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Gold Cup fancies keep Ryanair option

Fri 11th Mar 2016, 13:49

Road To Riches has Ryanair optionRoad To Riches has Ryanair option
© Photo Healy Racing

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders Vautour Valseur Lido and Road To Riches are among 23 six-day acceptors for Thursday's Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Vroum Vroum Mag also stays in but looks to be heading for the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle, however , Smashing Gilgamboa and Fine Rightly are still in the Ryanair mix for Ireland. Taquin Du Seuil has been supplemented for the Grade One. Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old is already a Festival winner having landed the JLT Novices' Chase in 2014, but he could finish only ninth in last year's Ryanair.

O'Neill had initially ruled out Taquin Du Seuil as he was sidelined by injury in the first half of the current campaign, but he recovered quicker than expected and returned to win at Warwick last month.

Connections had been looking towards the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate but have decided to go for Ryanair glory instead. Al Ferof former winner Dynaste and Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Annacotty also stand their ground. Josses Hill and Captain Conan are Nicky Henderson's options, with t he likes of Village Vic Vibrato Valtat Top Gamble Kings Palace and Oscar Rock remaining, too.