RI REPEATS ERICSSON TRIUMPH Rince Ri repeated last year`s victory in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown today when holding off the determined challenge of veteran Dorans Pride. The winner is a best-priced 12-1 chance with the sponsors for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March following his victory. Run in desperate conditions, with heavy rain driven by a gale-force wind, the three-mile event proved gruelling.Rince Ri jumped splendidly for Ruby Walsh and tracked favourite Native Upmanship, Nick Dundee and Dorans Pride into the home straight. Hitting the front going to the last fence, Rince Ri went on from Nick Dundee but had to be driven vigorously to beat the veteran Dorans Pride by two and a half lengths. The latter`s jockey Paul Hourigan was later handed a two-day suspension for excessive use of the whip. The plan now is for Rince Ri to go to Cheltenham for the Pillar Property Chase on January 27th to gain further experience of the Gold Cup course. 'He is tough and handles that bad ground. I would expect him to improve for that effort and we will see how he gets on in the Pillar Chase before we start thinking about the Gold Cup,' said winning trainer Ted Walsh. Edward O`Grady was equally pleased with Nick Dundee`s performance in his first serious race since being badly injured at the 1999 Cheltenham festival. 'I am thrilled with that run. Nick Dundee is on song now and heading for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup back here in February,' said O`Grady. Nick Dundee, who tired on the punishing climb from the final fence to finish 11 lengths further adrift in third, is 16-1 with the sponsors for the Cheltenham showpiece with the runner-up Dorans Pride a 33-1 chance.
