Hidden Cyclone confirmed for Ryanair Chase as Un De Sceaux aims for Arkle

Down to the serious business

Every proper racing fan knows that waiting for the right moment to buy your bumper preview guide to Cheltenham is vital. Go too early and your head is swimming with horses that may not even feature in the race you are staking your mortgage on. Go too late and the chances of getting a good price in the bookies is probably already gone. That's why the minute the final declarations are made you instantly see a reduction in prices, and thats exactly whats happened this afternoon after confirmations for the Ryanair Chase and the Arkle. The big news for Irish racing fans is Hidden Cyclone, so close to victory last year, is back for a tilt at the Ryanair Chase. It seems that the news from earlier this week that ante post favourite Cue Card is out due to a breathing problem has swung the decision to race on Thursday instead of the Champion Chase. The Carlow based trainer feels after a second place finish at Christmas his mount can improve, and revealed to At The Races his thoughts ahead of next week:

'We've just made a decision in the last 15 minutes that we'll go for the Ryanair. There's no Dynaste there this year and with Cue Card pulling out this week, we are heading that way. Up to now we were heading towards the Champion Chase but with no Cue Card and the ground drying out, it's likely to be good by Thursday, so we're turning that way.'

In other news this afternoon Willie Mullins has unsurprisingly gone with Un De Sceaux as his key hope for success in the Arkle. The French born horse is the standout on the list of 19 entries with competition likely to mostly come from Mulins other mount Vautour, while Paul Nicholls' will fancy his chances with Vibrato Valtat. The other horses to catch the eye could be Clarcam from Gordon Elliot and Josses Hill by Nicky Henderson. H/t to Sportinglife