Tuesday, January 14, 2003

LATEST TOTE BETTING

The Tote see the main threat to Flame Creek coming from one of the three 10-1 co-second favourites: Chauvinist (winner of December's Ladbroke Hurdle), the unexposed Gone Far or the Martin Pipe trained Puntal.

"Down the years the Tote Gold trophy has often provided valuable clues for the Tuesday highlight at the Cheltenham festival," said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott. "Connections of race favourite Flame Creek know a victory at Newbury is needed if he's to be considered a real Champion Hurdle contender and justify the ante-post gamble the horse has been the subject of in recent weeks."

"With the Champion Hurdle market as wide open as it has been in years, odds-compilers and punters will be keeping an extra close eye on the result of this years Tote Gold Trophy to see whether six-years on from Make A Stand winning the Gold Trophy and Champion Hurdle in the same season, the race can produce another worthy candidate for a crack at what must be hurdlings' most prestigious double."

The This is the 17th year the Tote have sponsored the Gold Trophy at Newbury, and the value of the race now stands at £120,000

TOTE EXACTA CHASE (Kempton, Saturday)
9-2 Dark'N Sharp, Seebald, 5 Fondmort, 11-2 Young Devereaux, 8 Fadoudal Du Cochet, Florida Pearl, Turgeonev, 9 Shamawan, 10 Redemption, 14 Golden Alpha, 16 Exit Swinger, Wahiba Sands, 20 Davoski, 25 Bleu Superbe, Red Blazer, 33 Wave Rock, 40 Demasta, Juralan

TOTE SCOOP6 LANZAROTE HURDLE (Kempton, Saturday)
10 Bernardon, Colourful Life, Non So, Sonevafushi, Valerio, 12 Anatar, Clarendon, Clifton Fox, Full Irish, Green Ideal, Idaho D'Ox, Lord Joshua, Never, 14 Bound, Deep Sunset, Dumaran, Monkerhostin, Porak, Rigmarole, Talarive, Volano, 16 Brooklyn's Gold, Hawadeth, Just Murphy, Quazar, Through the Eye, 20 Gin Palace, Miss Cool, Sharpaten, Tissifer, 25 Hot Shots, Majlis, Moving On Up, Wuxi Venture, 40 Ben Ewar

TOTE GLOD TROPHY (Newbury 8th February)
6 Flame Creek, 10 Chauvinist, Gone Far, Puntal, 12 Copeland, 14 Emotional Moment, Eternal Spring, In Contrast, Valerio, 16 Calladine, Lord Joshua, Samon, Spirit Leader, 20 Benbyas, Bernardon, Dream With Me, Far Horizon, Full Irish, Holy Orders, Marble Arch, Scolardy, Whistling Dixie, 25 Bar

SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE (Cheltenham March 2003)
4 Rooster Booster, 9-2 Intersky Falcon, 8 Davenport Millenium, 11 Rhinestone Cowboy, 12 Landing Light, 14 Hors La Loi III, 16 Copeland, Like-A-Butterfly, Santenay, Scottish Memories, Westender, 20 Flame Creek, Ilnamar, Lis A Paoraigh, Puntal, 25 Adamant Approach, Galileo, Kopech, Laveron, Geos, Marble Arch, Quazar, 33 Bar

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (Cheltenham March 2003)
5-2 Moscow Flyer, 7-2 Cenkos, 8 Edredon Bleu, Flagship Uberalles, 10 Native Upmanship, 14 Seebald, Dark 'N Sharp, 16 Florida Pearl, Fondmort, 20 Lady Cricket, Young Devereaux, 25 Geos, Latalomne, Tiutchev, Wahiba Sands, 33 Armaturk, Kadarann, 40 Bar

TRIUMPH HURDLE (Cheltenham March 2003)
5 Saintsaire, 12 Don Fernando, 20 Old California, Party Airs, 25 Harchibald, Golden Cross, Nas Na Riogh, 33 Entisag, Fils A Papa, Kadara, Lewis Island, Liberthine, Lilum De Cotte, Mutineer, Red Wine, Smugglers Song, Starzaan, The Last Cast, Tramantano, Vanomix, 40 Do L'Enfant D'Eau, Duke of Earl, Kapgrade, Sir Albert, Spectroscope, Turbo, 50 Bubble and Squeak, Double Fun, Golden Flight, Lost in the Rain, Star Protector

BONUSPRINT STAYERS HURDLE (Cheltenham March 2003)
9-4 Baracouda, 10-3 Limestone Lad, 9-2 Bacchanal, 8 Bannow Bay, 10 Galileo, 12 Ilnamar, 16 Classified, Deano's Beano, It Takes Time, Laveron, Stromness, 20 Brother Joe, 25 Native Emperor, Over the Bar, Te Bajan Bandit, 33 Bar

TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (Cheltenham March 2003)
7-4 Best Mate, 7 Beef or Salmon, 12 Commanche Court, 14 Hussards Collonges, Marlborough, 16 Bacchanal, Barton, 20 Chives, Valley Henry, 25 Behrajan, Colonel Braxton, Florida Pearl, Gingembre, Keen Leader, Le Coudray, 33 Cyfor Malta, First Gold, Fondmort, Harbour Pilot, It Takes Time, Lord Noelie, Rince Ri, See More Business, Shotgun Willy, Truckers Tavern, 40 Iznogoud, Royal Auclair, Shooting Light, 50 Bar

MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL (Aintree 5 April 2003)
10 Ad Hoc, 14 Gunner Welburn, 16 Davids Lad, 20 Bindaree, Chives, Davids Lad, Marlborough, 25 Beau, Behrajan, Carbury Cross, Commanche Court, Foxchapel King, Gingembre, Kingsmark, Mini Sensation, Paris Pike, Whats Up Boys, 33 Amberleigh House, Ardent Scout, Blowing Wind, Bobby Grant, Bounce Back, Cyfor Malta, Foxchapel King, Gunther McBride, Historg, Montys Pass, Rince Ri, Rith Dubh, Sackville, Sir Frosty, Smarty, The Bunny Boiler, This Is Serious, 40 Bar

ACTION PACKED SATURDAY AT WINCANTON

In addition to the six races that were already scheduled for this fixture, Wincanton will now also be putting on the £40,000 Grade One TOTE TOLWORTH HURDLE (3.15pm), a two-mile contest for novice hurdlers aged four and up, which was originally scheduled for Sandown Park on January 4 and then Warwick on January 11, but both times was lost to the weather.

Wincanton is no stranger to stepping in to save races, having successfully re-staged Ascot's abandoned First National Bank Gold Cup, which was run under the title of the Tote Exacta Levy Board Intermediate Chase and won by the Paul Nicholls-trained Poliantas at the Somerset course on December 5.

Brian Clifford, Clerk of the Course at Wincanton, reckons the going should be good to soft on Saturday.

He reported: "We have no problems with frozen ground any more and I would be expecting good to soft going on Saturday.

"There is some rain forecast for Wednesday night and into Thursday but we are not expecting any problems."

Now topping the bill on Saturday is the Tote Tolworth Hurdle (3.15pm) which has attracted the very best novice hurdlers in training including intended runner Kopeck, who won a Grade Two at Ascot on his hurdling debut, the Nicky Henderson-trained Chauvinist, also due to take part after winning the £100,000 Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot, former smart Flat performer Fair Question, Martin Pipe's Puntal and Thisthatandtother from Paul Nicholls' yard.

Emma Lavelle, who trains at Andover in Hampshire, today revealed that Self Defense will take part in the Tote Tolworth Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday. The six-year-old was a Listed winner on the Flat for Maurice Zilber in France and has shaped with promise on his two starts over hurdles at Newbury and Sandown.

Lavelle said: "Self Defense will run in the Tote Tolworth Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday, providing nothing happens in the interim.

"I think he can handle the step up to Grade One class. He's a decent horse. I'm very happy with him and I expect him to run a pretty decent race. Barry Keniry will ride.

"I don't think he got home over two and a half miles at Sandown last time out. He made a lot of use of himself that day. He was travelling very well and then just stopped so I think it was the trip that found him out. But I'd be very happy with the way he is now and think he's a good horse. He is a lovely straightforward type and has bags of pace."

Self Defense has been given an entry for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Lavelle commented: "Well, if you're not in, you can't win! The owners are ambitious and the race is a possible at this stage. He will also be entered in one of the novice hurdles at Cheltenham."

The best chase action on Saturday is the £25,000-added CONNAUGHT PLC JOHN BULL CHASE (2.40pm) over two miles, five furlongs, which has attracted seven entries. These are headed by the 2000 Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Edredon Bleu, who made his last appearance at Wincanton when landing the Mid-Season Chase on Boxing Day. The Henrietta Knight-trained 11-year-old will run unless the going gets very soft.

Also amongst the field are Poliantas, another intended runner, the Philip Hobbs-trained Wave Rock, Paul Webber's Redemption, Castle Prince and Iznogoud from the Pipe yard.

Trainer Seamus Mullins today revealed that the Connaught Plc John Bull Chase was the most likely engagement for The Land Agent, a previous winner of the John Bull Chase in 1999, after the entries were disclosed to him. The Land Agent is also entered in a handicap chase at Ludlow on Thursday.

"It depends where Redemption goes as we're not going to beat Edredon Bleu, but if there's a chance of second or third prize money, The Land Agent would go to Wincanton. If not we'd have a look at Ludlow, but on hearing the entries and before having had a closer look, he'd be favourite to race at Wincanton," explained the Wiltshire-based handler.

Two of The Land Agent's six career victories have come at Wincanton and on both occasions there were no more than eight combatants. "He loves Wincanton and he seems to run well in small fields. This could be because he's a horse who likes to dominate," continued Mullins.

"He's not necessarily a front-runner but he does like to be up there at the business end of a race and, in the larger competitive handicaps, there's always something that's going to go on and make the running - he just feels a little bit claustrophobic maybe. He's a good, quick, neat jumper and Wincanton suits that as you're always meeting fences there.

"The Land Agent's been struggling a bit in handicap company and as he's 12 now, he's probably past his best a little bit. But he has run well in conditions races before - he won the John Bull Chase beating Mulligan (The Land Agent received 4lb) when he should have been getting a stone.

"He does seem to try in those condition races with the small fields and, as he loves Wincanton, and so does his owner [Ian Bare] and trainer, the John Bull is actually much more appealing than going up to Ludlow on Thursday!"

With the addition of the Tote Tolworth Hurdle to the programme at Wincanton on Saturday, racing now starts at the earlier time of 1.00pm with the SIMON SWALES GOLF PRO NATIONAL HUNT' NOVICES' HURDLE (1.30pm) and runs through to the WESTERN DAILY PRESS RACE CLUB HANDICAP HURDLE at 4.20pm.

Admission charges for Saturday are Club Enclosure £17 (17-25s £12), Tattersalls Enclosure £12 (17-25s £10), Course Enclosure £6 and cars parked in the Course Enclosure £6. Other parking is FREE. Children aged 16 and under, accompanied by a responsible adult, gain FREE admission to all enclosures. Members of Sandown where the Tolworth was originally due to be run will gain free entry on Saturday by showing their badges

Stephen Higgins, Racecourse Manager at Wincanton, commented: "This Saturday will be a real treat for racegoers at Wincanton with some of the very best National Hunt horses in the country running.

"We were very pleased to be able to step in, with the help of the British Horseracing Board, Levy Board and Tote, to save the Tote Tolworth Hurdle and we very much look forward to that race and the Connaught plc John Bull Chase."

IRISH THOROUGHBRED NEWS

Among the leading performers of last season are the dual Derby winner High Chaparral (Sadler's Wings), the record breaking Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill), Grandera (Grand Lodge), Islington (Sadler's Wells), Marienbard (Caerleon), Domedriver (Indian Ridge) and Golden Apples (Pivitol) and Hawk Wing.

The list of the best two-year-olds in training is sure to include the Sadler's Wells colts Refuse To Bend, Brian Boru and Alberto Giacometti as well as other Aidan O'Brien trained colts Hold That Tiger, Spartacus and Tomahawk. Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Mail The Desert is sure to be among the leading juvenile fillies.

IRISH RACES UPPED IN GRADE

Horse Racing Ireland has announced a significant enhancement to the Irish Flat Pattern Race Programme for 2003, with the upgrading of four Group 3 races to Group 2 status.

The European Pattern Committee have also decided to promote four Listed races into the Pattern at Group 3 level.

Subsequent Epsom Derby winners Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral have won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown in recent years and this event becomes a Group 2 race this year.

The Anheuser Busch Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Derby weekend and the Matron Stakes also move up to Group 2 level along with the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes.

The four races promoted from Listed to Group 3 status are the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown, which has been, renamed the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes, the Athasi Stakes and the Mooresbridge Stakes, both run at the Curragh.

Leopardstown's Brownstown Stakes is the final event to be promoted a grade and Horse Racing Ireland's Director of Racing Jason Morris said, "HRI is delighted to have secured these eight Pattern promotions which, coupled with the 14 new Listed races added this year, will see a significantly enhanced Flat Black Type programme in Ireland for 2003.

"These measures are due recognition of the high quality of the Irish Flat horse population and mean that Irish race goers will be provided with even more opportunities to witness high-class, international competition during the 2003 Flat season".

XENOPHON STRIKES GOLD FOR LANE SYNDICATE

The four-member Lane Syndicate from Co. Louth hit the jackpot when their Xenophon won the EUR130,000 Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The son of Toulon was only having his fifth career start and was the most inexperienced runner in the 28-strong field, but he quickened clear on the run to the final hurdle to win from British-raider Colourful Life.

Trainer Tony Martin, winning the race for the first time, has no immediate plans for Xenophon but has always regarded his winner as a budding chaser. He will go over fences next season.

EX AIDAN O'BRIEN INMATES WIN IN THE U.S. ON 4YO DEBUTS

Della Francesca and Roar Of The Tiger were both successful in the USA last week.

Della Francesca, a half brother to Bernstein and the dam of Kentucky Derby hopeful, Sky Mesa won an allowance race over 9f at Gulfstream Park.

Roar Of The Tiger gained his second U.S. success when he was an easy winner at Fair Grounds over 1mile and 1/16th. This half-brother to Giants Causeway looks set to step up to stakes class for his next run.

HRI RELEASES 2002 INDUSTRY STATISTICS

Ireland remains one of the most attractive countries in which to own and train racehorses according to Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh who released last year's statistics for the Irish horseracing industry on Friday.

Total prize-money for the year reached a record EUR46.3 million, a rise of 9.4% on 2001. National Hunt prize-money, including Point-to-Points, increased by 10.7% to EUR22.8 million while Flat prize-money rose by 8.3% to EUR23.5 million. This year, total prize-money will top the EUR50 million mark.

Sponsorship increased by EUR340,000 to a total of EUR6.5 million, 5.6% up on the previous year. Kavanagh commented, "We are particularly pleased with this increase considering the competitive marketplace and difficult economic circumstances. Interest in race sponsorship opportunities remains strong and we look forward to further growth in this area in 2003."

2002 was the first year of the Euro and information from Ireland's racecourses indicates that betting denominations have remained the same despite the change in currency value. This affected betting turnover, which was down by 3% from EUR215 million to EUR208.4 million.

Tote betting increased from EUR36 million in 2001 to EUR38.8 million, a rise of 7.7%. This includes revenue from the newly introduced betting into Tote pools in Britain. In the home market alone, the Tote increase year-on-year was 4%.

Full Statistics for the season are available for Horseracing Ireland.

Reviewing a key development in the year, Brian Kavanagh commented, "The integration of the former Turf Club Registry Office into Horse Racing Ireland on the 1st of May was carried out smoothly and efficiently, ensuring a seamless delivery of service which is a credit to the staff involved."

Looking to the future, Brian Kavanagh added, "We are now in the process of finalising the five year Strategic Plan for the Irish thoroughbred racing industry and look forward to continuing development, ensuring that all sectors of the industry see a return on the investments made over the last five years.

"The recently announced increase in prize-money of 7.7% for 2003 together with the additional prize-money for extra Point-to-Point fixtures will bring the total prize fund to EUR50 million, ensuring that Ireland remains one of the most attractive countries in which to own and train racehorses."

BUTTERFLY BACK FOR AIG

Like-A-Butterfly will make her long anticipated reappearance in the EUR130,000 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26.

The daughter of Montelimar won three Grade 1 events last season, including the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

She was due to begin her campaign in the December Festival Hurdle at the Dublin track last month but on the day trainer Christy Roche withdrew his runners when some of them scoped unsatisfactorily.

Like-A-Butterfly has only been beaten once in nine starts and is among 20 entries for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle. Also included are Hors La Loi, Intersky Falcon, Limestone Lad, Solerina and Davenport Milenium.

SMITH SETS THE PACE

Wayne Smith, with 22 winners, is setting a scorching pace as he bids to become champion jockey in the UAE.

He holds a five-winner lead over reigning champion Ted Durcan who boosted his title chances with a treble at Jebel Ali last week.

Durcan, champion for the past three seasons, is now on the 17 winner mark and in second place behind his popular countryman.

Johnny Murtagh is also going well and he scored a double at Nad Al Sheba last Thursday.

PUZZLE A POSSIBLE FOR CALIFORNIA

Media Puzzle, the Dermot Weld-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup in November, is a possible runner in a Grade 1 event on the west coast of the United States.

The leading stayer may be sent for the San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap in Los Angeles. Ballingarry, formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, could be among the opposition in the race on April 20.

Dermot Weld has also mentioned the Dubai Sheema Classic at the Dubai World Cup meeting in late March as a possible target for his six-year-old.

PIERSE LEOPARDSTOWN CHASE WIN FOR ROCHE

The Christy Roche-trained Youlneverwalkalone (Montelimar), one of the better novice chasers around last season, landed the EUR100,000 Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase.

Barry Geraghty waited until he jumped the final fence before sending JP McManus' nine-year-old to the front and he won by a length from the gallant top-weight Foxchapel King.

The winner will go for a handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival while the runner-up heads for the EUR75,000 Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park later this month.

NOVICE CHASE SUCCESS FOR TEN POUNDSWORTH

Ten Poundsworth, sold at Tattersalls (Ireland) Derby Sale for IR13,000gns, ran out a game winner of the EUR40,000 Grade 3 Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

A winning Point to Pointer and leading hunter chaser in recent seasons, the Orchestra gelding was having his having his first run in 263 days and came home two-lengths clear of Ground Ball with Be My Belle third.

The winner, trained by George Stewart, could be aimed at the Martell Grand National at Aintree in April.

SWAN REACHES NEW MILESTONE

Charlie Swan enjoyed his 1300th career success as he rode a treble at Navan on Saturday. The nine-times champion jockey combines training with his riding career these days and also saddled two of his three winners.

He turns 35 this month and currently has no plans to retire from the saddle. "I will not even think about retiring while I am still riding winners, I enjoy it far too much", he said.

EUR300,000 TATTERSALLS BREEDERS STAKES ENTRY DEADLINE

Wednesday 15th of January is the deadline for the 1st entry stage of the EUR300,000 Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday the 23rd of August. Entries must be submitted to The Registry Office before 12 noon.

The first forfeit stage for this race is April 16th, the second forfeit stage being Wednesday the 16th of July with the final forfeit stage on the 18th of August.

GOFFS TO CONTINUE POINT TO POINT SPONSORSHIP

As in 2002, Goffs are to continue their sponsorship of point-to-points again this spring.

Among the current performers to have been sold at Goffs and win point-to-points are Gold Cup contender Beef Or Salmon and Grand National winner Bindaree.

Goffs will sponsor 15 point-to-points nationwide. The first of these will be at Stonehall on Sunday, continuing next week with the Scarteen and finishing at the end of April with the Co. Clare Foxhounds.

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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