second in the Irish Gold Cup last time. He traveled like the best horse in that day as well.
The drop back in trip shouldn’t be a problem.
At 11/4 is Un De Sceaux who for me, is a top quality horse who perhaps doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves.
The nine-year-old has won an Arkle here at the Festival and was second to Sprinter Sacre last year in the Champion Chase. Special Tiara was third that day as well.
Un De Sceaux should enjoy the distance here, but the ground would have be a slight concern. That said though, he could simply be better than these and get away with it.
At 4/1 we have Alan King’s Uxizandre, who was a winner of this race a couple of years ago and can go close again.
He may not be able to dictate the pace like he did a couple of years ago but the horse made a pleasing reappearance when second to Un De Sceaux last time.
It will be tough, but he could reverse the form here.
Sub Lieutenant has been really consistent this term and is a decent shout at 15/2, with Josses Hill at 9/1.
Josses Hill looks to have sorted some jumping issues out and is capable of running a decent race.
You can get 25/1 about Vaniteux, 33/1 for Alary and Aso is at 66/1.
Joe's tip(s) for this race: [mepr-show if=”rule: 75342″] For us, UN DE SCEAUX is one of the best bets of the day here. [/mepr-show] [mepr-active rule=”75342″ ifallowed=”hide”] Joe's tips are only available to Premium Tip members and above – You can join one of our services (including the FREE Premium Tip) here… [/mepr-active]
