Rince Ri has all the answers

The bookmaker reaction to Florida Pearl's surprise defeat by Rince Ri in yesterday's Ericsson Chase was informative in its diversity. But then when it comes to Florida Pearl everyone seems to have an opinion.

Ladbrokes lengthened Florida Pearl a point and a half to 6 to 1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind their 2 to 1 favourite See More Business but Powers were much more dramatic and pushed him out to 10 to 1 seeing him more as great white elephant than great white hope.

Immediately after the finish, the theories started to fly. Florida Pearl doesn't stay, Paul Carberry rode him wrongly, what has Florida Pearl ever beaten anyway. In the midst of it all, a desperately disappointed Willie Mullins remained objective.

"He didn't pick up when Paul asked him. The horse just flattened out. No excuses, hopefully he'll be alright and that's all I really have to say," Mullins said before almost inevitably expanding.

Carberry was not to blame. He had been riding to instructions. "Maybe we'll change the tactics and make more use of him in future," Mullins explained before emphasising that the future still consists of the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"He'll have to improve for the Hennessy and to take on See More Business in the Gold Cup. Ted (Walsh) has always thought Rince Ri to be very decent and I respect his opinion," he said.

So decent that Rince Ri is now as low as 16 to 1 for the Gold Cup after turning in a career best performance under Conor O'Dwyer who was riding him for the first time. Apart from a mistake at the fourth last, Rince Ri jumped noticeably well but still looked set to be gobbled up by Florida Pearl until 150 yards from the line.

Only then did Carberry ask for everything from the favourite but Rince Ri maintained his gallop like the good stayer his trainer believes he is.

"He may be an English National horse in time but we've entered him in the Gold Cup and you never know," said Walsh.

Rince Ri's long-term future may be over longer distances but Mullins is not ready yet to commit Florida Pearl to shorter races.

There is no argument about the way Limestone Lad has grabbed the public imagination and James Bowe's hurdler had little more than a school to win over three miles for the first time in the Woodies Hurdle.

Limestone Lad's four opponents either weren't able to keep up with him from the start or were waiting for him to come back but Limestone Lad spent most of the race a furlong clear.

He is now is 4 to 1 for the Stayers Hurdle behind the 3 to 1 favourite Le Coudray.

Other winners to get Cheltenham quotes were Saxophone, who is as low as 14 to 1 for the SunAlliance Chase after challenging Up For The Game late in the Neville Chase to win by a short head, and Oa Baldixe who easily took the novice hurdle.

Oa Baldixe completed a double for Noel Meade, Carberry and the High Street Syndicate and will now be aimed at the SunAlliance Hurdle.

The trainer had earlier saddled the 66,000 Gns purchase Sausalito Bay to take the opener while Spokesman was an outrageously easy winner of the RTE Hurdle under a very confident Philip Moloney.

A total of £1,010,110 was bet with the bookmakers yesterday while a further £312,185 was wagered with the Tote by the 13,729 attendance.