Poquelin to head straight for Ryanair Chase

POQUELIN, second and fourth in the last two runnings of the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will bid to make it third-time lucky in this year's race, trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed on Tuesday.

Andy Stewart's nine-year-old had to concede weight all round when second to The Giant Bolster in a Grade 3 handicap on Saturday, a run that delighted Britain's champion trainer.

"He ran a great race. He'd been ill since his run at Cheltenham over Christmas and we needed to get a run into him and it will be straight to the Ryanair Chase now," said Nicholls.

"He falls a bit short of top class but he's run well in the Ryanair in the past and I feel we're better running him in that than a handicap."

Poquelin is a best-priced 20-1 with Paddy Power for the Ryanair.

Nicholls also revealed Cheltenham plans for Hinterland, who was third to Module in a handicap hurdle on Saturday.

Speaking toAt The Races, Nicholls added: "He's got loads of speed and it didn't work out for him on Saturday, I think he ran a solid race. He's got options at the festival and the Fred Winter might just be the race for him."