Second Ryanair triumph for Albertas Run

Albertas Run recorded back-to-back victories in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham under a gallant Tony McCoy.

Jonjo O’Neill’s charge, a 6-1 chance, bounded up the hill to hold Kalahari King (7-1), with Rubi Light (16-1) third.

A racegoer somehow managed to get on the track but thankfully no horses or jockeys were hurt.

The pace was shared by Rubi Light, Poquelin and Albertas Run but many were in with chances at the top of the hill.

Poquelin, sent off the 2-1 favourite, was surprisingly one of the first beaten, while Kalahari King came from the rear of the field to make his bid.

McCoy had the race in control and took the last with a handy lead and kept on to score by a length to complete a double on the day.

The game Rubi Light was another two lengths back in third.

McCoy said: ``I'm beginning to feel like Ruby Walsh having ridden two winners here.

“Jonjo has been really sweet on him in the last week or so but Trevor (Hemmings, owner) was really keen on running him in the Gold Cup, thankfully Jonjo twisted his arm.

“This was the right race for him, he won it last year and has now won four Grade Ones.”

Of the intruder who encroached on to the course, McCoy added: “I only saw the man on the track when I was going past him.

“I thought I must have gone the wrong way or something.

“He’s lucky I didn’t knock him down.”

O'Neill said: ``That was special, he absolutely loves this ground and he's a much better horse on it.

“He’s had a few problems along the way this season but he just started to come right in the last few weeks.

“He just comes alive this time of year, the sun is shining and the gods are shining on us.

“It’s great for Trevor – he’s a great owner and a great man. He’s in the Gold Cup but I think we might give him a rest.”

Hemmings said: “That was lovely. What a ride and what a horse.

“After the fall he had at Ascot, Jonjo has done well to get him back.”

Ferdy Murphy said of runner-up Kalahari King: ``He has been second, third and fourth here now. It's very difficult in championship races, but you pick up a lot of money which is even more important at the moment.

“He ran a brilliant race – he’s a versatile horse – and he’ll go for the two-and-a-half-miler (Melling Chase) at Aintree now.”