Strong Irish hand in Ryanair

This year’s Grade One Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday, 18 March, which carries record prize money of £250,000, has attracted a superb entry of 43.

The Ireland interest of 18 is headed by the Edward O’Grady-trained Tranquil Sea, who notched an impressive four and a half-length success over Poquelin in the Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup at The Open in November.

The progressive eight-year-old, successful in the Grade One Punchestown Novice Hurdle in 2008, was runner-up in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown in December, which was won by the Willie Mullins-trained Golden Silver.

Mullins is responsible for a total of seven entries and the champion trainer could also run Scotsirish, who was third behind Golden Silver at Leopardstown, Grade One scorers Barker and Glencove Marina, Deutschland, Snowy Morning and the only mare among the entries, J’y Vole.

The Paul Nolan-trained Joncol stormed to a convincing victory in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown at the start of December before being headed close home to be third in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown later the same month, while last season’s The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase hero Forpadydeplasterer may bid for more Festival glory for Co Kerry handler Tom Cooper.

A quartet of entries from Dessie Hughes consists of last year’s third Schindler’s Hunt, who went on to be second in Grade One company at Aintree and Punchestown, John Durkan Memorial Chase runner-up In Compliance and Punchestown Champion Novice Chase victor Rare Bob.

The Co Kildare handler may also be represented by recent Leopardstown handicap chase second Siegemaster, who is owned by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary.

Newmill gave trainer John Murphy the biggest success of his career when taking the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase, while the Irish contingent is completed by Aran Concerto, a three time Grade One winner over hurdles and fences for Noel Meade, the Tom Mullins-trained Made In Taipan and Grade Two scorer The Fonze, from the stable of Eoin Doyle.

Paul Nicholls, successful in the race with Thisthatandtother (2005) and Taranis (2007), looks set to have another strong hand in this year’s renewal with Grade Three Boylesports.com Gold Cup victor Poquelin among his five entries.

The champion trainer has also entered Grade One winner Herecomesthetruth, last season’s Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase winner Chapoturgeon, Takeroc and Gwanako, who was fifth in last year’s Ryanair Chase.

Imperial Commander landed the spoils in this race last year for local handler Nigel Twiston-Davies and the nine-year-old could re-oppose the second, the Alan King-trained Voy Por Ustedes, who went down by three lengths