Theatre To Take To The Ryanair Stage

Cheltenham Festival specialist Nicky Henderson has confirmed that his high-class chaser Riverside Theatre will almost certainly be allowed to take his chance in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase on the third day of the four-day showcase fixture, writes Elliot Slater.

Responding to the news that the King George VI chase runner-up is a likely runner, many firms trimmed the odds of the seven-year-old to 5/1 making him a clear second-favourite for the two-mile-five-furlong contest behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Poquelin at 9/2 but could still be recommended in UK and Irish horse racing tips.

A smart novice chaser last term having previously proved more than useful over timber, the King’s Theatre gelding has really come into his own this season since being stepped up from the minimum trip over which he finished strongly into fifth place in last season’s Irish Independent Arkle Trophy behind Sizing Europe and Somersby. A very easy winner at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance over the ‘Ryanair’ trip, Henderson’s charge was then stepped up markedly in class and ran a cracking race to finish second to Long Run in the ‘King George’, just getting the better of the mighty Kauto Star on the run-in.

With connections satisfied that their horse was a definite stayer a whole new range of options has opened up for Riverside Theatre, and last time out at Ascot in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase he destroyed a good field under a motionless Barry Geraghty, coming home eased down by 10-lengths to show just how progressive he is through out horse racing Ireland and UK. Having originally been set on going to Aintree instead of Cheltenham, Henderson and the owners of Riverside Theatre (who include popular actor James Nesbitt), have decided that they may as well take their chance at the Prestbury track with the horse appearing to be on particularly good terms with himself.