Weapons Amnesty made it back to back wins at the Cheltenham Festival when running out the impressive winner of the RSA Chase in the hands of Davy Russell.
Charles Byrnes seven-year-old, who won last year's Albert Bartlett Hurdle, was sent off a 10-1 shot but could be called the winner two from home as he cruised into contention under an ultra confident Russell.
At this stage the heavily fancied Long Run seemed to be going well but he met the second last all wrong and a bad blunder saw him quickly come under pressure.
Russell is never one to miss an opportunity, and he quickly switched Weapons Amnesty to the outside of Long Run rounding the home turn and qucikened clear in a matter of strides.
He had the race sewn up at the last where he put in a spectacular leap before scooting clear on the run-in to beat the staying on Burton Port (9-4) and the fading Long Run (11-4).
Winning owner Michael O'Leary, better known as the owner of Ryanair, described the performance as "unbelievable" having given him no chance before the race.
"That was absolutely unbelievable. I didn't think he had a chance in that line-up by Davy gave him a brilliant ride. He's a very underrated jockey and showed how good he is there," he said. "It is a fantastic training performance by Charles Byrnes and I never thought I would get two Cheltenham winners in my lifetime, let alone three."
There were no real excuses for the much hyped Long Run who clearly just failed to stay the 3m journey, but the disappointment of the race was certainly the favourite Punchestowns who was never travelling or jumping well and was beaten fully three from home.
Bookmakers were impressed with the winner however, who is now a top priced 12-1 for next year's Gold Cup and as low as 8s in a place.
