Female jockeys Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost are both relishing the prospect of capturing G1 honours in the £350,000 Ryanair Chase (2.50pm) at Cheltenham this afternoon on day three, St Patrick's Thursday, of The Festival™ presented by Magners.
Blackmore, who recorded a first success at The Festival on Tuesday aboard A Plus Tard in the Listed Close Brothers Novices' Chase, partners the Henry de Bromhead-trained Monalee.
The eight-year-old son of Milan returned to winning ways with a comfortable two-length success in the G2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park in February over two miles and four furlongs, having previously chased home Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Kemboy in the three-mile G1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December.
Monalee has finished second over three miles in both the G1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2017) and the G1 RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (2018) at The Festival™ presented by Magners and connections have decided to drop back in trip this time around for the two mile and five furlong G1 event.
Looking ahead to the ride, Blackmore, who has yet to capture a G1, said: "Monalee feels really well in himself and we're looking forward to this afternoon.
"He has a good record around here without winning, but fingers crossed he can win today.
"We decided to run in the Ryanair after taking the soft ground into consideration and think he has a very good chance in this event."
Before The Festival 2019, no female rider had more than five rides at a single Festival. However, Blackmore is scheduled to have 17 rides over the four days this week.
Bryony Frost has struck up an excellent rapport with the Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon and the pair are targeting a fourth victory from five starts this term. The seven-year-old son of Nickname was a gutsy winner of the G2 Cotswold Chase over an extended three miles and one furlong at Cheltenham in January, but drops back in trip for this afternoon's two miles and five furlong event.
Frodon also tasted success with Frost aboard at Cheltenham this season in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, on the New Course, which is being used today, and a very similar distance, in December.
Frost, who has already captured a G1 prize in her burgeoning career with Black Corton, also trained by Nicholls, in the 2017 renewal of the G1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park, said: "You have to believe in fairytales and Frodon is my fairytale.
"He is in great heart. The Ryanair looks a hot race and there are some talented Irish horses in the race this time around. We are flying the flag for Britain and the one thing I know for sure is that he will give 110% for me.
"Frodon loves to try and he loves to be competitive. Cheltenham is the heartbeat, it is the Olympics for equine athletes to come and show their supreme levels of ability and it's brilliant to say I have a horse which I can ride in Frodon - he is my partner and we'll just keep kicking and see what happens."