City on Champion trail
River City has earned himself a crack at the Seasons Holidays Champion Chase after his fine performance at Ascot on Saturday.
Despite being sent off at 20-1 for the Grade One Commercial First Ascot Chase, Noel Chance's 10-year-old travelled with menace before fading to finish an 11-length third to Monet's Garden.
"I had hoped to run him in the Game Spirit Chase but this race was worth £90,000 (€133,595) more and we were obviously not taking on the likes of Well Chief," Chance explained.
"He ran a blinder yesterday and was only about 80% fit and on the day in the Queen Mother he will be 100%.
"He jumps well and travels well and, if anything were to happen to the top horses, we would be there ready to take advantage of any mistakes."
River City is a best-priced 50-1 with Stan James for the two-mile Festival feature.
