Benefficient set for Ryanair Chase
Tony Martin has his sights set on the Ryanair Chase rather than the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Benefficient.
Last Updated: 02/03/14 5:36pm
The eight-year-old bagged the third Grade One success of his career when landing the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, and is prominent in the betting for both Cheltenham races next week, having landed the Jewson Novices' Chase over two and a half miles 12 months ago.
County Meath trainer Martin said: "I'm happy with him and am very keen to go to the Ryanair, I don't really want to come down in trip with him. Two-miles-five round Cheltenham is ideal.
"He'd want three miles on an easy track and I'd rather go for the race that suits him."
Martin has handicap options with Irish Arkle fourth Ted Veale but favours a crack at the Racing Post Arkle Trophy.
He said: "He wouldn't run if the ground is heavy at all. If it was yielding or good ground he'd definitely run and I'm leaning towards going for the Arkle with him.
"He has 146 in the handicap so he might as well go for the Arkle.
"He'd improve for good ground and he's got plenty of experience going there."
He added of Weatherbys Champion Bumper hope Golantilla: "I was happy with his run the other day. I was disappointed for the owner and the horse that he didn't win, but he can only improve."