Weapon's Amnesty crashes Henderson's RSA party at Cheltenham

The much-anticipated clash in the RSA Chase between Punchestowns and Long Run, the two supposed future star chasers from Nicky Henderson's yard, fizzled out as the Irish raider Weapon's Amnesty claimed a second win at the Festival. The winner of last year's Albert Bartlett Hurdle, he came home seven lengths clear of Burton Port to win at 10-1 for Irish trainer Charles Byrnes. Held up well in rear in the early stages, Long Run made the occasional jumping error without ever looking as if he might fall. He pulled his way through the pack to lead on the second circuit, being left with a clear advantage when the early pacesetter Citizen Vic came down at the second-last fence. However, it was Weapon's Amnesty who came around the outside to throw down a challenge at that point and Long Run was soon left in his wake. Winging the final fence, the winner kept responding for Davy Russell on the run-in and pulled clear as Long Run faded, only just holding Knockara Beau for third. Punchestowns, the 2-1 favourite, seemed to travel well enough for most of the race, but didn't pick up when asked three from home and was ultimately nursed home by Barry Geraghty to be fifth. Diamond Harry also ran disappointingly and was pulled up before the final fence. Weapon's Amnesty was given a laughable quote of just 8-1 by Totesport for next year's Gold Cup, but nevertheless deserves plenty of credit for a thoroughly professional performance at a course which clearly suits him. His owner, Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, said: "It was unbelievable, I didn't think we had any chance today and thought the ex-French horse [Long Run] looked very hot, and Punchestowns too. It was a brilliant ride by Davy Russell and I think he's proved today what a fantastic jockey he is." Henderson was phlegmatic about meeting defeat with his three runners. "Long Run lunged at a couple, but he's only a baby and we will iron those kinks out," he said. "Unfortunately Punchestowns lost a shoe off the foot that was giving us the problem, and that obviously doesn't help. But Burton Port has run so well, it's not true."