Racing:Riverside Theatre got up in the final strides to give Nicky Henderson a sixth winner at the meeting with a dramatic victory in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. Barry Geraghty galvanised the eight-year-old, part-owned by actor Jimmy Nesbitt, to deny Albertas Run a third successive win in the race.
Riverside Theatre, the 7-2 favourite, snatched the spoils by half a length from Albertas Run (10-1) with Medermit (8-1) another half a length away in third.
There was a punishing gallop set from start to finish with Great Endeavour, Rubi Light and Albertas Run to the fore. The latter’s rider, Tony McCoy, decided to separate the men from the boys by setting sail for home with six fences remaining.
Rubi Light tried to cover the move but was soon found wanting and it was left to Medermit and Riverside Theatre to make their bids.
The race could have gone to any of them, but it was Riverside Theatre who wanted it the most as he ground out a stirring triumph. There was a late defection with Poquelin being withdrawn at the start.
“It was hard work," Geraghty said. "I never travelled and he missed a good few (fences) but he’s game. I threw him at the last four fences and he kept coming up. I was beaten everywhere. I was a bit tight for room because he wasn’t travelling but every time I dug into him he found more. I was trying to keep count (of the whip) and I hope I’m all right. He’s very classy. It’s unbelievable training to bring him back from a year off to win two Grade Ones.”
Nesbitt added: “I just can’t believe the ride that Barry gave him and Nicky has done such an incredible job to bring him back like he has. The training performance at Ascot was extraordinary, but to have him in that nick today — to have that courage and battle like he did is incredible.”
Henderson said: “In fairness that was some great ride. I don’t think either of us was enjoying that a lot and I don’t think Barry was either as it didn’t look very likely all the way. They were always travelling a gear higher than he wanted to be in. That was some ride to get him home.”
Willie Mullins and Davy Russell got the Irish challenge on Day Three off to a flying start with Sir Des Champsa convincing winner of the Jewson Novice's Chase.
The six-year-old winner shrugged off the attentions of Champion Court after the last to bound clear for a commanding four-and-a-half-length success. For Non Stop was another nine lengths back in third,
It was a seventh win in as many races for Michael O'Leary's charge, who went off 3-1 second favourite behind Peddler's Cross. The favourite disappointed and never really featured before finishing last. Champion Court and Zaynar took the field along in turns, with Micheal Flips close up and Sir Des Champs not too far away. Cristal Bonus was soon struggling, while Peddlers Cross lost as good early pitch and a couple of mistakes saw him lose further ground.
Champion Court went on at the 11th fence, but Mullins's representative followed his move and the battled it out over the last couple of fences. The Irish raider then showed his superiority to score in tremendous style for owners Gigginstown House Stud.
“He’s a very good horse," Russell said. “A lot of the credit should go to Aaron Madden who absolutely adores this horse, and since the first day he landed he’s looked after him and he’s done such a wonderful job.
“He jumped every fence, he never missed a beat.”
Mullins said: “He was very good and I’m really looking forward to next year over longer trips. He was foot-perfect. Davy asked him plenty of questions and he came up every time. Davy rode him with great confidence. A good pace and plenty of jumping will suit him best.”
Owner O’Leary, who sponsors the feature race of the day, the Ryanair Chase, said: “It was a wonderful ride by Davy. We’ve been hitting the crossbar all week so it’s great to finally stick one in the net.
“It’s hard to know what you’ve got until you get here. Willie brought him along slowly and probably thought he wanted a lot further — he could have run in the other race (RSA Chase). We went close in that with First Lieutenant but we’ve won this.”
Cape Tribulation (14/1) came out on top in a gruelling finish to the Pertemps Finalunder Denis O'Regan.
Malcolm Jefferson's eight-year-old - advised in the morning at 18/1 by our value bet tipster Ben Linfoot - cruised through the contest under and took it up jumping the last.
Catch Me (14/1) had also travelled well throughout but couldn't quite match the winner up the hill who was three-quarters-of-a-length clear at the line.
Cantlow (33/1) was third with Houblon Des Obeaux (33/1) fourth.
“It’s great to have a winner here," O'Regan said. "I haven’t had one for a long time. He’s a great little horse. Malcolm Jefferson has done a great job. He had a nice little run at Haydock the last day when he finished fourth and it’s a great training performance to get him here in this kind of form. I suppose I’m happy to ride a winner for the north.”
Salut Flo landed a gamble with a gutsy all-the-way success in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The 9-2 favourite, trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore, ran his rivals ragged and kept pulling out more, despite making the odd mistake.
The Cockney Mackem (10-1), who was also well-backed, put in a strong late challenge but was still six lengths down at the line as Salut Flo kept up the gallop.
Glam Gerry (33-1) was four and a half lengths back in third just ahead of Divers (8-1) in fourth.
Salut Flolanded a gamble with a gutsy all-the-way success in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase.
The 9-2 favourite, trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore, ran his rivals ragged and kept pulling out more, despite making the odd mistake.
The Cockney Mackem (10-1), who was also well-backed, put in a strong late challenge but was still six lengths down at the line as Salut Flo kept up the gallop.
Glam Gerry (33-1) was four and a half lengths back in third just ahead of Divers (8-1) in fourth.
Sunnyhillboy(13-2 favourite) provided Jonjo O'Neill with a second winner of the week in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.
While his form figures left something to be desired, the betting suggested a big run was expected.
Second in the Byrne Group Plate in 2010 and third in the Irish Grand National last season, he was given a confident ride by Alan Berry.
Becauseicouldntsee made a very bold bid from the front and had everything else in trouble, but failed to hold the late surge of the winner.
O’Neill’s nine-year-old went on to win by four and a half lengths with Exmoor Ranger third and Up The Beat fourth.