Ryanair On Mossbank Agenda

Michael Hourigan has confirmed the Ryanair Chase is the plan for Mossbank after his fine recent performance behind Denman.

The eight-year-old has also been given an entry for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, County Limerick-based Hourigan revealed the Ryanair, which is now a Grade One and has attracted a total of 57 entries, is his preferred target for the Lexus runner-up.

'We did enter Mossbank for the Cheltenham Gold Cup yesterday. The Ryanair Chase is the plan anyway,' said Hourigan.

'He will go for the Irish Hennessy next and has come out of the Lexus Chase OK.

'Without a doubt that was the best run of his career and I always thought that he was a very good horse.

'I would imagine that the trip (two miles and five furlongs) would be right up his alley and I think that he is a better horse on better ground.'

The Irish appear to hold a very strong hand in the Ryanair with Michael O'Brien's In Compliance and Forget The Past in the mix with Schindlers Hunt, Sky's The Limit, Snowy Morning and Slim Pickings.

Last year's Arkle winner My Way De Solzen has figured prominently in the ante-post lists for some time but would need to put two lacklustre runs this season behind him.

Paul Nicholls has entered his exciting new recruit Master Minded, along with Turko, Star De Mohaison, Sporazene and New Little Bric.

King George second and fourth, Our Vic and Racing Demon, both have entries, along with The Listener, Jack The Giant and Monet's Garden.

(C) PA Sport