Wednesday 12 March 2014 17:38, UK
The Rebecca Curtis-trained O'Faolains Boy (12/1) just about got the better of Smad Place after a prolonged battle to win the RSA Chase at Cheltenham under Barry Geraghty.
Smad Place's trainer Alan King was magnanimous in defeat and said: "We've got beat by a better horse, but I'm thrilled with him. "We always hoped he would be as good a chaser as he was a hurdler and he's going that way. The ground drying out was not a problem for him. I'd have loved to have won, but he did great." Pat Fahy, trainer of third-placed Morning Assembly, said: "It was a rough enough race and he got into a bit of bother, but I'm delighted with the run in the circumstances. "It was only his fourth run over fences and it was very quick ground but he stayed very well and his heart got him to finish where he did. "Davy (Russell) said he'd never ridden in an RSA when they'd gone so quick. The horse will definitely go to Punchestown." Sky Bet quote both the winner and runner-up at 20/1 for next year's Gold Cup and Rebecca Curtis said of O'Faolain's Boy: "Everyone wants a Gold Cup horse, and you never know, if he keeps progressing he might be one day. The Gold Cup next year would be the dream." Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "Until we see how Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti get on on Friday, it's hard to price the race up more fully, but O'Faolain's Boy certainly looks a contender already and the runner-up has plenty of Festival form!"
