Weapons Amnesty runway winner of the RSA

Davey Russell and Charles Byrnes, who were out of luck with Solwhit in yesterdays Champion Hurdle, gained ample compensation, when Weapons Amnesty ran out a hugely impressive winner of the RSA Chase.

The Presenting gelding was very well handled by Russell, who scraped the paint throughout and the race was won long before a superb jump at the last and Russell could afford to ease his mount close home for a seven length success.

The favourite Punchestowns was beaten after the fourth last, while his stable companion Long Run, was let down by his jumping and lost second spot to Burton Pint after the last.

"Winning form is crucial around here and he loves this place. Davey got him settled today and he is as good as anyone riding around here," reported Byrnes.

"That is it for the season. He has to go left handed and he’ll be trained for next year’s Gold Cup," the Limerick handler concluded.

Winning owner Michael O'Leary, the boss 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 what a fantastic jockey he is.

"He won here at the Festival last year but Albert Bartlett winners tend not to come back again.

"I thought we were hopeful in the Triumph later on in the week (Carlito Brigante) and while Charles had a disappointment with Solwhit (in the Champion Hurdle) yesterday, he's done a great job with this horse."