'A1' Poquelin to be primed for Ryanair Chase

Poquelin will now be put away until the Ryanair Chase after booking his place at the Cheltenham Festival with victory there yesterday.

The six-year-old, runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, went one better with victory in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup.

“He’s absolutely A1 and will go straight for the Ryanair Chase now,” said trainer Paul Nicholls.

The Ditcheat handler was also delighted with the performance of Chapoturgeon, who would probably have finished second had he not made a bad mistake at the final fence.

Daryl Jacob, replacing owner David Johnson’s retained jockey Timmy Murphy, made a fine recovery to stay in the saddle.

“Daryl gave him a great ride – he’d never sat on him before – and would have been a good second had he not stumbled a stride after the last,” Nicholls added.

“I don’t know where we will go with him but I was very encouraged by his run.”