The Ryanair Chase, better known as the Festival Chase, is one of the most popular events for free bet punters at Cheltenham because it is such a difficult race to solve.

The race has one of the shortest histoires at the Cheltenham Festival only coming into existance in 2005 when the meeting was expanded to four days however its importance was quickly established and now the 2m 5f event has Grade One status.

Previous winners include Taranis, Fondmort and Thisthatandtother meaning the Irish are still looking for their first winner and that is unlikely to change this year with Dessie Hughes' Schindlers List looking the only viable challenger.

The free bet offers on this site can be used at Betfair. If choosing the number one betting exchange customers have a chance to bet on the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham while the race has started due to their in-play facility.

The importance of the race is heightened by the fact many horse are entered up to compete in the Gold Cup (run on the Friday) though its not uncommon for horses to be given the option of taking their chance in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on the Wednesday of the Festival.

Others with live chances in the 2010 contest include the current favourite Voy Por Ustedes, the course specialist L'Antartique (trained by Cheltenham specialist Ferdy Murphy) while there has been recent money for old favourite Our Vic.

All in all a cracking contest is in stall and why not take advantage of the betting opportunities on this site to make your Cheltenham 2009 a winning one.