Tranquil Sea impresses at Leopardstown

Tranquil Sea boosted his claims for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham with a tremendous victory in the Newlands Chase at Leopardstown.

Edward O’Grady’s eight-year-old led after the second-last and pulled clear on the run-in thanks to a good jump at the final fence.

The 4/6 favourite was driven out by Andrew McNamara to hold Natal by two and a half lengths with Snowy Morning half a length back in third.

Boylesports quote Tranquil Sea at (9/2) for the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

It isn’t often things go as much to plan as that. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards and I couldn’t have asked for more,” said O’Grady.

The owners decided we would be as well off running for 26,000 euro as schooling after racing.

It was a very delicate balancing act as we wanted a bit of work and wanted to win the race but didn’t want him to have a hard race. It worked out well.

Hopefully he’ll come on for the race. It’s his first Graded chase and if he improves from it he must have a shout (in the Ryanair).

He has won on soft but I think he’s better on better ground and I think he should come to hand in the spring.

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Tranquil Sea will face the likes of Poquelin (4/1), Barber’s Shop (11/2) and Planet Of Sound (9/1) in the Ryanair Chase.