Ladbrokes' Cheltenham 2010 tips- 14:40 Ryanair Chase
This looks a very good renewal of the Ryanair and an opportunity for BARBERS SHOP to gain a deserved win at the top level, in the process taking the measure of Poquelin, Tranquil Sea and Schindlers Hunt.
Nicky Henderson's charge has raced in some of the best contests around without success, having seen the back end of Kauto Star in the King George and Denman in the Hennessy. He performed with great credit on both occasions and may not need to improve much to land this, but the hope is he does find a bit for dropping down in trip as he doesn't look to truly see out three miles. The Queen's horse will enjoy what promises to be perfect racing ground and can gain the success he deserves in a race that tends to lack a genuine grade one performer. Tranquil Sea would rate a massive threat on soft ground but this is a shade on the fast side, despite the fact he has won on good ground in the past. Andrew Mcnamara's mount is not out of this by any means, but in a hot contest we'd like as much in our selection's favour as possible and the ground has gone against him. Contrastingly, the faster the surface the better for Poquelin who is arguably the most improved chaser in training this season. Paul Nicholls has always rated the horse but a combination of poor attitude and sketchy jumping had previously been his downfall. Not so this year, as the horse ran with great credit on poor ground behind Tranquil Sea at Cheltenham before going on to land the Boylesports a month later over course and distance. He's got excellent claims for his in-form yard and may well be sent off a well-backed favourite.
Schindlers Hunt has plenty of form that would entitle him to go close but for whatever reason he doesn't usually capture the imagination of punters and therefore should represent fair value. Perhaps at this stage of his career he's going to find a couple too good, as might Voy Por Ustedes who was sent off a warm order for this last year and may have won but for a mistake at the top of the hill. He's not been at his best this year but remains the top rated runner and the first time blinkers may encourage a better performance; there'd be no more popular winner of this race. On the ratings our preferred four have a bit to find if truth be told, with Planet Of Sound, Petit Robin and Albertas Run all deemed better horses by the handicapper. The last named may be using this to prepare for a tilt at the Grand National but the other two can't be ruled out; Planet Of Sound looked good in the earlier stages of the season but is often let down by jumping errors, whilst Petit Robin steps up in trip having come up a shade short against the likes of Twist Magic.
Of them, we prefer Petit Robin but whilst he does look to need further than two miles this stiff finish may expose his suspect stamina. Deep Purple has claims if forgiven a rare poor run last time; that was in the King George against the very best but he's surely better on a flat track as he showed when winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. J'y Vole gets plenty of weight being a mare and represents a yard that had a winner here on Tuesday but she's got a bit to find on form with our gaze returning to Barbers Shop who can be a royal winner.
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