Scudamore times it well on Dynaste

David Pipe was thrilled to right last year's wrong as Dynaste returned to his potent best with a slick display in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

The dashing grey was considered one of the bankers of last year's Festival when going down in a Jewson Novices' Chase thriller to Irish contender Benefficient, and had something to prove back at Prestbury Park this year having blown out badly when well fancied for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

His supporters stuck with him, however, ensuring he was sent off the 3-1 favourite, and the eight-year-old could be spotted making good progress coming down the hill, but Tom Scudamore continued to bide his time and produced him with a perfectly-timed challenge to join the front-running Hidden Cyclone at the final fence.

To his credit, Shark Hanlon's pride and joy tried to make a race of it, but Dynaste had too many gears on the run to the line and was good value for a two-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

Scudamore said: "He's taken some knocks so I'm pleased for the horse as he's gone and shown how good he is, and he's gone and shown it at Cheltenham in a Grade One. What a thrill."

Pipe said: "You need a bit of fate to go in your favour and that's what happened. They watered the track which made the ground a little bit slower, which suited us.

"They went a good gallop and this track, over a furlong further than the Jewson last year, has been in his favour. You're always a bit nervous after a poor run like that in the King George, but his run in the Betfair Chase gave him a great chance.

"A lot of work has been done by Mary Bromiley (back specialist) and she has continued the treatment. He had muscle problems in his quarters. It took a long time for him to come right and it's been a big team effort.

"Tom is riding great, you're only as good as the horses you sit on though and it's the same for trainers.

"We'll have a chat, he went to Aintree last year and won or there's Punchestown to consider as well. I expect he'll go somewhere."

Hanlon said of the runner-up: "He's run a great race, but just like the last day when Sire De Grugy beat us we've found one to beat us.

"I'm gutted. He's been second in three Grade Ones now. He just seems to find one too good but he's a great horse. He's off to the field now, but hopefully there's a big day in him."

Nicky Henderson provided both the third and fourth, with Rajdhani Express finishing ahead of stable companion Hunt Ball.

The trainer is now looking towards Aintree with Hunt Ball, who is owned by Atlantic Equine.

He said: "We could have run in the handicap, but to have third and fourth has made everyone very happy.

"To pardon a pun, the American owners have had a ball as Barry (Geraghty) got off and said he should go for the National, but I don't want the owners to get too excited yet."