Ryanair Chase Betting Tips and Preview

Thursday's Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is a thoroughly intriguing race and sees class acts such as Monet's Garden, Our Vic and Racing Demon pitched against highly progressive handicappers like Taranis and Too Forward. The last two named are both respected as they probably don't have much, if anything, to find with the aforementioned trio, but I have no doubt that the one to be on is the David Pipe-trained Our Vic, who can be backed at 4/1 with Bluesquare (free fifty quid bet) The selection is capable of running the odd stinker, as he did when virtually pulled up in this race last when well fancied. However, the son of Our Vic looked better than ever when routing his rivals in the Charlie Hall Chase back in October and his latest defeat can be readily excused. Our Vic quite simply found 3m1f on heavy going too stiff a stamina test in the Letheby And Christopher Chase won by Exotic Dancer at this track in January. The nine-year-old looked the likely winner at the third-last but ran out of petrol turning for home, but to his credit kept on to finish a clear second. The David Johnson-owned gelding, winner of last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Old Course here, proved his effectiveness over this course and distance when slamming Too Forward, who reopposes on 6lb worse terms this time, by eight lengths in the Faucets For Mira Showers Silver Trophy Chase last April. Indeed, this is Our Vic's optimum trip, he clearly likes this track and his pinpoint jumping will be a potent weapon in this event, which is bound to be run at a good clip with the trailblazing Ashley Brook in the line-up. The grey Monet's Garden has disappointed just once over fences which was when he ran poorly in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, finishing virtually tailed off in sixth place behind Kauto Star. Nicky Richards' charge, who was runner-up in the Arkle Chase at this meeting last year, bounced back with an impressive victory in the Ascot Chase, in which he beat Thisthatandtother by eight lengths, form which matches him closely to Racing Demon, who beat that same rival in the Peterborough Chase earlier in the season. Monet's Garden and Racing Demon both merit the utmost respect, but I feel that neither have done enough to suggest that they can outpoint Our Vic. In Racing Demon's case jumping has to be a concern. He did well to finish as close as he did when third in the King George considering how many mistakes he made. Henrietta Knight's charge subsequently fell over hurdles and it remains to be seen how that will have affected his confidence. Conversely, Taranis made a successful switch to the smaller obstacles when landing the totescoop6 Sandown Handicap Hurdle last month and he is well worth his place in this line-up. Paul Nicholls' charge, who looks set to be joined in this race by stablemate Thisthatandtother, winner of the inaugural running of this in 2005, is open to improvement, but quite whether he will have progressed enough during this season to cope with the likes of Our Vic and Monet's Garden is doubtful. Similarly, Too Forward is on an upward curve despite his advancing years, but he needs to pull out a good deal more to win a Grade 1 contest of this stature. Irish raider Forget The Past will have each-way claims if lining up, while a bold show from Billyvoddan at rewarding odds wouldn't be surprising. Verdict - 2pts Our Vic @ 4/1 with Bluesquare (free fifty quid bet)