Ton-Up Delight For Nicholls

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls brought up a century of winners for the season in the best possible way by collecting a second Ryanair Chase with Taranis.

A solid Cheltenham performer having fallen when in contention in the Paddy Power before finishing third in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup, it was another stern test for the 9-2 shot against some well-regarded opponents, but he did it admirably despite the narrow winning margin of a neck.

Just behind was Our Vic, who summoned a tremendous comeback to close into second after appearing sluggish throughout and pulling back yards from the home turn.

Crozan, reinvigorated by blinkers, made much of the running but crashed out when still going well running down the final hill, leaving the big guns to battle out the spoils.

Some of those big guns still misfired, notably the 7-4 favourite Monet's Garden, who was still fourth but did not travel with his usual enthusiasm.

Taranis led turning for home and sealed the race with a magnificent leap at the last.

'He ran a blinder in the Paddy Power here off top weight even though he fell and this has always been his target since the autumn,' said Nicholls, successful in the two-and-a-half-mile prize in its inaugural year in 2005 through Thisthatandtother.

'I was slightly concerned when Crozan fell and he was left in front, but when they were catching him at the finish it was more of a case of him just idling rather than the others making ground.

'I think he may well get three miles next year. I don't think there is anything else suitable for him this season.'

David Pipe, trainer of Our Vic, said: 'He ran well but couldn't go the pace early on until staying up the hill. He might have got there if it was a bit further, but he's run three good races in succession and that's a plus.'

Asked if he regretted not going for the Gold Cup instead, Pipe added: 'No ? if you can't win the Ryanair you won't win the Gold Cup.'

Billyvoddan surpassed himself to take third, opening up another Aintree possibility for his Grand National-mad owner Trevor Hemmings and he was cut to around 25-1 for the race.

Trainer Nicky Richards was disappointed about the eclipse of Monet's Garden, a really impressive winner at Ascot last month.

He said: 'I thought he was in very good form coming here, but he was about the first one beat.

'After the third fence, you could see he was not going with his usual zest and it was only his jumping that got him into it.

'He does want to be very, very fresh and it has only been four weeks since Ascot.'

Some profligate jumps to the right saw Racing Demon finish a close fifth, well ahead of Hi Cloy and Thisthatandtother, who was not disgraced but not quite the force of old.

(C) PA Sport