Un De Sceaux and Cue Card go head-to-head in a clash of public favourites

2.50 Cheltenham
Ryanair Chase | Grade 1 | 5yo+ | 2m4f166yds |ITV/RUK

For the first time the third day of the Cheltenham festival will be billed by the racecourse as 'Ryanair Chase day'.

The decision reflects the fact the £350,000 total prize-money now boasts the afternoon's top offer. In Un De Sceaux and Cue Card it also has the top horses.

Trying to divide loyalties between two of the most popular jumpers of recent years would be desperately hard. To cheer for one without cheering for the other would seem wholly wrong. A dead-heat would appear to be the perfect outcome – although bookmakers seem certain one of the star duo is, by some margin, the horse to beat.

On this day last year Un De Sceaux was magnificent – jumping boldly and winning decisively despite carting Ruby Walsh for a chunk of the race. He returns having won a third Clarence House Chase and with his connections expecting another massive performance.

"We have the best trainer and I think we have the best horse as well," said Colm O'Connell, son of owner Edward O'Connell.

"It's a great combination. He's entitled to be favourite. He's won 20 of his 26 races and this is his fourth festival appearance.

Ruby Walsh was jubilant after Un De Sceaux's Ryanair successCredit: Patrick McCann

"As long as the horses come back safe and sound, that's the priority. It's going to be a great race and I wish Cue Card the best of luck. I think he's the people's horse. If you don't like Cue Card you shouldn't have an interest in racing."

O'Connell has no fear about the forecast overnight rain testing Un De Sceaux's stamina.

"A bit of overnight rain will help," he said. "I don't worry about the ground getting softer, as over 2m5f in the Prix la Barka he pulled away on bottomless ground. He's settled much better since then, too."

Sceaux may cue it up for Card

Cue Card returns to the course on which he fell at the third-last fence in the 2016 and 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, the 12-year-old is also back at the track where in 2013 he captured the Ryanair.

Such is the old warrior's longevity, his first Cheltenham festival success came eight years ago in the Champion Bumper. Much has happened since then, including a wide-margin Haydock defeat in November that led some to call for his retirement.

Yet at Ascot last month Jean Bishop's veteran was glorious, showing all his old enthusiasm, and lots of his old talent, to run a fabulous second to Waiting Patiently under adoring rider Paddy Brennan.

It is now eight years since Cue Card became a Cheltenham Festival winner for the first timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

"There's always pressure when you go to Cheltenham – and I doubt he'll be running at the festival next year – but I'm hoping we can enjoy the race," said trainer Colin Tizzard.

"I think the form of his Ascot second is some of the best there's been in Britain this season and he's probably been in better form going into this race than he was before Ascot."

Tizzard added: "Un De Sceaux is a definite front-runner, whereas we don't have to run from the front. I think Un De Sceaux will set it up beautifully for Cue Card. We can sit second behind him and if Ruby slows it up we can go on by him.

"I've no worries at all about tactics, as I think they'll suit Cue Card. I'm not worried about the ground, either. A few years ago we used to think he didn't like it heavy but as the years have gone on some of his best form has been on heavy ground. It might even be an advantage."

Jefferson dreaming of a rare Cloudy win

Many had hoped Waiting Patiently would represent the north in the Ryanair. He stays at home but trainer Ruth Jefferson still has a chance of glory courtesy of Cloudy Dream who, by chasing home leading Gold Cup hope Native River at Newbury, stretched his record to eight seconds from his last nine starts.

Cloudy Dream: finished second on all four starts this yearCredit: John Grosssick

"I know it sounds daft but I'm not frustrated by his seconds," said Jefferson.

"He's always consistent and always runs his race and I'm sure he'll run his race again. I'd have preferred better ground, though."

A patient approach likely with Frodon

Frodon has ground to make up on Cue Card after finishing third in the Ascot Chase, but he is set to love the likely deep ground and has shown this season he relishes racing at Cheltenham.

Frodon was an impressive winner at Cheltenham in JanuaryCredit: Mark Cranham

"He'll love it if it rains all night and gets really testing," said trainer Paul Nicholls. "He ran really well at Ascot but was too free. He was a bit enthusiastic for the first mile and paid for it late.

"That won't be happening again – we'll drop him in a bit. He loves the course and the ground, but obviously he's got to up his game."

Rain would hinder the Gigginstown challenge

Michael O'Leary has two chances to win back his own money and his own race, with Balko Des Flos and last year's Ryanair second Sub Lieutenant seeking to give Gigginstown House Stud a first Ryanair triumph.

Balko Des Flos: wouldn't want rainCredit: Caroline Norris

Both are trained by Henry de Bromhead, who said: "If the rain comes as predicted it’s going to mess Balko Des Flos up, no doubt about that. The better the ground, the better his chance. The rain is a big worry.

"I'd have loved another proper crack at Un De Sceaux with Sub Lieutenant but he needs better ground, so the rain's no help to him either, which is disappointing."

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com