Knight eyeing Ryanair challenge

Henrietta Knight favours the Ryanair Chase over the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup as Somersby’s Festival target.

Somersby was tried at three miles for the first time in Monday’s William Hill King George VI Chase, and although he finished 19 lengths behind Kauto Star, he was only half a length adrift of third-placed Captain Chris.

The seven-year-old would be making his fourth appearance at the keynote Cheltenham meeting, having placed third behind Go Native in the 2009 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and a close second behind Sizing Europe in the following year’s Arkle.

He finished much further behind the same horse in last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and Knight has been experimenting with longer distances throughout this term.

“He seems very well and if you took the first two out of the King George, he would have been right up there,” said Knight.

“I think he stays the three miles very well but when you look at the possible runners in the Gold Cup, I think it’s more likely he’ll go for the Ryanair.

“He won’t run before Cheltenham, so he’ll have a good rest now as he has had quite a busy season already.

“He’ll be entered for the Gold Cup, but the Ryanair is more likely.”

Somersby is 20-1 with Ladbrokes for Knight’s preferred race, but only 10s with Coral.