Strong Irish team for Ryanair Benefficient heads a strong entry from Ireland for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday. Tony Martin's eight-year-old won the Jewson Novices' Chase (now JLT) at the meeting last season, beating the hot favourite Dynaste by three and a quarter lengths, and David Pipe's charge could well be among the opposition again. Benefficient has already won at Grade One level this term, taking the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, beating Hidden Cyclone by three-quarters of a length. Shark Hanlon's star could reoppose, as could third home Arvika Ligeonniere, although he is still engaged in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase. The latter's Willie Mullins-trained stable companions Boston Bob and Prince De Beauchene are also in the Ryanair, while possible Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup challenger Last Instalment stands his ground, with trainer Philip Fenton keeping a careful eye on conditions at Prestbury Park. Another Gigginstown star, last year's runner-up First Lieutenant, remains in the mix for Mouse Morris. The home defence is led by Al Ferof, a former Festival winner in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He has won one of his three outings this term, finishing a distant second in the Denman Chase on very testing ground at Newbury most recently. Champion Court, Medermit, Menorah, Wishfull Thinking, Rajdhani Express and Hunt Ball are other possibles among 21 entries.
