Ryanair Chase Attracts 46

The #175,000 Ryanair Chase has attracted 46 entries for its third running, staged on Thursday, day three of The Cheltenham Festival.

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First introduced to The Festival in 2005, the two mile, five furlong contest has rapidly established itself in the race programme with both the 2005 and 2006 renewals providing thrilling finishes. Thisthatandtother proved half a length too strong for Fondmort in 2005 and is entered once again this year. In addition to Thisthatandtother, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has also entered the totesport Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star, Cerium and Taranis. Fondmort subsequently prevailed in 2006 and his trainer Nicky Henderson has made three entries this time around - Copsale Lad, Crozan and Mariah Rollins.

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary owns two entries under the Gigginstown House Stud banner in the shape of the 2006 totesport Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition and Kill Devil Hill, successful in the 2005 Grade One Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse.

Irish-trained horses account for 15 of the entries, including the Michael O'Brien-trained duo of In Compliance and Forget The Past, who was third in the 2006 totesport Gold Cup, while the smart novice Schindlers Hunt, successful twice in Grade One company at Leopardstown this season, is another possible starter. There is one entry from France in Foreman, trained by Thierry Doumen and third to Voy Por Ustedes in the 2006 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

Other exciting entries include Exotic Dancer, successful in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, boylesports.com Gold Cup and the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham this season, who is one of three entries for Jonjo O'Neill, while David Pipe has a quartet of entries including the 2005 Paddy Power Gold Cup victor Our Vic and Vodka Bleu, runner-up to Exotic Dancer in the same race this year.

Andy Clifton, Cheltenham Racecourse's Communications Manager, said: 'In just two years, the Ryanair Chase has proved a wonderful addition to The Festival. The distance of two miles and five furlongs usually leads to a fascinating mix of horses that specialise at that trip taking on two-mile chasers stepping up in distance and three-mile chasers dropping back. The 2007 entry of 46 is high on quality so we are eagerly anticipating an enthralling renewal on March 15.'