Garden heads Ryanair possibles

Monet’s Garden tops the 19 entries confirmed for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

It is still unclear whether Nicky Richards’ charge will turn up here or in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but ever since his romp in the Ascot Chase he has been at the head of the betting for the two-mile-five-furlong contest.

Racing Demon and Our Vic would appear to be his main opponents, with both likely to be re-routed from the Gold Cup.

My Way De Solzen stands his ground, but Alan King has repeatedly stated he is likely to run in the Arkle if soft ground prevails.

Paul Nolan’s Grade One winner Kill Devil Hill is an interesting contender, along with Carl Llewellyn’s Too Forward, an impressive winner at the course in January.

JP McManus has the choice of Foreman and Fota Island, while Forget The Past also has an entry despite the Gold Cup being his apparent objective after his fine third place last year.

Thisthatandtother, winner of the 2005 renewal, could go again for Paul Nicholls, with the Champion trainer also having leading fancy Taranis in the race.