Theatre takes centre stage in race once more

Report: Ascot, Saturday

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 2m51/2f 5yo+

IT WASN'T anything like as easy as 12 months ago, but the 13-8 favourite Riverside Theatre made it back-to-back wins in this Grade 1 on what was his first start of the season.

The super-tough Medermit chased him all the way to the line in second, with the pair finishing clear of the enigmatic Gauvain, who ran on past beaten horses for third.

William Hill immediately made the winner 9-2 favourite (from 9-1) for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Paddy Power went shorter at 4-1, but Ladbrokes were not as impressed and are a standout 7-1.

It was his jumping that won it for Riverside Theatre. Conditions were not easy for the jockeys in the rain, but Barry Geraghty did not have to do too much on actor Jimmy Nesbitt's eight-year-old as he put in some spring-heeled leaps when taking it up five out.

This was nice to see as the horse fractured his pelvis 12 months ago, forcing him to miss the festival, but it will be all systems go for Cheltenham now.

"It's fantastic," said Nesbitt. "He's been away for a year and I'm thrilled because that was a real race. He jumped beautifully, he travelled and responded really well."

And he had to, as Medermit was always on the quarters of the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding despite making a mistake heading towards Swinley Bottom, and kept challenging up the straight. A bad jump at the last from Riverside could have been a problem, but he took it beautifully and from that moment on, had it won.

Geraghty said: "It's a top-class training performance to come back from 12 months off. He did it the hard way - we were in front and I thought for a second he might struggle, and I was trying to fill him up. But he winged the last, he was very good."

Riverside Theatre has now won all five times he has made a seasonal appearance and clearly goes well fresh. The Ryanair will prove a more severe test thanthis, but Geraghty certainly hopes he can make it there.

"He was sadly missed last time so hopefully he can get there this year," he said.

Cheltenham is also the plan for Medermit, but trainer Alan King was not sure which race. "He's run a marvellous race and was just beaten by a better horse. He keeps battling and stays all day," he said.