16-1 Medermit for Ryanair lift-off

UP THE ANTE: ALBERTAS Run did this column a huge favour when winning the 2010 Ryanair Chase.

Recommended at 25-1, he duly obliged and then followed up in last year’s renewal.

Yet Jonjo O’Neill’s splendid chaser can be backed to complete the hat-trick next month at a rather insulting 14-1.

The reason is twofold. Not only is Albertas Run still recovering from a leg injury which has hindered his season, but he is also entered in the Gold Cup.

His price is extremely tempting, but with doubts about his participation it may be best to look elsewhere, at least for the time being.

Riverside Theatre, runner-up to Long Run in last season’s King George VI Chase, would be a fairly automatic selection at 11-1 had it not been for the pelvic problem which has kept him off the track since last March.

His form is top-class, the two miles, five furlongs of the Ryanair is perfect and he represents a master trainer and jockey in Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty.

But it is worrying that he has still to see a racecourse this season and, like Albertas Run, he has something to prove.

Noble Prince, Rubi Light and Somersby share favouritism at 7-1, but I am prepared to swerve each.

The former has not been at his best this season, Rubi Light seems to need softer ground than he is likely to get, and Somersby may yet be rerouted to the Queen Mother Chase.

Great Endeavour (14-1) has good course form, but only in handicaps, while the unexposed Kauto Stone (14-1) is interesting but also seems to have a preference for soft ground.

Little Josh, winner of last year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, ran well for a long way behind Midnight Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday and a return to this shorter trip is a plus. He is interesting at 25-1.

But the percentage call has to be Medermit at a juicy 16s.

Not far off the best over timber – he was second in the 2009 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Medermit found the two miles of last year’s Arkle Chase too sharp and finished fourth to Captain Chris.

Stepped up in trip this season, he has looked more comfortable and ran a blinder to be a close second, conceding 12 pounds, to Quantitativeeasing in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in December.

Medermit enjoys the good ground he is likely to get next month, is proven at the track and the distance of the race is ideal.

The Alan King stable remains in great form and this consistent horse has the touch of class needed for the Ryanair.

RECOMMENDATION: Medermit, Ryanair Chase, 16-1 (general).