HANDY FLOS

THE Ryanair has never been my favourite Festival race — in fact, it’s not even my favourite airline either.

I once complained at the desk about my lost luggage, and the guy behind the counter was wearing my clothes.

This year’s renewal looks the weakest in quite a while, certainly for about 12 months.

There’s no doubting the class of Un De Sceaux and Cue Card, but neither horse is as good as they were — and yet the two tussle at the head of the market for favouritism.

What I’m saying is that for the winner today you should look elsewhere, possibly in another column.

Un De Sceaux won this race last year. However, the opposition wasn’t up to much and he was soundly beaten shortly after by Fox Norton at Punchestown.

If Cue Card’s not quite at the end of his racing career he’s certainly in the departure lounge browsing the biscuits.

At the grand old age of 12 it’s safe to assume his best days are behind him. The same could be said of me at that age.

If the old boy were to win here today it would be a fantastic swansong to cap a glorious career.

Cheltenham would erupt and at precisely the same time I would be bankrupt.

The best thing about dismissing the front two in the market is that by doing so you are dispensing with a third of the field.

Better still, you’re staring the likely winner in the face, which BALKO DES FLOS. is

Unlike the front two in the market, Henry De Bromhead’s seven-year-old is firmly on an upward curve.

Four races ago his handicap rating was 146 and now it’s up to a whopping 166.

He won the Galway Plate in July and followed that up with a superb second behind Road To Respect in the Grade 1 Christmas Chase at Leopardstown.

He’s had a lovely rest since then and must go well today. He’d prefer slightly better ground but will have no problem on soft.