Balko Des Flos (8-1) benefited from a perfect ride from jockey Davy Russell to win Thursday's Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at 2 1-2 miles at Cheltenham.

Balko Des Flos is owned by Gigginstown House Stud which owned the winners of the two previous races - the Grade 1 JLT Novices' Chase with Shattered Love (4-1) and the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle with Delta Work (6-1).

Gigginstown House is owned by Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, which sponsored Thursday's race that carried a purse of $486,500.

Gigginstown House leads all owners with five winners at the four-day festival, which concludes on Friday.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Balko Des Flos was well-placed throughout the race. Russell, who rode Delta Work, urged Balko Des Flos into contention behind leader Un De Sceaux with about six furlongs, and four fences remaining. Balko Des Flos took the lead after the third last and won by 4 1-2 lengths.

Un De Sceaux, the 8-11 favorite, jumped boldly and maybe too boldly for the first 1 1-2 miles and could not keep pace with the winner. Cloudy Dream finsihed third in the field of six.

Cue Card, the 12-year-old who won the 2013 Ryanair Chase, was pulled up past the midway point. This was Cue Card's seventh appearance at a festival race and perhaps his last. It is widely believed he will be retired.