Somersby has Ryanair option

Henrietta Knight will consider switching Somersby from the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase to the Ryanair Chase should conditions dry out appreciably at Cheltenham next week.

The English trainer has been favouring the two-mile feature for last year's Arkle Trophy runner-up, but has kept Somersby in the Ryanair over an extra five furlongs just in case faster ground prevails.

"We're not ruling the Ryanair out. If it continues to dry we will have to decide nearer the time which race to go for," she said.

"He's in both. If it got dry I did always say, even at Ascot, if it was too dry he would be better over a longer distance for they would go too quick for him over two miles. We are keeping our options open.

"It's just to let the public know there is a possibility that we are still considering the other race as well as the Queen Mother."