Monday, January 20, 2003

CHAMPION HURDLE BETTING HOTS UP WITH WILLIAM HILL

Since the latest entry stage for the Arkle and the Sun Alliance several horses have been added in to the William Hill betting.

SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE: 5-1 Intersky Falcon, Rooster Booster, 8-1 Davenport Millenium, 10-1 Rhinestone Cowboy, 11-1 Flame Creek (from 12-1), 12-1 Hors La Loi III, Landing Light, Like A Butterfly, 20-1 Marble Arch, Santenay, Scottish Memories, 25-1 Copeland, 33-1 Adamant Approach, Galileo (from 25-1), Geos, Ilnamar, Laveron, Liss A Paoraigh, Puntal, Scolardy, Stage Affair, Westender. (Others Upon Request)

TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP: 13-8 Best Mate (from 7-4), 7-1 Beef Or Salmon (from 8-1), 10-1 Hussard Collonges, 12-1 Commanche Court (from 14-1), Valley Henry (from 14-1), 14-1 Marlborough, 16-1 Chives (from 20-1), First Gold, 20-1 Cyfor Malta (from 16-1), Truckers Tavern, 25-1 Bacchanal, Barton, Colonel Braxton (from 33-1), Florida Pearl, Gingembre, Harbour Pilot, Rince Ri, 28-1 Behrajan, 33-1 It Takes Time, Joss Naylor, Keen Leader, Le Coudray, 40-1 Horus, See More Business, Shotgun Willy, 50-1 Foly Pleasant, Fondmort, Iznogoud, Monsignor, Royal Auclair, Shooting Light, (Others Upon Request)

IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE TROPHY: 3-1 Azertyuiop, 6-1 Impek, 7-1 Adamant Approach, Farmer Jack, 14-1 Bust Out, Vol Solitaire, 16-1 Got One Too, Isio, Montalcino, 20-1 Chicuelo, Le Roi Miguel, Soltero, 25-1 Alexander Milenium, Copeland, Golden Alpha, Hand Inn Hand, No Need For Alarm, Stage Affair, Telemoss, The Gatherer. 33-1 BAR (Others Upon Application)

ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE CHASE: 7-2 Jair du Cochet, 5-1 It Takes Time, 8-1 Keen Leader, 10-1 Le Coudray, 14-1 Eskimo Jack, Joss Naylor, Montalcino, Tarxien, 20-1 Hersov, Stormez, Telemoss, 25-1 Barrow Drive, Chicuelo, Irish Royal, Irish Hussar, Lord Jack, Monsignor, Montreal, One Knight, Pietro Pannucci, Scotts Grey, Stars Out Tonight, Sudden Shock, The Bajan Bandit, 33-1 BAR (Others Upon Request)

ELITE TRIUMPH HURDLE: 4-1 Saintsaire (from 9-2), 8-1 Don Fernando, 20-1 Nas Na Riogh, Old Californian, 25-1 Bal de Nuit, Kapgarde, Kenilworth, Lilium de Cotte, Mutineer, Party Airs, 33-1 Cape Canaveral, Duke of Earl, Golden Cross, Golden Flight, Harchibald, Le Duc, Lewis Island, Liberthine, Lost in the Rain, Lowlander, Red Wine, Smugglers Song, Spectroscope, Tramantano, Vanormix, 40-1 Dashing Home, Fast Mix, Turbo, 50-1 Carapuce, Do L'Enfant D'eau, Fortune Island, Oracles Des Motte. (Others Upon Request)

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE: 3-1 Moscow Flyer, 5-1 Cenkos, 7-1 Flagship Uberalles, 8-1 Edredon Bleu, 10-1 Native Upmanship, Seebald, 12-1 Florida Pearl, Fondmort, 14-1 Tiutchev, 16-1 Young Devereaux, 20-1 Lady Cricket, Latalomne, 25-1 Geos, 33-1 Armaturk, Dark'n Sharp, Kadarann, 40-1 Turgeonev, 50-1 Wahiba Sands, 66-1 Killultagh Storm, Logician, Redemption, Strong Run, 100-1 Macs Gildoran. (Others Upon Request)

STAYERS HURDLE: 5-2 Baracouda, 7-2 Limestone Lad, 5-1 Bacchanal, 8-1 Bannow Bay, Galileo, 12-1 Coolnagorna, Davenport Millenium, 14-1 Classified, Ilnamar, 20-1 Brother Joe, Deano's Beeno, It Takes Time, 25-1 Eternal Spring, Iris's Gift, Laveron, Native Emperor. (Others Upon Request)

LINCOLN: 8-1 Pablo, 10-1 Adiemus, 16-1 Akshar, Certain Justice, Funfair, 20-1 Dumaran, Incline, Island Light, Jabaar, Lingo, Scotty's Future, 25-1 Atlantic Ace, Atlantic Rhapsody, Bourganville, Cape Town, Colisay, Courageous Duke, Golden Chalice, International Guest, Jewel Of India, Nashaab, Norton, Private Ben, Selective, Serieux, Smirk, The Judge, Thihn, Zucchero. (Others Upon Request)

MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL: 12-1 Ad Hoc, 14-1 Gunner Welburn, 16-1 Cyfor Malta, Davids Lad, Gingembre, 20-1 Bindaree, Chives, Kingsmark, Mini Sensation, More Than a Stroll, 25-1 Behrajan, Bobby Grant, Bounce Back, Carbury Cross, Grey Abbey, Gunther McBride, Rince Ri, Rith Dubh, Shotgun Willy, Supreme Glory, The Bunny Boiler, 33-1 Amberleigh House, Ardent Scout, Blowing Wind, Florida Pearl, Foxchapel King, Moor Lane, Paris Pike, Whats Up Boys. (Others Upon Request)

SAGITTA 2000 GUINEAS: 8-1 Hold That Tiger, 12-1 Oasis Dream, Refuse To Bend, Trade Fair, Tomahawk, 14-1 Statue of Liberty, 16-1 Tout Seul, Van Nistelrooy, 20-1 Muqbil, 25-1 Aljadeed, Dalakhani, Desert Star, Governor Brown, Lateen Sails, Maghanim, Rocket Ship, Western Diplomat, (Others Upon Request)

SAGITTA 1000 GUINEAS: 4-1 Soviet Song, Six Perfections, 5-1 Russian Rhythm, 14-1 Intercontinental, 16-1 Echoes in Eternity, Khulood, 20-1 Geminiani, Nayzak, 33-1 Casual Look, Cassis, Hi Dubai, Loving Kindness, Pearl Dance, Reach for the Moon, Spinola, 50-1 Hanami, (Others Upon Request)

VODAFONE DERBY: 8-1 Brian Boru, 14-1 Dalakhani, 20-1 Muqbil, Refuse To Bend, 25-1 Alberto Giacometti, New South Wales, Powerscourt, 33-1 Van Nistleroy, 40-1 Love You Always, Persian Majesty, (Others Upon Request)

VODAFONE OAKS: 16-1 Echoes In Eternity, Yesterday, 20-1 Nayzak, 25-1 Elasouna, Hi Dubai, L'Ancresse, Time Honoured, (Others Upon Application)

WILLIAM HILL GREYHOUND DERBY: 20-1 Knockeevan Major, Droopys Corleone, 25-1 Full Cigar, Jurassic Jack, Louis Saha, Top Savings, 33-1 Farloe Style, Kings Cadet, Larkhill Bullet, Maxie Rumble, On Line Deal, Pond Neptune, Ten Men, 50-1 BAR

GRAHAM BRADLEY APPEAL POSTPONED

11.00am Appeal by Shaun Keightley and Pat McCabe over ZAGALA suspensions and fines imposed by the Lingfield Stewards on January 11th 2003.

STRONG COMPETITION FOR FESTIVAL NOVICE CHASES

Although taking place on its traditional day, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase will this year be run at 2.35pm, after the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle and prior to the Queen Mother Champion Chase. In recent years the Royal & SunAlliance Chase had been run as the fourth race on Wednesday.

The 72 entries in this year's race include two from France, the Thierry Doumen-trained Rasko, and the ante-post favourite Jair Du Cochet, who was a hugely impressive winner of the Grade 1 Pertemps Feltham Novices' Chase on Boxing Day when sent over from Guillaume Macaire's stable.

There are 20 entries trained in Ireland, led by the current Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite Beef Or Salmon. Former top hurdler Le Coudray, trained by Christy Roche for J P McManus, adds further strength to the Irish team, as does the same owner's Over The Bar, trained by Edward O'Grady.

The home defence includes Jonjo O'Neill's pair Joss Naylor and Keen Leader, plus seven entries from Martin Pipe, including leading contenders such as It Takes Time, Montalcino, Tarxien and Montreal. Mark Pitman has entered the dual Festival winner Monsignor while Len Lungo's entry includes Telemoss and The Bajan Bandit. Owner Nick Bannister and trainer Peter Beaumont, successful in 2002 with Hussard Collonges, are represented by Pendle Hill, who has finished second over fences at Carlisle and Newcastle this year, while the Queen could have her first National Hunt Festival runner, the Nicky Henderson-trained First Love.

Henderson has won The Irish Independent Arkle Chase three times before and accounts for five of this year's 47 entries. These include Isio, who has not been seen out since winning a Kempton novices' chase by seven lengths on November 20. Paul Nicholls, who won the 1999 race with subsequent Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Flagship Uberalles, has five entries with live chances. Azertyuiop, is the ante-post favourite after two successes this season, Epervier D'Or is unbeaten in three starts over fences, No Need For Alarm has won both his starts this campaign, Le Roi Miguel has been second in two good races while Vol Solitaire advertised his well-being with a nine-length victory at Cheltenham on New Year's Eve.

Best Mate's owner Jim Lewis, who boasts four previous National Hunt Festival wins, has a live contender in Impek, winner of all his three starts over fences last year. Willie Mullins accounts for five of the 17 Irish-trained entries including Adamant Approach, winner of a Punchestown Beginners' Chase on New Years' Eve, and Alexander Milenium, who has not run since finishing second in the Grade 1 Paddy Power INH Flat Race at Punchestown in April.

Other prominent Irish entries include Bust Out, trained by Jessica Harrington like last year's winner Moscow Flyer, and the Noel Meade-trained Sausalito Bay, who beat Best Mate to land the 2000 Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle and finished sixth on his only start over fences.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's Managing Director, said: "While championship events in their own right, The Irish Independent Arkle Chase and Royal & SunAlliance Chase also form part of the progression towards the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and Queen Mother Champion Chase so we are thrilled to see such strength in depth among the entries for the two novice chases this year. We look forward to seeing many of those entered reappearing at the National Hunt Festival in years to come."

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2003 ANALYSIS OF ENTRIES

NUMBER OF ENTRIES

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE

2003 - 47
2002 - 57
2001 - 51
2000 - 47
1999 - 58
1998 - 51
1997 - 46
1996 - 30
1995 - 30
1994 - 28
1993 - 29
1992 - 42

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

2003 - 72
2002 - 82
2001 - 61
2000 - 84
1999 - 88
1998 - 75
1997 - 81
1996 - 61
1995 - 54
1994 - 65
1993 - 43
1992 - 77

IRISH-TRAINED ENTRIES

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE

2003 - 17
2002 - 15
2001 - 12
2000 - 9
1999 - 17
1998 - 11
1997 - 6
1996 - 8
1995 - 7
1994 - 4
1993 - 5
1992 - 7

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

2003 - 20
2002 - 24
2001 - 11
2000 - 12
1999 - 16
1998 - 13
1997 - 7
1996 - 10
1995 - 8
1994 - 14
1993 - 6
1992 - 8

Irish-trained successes at the Cheltenham Festival

2002-5
2001-cancelled
2000-3
1999-5
1998-4
1997-3
1996-7*
1995-4
1994-3
1993-6
1992-2
1991-2
1990-2
1989-0
1988-1
1987-1
1986-4
1985-2
1984-4
1983-5
1982-6
1981-3
1980-4
1979-5
1978-6
1977-7*
1976-5
1975-5
1974-5
1973-3
(*Joint-highest number at the Festival in its present format - all-time record 8 in 1958)

Martin Pipe's Entries

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE

2003 - 4
2002 - 8
2001 - 7
2000 - 7
1999 - 6
1998 - 5
1997 - 4
1996 - 1
1994 - 1
1993 - 1
1992 - 3
1991 - 2

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

2003 - 7
2002 - 7
2001 - 8
2000 - 13
1999 - 10
1998 - 10
1997 - 6
1996 - 3
1995 - 4
1994 - 4
1993 - 3
1992 - 6

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY

Class A, Grade One, Total Prize Fund £140,000, Cheltenham, Tuesday, March 11, 2003, two miles. For novice 5yo & upwards. Weights: 5yo 11st 3lb; 6yo & upwards 11st 8lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 5lb. Entries closed January 15, entries revealed January 20 (47 entries), forfeit stage February 18, five-day confirmation stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.15am March 10. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 17, 2003. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
3F35-41 ADAMANT APPROACH (IRE) 9 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
1P2- ALEXANDER MILENIUM (IRE) 7 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE
1545-11 AZERTYUIOP (FR) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
500-225 BALLYAMBER (IRE) 8 Sean Mulryan Willie Mullins IRE
31/02-12 BUST OUT 7 The B B Horse Racing Club Jessica Harrington IRE
3111-12 BYRON LAMB 6 Edward Melville Nicky Richards
132311 CHALCEDONY 7 Brian Thrift Richard Rowe
025-1P1 CHICUELO (FR) 7 Belinda Harvey Martin Pipe
1202U1- COPELAND 8 Professor David & Heather Silk Martin Pipe
0P6-61P5 DICK THE TAXI 9 Dicks Backers Jack Smith
12-111 EPERVIER D'OR (FR) 5 David & F A Jackson Paul Nicholls
420-411 FARMER JACK 7 Peter Partridge Seamus Mullins
1112U2 GOLDEN ALPHA (IRE) 9 David Johnson Martin Pipe
113F- GOSS 6 J P McManus Michael O'Brien IRE
5140-12 GOT ONE TOO (FR) 6 Sir Eric Parker & Mary Anne Parker Nicky Henderson
015-311 HAND INN HAND 7 Patrick Burling Developments Ltd Henry Daly
10F-F03 HEEZAPISTOL (FR) 5 Amber Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
423-111 IMPEK (FR) 7 Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight
U11P/-12 INDIAN SCOUT (IRE) 8 Indian Scout Partnership Ben De Haan
21211-1 ISIO (FR) 7 Sir Peter & The Hon Lady Gibbings Nicky Henderson
141P-F1F JERICHO III (FR) 6 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
233111 JURADO EXPRESS (IRE) 7 Susan Traynor Arthur Moore IRE
22-6102 KOCK DE LA VESVRE (FR) 5 O P Dakin Venetia Williams
6212-22 LE ROI MIGUEL (FR) 5 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
12-F20P LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE)7 Favourites Racing Willie Mullins IRE
P056-43U MERCATO (FR) 7 Dave Nevison John Best
22400-1 MONTALCINO (IRE) 7 Favourites Racing Martin Pipe
F53130 NEARLY A MOOSE (IRE) 7 Michael J McGinley Paddy Mullins IRE
110-11F NO NEED FOR ALARM 8 Tony Fear & Patrick Quinn Paul Nicholls
3/4F3/-23 NOMADIC 9 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
2121-14 ONE NIGHT OUT (IRE) 7 Roderick Ryan Willie Mullins IRE
11- PLOUGH BOY 5 Matt Gingell Matt Gingell
6/000-12 REGAL EXIT (FR) 7 Brian Buckley Nicky Henderson
21/0-23U RICARDO 9 Pat Whelan Brian Nolan IRE
12214-4 RULE SUPREME (IRE) 7 John P Lynch Willie Mullins IRE
403P-42 RUNNER BEAN 9 Helshaw Food Products Ltd Richard Lee
111/3F/-6 SAUSALITO BAY 9 The High Street Racing Syndicate Noel Meade IRE
1250/-01 SEIXO BRANCO 7 Elite Racing Club Charles Egerton
122220- SMART SAVANNAH 7 George Ward Alistair Lidderdale
104-FF1 SOLTERO (IRE) 7 Augustus Moon Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE
25/324/-2 STAGE AFFAIR (USA) 9 Dr Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld IRE
1004-13 STARS OUT TONIGHT (IRE) 6 Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight
1244-11 TELEMOSS (IRE) 9 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards
620-FF3 THE GATHERER (IRE) 9 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE
r13310 TRESOR PREZINIERE (FR) 5 Bob Jevon Philip Hobbs
1300-13 TYSOU (FR) 6 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
5-1F121 VOL SOLITAIRE (FR) 5 Barry Marshall Paul Nicholls

47 entries
17 Irish-trained entries

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The Arkle Challenge Trophy was inaugurated in 1969, after Arkle's three wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964-6). In its first year, the race was worth £1,365, and won by Chatham (10/1), trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Terry Biddlecombe. The 2003 running has total prize money of £140,000. Previously, it was known as the Cotswold Chase.

2. The Irish Independent Arkle Chase has always been a fiercely contested event, and the following have gone on to other Championship victories at the Cheltenham Festival:
1999 Flagship Uberalles (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 2002)
1995 Klairon Davis (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 1996)
1991 Remittance Man (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 1992)
1989 Waterloo Boy (2nd Queen Mother Champion Chase 1990, 1991 and 3rd 1992)
1978 Alverton (Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner 1979).
Alverton is the only horse to have won both The Irish Independent Arkle Chase and Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

3. The lowest number of runners has been 8 (1982), the highest 19 (1987).

4. The Irish Independent Arkle Chase has seen several trainers and jockeys run up strings of wins. Peter Easterby won it three times - with Alverton 1978, Clayside 1981 and Ryeman 1983 - as has Nicky Henderson with Remittance Man 1991, Travado 1993 and Tiutchev in 2000. Martin Pipe notched up two successive wins with Or Royal in 1997 and Champleve in 1998. Among jockeys, only Jamie Osborne has won it three times, and that was a hat-trick between 1992 and 1994 on Young Pokey, Travado, and Nakir for three different trainers, Oliver Sherwood, Nicky Henderson and Simon Christian. Tony McCoy has won the Arkle twice on Champleve and Or Royal for Martin Pipe (1997 and 1998) and the trainer/jockey combination will be hoping for a third win this year with Pipe having four entries.

5. Irish trainers have won The Irish Independent Arkle Chase nine times, including three of the last seven runnings with Klairon Davis (1995), Ventana Canyon (1996) and Moscow Flyer (2002)

6. The longest-priced winner of The Irish Independent Arkle Chase is Gala's Image, successful in 1987 at 25/1, while Pendil (1972) and Chinrullah (1979) are the shortest- priced winners at 10/11. Five other favourites have won - Canasta Lad (1974), Clayside (1981), Bobsline (1984), Remittance Man (1991) and Klairon Davis (1995).

7. The Irish Independent, which backed the Arkle Chase for the first time in 2000, is only the race's third sponsor. Guinness sponsored the contest from 1994 until 1999, having taken over from Waterford Castle, who had supported since the first sponsored renewal in 1991.

8. The fastest time for the two miles of The Irish Independent Arkle Chase was 3m 46.5s by Tiutchev in 2000, beating the previous best of 3m 52.5s set by Or Royal in 1997.

9. Until 1980, The Irish Independent Arkle Chase was always run on the Wednesday of the National Hunt Festival. It now takes place on the opening day, Tuesday.

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
Analysis

The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase has attracted a high-class entry of 47, including 17 Irish-trained possibles, equalling the record number set in 1999.

Ditcheat-based Paul Nicholls won this race in 1999 with last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Flagship Uberalles and this season he has five entries for the two-mile event- Azertyuiop, Epervier D'Or, Le Roi Miguel, No Need For Alarm and Vol Solitaire.

Azertyuiop is currently ante-post favourite, having won his two starts over fences, including the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham's Open Meeting by 16 lengths from Golden Alpha. Vol Solitaire beat that same rival on his last start by nine lengths when justifying favouritism in the Unicoin Starter Homes Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Eve, while Epervier D'Or is unbeaten in three outings over the bigger obstacles, most recently getting the better of Got One Too by three-and-a-half lengths in a novices' chase at Kempton just after Christmas.

The Nicholls quintet is completed by Le Roi Miguel, runner-up on both starts over fences, and No Need For Alarm, who took a tumble last time at Uttoxeter, having previously won novices' chases at Newton Abbot and Chepstow.

Fellow Somerset handler Martin Pipe will be looking for his third winner with one of his four entries. The champion trainer took the 1997 renewal with Or Royal and the following season's running with Champleve.

Chicuelo was a beaten favourite in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, but the seven-year-old has won his last two starts including a novices' chase at Huntingdon on January 15, Golden Alpha, as mentioned above, has had the misfortune to come across two better-than-average rivals on his last two completed starts, last season's Tote Gold Trophy winner Copeland has yet to compete over the larger obstacles and Montalcino looks a high-class recruit to chasing judged on his 15-length demolition job of First Love in a novices' chase at Newbury on December 28.

Of the Irish-trained entries, the Willie Mullins-trained Adamant Approach could be the pick. Whether the Mandalus gelding would have won last year's Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham's National Hunt Festival is pure conjecture, but he had taken a narrow lead when falling at the final hurdle. He looked a horse of immense potential over fences when winning a beginners' chase by 15 lengths at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.

Mullins has also entered Alexander Milenium, Ballyamber, Heezapistol, Livingstonebramble, One Night Out and Rule Supreme.

Bust Out, trained by Jessica Harrington, who won last season's Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy with Moscow Flyer, could be another serious contender from the Emerald Isle, having won on his chasing bow by 25 lengths from the Noel Meade-trained Nomadic, before finding Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup entry Le Coudray half a length too strong on his last start in the Grade 1 Denny Gold Medal Novices' Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
Harrington could also run Soltero, who after falling on his first two starts over the bigger obstacles, won a beginners' chase at Cork on January 4.

Arthur Moore has won the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy on two previous occasions, courtesy of The Brockshee in 1982 and Klairon Davis 13 years later.

This season he has entered Jurado Express and The Gatherer. The former has won both of his starts over fences in novice company, justifying jockey Conor O'Dwyer's belief that he would take to chasing well, while The Gatherer put up an improved performance last time when third to Soltero in a beginners' chase at Cork on January 4, having taken a tumble on his chasing bow in November.

Returning to the home challenge, Henrietta Knight has never won The Irish Independent Arkle Chase and the Wantage trainer will be hoping that either Impek or Stars Out Tonight can change her luck.

The former is unbeaten in three starts over fences, including last time in the Grade 2 Extraman Trophy at Sandown in December, when he proved one-and-a-half lengths superior to Le Roi Miguel despite the runner-up's weight allowance. Stars Out Tonight is considered a long-term staying chaser by Knight and he was far from disgraced when third to Azertyuiop on his last outing in the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on November 17, having earlier won on his chasing debut at Exeter.

Nicky Henderson has won this event three times - with Remittance Man in 1991, Travado two seasons later and Tiutchev in 2000 - and the Seven Barrows handler has entered Got One Too, Isio, Jericho III, Regal Exit and Tysou.

The first-named is mentioned above, Isio's victory in a novices' chase at Kempton in November on his only start over fences was far from a surprise as he had looked a natural when schooling, while Jericho III does need to improve his jumping as he has fallen on two of his three starts over the bigger obstacles, although he did win a small novices' chase at Leicester on New Year's Day.

Regal Exit has competed in two novice chases at Ludlow, winning the first and then finishing the two-length runner-up to Fait Le Jojo on January 3, and the Henderson contingent is completed by Tysou, who after gaining a five-length success over Krabloonik in a Sandown novices' chase in November, returned to the Esher venue the following month where he was no match for winner Impek.

Breakdown of Entries per Trainer and Past Successes in The Irish
Independent Arkle Trophy Chase

7 Entries
Willie Mullins IRE

5 Entries
Nicky Henderson (1991 Remittance Man, 1993 Travado, 2000 Tiutchev)
Paul Nicholls (1999 Flagship Uberalles)

4 Entries
Martin Pipe (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Chapleve)

2 Entries
Jessica Harrington IRE
(2002 Moscow Flyer)
Henrietta Knight
Noel Meade IRE
Arthur Moore IRE
(1982 The Brockshee, 1995 Klairon Davis)
Nicky Richards

1 Entry
John Best
Henry Daly
Ben De Haan
Charles Egerton
Matt Gingell
Philip Hobbs
Richard Lee
Alistair Lidderdale
Paddy Mullins IRE
Seamus Mullins
Brian Nolan IRE
Michael O'Brien IRE
Richard Rowe
Jack Smith
Dermot Weld IRE
Venetia Williams

IRISH-TRAINED ENTRIES FOR THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE

3F35-41 ADAMANT APPROACH (IRE) 9 b g Mandalus - Crash Approach (Crash Course)
Owner: Greenstar Syndicate Trainer: Willie Mullins
Adamant Approach had useful form in novice hurdles last season before going on to contest handicap company, recording his biggest success of the year in the valuable Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. He then went back into novice company and was in the process of mounting a serious challenge in the Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle when falling at the last with his jockey Ruby Walsh convinced that he would have won. This season he has switched to fences and was a bit disappointing on his chasing debut when fourth at Wexford but made no mistake last time out, recording a smooth success in a novice chase Punchestown on December 31.

1P2- ALEXANDER MILENIUM (IRE) 7 b g Be My Native - Kissowen (Pitpan)
Owner: Miriam O'Callaghan Trainer: Willie Mullins
Trainer Willie Mullins has always thought a lot of this horse but so far he has yet to have run over obstacles of any sort under Rules. A winner of a bumper by 20 lengths on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown over Christmas 2001, he was then pulled up by Ruby Walsh in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at last season's National Hunt Festival. On his last outing he found just Supreme Developer too good in a Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown on April 24.

500-225 BALLYAMBER (IRE) 8 b g Glacial Storm - El Scarsdale (Furry Glen)
Owner: Sean Mulryan Trainer: Willie Mullins
Fifth behind Galileo in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the National Hunt Festival, Ballyamber has yet to win in three attempts over fences although he has been runner-up twice. The first of these seconds came in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse in December, finishing two lengths behind Macs Gildoran, and he was then beaten by just over the same margin by Be My Belle in a Grade 2 novices' chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

31/02-12 BUST OUT 7 ch g Bustino - Nordic Beauty (Northjet)
Owner: The B. B. Horse Racing Club Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Always considered the type to make a lovely chaser, Bust Out is one of two entries from last season's Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy winning trainer Jessica Harrington. The Bustino gelding justified favouritism to win a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in December by 25 lengths from Nomadic, and then just found Le Coudray half-a-length too good in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

113F- GOSS 6 b g Linamix - Guillem (Nijinsky)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Michael O'Brien
Goss's best performance over timber came when a nine-and-a-half length third to Scottish Memories in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse in April. The Linamix gelding, owned by legendary punter J P McManus, has yet to race over fences but he will have to improve for the change to the bigger obstacles to figure in this championship event.

10F-F03 HEEZAPISTOL (FR) 5 b g Pistolet Bleu - Strictly Cool (Bering)
Owner: Amber Syndicate Trainer: Willie Mullins
The winner of a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Punchestown a year although he fell and was well beaten on his first two starts over fences, he did do better last time finishing third, beaten eight-and-a-half lengths, by Jurado Express in a novices' chase at Cork in December.

233111 JURADO EXPRESS (IRE) 7 b g Jurado - Express Film (Ashmore)
Owner: Susan Traynor Trainer: Arthur Moore
It took Jurado Express a long time to win his maiden hurdle but he finally achieved it at Cork in November. Switched to fences the following month, he made no mistake at the first attempt, winning a beginners' chase at Thurles by four-and-a-half lengths. Ten days later he remained unbeaten, taking a novices' chase at Cork by half-a-length.

12-F20P LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 7 b g Supreme Leader - Killiney Side (General Ironside)
Owner: Favourites Racing Trainer: Willie Mullins
When Livingstonebramble won a maiden hurdle last season, trainer Willie Mullins said that he couldn't wait for him to go chasing this term. So far this confidence has yet to be justified as his best effort in four attempts over the bigger obstacles came when runner-up to Dutsdale Dancer in a beginners' chase at Navan in November. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

F53130 NEARLY A MOOSE (IRE) 7 b g Supreme Leader - Miss Tarbow (Tarqogan)
Owner: Michael J McGinley Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Formerly trained by Denis Murphy, Nearly A Moose took four attempts to win a beginners' chase for new handler Paddy Mullins. His best effort came when third to Be My Belle in a Grade 2 novices' chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Also entered in Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

3/4F3/-23 NOMADIC 9 gr g Kenmare - Legend Of Arabia (Great Nephew)
Owner: Des Sharkey Trainer: Noel Meade
The winner of the Grade 2 Ballymore Properties Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in 1998, Nomadic has yet to win in three starts over fences. After falling on the first of these, to be fair to him, he has subsequently been beaten by two very good novice chasers. Bust Out was 25 lengths too good in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in December, and then Nomadic finished third to Adamant Approach in a similar event at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

2121-14 ONE NIGHT OUT (IRE) 7 b/br g Jamesmead - Deladeuce (Le Bavard)
Owner: Roderick Ryan Trainer: Willie Mullins
After winning a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in November, he was dramatically stepped up in class in the Grade 1 Pertemps Aviation Resources Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Although well beaten in fourth behind Jair Du Cochet, this was a big test on just his second outing over fences. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

21/0-23U RICARDO 9 b g Sanglamore - Nurica (Nureyev)
Owner: Pat Whelan Trainer: Brian Nolan
Ricardo was placed on his first two attempts over fences when beaten by Le Coudray, form which is no disgrace at all as that rival looks potentially top-class. He then provided no further clues to his ability when making a blunder at the second fence and unshipping his rider on his last start in a beginners' chase at Cork in January.

12214-4 RULE SUPREME (IRE) 7 b g Supreme Leader - Book Of Rules (Phardante)
Owner: John P Lynch Trainer: Willie Mullins
A winner of two hurdles for trainer Pat Hughes, Rule Supreme was highly-tried on his chasing bow for new connections and certainly did not let them down. The Supreme Leader gelding finished fourth in a Grade 3 novices' chase at Leopardstown on January 12, beaten just over two lengths by Ten Poundsworth. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

111/3F/-6 SAUSALITO BAY 9 b g Salse - Cantico (Green Dancer)
Owner: The High Street Racing Syndicate Trainer: Noel Meade
A top-class novice hurdler, with the biggest win of his career coming when he defeated Best Mate by three-quarters-of-a-length in the 2000 Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Has had injury problems since which have restricted him to just three subsequent outings. Was last seen out in a beginners' chase at Navan in November, when he finished a distant sixth behind Le Coudray.

104-FF1 SOLTERO (IRE) 7 ch g Good Thyne - Golden Ambition (Torus)
Owner: Augustus Moon Syndicate Trainer: Jessica Harrington
The second of Jessica Harrington's two entries, Soltero put two tumbles in his first two beginners' chases behind him to score in a similar event at Cork on January 4, getting the better of Goldnecu by four lengths. Jockey Barry Geraghty thought that his charge gained in confidence as the race went on.

25/324/-2 STAGE AFFAIR (USA) 9 b/br g Theatrical -Wooing (Stagedoor Johnny)
Owner: Dr Michael Smurfit Trainer: Dermot Weld
A very decent novice hurdler in the 1999/2000 season, when he finished an excellent fifth behind Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Has been very lightly raced in the last two seasons and on his last start finished second, beaten 25 lengths, behind Liss A Paoraigh in the Grade 1 December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29, although he would have finished closer to the mare if she had not managed to get away with obtaining a "flyer" at the start. Yet to race over fences.

620-FF3 THE GATHERER (IRE) 9 b g Be My Native - Reaper's Run (Deep Run)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Arthur Moore
Runner-up to Rooster Booster in the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival, The Gatherer has run in two chases to date. He fell in the first of these, and most recently finished four-and-three-quarter lengths third to Soltero in a beginners' chase at Cork on January 4.

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE
Class A, Grade 1, Wednesday, March 12, 2003, total value £140,000, three miles and about half a furlong, for five-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 5-y-o: 10st 8lb, 6-y-o and up: 11st 4lb: mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed January 15, 2003 (72 entries), entries released, Monday, January 20, forfeit stage February 18. Five-day confirmation stage Friday, March 7, overnight declaration stage Tuesday, March 11. (Form supplied by Weatherbys correct up to Friday, January 17, 2003 although may not include all overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
111P-21 ANOTHER GENERAL (IRE) 8 Paul Duffy, Alan Beard, Brian Beard Richard Phillips
5212/- ANOTHER MOOSE (IRE) 8 Remenham Racing Emma Lavelle
22 ASK HENRY (IRE) 7 Marianne Barber Paul Nicholls
3/P5-132 ASK THE NATIVES (IRE) 9 Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
500-225 BALLYAMBER (IRE) 8 Sean Mulryan Willie Mullins IRE
111122 BARROW DRIVE 7 Mrs B Lenihan Tony Mullins IRE
2324-44 BASSETT TIGER (IRE) 7 Thomas Gilligan Willie Mullins IRE
0-21413 BE MY BELLE (IRE) 7 Monica Aherne Sean Treacy IRE
050-111 BEEF OR SALMON (IRE) 7 Joe Craig Michael Hourigan IRE
416-113 BOLD INVESTOR 6 Mrs A R Thompson Jonjo O'Neill
32220-4 CHATEAU ROSE (IRE) 7 The Southern Set Nick Gaselee
025-1P11 CHICUELO (FR) 7 Belinda Harvey Martin Pipe
3-40211 COOL INVESTMENT (IRE) 6 A P Holland Robert Stronge
2110-2P DUNGARVANS CHOICE (IRE) 8 Elite Racing Club Nicky Henderson
3-3334F EBONY LIGHT (IRE) 7 Roger Bellamy Ginger McCain
21100-4 ELUNA 5 Mr & Mrs John Poynton Ian Williams
26-3113 ESKIMO JACK (IRE) 7 Mrs B M McKinney Arthur Moore IRE
420-411 FARMER JACK 7 Peter Partridge Seamus Mullins
1221-22 FIRST LOVE 7 The Queen Nicky Henderson
30/F1P1/- FULL MINTY 8 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
121134 GOTTABE 10 Keith Nicholson Sue Smith
05-F212 GROUND BALL (IRE) 6 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE
2621-22 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 7 Niall Quaid Willie Mullins IRE
352-1 HERSOV (IRE) 7 Michael Watt Nicky Henderson
20P-311 IBAL (FR) 7 Tony Hayward and Barry Fulton Dina Smith
U11P/-12 INDIAN SCOUT (IRE) 8 Indian Scout Partnership Ben De Haan
1022-21 IRIS ROYAL (FR) 7 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
1/210-1 IRISH HUSSAR (IRE) 7 Major Christopher Hanbury Nicky Henderson
3331-32 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 9 David Johnson Martin Pipe
02-1111 JAIR DU COCHET (FR) 6 Mrs F Montauban Guillaume Macaire FR
P3F-P24 JARDIN DE BEAULIEU (FR) 6 Mr & Mrs John Poynton Ian Williams
125-111 JOSS NAYLOR (IRE) 8 Darren Mercer Jonjo O'Neill
111F-F1 KEEN LEADER (IRE) 7 Adair Catherwood Jonjo O'Neill
21F1113 KELREV (FR) 5 Len Jakeman, Flintham, King & Roberts Venetia Williams
02-5222 KILLULTAGH THUNDER (IRE) 7 Rose Boyd Willie Mullins IRE
12//-F111 LE COUDRAY (FR) 9 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
12-F20P LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 7 Favourites Racing Willie Mullins IRE
20-1211 LORD JACK (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Richards
1 LORD MAIZEY (IRE) 6 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Nigel Twiston-Davies
P-F2215 LUCKY BAY (IRE) 7 Executive Racing Henrietta Knight
06-1F2 MAGIC OF SYDNEY (IRE) 7 Ann & John Symes Richard Rowe
1210F0- MAJED (FR) 7 Sandicroft Stud II Martin Pipe
111111//- MONSIGNOR (IRE) 9 Malcolm Denmark Mark Pitman
22400-1 MONTALCINO (IRE) 7 Favourites Racing Martin Pipe
1035-122 MONTREAL (FR) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
6P-1153 MOSS HARVEY 8 J R Salter Malcolm Jefferson
F53130 NEARLY A MOOSE (IRE) 7 Michael McGinley Paddy Mullins IRE
3/4F3/-23 NOMADIC 9 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
136-131 ONE KNIGHT (IRE) 7 R Gibbs Philip Hobbs
2121-14 ONE NIGHT OUT (IRE) 7 Roderick Ryan Willie Mullins IRE
1132-PP OVER THE BAR (IRE) 7 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE
1 OVER THE STORM (IRE) 6 Hogarth Racing Henrietta Knight
10/-5224 PENDLE HILL 8 Nick Bannister Peter Beaumont
151221- PIETRO VANNUCCI (IRE) 7 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
2/3/-P1 PLACID MAN (IRE) 9 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd Nicky Henderson
3//-51344 RASKO (FR) 7 Ecurie Passing Thierry Doumen FR
15- ROSS RIVER 7 Seamus Ross Willie Mullins IRE
12214-4 RULE SUPREME (IRE) 7 John Lynch Willie Mullins IRE
320-122 SCOTS GREY 8 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
32-F331 SEA DRIFTING 6 Mr & Mrs S Giles & Mr & Mrs J Taqvi Ferdy Murphy
1250/-01 SEIXO BRANCO 7 Elite Racing Club Charles Egerton
111P/-11 SKIPPERS CLEUCH (IRE) 9 Ashleybank Investments Limited Len Lungo
1004-13 STARS OUT TONIGHT (IRE) 6 Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight
112110 STORMEZ (FR) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
6PP12-FF SUDDEN SHOCK (GER) 8 Darren Mercer Jonjo O'Neill
1B2-112 TARXIEN 9 Brian Kilpatrick Martin Pipe
1244-111 TELEMOSS (IRE) 9 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards
2-142F4 THARI (USA) 6 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
1101-11 THE BAJAN BANDIT (IRE) 8 Ashleybank Investments Limited Len Lungo
310-613 THE PREMIER CAT (IRE) 7 J C Whyte Tom Cahill IRE
00//-P WHATASHOCK 8 J L Frampton & A J Coombes Alan King
4553 WHEREAREYOUNOW (IRE) 6 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

72 Entries
20 Irish-trained
2 French-trained

Breakdown of Entries per Trainer and Past Successes in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase

8 Entries
Willie Mullins IRE (1998 Florida Pearl)

7 Entries
Nicky Henderson
Martin Pipe (1992 Minnehoma, 1991 Rolling Ball)

4 Entries
Jonjo O'Neill

3 Entries
Henrietta Knight (2000 Lord Noelie)
Noel Meade IRE
Nigel Twiston-Davies (1993 Young Hustler)

2 Entries
Len Lungo
Paul Nicholls
Nicky Richards
Ian Williams

1 Entry
Peter Beaumont (2002 Hussard Collonges)
Tom Cahill IRE
Ben De Haan
Thierry Doumen FR
Charles Egerton
Nick Gaselee
Philip Hobbs
Michael Hourigan IRE
Malcolm Jefferson
Alan King
Emma Lavelle
Guillaume Macaire FR
Ginger McCain
Arthur Moore IRE
Paddy Mullins IRE (1968 Herring Gull)
Seamus Mullins
Tony Mullins IRE
Ferdy Murphy
Edward O'Grady IRE
Richard Phillips
Mark Pitman
Christy Roche IRE
Richard Rowe
Dina Smith
Sue Smith
Robert Stronge
Charlie Swan IRE
Sean Treacy IRE
Venetia Williams

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

Analysis

The 2003 renewal of the £140,000 Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase, run over three miles and half a furlong on Wednesday, March 12, has attracted 72 entries, including 20 hopefuls from Ireland and two French contenders.

Heading the entries is Michael Hourigan's Beef Or Salmon. Undefeated in his three starts over fences, Beef Or Salmon swept aside the cream of Irish chasing talent when landing the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He also holds an entry for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Another leading Irish contender is Le Coudray. Formerly a top-class performer over hurdles, he has won all three of his completed starts over fences and would look to be a very strong contender, particularly as he has experience of Cheltenham (finished second to Anzum in the 1999 Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle).

Irish trainer Willie Mullins has the most entries overall and has eight possibles at this stage, with the pick of these looking to be the useful One Night Out, who is also entered for The Irish Independent Arkle Chase. Another interesting contender from the Mullins yard is Ross River, a useful point-to-pointer in Ireland who has won and finished second on his two starts in bumpers.

The challenge from across the English Channel is headed by Guillaume Macaire's Jair Du Cochet. The former top-class staying hurdler, winner of the Grade Two Wragge & Co Finesse Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, 2001, has made it four out of four over fences so far and recorded his biggest victory to date last time out in the Grade One Pertemps Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Jonjo O'Neill would appear to head the home challenge, having made entries for Joss Naylor, Keen Leader, Bold Investor and Sudden Shock. Joss Naylor has been successful in all his three chases to date, most recently at Cheltenham on New Year's Day when he got the better of Tarxien by a short-head in the Ian Williams' Owners Novices' Chase. Keen Leader began his chasing career at Cheltenham's Open Meeting in November in the Steel Plate & Sections Novices' Chase, where he fell early but made amends just two days later when running out an easy winner at Haydock. Bold Investor won well at Carlisle and Kempton earlier this season while Sudden Shock, a useful handicap hurdler, fell early on his first chase start at Wincanton in October.

Champion trainer Martin Pipe also has a strong hand, with seven horses engaged. The pick of them include Chicuelo, who has put his Thomas Pink Gold disappointment behind him with wins at Ascot and Huntingdon. Former top-class staying hurdler It Takes Time has been rather disappointing since being switched to fences while Montalcino, formerly with Venetia Williams, looked an impressive recruit to chasing when defeating First Love on his fencing debut at Newbury last month. Stormez, who defeated seasoned handicappers in the Intervet Trophy at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in November is also entered.

Lambourn-based Nicky Henderson also has seven entries. The challenge from his Seven Barrows yard is led by the highly-regarded Irish Hussar, winner of his only start to date over fences at Wincanton on December 5, when he was half a length too good for Ask Henry. The Queen could have a runner at the National Hunt Festival this year if First Love was to line up. The gelding has finished second in his two starts over fences so far. Other significant entries from Henderson include the promising Hersov, winner of his chase debut at Leicester, and Placid Man, a rare jumps runner for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing who looked to have a future when winning well at Fontwell last time out.
There is a particularly strong challenge from northern-trained horses this year. Scottish trainer Len Lungo has made entries for The Bajan Bandit and Skippers Cleuch - both of whom are undefeated over fences. Their owner, Ashleybank Investments, also has Nicky Richards' Telemoss engaged. He too is undefeated since going over fences. Richards could also be represented by the improving Lord Jack, victorious in three of his four chases.

Peter Beaumont enjoyed a memorable success with Hussard Collonges in this event last season and has made an entry for Pendle Hill this year. Pendle Hill, owned like Hussard Collonges by Nick Bannister, would need to improve to win although he did give The Bajan Bandit a good run for his money when second at Carlisle in November.
Monsignor, the brilliant winner of the 2000 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle in record time, has been entered for this race by trainer Mark Pitman along with the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. He has not been seen out since his Cheltenham win three years ago and has yet to start over fences in public. He also landed the 1999 Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Other interesting entries include Lord Maizey, a winning pointer and bumper victor at Naas earlier this season who is now with Nigel Twiston-Davies. Similarly, Over The Storm arrived in England with a big reputation following an Irish point-to-point success and lived up to it with an impressive debut under Rules at Doncaster last month. Over The Storm's trainer Henrietta Knight could also rely on Lucky Bay and Stars Out Tonight.

Dina Smith, who recorded a famous 66/1 shock with Shiny Copper in the 1982 Triumph Hurdle, has entered Ibal. The 2001 winner of the Imperial Cup at Sandown, he seems to be getting the hang of things over fences now and won well at Chepstow last time.

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The Royal & SunAlliance Chase had a slight name change again in 1998, having been run as the Royal SunAlliance Chase for the first time in 1997. But Sun Alliance, which merged with Royal Insurance in 1996, is among Cheltenham's longest-running sponsors. The Sun Alliance Chase was run for 23 years and Sun Alliance sponsored at Cheltenham for 26 years altogether. From 1971-3, the Foxhunters Chase was titled the "Sun Alliance & London Foxhunters".

2. Sun Alliance & London was the first sponsor outside racing to embrace commercial sponsorship at the National Hunt meeting. Only the Tote precedes them. Before 1974 the race was titled the Broadway Novices' Chase and the Totalisator Champion Novices' Chase.

3. Since 1960, five horses have won both the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. They are:
1963 Arkle (Gold Cup 1964-6)
1974 Ten Up (Gold Cup 1975)
1979 Master Smudge (Gold Cup 1980 on the disqualification of Tied Cottage)
1990 Garrison Savannah (Gold Cup 1991)
1999 Looks Like Trouble (Gold Cup 2000)
To this list might be added the name of Tied Cottage, winner of the Sun Alliance Chase in 1976 and the Tote Gold Cup in 1980, before subsequent disqualification.

4. The biggest field for the race has been 30, in 1986, and the smallest eight, in 1993.

5. The Royal & SunAlliance Chase is as difficult to win as The Irish Independent Arkle Chase. Only Fred Winter won it more than twice as a trainer with three victories; Killiney (1973), Pengrail (1975) and Brown Chamberlin (1982).

6. Irish-trained winners number seven since 1964, with 1998's winner Florida Pearl producing the first Irish-trained success since Antarctic Bay in 1985.

7. The most successful jockey in the Royal & SunAlliance has been Peter Scudamore, who notched up a hat-trick of wins from 1991 to 1993 with Rolling Ball, Miinnehoma and Young Hustler. The latter two went on to further big-race success, with Miinnehoma winning the 1994 Martell Grand National. Richard Dunwoody won the race on Hanakham (1997) and Florida Pearl (1998).

8. The longest-priced winners since 1964 are Hussard Collonges last year and Canny Danny in 1983, both at 33/1, with Killiney the shortest-priced at 8/15 in 1973.

9. The fastest running of the race was by Lord Noelie in 2000 at 6 mins 5.3, beating the previous best of 6 mins 6.6s set by Miinnehoma in 1992.

IRISH-TRAINED ENTRIES IN THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

500-225 BALLYAMBER (IRE) 8 b g Glacial Storm - El Scarsdale (Furry Glen)
Owner: Sean Mulryan Trainer: Willie Mullins
Fifth behind Galileo in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the National Hunt Festival, Ballyamber has yet to win in three attempts over fences although he has been runner-up twice. The first of these seconds came in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse in December, finishing two lengths behind Macs Gildoran, and he was then beaten by just over the same margin by Be My Belle in a Grade 2 novices' chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

111122 BARROW DRIVE 7 b g Gunner B - Fille De Soleil (Sunyboy)
Owner: Mrs B Lenihan Trainer: Tony Mullins
A Grade Three winner over hurdles, Barrow Drive has shown improvement since being switched to the larger obstacles last July. He won his first five races over fences, including the Grade 3 Irish Field Novice Chase at Punchestown, in impressive fashion before going down to Le Coudray in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Last time out he was second in a Grade 2 novice chase at Limerick on Boxing Day.

2324-44 BASSETT TIGER (IRE) 7 b g Shardari - Bassett Girl (Brigadier Gerard)
Owner: Thomas Gilligan Trainer: Willie Mullins
Successful in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary last season, Bassett Tiger has made two appearances over fences during the current campaign. He began by finishing fourth in a beginners' chase at Cork in November and was then fourth again behind Le Coudray in a similar event at Naas. Trainer Willie Mullins believes the horse is better on good ground.

050-111 BEEF OR SALMON (IRE) 7 ch g Cajetano - Farinella (Salmon Leap)
Owner: Joe Craig Trainer: Michael Hourigan
Michael Hourigan said he thought Beef Or Salmon might be something special when the gelding won a point-to-point at Clonmel by two fences and he has been proved right. Beef Or Salmon had his first campaign under Rules last season, when he was successful in bumpers at Clonmel and Cork, as well as over hurdles at Gowran Park but fences have proved the making of Beef Or Salmon. He made his chasing debut against seasoned performers in the Grade 2 Morris Oil Chase at Clonmel in November and beat Sackville by three-and-a-half lengths. On his second start he again took on more experienced rivals and this time accounted for River Clodagh by four-and-a-half lengths in the O'Connell Transport Hilly Way Chase at Cork on December 15. Last time out, Beef Or Salmon faced by far his toughest task to date and came through it with flying colours as he defeated the majority of Ireland's leading chasers to win the Grade 1 Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on December 28. Despite only being sold for Ir5,400gns as a three-year-old and Ir6,500gns as a four-year-old, an offer of £400,000 was reportedly recently turned down for Beef Or Salmon. Also entered in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

0-21413 BE MY BELLE (IRE) 7 b m Be My Native - Boreen Belle (Boreen)
Owner: Monica Aherne Trainer: Sean Treacy
A useful staying hurdler on her day, as she showed when beating Boss Doyle last season. Her chasing career began by finishing second to Youlneverwalkalone at Thurles before she went on to score impressively in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse. Her next run in a Grade 2 at Limerick was slightly disappointing before she bounced back to form when successful in a Grade 2 event over 3m at Leopardstown on December 28. Last time out she seemed to find 2m 5f a bit on the sharp side when finishing third in a Grade 3 novice chase at Leopardstown on January 12.

26-3113 ESKIMO JACK (IRE) 7 ch g Glacial Storm - Covette (Master Owen)
Owner: Mrs B M McKinney Trainer: Arthur Moore
Triumphant once over hurdles last season, Eskimo Jack has shown significant improvement since being switched to fences. In November he won a beginners' chase at Thurles in facile fashion and was equally impressive when landing a handicap at Navan under 12st last month. He started favourite when third behind Youlneverwalkalone in the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Chase on January 12.

05-F212 GROUND BALL (IRE) 6 b/br g Bob's Return - Bettyhill (Ardross)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Charlie Swan
Showed good form over hurdles and looks set for better things over fences. After shaping with promise behind Gralmano over an inadequate 2m at Catterick on his debut, he was subsequently stepped up to 2m 4f and ran out an impressive winner of a beginners' chase at Thurles on December 21. Last time he looked as if he would improve for a further step up in distance when second to Ten Poundsworth in a 2m 5f Grade 2 novice chase at Leopardstown on January 12.

2621-22 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 7 b g Montelimar - Aberedw (Caerwent)
Owner: Niall Quaid Trainer: Willie Mullins
Has finished second in eight of his 12 races and rounded off last season with a smooth success in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel. On his two starts over fences, he has been runner-up in beginners' chases at Clonmel and Cork.

02-5222 KILLULTAGH THUNDER (IRE) 7 b/br g Bravefoot - Rostrevor Lady (Kemal)
Owner: Rose Boyd Trainer: Willie Mullins
A half-brother to the stable's useful handicapper Killultagh Storm, Killultagh Thunder gained victories in a bumper at Leopardstown and a maiden hurdle at Punchestown. On his three starts this season he has finished second each time, the first two occasions in beginners' chases and most recently in a handicap at Punchestown on December 31.

12/-F111 LE COUDRAY (FR) 9 b g Phantom Breeze - Mos Lie (Tip Moss)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Christy Roche
Formerly trained over hurdles by Aidan O'Brien, for whom he finished second in the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle, Le Coudray was off the racecourse for nearly three years before making his chasing bow at Cork in November when he fell. Despite that mishap, after he had won his next start in a beginners' chase at Naas in the same month, new trainer Christy Roche stated: "I'm just glad JP [McManus] sent him to me to train." Stepped up in class to Grade 1 company on his next two outings, he has now proved himself to be among the best novices in Ireland this season, winning the Pierse Group Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse and the Denny Gold Medal Novices' Chase at Leopardstown. Also entered in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

12-F20P LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 7 b g Supreme Leader - Killiney Side (General Ironside)
Owner: Favourites Racing Trainer: Willie Mullins
When Livingstonebramble won a maiden hurdle last season, trainer Willie Mullins said that he couldn't wait for him to go chasing this term. So far this confidence has yet to be justified as his best effort in four attempts over the bigger obstacles came when runner-up to Dutsdale Dancer in a beginners' chase at Navan in November. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

F53130 NEARLY A MOOSE (IRE) 7b g Supreme Leader - Miss Tarbow (Tarqogan)
Owner: Michael J McGinley Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Formerly trained by Denis Murphy, he took four tries to win a beginners' chase for new handler Paddy Mullins. His best effort came when third to Be My Belle in a Grade 2 novices' chase at Leopardstown in December. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

3/4F3/-23 NOMADIC 9 gr g Kenmare - Legend Of Arabia (Great Nephew)
Owner: Des Sharkey Trainer: Noel Meade
The winner of the Grade 2 Ballymore Properties Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in 1998, Nomadic has yet to win in three starts over fences. After falling on the first of these, to be fair to him, he has subsequently been beaten by two very good novice chasers. Bust Out was 25 lengths too good in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in December, and then Nomadic finished third to Adamant Approach in a similar event at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

2121-14 ONE NIGHT OUT (IRE) 7 b/br g Jamesmead - Deladeuce (Le Bavard)
Owner: Roderick Ryan Trainer: Willie Mullins
After winning a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in November, he was dramatically stepped up in class in the Grade 1 Pertemps Aviation Resources Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Although well beaten in fourth behind Jair Du Cochet, this was a big test on just his second outing over fences. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

1132-PP OVER THE BAR (IRE) 7 b/br g King's Ride - Merry Madness (Raise You Ten)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Edward O'Grady
A very useful novice hurdler last season with his best effort coming at the National Hunt Festival where he went down by three and a half lengths to Galileo in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle. However, his two starts over fences this season have been disappointing. He did not jump well on either of his two starts at Navan and eventually pulled up on each occasion.

151221- PIETRO VANNUCCI (IRE) 7 b g Perugino - Lady's Bridge (Sir Ivor)
Owner: J P McManus Trainer: Noel Meade
Yet to start this season and has not yet jumped a fence in public. His form over hurdles was very good, winning twice at Leopardstown. However, his best effort probably came when going down by half a length to Like-A-Butterfly in a novice hurdle at the same course.

15- ROSS RIVER 7 gr g Over The River - Solo Rose (Roselier)
Owner: Seamus Ross Trainer: Willie Mullins
A decent pointer in Ireland, Ross River won on his first start under Rules in the Powers Gold Label Point-To-Point Championship Final (a bumper) at Fairyhouse last April. His second start was also in a bumper, finishing fifth at Punchestown later the same month, when he lost ground by running wide. Has not run over hurdles or fences under Rules.

12214-4 RULE SUPREME (IRE) 7 b g Supreme Leader - Book Of Rules (Phardante)
Owner: John P Lynch Trainer: Willie Mullins
A winner of two hurdles for trainer Pat Hughes, Rule Supreme was highly-tried on his chasing bow for new connections and certainly did not let them down. The Supreme Leader gelding finished fourth in a Grade 3 novices' chase at Leopardstown on January 12, beaten just over two lengths by Ten Poundsworth. Also entered in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

2-142F4 THARI (USA) 6 b g Silver Hawk - Magic Slipper (Habitat)
Owner: Des Sharkey Trainer: Noel Meade
Began his career on the Flat with Ben Hanbury in England before being sold and switching to Noel Meade. Enjoyed a decent campaign as a novice hurdler, landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse and finishing runner-up to Davenport Milenium in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. He made a winning debut over fences at Galway in September but has largely been disappointing since, most recently finishing a distant fourth behind Le Coudray at Fairyhouse on December 1.

310-613 THE PREMIER CAT (IRE) 7 b g Glacial Storm - Carraigaloe (Little Buskins)
Owner: J C Whyte Trainer: Tom Cahill
Successful once over hurdles, he has made three appearances over fences this season. After showing promise on his fencing debut at Clonmel, he got off the mark at the second time of asking in a beginners' chase at the same course and most recently finished a respectable third behind Intelligent and Barrow Drive in a Grade Two at Limerick on Boxing Day.

FRENCH-TRAINED ENTRIES IN THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

02-1111 JAIR DU COCHET (FR) 6 b g Rahotep - Dilaure (Rose Laurel)
Owner: Mrs F Montauban Trainer: Guillaume Macaire
A high-class staying hurdler, both as a novice and during his second season. His biggest successes over timber came in the Grade 1 Welsh Finale Juvenile Hurdle and the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle at Haydock. This season he has been sent over the larger obstacles and is unbeaten in four starts. He began with in win in his native country at Le Lion-d'angers in May before crossing the Channel for an easy success at Folkestone in November. Another easy win at Newbury in the Listed Fulke Walwyn Chase at Newbury was next followed by his biggest victory to date in the Grade 1 Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, when he had six lengths to spare over Le Sauvignon.

3//-51344 RASKO (FR) 7 gr g Kadalko - Fagaras (Kenmare)
Owner: Ecurie Passing Trainer: Thierry Doumen
A fairly useful hurdler in France during the 1999/2000 season, when he finished third in France's leading juvenile hurdle, the Grade 1 Prix Cambaceres (Grande Course de Haies) at Auteuil. After missing the next two seasons, he returned during the current campaign and landed a hurdle at Lyon Parilly in October. He has not been in such good form since however and didn't show any immediate promise on his first chase start when fourth to Iris Royal in novice company at Newbury on December 18.

skybet.com GREAT YORKSHIRE CHASE TOPS THE BILL AT DONCASTER

First held at Doncaster in 1948, The skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase is a Showcase Handicap over three miles, offering prize money of £50,000. A competitive race is assured, with plenty of runners expected to line up for a contest which could include potential Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National contenders.

All seven races on Saturday are supported by Sky Bet, one of the U.K.'s largest horseracing and sports betting companies, with total prize money for the afternoon being £140,000, a record for a day's Jump racing on Town Moor. The card also features The skybet.com River Don Novices' Hurdle (a Grade 2 race over the extended three miles) and The skybet.com Mansion House Handicap Chase over the extended two miles.

The Showcase Handicap on Friday is The 'Gordon Blackwell Lifetime in Racing' Chase over two miles, three furlongs and is named in honour of Gordon Blackwell who with his wife, Janet, has lived at Stainforth for many years. Mr. Blackwell began his working career in racing in 1946 as a stable lad in Malton, and he worked for several top stables and had a spell working in racing in America. He played a part in establishing The Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall.

Friday's programme also features a qualifying contest in this season's European Breeders Fund Novices' Hurdle Series (extended two miles, three furlongs) in which the first four horses will be eligible to compete in the Final of the Series at Sandown Park in March. The opening race on Friday is a handicap hurdle contest for Conditional Jockeys, supported by Sky Bet.

Racing on both days is scheduled to begin at 12.45 p.m.

The giant ToteVision Screen is in use both days, while the popular creche facility is available during the meeting in the Family Enclosure (£1.80 per hour).

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

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