Quel Esprit at the prices is interesting if this is where he runs,his camapign seems to indicate that imo

Somersby?

Only jokin FormStudent; nothing wrong with putting something up from out of the box; otherwise it gets boring talking about favourites all the time, and Somersby has got a good festival record, but just seems to always run into 1 thats too good.

One I'd put up at a bigger price is Gauvain, who is tied into the Somersby form.  He won well first time out last year and then lost all his form, and disappointing in last years Ryaniar.

Based on that run he wouldn't have a hope this year, but he seems to have maintained his form much better this year.  He's also won three times round Cheltenham as well.

After his Peterborough Chase win, Nick Williams assistant trainer said, "He does tend to run best fresh so the Ascot Chase is a possibility as he was second in that last year and you'd imagine the Ryanair again.  It's not so much the distance with him as just keeping him happy because he can be a bit of a character, but when things go to plan he's a good horse."

I think you'd know after about 2 fences whether you've done your money, but if he can get into a good rhythm I've seen worse 39/1 shots.  He's entered into the VC Chase against Finians and Al Ferof over 2m, but don't think he'll go down the Champ Chase route (he's 41/1 on here for that)

Not a bad shout there Titch, if he were to turn up...he has always looked a horse who would appreciate going further and at 60's he is a fair shout..not been seen since the summer however so not sure whether he is 100% but if he were and they said this was his target he wouldn't be without a fair chance..

Somersby is a horrible horse but may trade shorter in the run...the rechid horse however given the chance will find a way to lose, he will...there is no doubting his ability but when the pressure is applied he finds nothing then just plugs on...he has the ability, but is an awful character for his followers...get out in the run is my only advice...his run in the King George however you look at it says he can place so at around the 20's mark I suppose I can see your logic...if he wins I will be the first in the queue to apologize.

I love Harry's castigating of Somersby, but to be honest, I completely agree with his assessment after following him well and truly over the cliff.

The irony is, I stood up for him way longer than anyone else, but the swine even managed to put the knife in on Boxing Day. I had (for me) a decent ante-post each/way double with him and Alarazi going.

The latter was third in the Ladbroke at 33s, which meant I had a good wedge running onto Somersby in the King George and as it was ante-post, third place would have paid out. Four out and I was counting my money but of the course the rest is history. When push came to shove his head went up, he missed the last three fences out, plugged on, and very much left the impression just one decent leap at those final three would have seen him get by Captain Chris for third.

As ever, the each/way angle at big prices can't be knocked as he has stacks of ability but I am starting to believe he would find a way of getting beaten in a walkover.

Aerial (FR) (Tony Hayward and Barry Fulton) Paul Nicholls.................................... 6 11 10
Albertas Run (IRE) (Mr Trevor Hemmings) Jonjo O’Neill ....................................... 11 11 10
Apt Approach (IRE) (Greenstar Syndicate) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ........................ 9 11 10
Captain Chris (IRE) (Mrs Diana L. Whateley) Philip Hobbs ................................... 8 11 10
Champion Court (IRE) (Mr M. Boothright) Martin Keighley.................................. 7 11 10
Finian’s Rainbow (IRE) (Mr Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson.......................... 9 11 10
Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) (Goat Racing Syndicate) Thomas Cooper, Ireland. 10 11 10
French Opera (Mrs Judy Wilson & Martin Landau) Nicky Henderson ................ 9 11 10
Gauvain (GER) (Jared Sullivan & Simon Brown) Nick Williams .............................. 10 11 10
Great Endeavour (IRE) (Mr D. A. Johnson) David Pipe........................................... 8 11 10
Hell’s Bay (FR) (A. G. Fear & A. J. Norman) Colin Tizzard.................................... 10 11 10
I’msingingtheblues (IRE) (Mrs Jo Tracey) David Pipe ............................................... 10 11 10
I’m So Lucky (Mrs S. J. Brookhouse) David Pipe ......................................................... 10 11 10
Jack The Giant (IRE) (Hanbury Syndicate) Nicky Henderson................................ 10 11 10
Jessies Dream (IRE) (Mr D. A. Johnson) Gordon Elliott, Ireland.......................... 9 11 10
Kalahari King (FR) (Mrs J. Morgan) Ferdy Murphy .................................................... 11 11 10
Kauto Stone (FR) (Mr R. J. H. Geffen) Paul Nicholls ................................................. 6 11 10
Little Josh (IRE) (Mr Tony Bloom) Nigel Twiston-Davies.......................................... 10 11 10
Magnanimity (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) D. T. Hughes, Ireland................. 8 11 10
Mahogany Blaze (FR) (Mrs Lorna Berryman) Nigel Twiston-Davies................... 10 11 10
Majestic Concorde (IRE) (Dr R. Lambe) D. K. Weld, Ireland ............................... 9 11 10
Medermit (FR) (The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership) Alan King................................ 8 11 10
Noble Prince (GER) (Mr D. P. Sharkey) Paul Nolan, Ireland .................................. 8 11 10
Poquelin (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls........................................................ 9 11 10
Quel Esprit (FR) (Red Barn Syndicate) W. P. Mullins, Ireland.................................. 8 11 10
Rare Bob (IRE) (D. A. Syndicate) D. T. Hughes, Ireland........................................... 10 11 10
Realt Dubh (IRE) (Mr D. J. Sharkey) Noel Meade, Ireland ..................................... 8 11 10
Rivage d’Or (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) D. T. Hughes, Ireland..................... 7 11 10
Riverside Theatre (Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership) Nicky Henderson....................... 8 11 10
Roi du Mee (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott, Ireland ................... 7 11 10
Rubi Light (FR) (Mr W. Hennessy) Robert Hennessy, Ireland................................. 7 11 10
Somersby (IRE) (Mrs T. P. Radford) Henrietta Knight ................................................ 8 11 10
Tartak (FR) (Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd) Tom George ........................... 9 11 10
The Nightingale (FR) (Mr C. G. Roach) Paul Nicholls .............................................. 9 11 10
Tranquil Sea (IRE) (D. Cox/Nelius Hayes) E. J. O’Grady, Ireland......................... 10 11 10
Wishfull Thinking (Mrs Diana L. Whateley) Philip Hobbs ........................................ 9 11 10
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) (The Hon Mrs Townshend) Paul Nicholls....................... 9 11 10
Blazing Tempo (IRE) (Mrs S. Ricci) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ........................................ 8 11 3

I'm a touch surprised to see Ghizao in the QMCC but not the Ryanair.

Oops got that the wrong way around. I am not surprised he has been taken out the Ryanair tbh.

Nice that Nolan has stuck to the plan. No QMCC entry suggests he means business imo.

While I've not seen today's race yet, NP has never been a two miler to my eye and I expected him to get beat today. Call me cynical, but running him over inadequate trips in preparation for the Ryanair keeps his price juicy for the big day.

Will be a much better horse when he gets his preferred good ground, good prep I thought.

*Spoilsports

Wouldn't be to disheartened myself I actually thought he ran right up to his best...tranquil Sea on his favoured ground was 6 lengths back to up held the form, I'd say he just ran into an improving mare...

Better ground will suit more but how much of a stamina test he wants I do not know as the Ryannair when you look at all the previous winners has been won by staying types and he certainly doesn't lack gears even though he won the Jewson last year over 2 1/2m...

But if you fancy him I'm sure his shrewd trainer will have him spot on the day and I certainly wouldn't be disappointed after that today, its just whether the horse is good enough on the day.

Lets hope he sticks to Ryanair route.

I've not seen todays run yet so cant comment on that, but last season he placed 2nd at the end on January (irish Arkle) prior to hacking up in March when he was stepped up in trip for the first time, so in that respect im not concerned. Trainer pattern clearly indicates he is being primed for March.

The difference this year is he will be going into a tougher race where the opposition will be stronger, so he will need to find some improvement, but I dont see why he cant.

Paul Nolan is hoping for improvement from Noble Prince in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham after he suffered a surprise defeat at Fairyhouse.

The eight-year-old remains a leading fancy for the Festival despite the loss at the hands of Blazing Tempo in the Normans Grove Chase.

However, Nolan was disappointed with Sunday's performance and will now concentrate on preparing last season's Jewson Novices' Chase winner for another tilt at the Festival in March.

"He's 100%. We were disappointed, but hopefully ground-wise he'll improve for Cheltenham and he has to improve on that run," said the County Wexford handler.

"We'll get him ready for Cheltenham now.

"The same views about the ground at Fairyhouse were given about the mare that beat us. We've just got to hope he improves for Cheltenham.

"He likes a break between his races, but we're not making excuses for Sunday's defeat."

No chance in the Ryainair imo,beaten by an average horse who also hated the ground

Grand old Albertas does it again I believe. Keep it quiet mind.

Rubi Light was really only a novice last year and ran a blinder in the Ryanair. If ground not too firm has a great chance this year.