10:14am Friday 19th March 2010
TONY McCoy was back in the place where it matters after the victory of Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase, beating Nicholls’ Poquelin into second.
On the advice of McCoy and trainer Jonjo O’Neill, owner Trevor Hemmings lowered his sights from the Gold Cup and it paid off.
McCoy said: ‘‘That was nice.
He’s a good horse, he won the SunAlliance (RSA) a few years ago and I’m just delighted for Trevor (Hemmings, owner).
‘‘Myself and Jonjo kind of asked Trevor if we could run him in the Ryanair instead of the Gold Cup as we thought he had a good chance and Trevor, being the man he is, was all on for it.’’ The Jewson Novices’ Chase was won in fine style by Philip Hobbs’ Copper Bleu, fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago.
Outsider Othermix gamely rallied on the run-in but Richard Johnson’s mount found more for pressure.
David Pipe notched up a double thanks to Buena Vista in the Pertemps Final and Great Endeavour in the Byrne Group Plate.
Both were ridden by youngsters, with Hadden Frost steering the former and Danny Cook showing his skills on the latter.
The Fulke Walwyn and Kim Muir Challenge cup was won by Donald McCain’s Ballabriggs, who held on from the fast finishing Faasel to give Richard Harding a third Festival winner after a double in 2006 on Ferdy Murphy’s Hot Weld and You’re Special.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/