Horse Racing

RSA Chase – Distance: 3 miles 110 yards – Winning Time: 6:13.6

Weapons Amnesty has been named as a strong candidate for recording a Cheltenham Festival hat-trick after racing to victory in the RSA Chase. The seven-year-old is the winner of the 2009 Albert Bartlett Hurdle; but his previous success did not make him the hottest favourite in the field.
2-1 champion Long Run, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, battled to a disappointing third place, surpassed by surprise second place Burton Port under Tony McCoy. While Long Run seemed to be running a sure winning race until he reached the home turn, when Weapons Amnesty launched into a final effort that was beyond impressive.
The drama at the front of the field was matched at the back when Ruby Walsh took his second fall of the day on Citizen Vic. After already receiving medical attention after falling with Quel Esprit in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle the man chasing the title of most successful Cheltenham jockey ever again walked away from the accident. Citizen Vic, trained by Willie Mullins, was not so lucky. After the fatal injuries suffered by Casey Jones on Tuesday, the seven-year-old is the second horse to die at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.