The 2015 Ryanair Chase

Although some argue that the introduction of this 2m5f contest has diluted the quality of both the Champion Chase and Gold Cup, here can be no denying that the 10 renewals to date have produced some memorable finishes.

The race is run as the third race on Thursday's card, on the new course, with 17 fences to be jumped. Only Albertas Run has managed to win the race twice and, with the last 2 winners, Cue Card and Dynaste, missing through injury, there will be no second-time winner to celebrate this year.

At the head of the market is the sponsor's main hope, Don Cossack, who has gone from strength to strength this season in Ireland, racking up a 4-timer in Graded races including the Grade 1 John Durkan. A proper chasing sort, he travels powerfully and jumps accurately and hasn't really been asked a serious question this season IMHO. He is short enough at a general 3/1 but could well be one of the big Irish punts of the week, especially if Vautour does the business in the JLT an hour earlier.

Ma Filleule is general 2nd best and ran a stormer at last year's festival, finding only Holywell too good (and causing yours truly, who backed her each way at 33s, to have severe palpitations as she led the field over the final fence). She then took the Topham but has not really gone on this season, despite having been tried at the highest level. She found Balder Succes too good at Ascot last time (when Ptit Zig tipped up at the 9th, which surely puts him back to novice company and the JLT) and, impressive though Alan King's charge was, there is the nagging doubt that a big field at the festival will not suit him.

Johns Spirit is a horse I really like and he has produced some memorable performances up the Cheltenham hill in big handicaps. He will be ridden patiently and be produced to challenge off the final bend. A best-priced 9/1 doesn't get me reaching for the old betting slip though - I can see him being bigger on the day.

Champagne Fever, unlucky not to already be a triple festival winner, could run here or in the Champion Chase but I think this is more his trip and he would be a big player if taking his chance. Fell at the last when locking horns with Don Cossack at Thurles but has had a confidence booster since and the way he devours the hill at Cheltenham could see him get the better of Don Cossack. Some firms offering 12s on him which, if you can get NRNB, seems a very decent price.

Any number of horses in the 10/1 - 20/1 price bracket could take their chance, include Shark Hanlon's Hidden Cyclone who won the Tied Cottage chase last time out and finished a fine second in this race last year. Last year's JLT winner Taquin De Seuil has been campaigned as a Gold Cup horse and disappointed badly, but could be dangerous if dropped back in trip for this. Jonjo's stable starting to come back to form at the right time.

One at a price who usually likes Cheltenham in Philip Hobbs' Wishfull Thinking, who was spring-heeled when winning the Haldon Gold Cup earlier this season and, even as a 12 YO, still has the highest BHA rating in the field (167).

A difficult race to solve, as always, particularly as targets for many horses are still not clear.