Riverside Theatre is the new 6/1 second-favourite (from 10/1) for the Ryanair Chase with totesport following a facile success in the Betfair Ascot Chase this afternoon.

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Despite concerns about the rain-softened ground, Nicky Henderson’s charge travelled sweetly on the outside of the pack and a series of impressive leaps down the back brought him to the front approaching the second –last.  Quickening away up the straight he eventually came clear to register a 10-length victory from runner-up Gauvain.    

‘Riverside Theatre is a horse rapidly on the upgrade and his performance today has set his connections a real poser where to send him next.  One thing for certain is wherever he turns up he will warrant the utmost respect,’ said totesport spokesman Andrew Griffiths. 

The fifth race on the card provided Nicky Henderson with the third-leg of a four-timer as Sprinter Sacre hosed up in the Trisoft “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle by seven-lengths.  He looks a serious tool and has been cut accordingly to 9/1 (from 12/1) for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and 12/1 (from 16/1) for the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle with totesport.

At Haydock, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle saw a big upset as 16/1 shot Back in Focus took the scalp of red-hot favourite Court In Motion.  Howard Johnson’s charge, on his debut under rules, can now be backed at 10/1 (from 66/1) for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle with Court In Motion drifting to the same price (from 5/1).

Over in Ireland, Dunguib registered a cosy victory off the back of a 302 day layoff in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park today.  Consequently he is now rated a 14/1 chance (from 20/1) with totesport for the Stan James Champion Hurdle in March.

Racing Post Chase – totesport bet: 11/2 Fistral Beach, 7 Nacarat, Quinz, 9 Caroles Legacy, Sagalyrique, 12 Bakbenscher, Mostly Bob, Tatanen, 14 Breedsbreeze, Hey Big Spender, Polyfast, Summery Justice, Weird Al, What A Friend, 16 Crescent Island, Matuhi, Razor Royale, Take The Breeze, 20 bar.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – totesport bet: 9/4 Cue Card, 7 Spirit Son, 9 (from 12) Sprinter Sacre, 10 Zaidpour, 12 Recession Proof, So Young, 14 Al Ferof, Minella Class, 16 Day Of A Lifetime, Gagewell Flyer, Rock On Ruby, Toubab, Unaccompanied, 20 Backspin, Dare Me, Gibb River, Megastar, Shot From The Hip, 25 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy – totesport bet: 4 Finian’s Rainbow, Ghizao, Medermit, 8 Realt Dubh, 12 Captain Chris, 25 Giorgio Quercus, Mikael d’Haguenet, Starluck, 33 Bellvano, Blazing Tempo, Dan Breen, Morning Supreme, Nadiya de la Vega, Quel Esprit, Rock Noir, Surfing, Torphicen, 40 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Stan James Champion Hurdle – totesport bet: 3 Binocular, 9/2 Menorah, 5 Hurricane Fly, Peddlers Cross, 11 Oscar Whisky, 14 (from 20) Dunguib, Mille Chief, 25 Cue Card, Khyber Kim, Silviniaco Conti, 33 Alaivan, Overturn, Starluck, 40 Zaynar, 50 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle – totesport bet: 5 Bobs Worth, Oscars Well, 13/2 So Young, 7 Rock On Ruby, 12 (from 16) Sprinter Sacre, 14 Backspin, First Lieutenant, Minella Class, Zaidpour, 20 Al Ferof, Bishopsfurze, Day Of A Lifetime, Gagewell Flyer, Hidden Universe, Megastar, 25 Cottrelsbooley, Court In Motion, Dare Me, Earlson Gray, Macville, Our Girl Salley, Pride In Battle, Shot From The Hip, Tornado Bob, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

RSA Chase – totesport bet: 9/4 Time For Rupert, 8 Jessie’s Dream, 12 (from 25) Master Of The Hall, Quito de la Roque, Wayward Prince, Wymott, 14 Bostons Angel, Wishfull Thinking, 16 Magnanimity, Mikael d’Haguenet, 20 Aiteen Thirtythree, Alfie Sherrin, Beshabar, Quel Esprit, 25 Bob Lingo, Tarablaze, The Giant Bolster, The Minack, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Queen Mother Champion Chase – totesport bet: 2 Master Minded, 10/3 Big Zeb, 6 Somersby, 7 Woolcombe Folly, 10 Captain Cee Bee, 14 Golden Silver, Sizing Europe, Tataniano, 25 French Opera, 33 Gauvain, Mad Max, 50 Cornas, I’m So Lucky, J’y Vole, 66 Scotsirish.

¼ 1-2-3

Jewson Novices’ Steeple Chase – totesport bet: 7 (from 8) Noble Prince, 8 Hells Bay, Wishfull Thinking, 9 Captain Chris, 12 Quel Esprit, 14 (from 25­) Master Of The Hall, Alfie Sherrin, Loosen My Load, My Gardner, Realt Dubh, 16 Jessies Dream, 20 Bouggler, Definity, Mamlook, Mr Cracker, Robinson Collonges, Royal Charm, Torphicen, Wymott, 25 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle – totesport bet: 10/11 Quevega, 5 Sparky May, 8 Tarla, 10 Our Girl Salley, 14 Caroles Legacy, 16 L’Accordioniste, Morning Supreme, 20 Banjaxed Girl, Macville, 25 For Bill, Santera, Sway, 33 Alegralil, Amber Brook, Araucaria, Blazing Tempo, Easter Legend, No One Tells Me.

¼ 1-2-3

Ryanair Chase – totesport bet: 4 Poquelin, 6 (from 10) Riverside Theatre, 7 Somersby, Tranquil Sea, 9 Kalahari King, 10 Albertas Run, Golden Silver, Riverside Theatre, 12 Kempes, 16 J’y Vole, Joncol, Tartak, The Nightingale, 20 Captain Cee Bee, 25 (from 33) Gauvin, Breedsbreeze, Nacarat, Noland, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Ladbrokes World Hurdle – totesport bet: 4/5 Big Buck’s, 9/4 Grands Crus, 10 Mourad, 14 Punchestowns, 16 (from 33) Celestial Halo, Karabak, Zaynar, 20 Fiveforthree, Mikael d’Haguenet, Solwhit, 25 Ashkazar, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

JCB Triumph Hurdle – totesport bet: 11/2 Grandouet, 13/2 Unaccompanied, 10 Marsh Warbler, Sam Winner, Smad Place, 12 A Media Luz, 14 Brampour, 14 Unaccompanied, 16 (from 20) Houblon Des Obeaux, 20 (from 33) Rigidity, Third Intention, Comedy Act, Kazzene, Local Hero, 25 Empire Levant, Indian Daudaie, Pullyoufingerout, Sailors Warn, Tonic Mellysse, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle – totesport bet: 7 Bobs Worth, 8 Oscars Well, 10 (from 66) Back In Focus, 10 (from 14) Kilcrea Kim, Backspin, Court In Motion, 12 So Young, 14 First Lieutenant, Join Together, 16 Champion Court, Zaidpour, 20 Bishopsfurze, Endless Intrigue, For Non Stop, Gagewell Flyer, Habbie Simpson, Highland Valley, Old McDonald, Raptor, Shot From The Hip, Skorcher, Sybarite, Tornado Bob, 25 Our Island.

¼ 1-2-3

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup – sponsors bet: 7/2 Imperial Commander, 5 Long Run, 7 Denman, Kauto Star, 8 Diamond Harry, 16 Kempes, Pandorama, 20 Midnight Chase, 25 Neptune Collonges, Tidal Bay, 33 Joncol, Planet Of Sound, Weird Al, What A Friend, 40 Synchronised, 50 Albertas Run, Carruthers, China Rock, 66 Great Endeavour, 100 Chief Dan George, 150 Carronhills.

¼ 1-2-3

John Smith’s Grand National – totesport bet: 14 (from 25) Silver By Nature, Ballabriggs, 16 Backstage, Niche Market, Oscar Time, The Midnight Club, 20 Big Fella Thanks, Don’t Push It, Merigo, Synchronised, West End Rocker, 25 Becauseicouldntsee, Bluesea Cracker, Hello Bud, Majestic Concorde, Midnight Chase, Neptune Collonges, Notre Pere, State Of Play, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3-4