What a performance - Presenting Percy bolts up in RSA Chase | Cheltenham Festival

All class - Presenting Percy is much the best in the 2018 RSA Chase, winning at the Cheltenham Festival for the second successive year for trainer Pat Kelly, jockey Davy Russell and owner Philip Reynolds.

Presenting Percy won the Pertemps Final 12 months ago and further Cheltenham Festival success didn't look in too much doubt here from a long way out, as Russell - always excellent at Cheltenham - bided his time in an ice-cool ride before sending Presenting Percy for home at the top of the straight to land the Group One prize for staying novice chasers by a yawning seven lengths.

"By God, he's some horse," said Russell. "Sometimes you're a fool and sometimes you're a hero, but it all worked out today. I've nothing but praise for the man (Kelly), he's a genius."

This success proved to be the highlight of Presenting Percy's career, which sadly didn't progress in the manner expected after several extended injury absences. Seen as a future Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, he started favourite for the race the following year after a heavily-interrupted preparation but finished down the field.

Presenting Percy won two of his nine subsequent starts before his sad passing in April 2021 at the age of 10 following complications with a leg injury. He was a hugely popular horse, notably getting clapped out of the parade ring at Gowran Park before his second Galmoy Hurdle success - his first start since this RSA victory but nearly a year later.

2018 RSA CHASE FULL FINISHING ORDER:

1 Presenting Percy (5/2F)
2 Monalee (100/30)
3 Elegant Escape (9/1)
4 Ballyoptic (9/1)
5 Black Corton (5/1)
F Bonbon Au Miel (33/1)
F Al Boum Photo (8/1)
PU Allysson Monterg (50/1)
PU Dounikos (12/1)
PU Full Irish (100/1)



Davy Russell celebrates Presenting Percy's latest Cheltenham win
Davy Russell celebrates Presenting Percy's latest Cheltenham win
Similar thoughts were echoed by delighted owner Philip Reynolds, who said: "The man (Kelly) is an absolute genius the way he trains horses. I can't believe it myself. It was so stressful watching it. It's more relief than anything else. I love this horse."

Reynolds went on: "I'm speechless. I'm just delighted he's shown what he can do - I knew he was a Graded horse. It was the hardest four or five minutes I've ever put in. It's been incredible. I think Pat deserves all the credit for the route he has taken with the horse. He got a bit of a slagging about the route he had taken, but he's taken him out of novice company twice and I think it's toughened him up.

"The man is an absolute genius. How he hasn't got a yard full of horses is beyond me. To have a horse good enough to come to Cheltenham is incredible, but to have a horse to run the way he's done is unbelievable."

Asked whether he felt Presenting Percy could develop into a Gold Cup contender, he said: "I'm just delighted to win the RSA. Today is just amazing."

Henry de Bromhead said of Monalee: "He ran a blinder and I'm delighted with the run but I am disappointed not to win but such is life. He is galloping all the way to the line he is definetly a three mile horse. They are two very good novices and he was just beaten by a better one on the day. I hope so in time that he could be a Gold Cup horse but that is a long way away but it is the kind of direction we would be hoping to go. He handles most ground but possibly better ground might suit. Hopefully we will see him at Punchestown."

Colin Tizzard said of Elegant Escape: "He is a good strong stayer. Just when they crowded round him a bit they had a bit too much pace for him. He was staying on strong from the last and he will make a lovely Ladbrokes Trophy and Welsh National horse."