Un De Sceaux sets out to retain Ryanair crown
UN DE SCEAUX will face a maximum of six rivals as he attempts to defend his Ryanair Chase title tomorrow. Willie Mullins’ 10-year-old has won both his starts this season and will relish the testing conditions. Mullins has also declared Douvan, but he is due to run in today’s Queen Mother Champion Chase. Cue Card will try to regain the two-mile, five-furlong crown he won back in 2013, having fallen in the Gold Cup the last two years. Cloudy Dream will represent Ruth Jefferson, who decided against running Waiting Patiently last week. Michael O’Leary’s Ryanair sponsor the race, but his Gigginstown House Stud have never managed to win it despite going close on several occasions. This year he runs Sub Lieutenant, who finished second 12 months ago, and Galway Plate winner Balko Des Flos. Both are trained by Henry De Bromhead. Paul Nicholls’ Frodon, third to Waiting Patiently at Ascot, completes the field. In the Stayers’ Hurdle, Sam Spinner and Supasundae head the 17 declarations. The Jedd O’Keeffe-trained Sam Spinner heads antepost lists, with the prospect of testing conditions of no concern for the Long Walk Hurdle winner. Supasundae bids for his second Festival success for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power. Mullins struck gold with Nichols Canyon 12 months ago and this year he runs Bacardys, Penhill, Augusta Kate and Let’s Dance. Yanworth is sent back over hurdles by Alan King following a mixed novice campaign over fences. The eight-year-old is one of two runners for leading owner JP McManus along with Unowhatimeanharry from Harry Fry’s yard. Mullins has the ante-post favourite Invitation Only in tomorrow’s JLT Novices’ Chase, for which 10 are due to line up. Mullins also saddles Kemboy while other Irish-trained challengers are Noel Meade’s Snow Falcon and Shattered Love, a Grade One winner at Leopardstown over Christmas for Gordon Elliott.