Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase
Grade 1, Fairyhouse 16:25
€100,000 added, 5yo plus,
2m 4f, Class 1   
Sunday 21st April 2019

1 Voix Du Reve 9/4
2 Real Steel 2/1F
3 Winter Escape 4/1
5 ran Distances: 5½l, 25l, 4½l
Time: 5m 3.60s (slow by 12.60s)

Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo landed the Grade One heat in 2018, and Voix Du Reve led home stablemate Real Steel 12 months on.

It was a welcome change of fortune for owners Andrea and Graham Wylie, who sadly lost horses in both the Gold Cup and the Grand National.

Ruby Walsh had Voix Du Reve beautifully settled as Mengli Khan put the pace to the race before he dropped away ahead of the turn for home.

Real Steel had been restrained at the rear by Paul Townned and emerged as a threat at the second last, but he never looked like getting on terms.

Voix Du Reve was kept up to his work to win by five and a half lengths.

Mullins said: “It’s great for Graham Wylie, who hasn’t had the luckiest of seasons, and it’s nice to get a Grade One for him.

“He’s a very keen horse who is probably bred to get a bit further. Now that he’s relaxing a bit more in his races, he’s getting a bit further.

“He was travelling well when he went in the JLT at Cheltenham, but he’s got his compensation today.

“I was delighted with the way Real Steel stayed on as it looked like he wasn’t appreciating the ground, but he was staying on well. He will definitely stay further.

“Both horses will go to Punchestown, all being well.”

Ryanair Gold Cup
Grade 1 €100,000 added,
5yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

Pos D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Voix Du Reve (FR) 9/4 R Walsh
11-10		 W P Mullins 7
2nd 5½ Real Steel (FR) 2/1f P Townend
11-10		 W P Mullins 6
3rd 25 Winter Escape (IRE) 4/1 M P Walsh
11-10		 A A Howard 8
4th 4½ Mengli Khan (IRE) 10/3 J W Kennedy
11-10		 G Elliott 6
F Cubomania (IRE) 14/1 D N Russell
11-10		 G Elliott 6

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