Heart Wood eased to victory to take the Ryanair Chase in convincing style at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, Heart Wood went off a 9-2 chance after Fact To File was withdrawn and was bidding to go one better than his second-placed finish behind that horse last year.
The eight-year-old always looked comfortable and drew level with JPR One, who made the running, at the turn for home before pulling clear up the hill to register a 10-length victory over the 2-1 favourite Jonbon.
De Bromhead said: “We’re delighted to get on the board. It was getting a bit sketchy there I have to admit, but that was brilliant, Darragh was brilliant on him and he jumped amazing.
“He ran a blinder last year when we rode him to be placed, whereas this year we said we’d go out and give it a real go. He just winged fences and it was one of those dream races.
“It’s getting harder and harder to win here. It’s been even more competitive this week when you see the numbers in the fields.
“We have a great team at home, we all work hard and it’s great to get these rewards.”
Owner Brian Acheson said: “Half-an-hour ago I was on the floor after Teahupoo (disappointed) in the Stayers’ Hurdle and then you come back and win this – it just shows you what a screw-up game this is!
“This fellow was always there and when the favourite came out he had a chance, but we were having such a bad week you start to talk yourself out of it.
“I’m delighted for Henry and Darragh, it’s their first winner (of the week) and it’s all about them – the trainer, the jockey, the horse and the team at Knockeen.”
