Martin feels ground will suit Benefficient

Tony Martin believes the drying conditions will play to the strengths of Benefficient in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham today.

The eight-year-old won the Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival 12 months ago and was last sighted claiming further Grade One honours at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Benefficient steps up to the intermediate distance of two miles and five furlongs in the Ryanair, but Martin believes that will not be an issue.

The County Meath handler said: "Prior to Cheltenham last year he was caught on the line over three miles at Newbury by Harry Topper and since then he has learned to relax and is a lot more settled in himself so I see no problem with the two-five. I think ground is a big factor, too. He's a far better horse on better ground."

Hidden Cyclone finished runner-up to Benefficient in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase in December and occupied the same position when well beaten by Sire De Grugy in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

His handler Shark Hanlon said: "The horse was sick last year, but he has improved with every run this year and I am delighted to see the ground is drying up in Cheltenham. On form, he shouldn't be far away."

The David Pipe-trained Dynaste was second to Benefficient in the Jewson, but has been in rehabilitation since a disappointing run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Pipe said: "He ran a cracking race first time out in the Betfair at Haydock, but then disappointed in the King George. He came back from there wrong behind, he'd pulled muscles and it took a long time to get him right, but thankfully he's in good form at present. He's worked nicely and has been in good order. Hopefully, he can run a good race."

Boston Bob has been campaigned over hurdles in two starts this term, but trainer Willie Mullins believes the dual Grade One winner deserves a change in fortune over fences. The Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old was especially unlucky in the RSA Chase last season when he fell at the last in a position of some authority.

Mullins said: "He is a Grade One winner over hurdles and fences, but I just feel he hasn't enjoyed the best of luck over the larger obstacles. So, with that in mind, this season I started him off in an ordinary hurdle which he won from some useful opposition. We then sent him over to England to take on Big Buck's in the Cleeve Hurdle but he didn't run his race."

The Irish challenge is bolstered by the presence of Rathlin, a prolific winner in the summer but convincingly beaten by Arvika Ligeonniere in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown in February.