Huge Entry For Ryanair Chase

The #150,000 Grade Two Ryanair Chase, run over two miles and five furlongs on the third day of The Festival, Thursday, March 16, has attracted a bumper entry of 54, a significant increase on the 39 entries received for the inaugural running in 2005.

This is the first year that Irish airline Ryanair has backed the contest and Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has two chances of walking off with his own prize in the shape of War Of Attrition, conqueror of Kicking King earlier this season, and Kill Devil Hill, a Grade One winner at Fairyhouse in December, who both run in the colours of his Gigginstown House Stud.

A strong Irish presence looks likely in the Ryanair Chase with 16 entries, up from 10 in 2005. Among the other Irish-trained horses are Hi Cloy, a dual Grade One winner in Ireland this season, Noel Meade's duo of Watson Lake and Sir Oj, the latter successful over the course and distance when taking the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup in December, as well as Sher Beau, Ned Kelly, Forget The Past and Mariah Rollins.

Last year's winning trainer Paul Nicholls has five entered this time around, as do both Martin Pipe and Willie Mullins. Thierry Doumen supplies the French contender in Foreman while among Nicky Henderson's four entries is Cheltenham specialist Fondmort, winner of both the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2003 and Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup in 2002 and the half-length runner-up to Thisthatandtother in the 2005 Ryanair Chase.

Peter Sherrard, Head of Communications for Ryanair, commented: 'This year Ryanair is offering more low fares than ever for the biggest ever Cheltenham Festival.

'We have 25,000 seats on 134 flights available between Dublin, Shannon and Birmingham, East Midlands and Bristol over the four days of racing?s favourite Festival.

'Thanks to 16 additional Ryanair flights, same day travel between Dublin and Birmingham will also be possible for those who want to enjoy racing for one day or support one particular horse.

'As for Mr O?Leary?s horses, most of them can?t run, never mind jump!'

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham Racecourse's Managing Director, said: 'The Ryanair Chase proved a great addition to The Festival in 2005 when it provided one of the most thrilling finishes of the meeting between Thisthatandtother and Fondmort.

'It is very pleasing to see that the race has received even greater support this year and we look forward to another tremendous contest.'