Cheltenham Festival 2014: O'Faolains Boy wins duel with Smad Place for the RSA Chase
It's day two of the festival
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.O'Faolains Boy came up trumps in a titanic duel with Smad Place for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Barry Geraghty-ridden seven-year-old (12-1) found just a little more when it mattered to take the Grade One by a neck for the Rebecca Curtis team.
Irish challenger Morning Assembly finished third.
Corrin Wood made most of the running, but his challenge weakened at the top of the home straight once the pace accelerated.
Several horses came to grief as a consequence of the heightened tempo, but Ballycasey, the 13-2 joint-favourite, appeared in a vigilant mood as he was nudged into the lead three fences from home.
Ruby Walsh's companion suddenly began to tread water, though, as fellow market leader Smad Place leapt purposefully towards the head of affairs two out.
But O'Faolains Boy was never far away, and a crisp jump at the last then put Geraghty in pole position.
An absorbing tussle ensued, but Curtis' inmate grasped the moment with a lunging drive inside the final 150 yards.
Geraghty said: "He just ran in snatches a little bit. He didn't jump as well as he did in Ascot.
"I was never happy and never thought I'd win, but in the last mile he started to come alive a little bit. He got there, slightly under sufferance
"There's improvement in him. He didn't feel as good today as he did at Ascot for some reason and he didn't sparkle, but he's still won."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments