O'Faolains Boy wins thrilling RSA Chase

O'Faolains Boy outbattled Smad Place to prevail in a thrilling tussle for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Rebecca Curtis' 12/1 chance won the Reynoldstown at Ascot to book his ticket to the staying novice championship, and crept into contention to turn in on the heels of the leaders.

Smad Place gave his all on the run to the line, but O'Faolains Boy had a touch more stamina and flashed past the post a neck to the good, with Morning Assembly back in third.

Winning jockey Barry 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."

Curtis said: "It's amazing to get another winner at the Cheltenham Festival. Before Christmas our horses weren't running great, but they are now and we knew he was very well coming here.

"He twisted his shoe quite badly but it didn't stop him in the end. He's a funny horse, he finds a wind then goes again. He proved he was a nice horse last year over hurdles but this season hadn't been ideal with him. It's not a massive surprise as he proved at Ascot he was decent but you never expect to win here.

"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."

Smad Place's trainer Alan King said: "We've got beat by a better horse, but I'm thrilled with him. We always hoped he'd 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. Of course, I'd have loved to have won, but he did great."

Pat Fahy, trainer of 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 and he'll definitely go to Punchestown."