Monday, January 17, 2005

PETER MARSH CHASE ATTRACTS 14

Dominating the list of entries for the £75,000 contest is trainer Martin Pipe, who is responsible for four headed by Therealbandit, one of last season's leading novices and victorious in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on his penultimate start. He could be joined by Horus, victorious already at Haydock Park this season in the Edward Hanmer Chase in November, It Take Time and Mondial Jack.

Truckers Tavern will be attempting to win this race for the second time, having defeated Hussard Colonges by two and a half lengths in 2003. Later that season he went on to finish second to Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and recently returned to form when winning the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy revealed today: "Truckers Tavern runs in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday. We'll be near enough top-weight I would think as he's rated 148 now.

"He seems really good and I would be really happy with him. He seems full of himself and he's going to work on Tuesday morning.

"If he comes out of this okay on February 19 he would go for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup over an extended three and a half miles at Haydock again which is worth £120,000 - and then on to Cheltenham hopefully."

The likely top-weight will be the Henry Daly-trained Hand Inn Hand, triumphant in the Grade One Ascot Chase last season. Overseas interest comes in the form of France's First Gold, triumphant in the 2000 King George VI Chase and twice winner of the Martell Cup at Aintree while other prominent entries include Take The Stand, who was travelling well when falling four out on his latest start in the Welsh National, the 2002 Grand National victor Bindaree.

Bingley-based trainer Sue Smith won the 2004 Peter Marsh with Artic Jack, who is a possible once again this year along with his stable companions Chives, winner of the Grade Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park on December 4 and Black Frost, a four-time scorer at Haydock.

Other possibles include Howard Johnson's exciting young chaser Lord Transcend, a Grade Two winner over hurdles at Haydock in 2003 and the Paul Webber-trained Buckby Lane, not seen out since landing a novice chase at Cheltenham in December 2003.

16 FOR totesport HURDLE - 13 IN IMPERIAL LEATHER NOVICES' HURDLE



The new £40,000 totesport Hurdle (1.40pm) has attracted 16 entries. This Grade Two, two and a half mile contest, could features the likes of Howard Johnson's Inglis Drever, runner-up on both his starts this season in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham and Sue Smith's tremendously exciting prospect Patriarch Express, a 10-length winner over the course and distance on December 4.

A total of 13 entries has been received for the opening £35,000 Grade Two Imperial Leather Novices' Hurdle (12.35pm), including Martin Pipe's, Marcel, victorious nine times already this season including on his latest outing in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, Howard Johnson's Arcalis and the Nicky Richards-trained Turpin Green, a winner of both his starts to date.

The other main contest of the day, the £40,000 Grade Two Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial (1.10pm) has been re-opened until tomorrow morning.

GROUND

The ground at Haydock Park is currently HEAVY on both the chase and the hurdles courses.

Clerk of the Course Kirkland Tellwright revealed: "The forecast is for it to be cold and wet for the first half of the week, before conditions improve with some high pressure towards the end of the week.

"It will be heavy ground, but we are confident that racing will go ahead."

2005 PETER MARSH CHASE DAY MEDIA INFORMATION PACK

This media information pack contains past results and histories of the three major races at Haydock Park on Saturday, January 22, 2005, when there will be £219,500 in prize money on offer a 20% increase on the 2004 figure.

The feature Peter Marsh Chase regularly attracts an outstanding field with Cheltenham Gold Cup winners such as Jodami, The Thinker, Bregawn and Little Owl on its roll of honour as well as the 1998 Grand National hero Earth Summit and a whole host of other big names such as Combs Ditch, Twin Oaks, Zeta's Lad, Nick The Brief, General Wolfe, The Last Fling, Red Striker and Truckers Tavern.

The Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial also has an impressive roll of honour and boasts the Champion Hurdle victors Rooster Booster, Flakey Dove and Granville Again among its winners.

A change to the programme for 2005 is that the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two totesport Hurdle has replaced the Premier Stayers' Hurdle. This alteration is offset by the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham now being run over three miles (the distance of the Premier Stayers' Hurdle).

Another exciting addition to the Peter Marsh Chase day programme is the Grade Two Imperial Leather Novices' Hurdle Race (Registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle), which used to be run at Wetherby and Doncaster.

RACE PROGRAMME, HAYDOCK PARK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2005



12.35pm IMPERIAL LEATHER NOVICES' HURDLE (Grade 2) £30,000 2m

1.10pm COMMHOIST LOGISTICS CHAMPION HURDLE TRIAL (Grade 2) £40,000 2m *

1.40pm totesprt HURDLE (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) £40,000 2m 4f *

2.10pm PETER MARSH CHASE (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) £75,000 3m *

2.40pm NORTHWOOD RACING CLUB NOVICES' CHASE £25,000 2m 6f

3.10pm RED SQUARE VODKA ‘FIXED BRUSH' NOVICES' HURDLE £7,000 2m 4f

3.45pm EBF/DONCASTER BLOODSTOCK SALES MARES' ONLY STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (QUALIFIER) £2,500 2m

* Races in the BHB's Order of Merit

HISTORY OF THE PETER MARSH CHASE

The Peter Marsh Chase was inaugurated in 1981 and this limited handicap has grown into one of the highlight's of the jumping calendar at Haydock Park, regularly attracting the very best staying chasers.

Since 1981, a total of four Cheltenham Gold Cup winners have taken the three-mile contest prior to going on to success at Prestbury Park while there has also been a Grand National winner and a whole host of other top-class performers among the 18 successful horses in 19 runnings to date.

Little Owl in 1981 was the first winner of the Peter Marsh Chase and went on to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup that season for trainer Peter Easterby and amateur rider Jim Wilson.

A year later the race was won by Bregawn, who captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1983, when he headed Michael Dickinson's remarkable first five horses home in chasing's Blue Riband. In fifth place in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup was Ashley House, victorious in the Peter Marsh Chase earlier the same year.

Unfortunately, frost intervened in both 1984 and 1985 and it was not until 1986 that the Peter Marsh Chase was run again, when the David Elsworth-trained Combs Ditch achieved success. Combs Ditch was a high class if somewhat enigmatic performer, who was twice beaten in a photo finish for Kempton's King George VI Chase.

Arthur Stephenson landed the 1987 renewal with The Thinker, who progressed through the ranks from handicap company to that success and victory in the same year's Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Thinker ran a fine race to finish third under 11st 10lb in the 1989 Grand National.

The next renewal of the Peter Marsh Chase was in 1989 when the Toby Balding-trained Bishops Yarn came home 30 lengths clear of Cavvies Clown to add to his previous success in the 1987 Glen International Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Bishops Yarn turned out again for the 1990 Peter Marsh Chase but was unable to cope with John Upson's high-class young chaser Nick The Brief, who scored by half a length. Nick The Brief followed up in Ireland's top chase, the Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, where he lowered the colours of the mighty Carvill's Hill and went on to win the Irish event (now the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup) again in 1991.

Twin Oaks was a star turn around Haydock Park, winning eight times in total at the course. His victory in the 1992 Peter Marsh Chase was one of his most emphatic as he stayed on resolutely to defeat Gold Options by five lengths.

Yet another future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was to land the 1993 renewal, when Peter Beaumont's Jodami came home two lengths clear of Run For Free. He followed up on his Peter Marsh Chase victory in the 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup and finished second in that contest in 1994. He was also successful in three Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups at Leopardstown.

Jodami won the Peter Marsh Chase for the second time four years later in 1997 at the age of 12, when he prevailed by a neck from Unguided Missile with Avro Anson half a length back in third in a thrilling finish.

Following Nick The Brief's success in 1990, John Upson recorded a second Peter Marsh Chase victory with Zeta's Lad in 1994 while in 1995 Earth Summit made light of the heavy ground to win from 11lb out of the handicap. Three years later Earth Summit recorded another success on his favoured going - this time in the Grand National at Aintree.

Scotton Banks gave trainer Peter Easterby one of the last major successes of his long and distinguished career when landing the 1996 race, defeating Jenny Pitman's duo of Smith's Band and the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Garrison Savannah. Scotton Banks landed the Martell Cup Chase at Aintree the same season.

Two real Haydock Park specialists dominated the three renewals from 1998. General Wolfe, a four-time winner at the course, won his first Peter Marsh Chase when trained by the late Captain Tim Forster in 1998 and followed up a year later for Venetia Williams. In fact, General Wolfe's two victories followed on from one another - his 1998 win was his last start of the season while his 1999 triumph came on his seasonal reappearance.

In 2000 another Haydock Park hero, The Last Fling, put up one of his trademark gritty displays to deny Bobby Grant by three quarters of a length. The Last Fling won four times in total at Haydock Park, with his richest success coming in the 2000 De Vere Gold Cup.

Richard Guest put up a typically inspired ride to guide Red Striker to victory in 2002, surviving a bad blunder at the eighth fence. Guest had won the Peter Marsh Chase 13 years earlier aboard Bishops Yarn.

The value of the Peter Marsh Chase as a trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup was proved once again in 2003 when the Ferdy Murphy-trained Trucker's Tavern was successful at Haydock Park prior to finishing second to the mighty Best Mate in the Cheltenham championship event.

Last year saw Artic Jack defeat Kingscliff by 13 lengths to give trainer Sue Smith and owner Trevor Hemmings their second success, following on from The Last Fling four years beforehand.

PETER MARSH CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR

YEAR HORSE AGE/WT OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY SP

2004 ARTIC JACK 8-10-06 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith Dominic Elsworth 6/1

2003 TRUCKERS TAVERN 8-10-09 Mrs M B Scholey Ferdy Murphy Davy Russell 9/2

2002 RED STRIKER 8-11-01 Norman Mason Norman Mason Richard Guest 8/1

2001 Meeting abandoned due to frost

2000 THE LAST FLING 10-10-12 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith Seamus Durack 11/2

1999 GENERAL WOLFE 10-10-12 The Winning Line Venetia Williams Norman Williamson 4/1

1998 GENERAL WOLFE 9-10-10 Winning Line Racing Ltd Tim Forster Norman Williamson 11/2

1997 JODAMI 12-11-10 John Yeadon Peter Beaumont Norman Williamson 9/2

1996 SCOTTON BANKS 7-11-06 Ian Bray Peter Easterby Russ Garritty 15/8F

1995 EARTH SUMMIT 7-10-04 The Summit Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Jenks 7/1

1994 ZETA'S LAD 11-10-10 Andrew Cohen John Upson Robbie Supple 5/1

1993 JODAMI 8-11-02 John Yeadon Peter Beaumont Mark Dwyer 5/4F

1992 TWIN OAKS 12-11-10 John Moreton Gordon Richards Neale Doughty 5/4F

1991 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1990 NICK THE BRIEF 8-10-09 John Upson John Upson Martin Lynch 15/8F

1989 BISHOPS YARN 10-10-12 British Thoroughbred R & B Toby Balding Richard Guest 13/2

1988 Meeting abandoned due to snow

1987 THE THINKER 9-11-10 T P M McDonagh Ltd Arthur Stephenson Ridley Lamb 9/2

1986 COMBS DITCH 10-11-08 Jim Tory David Elsworth Colin Brown 3/1

1985 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1984 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1983 ASHLEY HOUSE 9-10-07 J McLoughlin Michael Dickinson Robert Earnshaw 11/8F

1982 BREGAWN 8-10-07 James Kennelly Michael Dickinson Robert Earnshaw 11/2

1981 LITTLE OWL 7-11-03 Robin Wilson Peter Easterby Mr Jim Wilson 4/6F



HISTORY OF THE IMPERIAL LEATHER NOVICES' HURDLE

The Imperial Leather Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle) was inaugurated at Doncaster in 1971 and remained at that venue until transferring to Wetherby in 1997, where it remained until 2004.

Haydock is inheriting a race with an excellent roll of honour. Over the years, several performers who have gone on to success at the highest level have been triumphant.

In the early years, the best winner was undoubtedly Sea Pigeon in 1975. This tough and incredibly popular performer would win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in both 1980 and 1981, as well as enjoying significant success on the Flat in the Chester Cup and Ebor at York.

Gaye Brief was successful in 1982, a year prior to his success in the Champion Hurdle. In more recent times, trainer Nicky Henderson has won two of the last three renewals with Dusk Duel in 2000 and Mon Villez last year.

However, by far and away the best winner in the last few years was Rhinestone Cowboy in 2003. Following on from that success, he finished third in the Champion Hurdle while still a novice and last season was triumphant in Grade One events at Aintree and Punchestown.

IMPERIAL LEATHER NOVICES' HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR

Run at Wetherby 1998-2004 & Doncaster 1971-1997

YEAR HORSE AGE/WT OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY SP RAN

2004 MON VILLEZ 5-11-03 Million In Mind Partnership Nicky Henderson Andrew Tinkler 2/1 5

2003 RHINESTONE COWBOY 7-11-08 Sue Magnier Jonjo O'Neill Norman Williamson 1/3F 7

2002 Meeting Abandoned

2001 Meeting Abandoned

2000 DUSK DUEL 5-11-12 Anthony Speelman Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 1/7F 4

1999 TONOCO 6-11-09 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith Seamus Durack 4/1 6

1998 FOUNDRY LANE 7-11-05 A Sharratt Mary Reveley Lorcan Wyer 6/5 5

1997 LE TETEU 4-10-04 Judit Woods Bob Jones Russ Garritty 5/2 5

1996 Meeting Abandoned

1995 Meeting Abandoned

1994 CUMBRIAN CHALLENGE 5-11-05 Cumbrian Industrials Ltd Peter Easterby Lorcan Wyer 12/1 11

1993 FRICKLEY 7-11-09 Robert Ogden Gordon Richards Neale Doughty 11/10F 5

1992 Meeting Abandoned

1991 RULING 5-11-00 G D Groarke Fulke Johnson Houghton Peter Niven 11/8F 7

1990 PEANUTS PET 5-11-00 L Perry Bryan McMahon Trevor Wall 4/5F 6

1989 CRUISING ALTITUDE 6-11-07 Mrs Christopher Heath Oliver Sherwood Simon Sherwood 5/4F 5

1988 DRUMLIN HILL 5-11-00 Lady Joseph Fred Winter Peter Scudamore 15/2 9

1987 Meeting Abandoned

1986 SHEAN LAD 6-11-07 F Tyldesley Lynn Siddall Phil Tuck 50/1 15

1985 Meeting Abandoned

1984 Meeting Abandoned

1983 CARDINAL FLOWER 6-11-04 Miss V Yager Andy Scott Jonjo O'Neill 7/4F 8

1982 GAYE BRIEF 5-11-07 Sheikh A Khamsin Mercy Rimell Sam Morshead 3/1 16

1981 HARD ABOUT 5-11-07 W Horsford Edward O'Grady IRE Tommy Ryan 3/1F 8

1980 PULSE RATE 4-10-08 R Spencer Peter Easterby Alan Brown 21/20F 8

1979 NO BOMBS 4-10-08 Snailwell Stud Co Ltd Peter Easterby Nigel Tinkler 3/1 11

1978 NEWGATE 5-11-12 Mrs Andy Scott Andy Scott Ridley Lamb 5/1 11

1977 FRENCH HOLLOW 5-11-12 M Basso Tony Dickinson Michael Dickinson 11/2 12

1976 GRAND CANYON 6-12-00 D W Samuel Derek Kent Peter Haynes 1/2F 6

1975 SEA PIGEON 5-11-12 Pat Muldoon Gordon Richards Ron Barry 13/8F 18

1974 CHARLIE MOUSE 5-11-02 Mrs M Wiggin Tim Forster Graham Thorner 14/1 22

1973 DARK SULTAN 5-11-07 Mrs E Deterding Peter Chisman Ron Barry 5/1 13

1972 THE BUGLER 4-10-05 Jakie Astor Jakie Astor Robin Griffin 10/1 10

1971 PRY 5-11-02 Mrs J Shawcross Toby Balding Eddie Harty 7/1 6



COMMHOIST LOGISTICS CHAMPION HURDLE TRIAL HISTORY



The Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial, run over two miles, has grown into an important trial for hurdling's greatest prize, the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, as well as becoming a high-class race in its own right.

First run in 1981, the inaugural winner was the Peter Easterby-trained Starfen, who subsequently went on to finish fourth behind his stable companion, the great Sea Pigeon, in the Champion Hurdle. Easterby's son Tim, who has now succeeded his father, was in the saddle. Peter Easterby again won the race in 1987 with Nohalmdun.

Gaye Chance, the 1982 victor, went on to land to win the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham two years later while in 1983 the winner Ekbalco was scoring at Haydock after landing Cheltenham's Bula Hurdle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park. Humberside Lady became the first mare to win the Haydock contest when she was triumphant for Newmarket-based Geoff Huffer in 1986 while Vicario Di Bray defeated the previous season's Champion Hurdle winner Celtic Shot in 1989.

Bank View caused a 33/1 upset in 1990 for Nigel Tinkler while in 1992 the race produced its first subsequent Champion Hurdle winner in Granville Again. Martin Pipe's gelding fell two out when going well in the Champion Hurdle that season but made amends when defeating Royal Derbi by a length at Cheltenham in 1993.

Gordon Richards' tough campaigner Jinxy Jack triumphed in 1993 while 12 months later the contest was won by a mare for a second time in the shape of Flakey Dove, who is so far the only horse to have won the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial and the Champion Hurdle in the same season.

The talented grey Relkeel was the facile victor in 1995 with the 1996 running going to the game 1994 Triumph Hurdle heroine Mysilv, who subsequently ran twice at the Cheltenham Festival that season, finishing sixth in the Champion Hurdle and second in the Stayers' Hurdle.

Mistinguett came home four lengths clear of Dato Star in 1997, and Malcolm Jefferson's runner-up, winner of the 1995 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, went on to land the Haydock contest in 1998 and 2000.

Versatile performer Master Beveled triumphed in 1999 while Martin Pipe won his second Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial with Rodock in 2002. The 2003 renewal went to the Noel Chance-trained Flame Creek, who won easily by 13 lengths from October Mist.

Last year saw the 2003 Champion Hurdle victor Rooster Booster defeat Hasty Prince by seven lengths. He went on to finish second to Hardy Eustace when attempting a second Champion Hurdle success later in the campaign.

COMMHOIST LOGISTICS CHAMPION HURDLE TRIAL ROLL OF HONOUR

YEAR HORSE AGE/WT OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY SP

2004 ROOSTER BOOSTER 10-11-13 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 5/4F

2003 FLAME CREEK 7-11-06 Martin Wesson Partners Noel Chance Seamus Durack 9/4

2002 RODOCK 8-11-02 Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 15/8

2001 Meeting abandoned due to frost

2000 DATO STAR 9-11-11 Kath Riley, M Guthrie, Joe Donald Malcolm Jefferson Lorcan Wyer 11/8F

1999 MASTER BEVELED 9-11-07 Mrs E J Williams David Evans Glenn Tormey 12/1

1998 DATO STAR 7-11-03 Kath Riley, M Guthrie, Joe Donald Malcolm Jefferson Lorcan Wyer 9/2

1997 MISTINGUETT 5-11-02 John Duggan Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn 8/1

1996 MYSILV 6-11-02 Elite Racing Club Charles Egerton Jamie Osborne 10/11F

1995 RELKEEL 6-11-10 Brigdier Roscoe Harvey David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 4/6F

1994 FLAKEY DOVE 8-11-05 John Price Richard Price Richard Dunwoody 9/2

1993 JINXY JACK 9-11-07 Mrs B M McKinney Gordon Richards Neale Doughty 9/4F

1992 GRANVILLE AGAIN 6-11-10 Eric Scarth Martin Pipe Peter Scudamore 1/2F

1991 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1990 BANK VIEW 5-11-08 Bank View Hire Ltd Nigel Tinkler Graham Bradley 33/1

1989 VICARIO DI BRAY 6-11-08 Peter Hopkins Jonjo O'Neill Mark Dwyer 11/1

1988 Meeting abandoned due to snow

1987 NOHALMDUN 6-12-00 Ulceby Farms Ltd Peter Easterby Lorcan Wyer 2/5F

1986 HUMBERSIDE LADY 5-11-06 Humberside Enterprises Ltd Geoff Huffer Mark Dwyer 4/1

1985 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1984 Meeting abandoned due to frost

1983 EKBALCO 7-12-00 Tawfik Fakhouri Roger Fisher Jonjo O'Neill 8/13F

1982 GAYE CHANCE 7-12-00 Mary Curtis Mercy Rimell Sam Morshead 7/2

1981 STARFEN 5-11-12 F Ballard Peter Easterby Mr Tim Easterby 5/2

FANTASTIC HURDLING SHOWPIECES IN PROSPECT

No less than a dozen of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle entries are trained in Ireland including the first six in the ante-post betting, Harchibald, Back In Front, Accordion Etoile, last year's winner Hardy Eustace, Macs Joy and the 2004 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor Brave Inca.

A very strong Irish team for the contest, run on The Festival's opening day, Tuesday, March 15 and worth £300,000, is further bolstered by recent Pierse Hurdle winner Essex and the great mare Solerina.

The 2003 winner Rooster Booster is also engaged in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle while Martin Pipe's five entries include 2003 runner-up Westender and the fast-improving duo Marcel and Tamarinbleu.

Trainer Howard Johnson is represented by Inglis Drever while Gerard Butler's smart Flat performer Compton Bolter, who has never run over hurdles, has been given an entry.

Kent-based owner Fergus Wilson has covered his options with Astonville, Present Bleu, Solarius and Turnium, who were all also entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

With last year's winner Iris's Gift, who is set to go chasing, not engaged in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, the 2004 runner-up Baracouda is currently 7/4 favourite with the sponsors to land a third success in the race, formerly known as the Stayers' Hurdle.

The French-trained 10-year-old's main rivals look to include the Alan King-trained Crystal D'Ainay, last season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Rule Supreme as well as Howard Johnson's duo Inglis Drever and Royal Rosa.

The novices Gold Medallist and Pole Star, both impressive winners on their latest starts, are engaged while the only entry yet to run over hurdles is the ex-Flat stayer Romany Prince, bought out of David Elsworth's stable for 60,000 guineas in October to join Steve Gollings.

This year's rebranded event has had its prize money significantly increased to £200,000 and is set to be the highlight of The Festival's third day, Thursday, March 17.

Both the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and Ladbrokes World Hurdle are among the 63 races in the £300,000 BHB Order Of Merit.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's Managing Director, commented: "The Festival's famous Anglo-Irish rivalry is set to come to the fore in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, in which entries from Ireland look particularly strong this year.

"The Ladbrokes World Hurdle promises to be a real highlight on the third day of The Festival as France's Baracouda bids for a third success in the race facing stiff opposition from British and Irish rivals."

For further information, please contact Edward Gillespie or Peter McNeile, Commercial Manager, at Cheltenham Racecourse on 01242 513014.

THE SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE

Class A, Grade One, £300,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 3.15pm, Tuesday, March 15. For four-year-olds and upwards, two miles & about half a furlong. Weights: 4yo: 11st 2lb; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 12, entries revealed January 17 (35 entries). Forfeit stage February 22, £15,000 supplementary entry stage March 10, five-day confirmation stage March 10, final declaration 10.00am, March 13. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 14.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
15-1121 ACCORDION ETOILE (IRE) 6 Banjo Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
201-063 AL EILE (IRE) 5 Michael Ryan John Queally IRE
20/55-15 ANSAR (IRE) 9 Kay Devlin Dermot Weld IRE
0/43-045 ASTONVILLE (FR) 11 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
2215-21 BACK IN FRONT (IRE) 8 Dermot Cox Edward O'Grady IRE
1235-22 BIG MOMENT 7 R Doel, A Black, Dr J Howells, Bob & Pauline Scott Amanda Perrett
11-1222 BRAVE INCA (IRE) 7 Novices Syndicate Colm Murphy IRE
2-110 CERIUM (FR) 4 Barry Fulton, Tony Hayward, S Fisher, Liam Brady Paul Nicholls
COMPTON BOLTER (IRE) 8 Erik Penser Gerard Butler
301-060 COPELAND 10 Professor David & Heather Silk Martin Pipe
11-31 ESSEX (IRE) 5 B P S Syndicate Michael O'Brien IRE
F4140-2 FOREMAN (GER) 7 J P McManus Thierry Doumen FR
2321-05 GEORGES GIRL (IRE) 7 Glenn Martin Francis Flood IRE
5-43111 HARCHIBALD (FR) 6 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
221-123 HARDY EUSTACE (IRE) 8 Laurence Byrne Dessie Hughes IRE
U11/3/-30 ILNAMAR (FR) 9 Joe Moran Martin Pipe
1124-22 INGLIS DREVER 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
12345-4 INTERSKY FALCON 8 Interskyracing.com & Jacqui O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill
56/4204/- LANDING LIGHT (IRE) 10 Mr & Mrs John Poynton Nicky Henderson
21-1131 MACS JOY (IRE) 6 Mac's J Racing Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE
111211 MARCEL (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
0P-1363 PEROUSE 7 J Dickson & S McVie Paul Nicholls
3113-0 POWER ELITE (IRE) 5 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
4P-0456 PRESENT BLEU (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
02-1600 RIGMAROLE 7 Mark & Tessa Woodhouse Paul Nicholls
22-2442 ROOSTER BOOSTER 11 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs
111-23 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE (FR) 6 John Webb Steve Gollings
0012-42 SELF DEFENSE 8 Fraser Miller Racing Patrick Chamings
SIGN OF THE WOLF 5 Beren Van Dalfsen Francois Rohaut FR
402151 SOLARIUS (FR) 8 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
611114 SOLERINA (IRE) 8 John Bowe James Bowe IRE
12300-1 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 5 The Arthur White Partnership Martin Pipe
04-0155 THE FRENCH FURZE (IRE) 11 Jim Ennis Nicky Richards
562-412 TURNIUM (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Michael Scudamore
52R231 WESTENDER (FR) 9 Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst Martin Pipe

35 entries
12 Irish-trained
2 French-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer With Past Successes in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle

5 Entries
Martin Pipe (1997 MAKE A STAND, 1993 GRANVILLE AGAIN)

4 Entries
Michael Scudamore

3 Entries
Paul Nicholls

2 Entries
Noel Meade IRE

1 Entry
James Bowe IRE
Gerard Butler
Patrick Chamings
Thierry Doumen FR
Francis Flood IRE
Steve Gollings
Jessica Harrington IRE
Nicky Henderson (1987, 1986 & 1985 SEE YOU THEN)
Philip Hobbs (2003 ROOSTER BOOSTER)
Dessie Hughes IRE (2000 HARDY EUSTACE)
Howard Johnson
Colm Murphy IRE
Paul Nolan IRE
Michael O'Brien IRE
Edward O'Grady IRE
Jonjo O'Neill
Amanda Perrett
John Queally IRE
Nicky Richards
Francois Rohaut FR
Dermot Weld IRE

HORSES ENTERED IN BOTH THE SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE AND THE LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE

Copeland (Martin Pipe)
Ilnamar (Martin Pipe)
Inglis Drever (Howard Johnson)
The French Furze (Martin Pipe)
Westender (Martin Pipe)


Smurfit Champion Hurdle - Analysis

This years's £300,000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle has attracted 35 entries, with a dozen hailing from Ireland and two French-trained horses engaged.

The last two winners - Hardy Eustace (2004) and Rooster Booster (2003) are entered again. The pair finished first and second in last year's hurdling championship with the Dessie Hughes-trained Hardy Eustace going on to confirm his superiority by also defeating Rooster Booster in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

On his two most recent starts, Hardy Eustace has finished third to the brilliant mare Solerina at Navan and third to Jessica Harrington's Macs Joy in the Grade One December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29, when Solerina ran disappointingly.

Rooster Booster has managed only one success since his Smurfit Champion Hurdle victory of 2003, at Haydock last season, but has run numerous good races in defeat, most recently when second to Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day when he gallantly tried to make all the running.

Harchibald's win at Kempton and his earlier smooth success in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle means that he is currently ante-post favourite. Noel Meade's charge also defeated fellow Irish contender Back In Front, the 2003 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor, at Punchestown in November. Back In Front was subsequently successful in the totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 11 when he proved four lengths too strong for Inglis Drever, with Westender in third, Rooster Booster fourth and The French Furze fifth.

Solerina has scored an amazing 15 successes for the Bowe family, with four wins having come at Grade One level. Her one previous visit to Cheltenham saw her finish fourth to Iris's Gift in the 2004 Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The remaining Irish-trained contenders include the Paul Nolan-trained Accordion Etoile, winner of the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 14, Al Eile, a decent juvenile hurdler last season, Dermot Weld's Ansar, victorious in the Galway Plate in July, 2004 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle scorer Brave Inca, recent Pierse Handicap Hurdle victor Essex, Power Elite, a fairly useful juvenile last season for Noel Meade and Georges Girl, runner-up in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown a year ago.

Martin Pipe is seeking his third Smurfit Champion Hurdle success and has the largest number of entries with five possibles engaged. These include the amazing novice Marcel, who has scored nine times already this season including on his latest start in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Pipe could also field Westender, runner-up to Rooster Booster in 2003 and victorious on his latest start at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, last season's Scottish Champion Hurdle victor Copeland, the 2002 Coral Cup victor Ilnamar and Tamarinbleu, who recently made a winning seasonal reappearance in the competitive Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls is still seeking his first Smurfit Champion Hurdle victory and has three entries to choose from including Rigmarole, who was successful twice at Cheltenham last season in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and totesport Bula Hurdle but has largely disappointed since. The smart juvenile Cerium, triumphant in the Grade Two Jets UK Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 13, and Perouse, third behind Harchibald and Rooster Booster on his latest start in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, have also been entered by Nicholls.

Nicky Henderson sent out the great See You Then to three consecutive victories in 1985, 1986 and 1987 and looks set to rely on Landing Light this time around. The 10-year-old won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in 2001 and finished fifth behind Hors La Loi III in the 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle but he has not raced since winning the Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket in October, 2003.

The two entries from France are headed by Foreman, trained by Thierry Doumen and owned by J P McManus. The seven-year-old won last season's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown before finishing fourth to Hardy Eustace in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. His sole start this season came in a novice chase at Newbury on December 29, when he finished runner-up to Kauto Star.

Also engaged from France is the Francois Rohaut-trained Sign Of The Wolf, a Group Three winner on the Flat but yet to start over hurdles.

Kent-based former teacher-turned property magnate Fergus Wilson has four entries, all trained by Michael Scudamore and all also engaged in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Solarius was last seen out when taking a claiming hurdle at Cagnes-Sur-Mer on Christmas Day when with French handler Richard Chotard while Wilson's team is completed by Astonville, Present Bleu and Turnium. Present Bleu was actually a Grade One winner in France in 2002 although his form has tailed off since then while Astonville was well beaten behind Westender last time at Cheltenham and Turnium's form in France was of a low grade.

Other interesting contenders include Intersky Falcon, fifth and third in the latest two renewals of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and twice successful in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and Self Defense, who has good form to his name both on the Flat and over hurdles, most recently when runner-up to Tamarinbleu in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Sandown. Royal Shakespeare was a very useful novice last season, scoring in Grade Two company at Aintree and running Brave Inca to a short-head in a Grade One contest at Punchestown. He made a good seasonal reappearance when third to Harchibald in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Completing the entries are Compton Bolter, trained by Gerard Butler and unraced over hurdles but a seven-time Listed winner on the Flat, and Amanda Perrett's Big Moment, a Listed scorer on the Flat in 2004 and a decent hurdler on his day, as he showed when fifth in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.

THE LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE

Class A, Grade One, £200,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 3.15pm, Thursday, March 17. For four-year-olds and upwards, three miles. Weights: 4yo: 11st 1lb; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 12, entries revealed January 17 (35 entries). Forfeit stage February 22, £10,000 supplementary entry stage March 12, five-day confirmation stage March 12, final declaration 10.00am, March 15. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 14.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1112-11 BARACOUDA (FR) 10 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
444240 BRIGADIER BROWN (IRE) 8 Eamonn Duignan John Murphy IRE
301-060 COPELAND 10 Professor David & Heather Silk Martin Pipe
1200- CORRIB ECLIPSE 6 M Ioannou Jamie Poulton
134-222 CRYSTAL D'AINAY (FR) 6 Tony & Jeni Fisher Alan King
6010-20 DANCING BAY 8 Elite Racing Club Nicky Henderson
F04531 EMOTIONAL MOMENT (IRE) 8 Watercork Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE
11-F2 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 5 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
21151 GALLERY GOD (FR) 9 James Etheridge Simon Dow
1 GOLD MEDALLIST 5 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
U11/3/-30 ILNAMAR (FR) 9 Joe Moran Martin Pipe
1124-22 INGLIS DREVER 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
5P-5543 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 11 David Johnson Martin Pipe
111260 IT'S WALLACE 12 Grand Day Out Partnership Sheena West
06334-3 KNIFE EDGE (USA) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
0031-61 KORELO (FR) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
11-1F3P LORD SAM (IRE) 9 Plain Peeps Victor Dartnall
521-514 LOUGH DERG (FR) 5 W Frewen Martin Pipe
3450/P-5 MARBLE ARCH 9 Martin Wilson, Rory Sweet, Mary Morrison Hughie Morrison
1121-15 MONET'S GARDEN (IRE) 7 David Wesley Yates Nicky Richards
6-13213 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 8 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs
12-1130 MR ED (IRE) 7 Gwilym Morris Peter Bowen
211 POLE STAR 7 Paul Green James Fanshawe
030-210 QUICK 5 Kinsford Champagne Partnership Martin Pipe
ROMANY PRINCE 6 John Webb Steve Gollings
10-323P ROSAKER (USA) 8 High Street Ceathar Syndicate Noel Meade IRE
112112- ROYAL ROSA (FR) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
31133F RULE SUPREME (IRE) 9 John Fallon Willie Mullins IRE
211F0-5 SH BOOM 7 T G K Construction Ltd Jonjo O'Neill
230U-14 SPECULAR (AUS) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
14/3P-14 TELEMOSS (IRE) 11 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards
04-0155 THE FRENCH FURZE (IRE) 11 Jim Ennis Nicky Richards
1F0-010 THEREALBANDIT (IRE) 8 David Johnson Martin Pipe
52R231 WESTENDER (FR) 9 Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst Martin Pipe
226-042 YOGI (IRE) 9 Patrick Delaney Jnr Tom Foley IRE

35 entries
5 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

LATEST LADBROKES PRICES
7/4 Baracouda, 4 Crystal D'Ainay, 6 Rule Supreme, 8 Royal Rosa, 14 Inglis Drever, 14 Monkerhostin, 14 Westender, 20 Emotional Moment, 20 It Takes Time, 20 Monet's Garden, 20 Sh Boom, 25 Korelo, 33 Dancing Bay, 33 Therealbandit, 40 Corrib Eclipse, 40 Ilnamar, 40 Lord Sam, 40 Lough Derg, 40 Specular, 40 Telemoss, 50 Exotic Dancer, 50 Mr Ed, 50 Rosaker, 66 Copeland, 66 Knife Edge, 66 Marble Arch, 100 Gallery God, 100 Quick, 100 The French Furze, 100 Yogi, 150 Romany Prince, 200 It's Wallace, 250 Brigadier Brown (1/4 odds 1,2,3)

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with Past Successes in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle

8 Entries
Martin Pipe (1996 CYBORGO, 1994 BALASANI)

4 Entries
Jonjo O'Neill (2004 IRIS'S GIFT)

3 Entries
Nicky Richards

2 Entries
Philip Hobbs
Howard Johnson

1 Entry
Peter Bowen
Victor Dartnall
Francois Doumen FR (2003 & 2002 BARACOUDA)
Simon Dow
James Fanshawe
Tom Foley IRE
Steve Gollings
Nicky Henderson (2000 BACCHANAL, 1989 RUSTLE)
Alan King
Noel Meade IRE
Hughie Morrison
Willie Mullins IRE
John Murphy IRE
Jamie Poulton
Tom Taaffe IRE
Sheena West

LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE ANALYSIS

The 2005 Ladbrokes World Hurdle has received a total of 35 entries with all of the leading contenders on course for the three-mile contest, worth £200,000 this year.

Heading the entries is Francois Doumen's Baracouda, the leading three-mile hurdler of recent years and winner of this contest in 2002 and 2003. Last season he had to settle for second behind Iris's Gift, with the Alan King-trained Crystal D'Ainay in third. This season Baracouda has won his two starts, beating Crystal D'Ainay on both occasions.

On November 27 he prevailed by three-quarters of a length in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and on December 18 he held on by the same distance with Willie Mullins' Rule Supreme finishing very strongly to take third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor.

Rule Supreme, successful at last year's Festival in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, has been mixing hurdling and chasing this season, winning the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in June. He was last seen out when falling at the last in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

In addition to Rule Supreme, there are four Irish-trained entries headed by Emotional Moment, winner of the Grade Two Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28 when he had Yogi a distance back in second. A big disappointment in that contest was the pulled-up Rosaker, trained by Noel Meade, who had previously shown very good form when placed behind Solerina and Rhinestone Cowboy. The remaining Irish-trained entry is Brigadier Brown, who has a lot to do on official ratings.

Jonjo O'Neill was successful with Iris's Gift in 2004 and has four entries to choose from this year. The pick of O'Neill's quartet would appear to be Sh Boom, a winner over the course and distance last season and successful in the 2004 Premier Stayers' Hurdle at Haydock. He could be joined by Specular, formerly a leading hurdler in Australia but largely disappointing during his British career so far, Exotic Dancer and Knife Edge.

Martin Pipe, successful with Balasani in 1994 and Cyborgo two years later, is the trainer with the highest number of entries, eight in total. The Nicholashayne handler's octet includes Copeland, last season's Scottish Champion Hurdle victor, the 2002 Coral Cup winner Ilnamar, It Takes Time, fourth behind Baracouda in the Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor last month, Korelo, who defied top weight when taking a handicap at Cheltenham on January 1, Lough Derg, triumphant in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 11, Therealbandit, better known for his exploits over fences, Westender, runner-up in the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle and a winner at Cheltenham last time, as well as Quick, who won a qualifier for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham on December 10 when he built up a huge lead but was well beaten behind Korelo last time.

Cumbrian-based Nicky Richards has three entries to choose from, with the exciting Monet's Garden taking centre stage. The seven-year-old grey won five of his first six starts but was a major disappointment on his only visit to Cheltenham when fifth to Lough Derg in the Relkeel Hurdle on December 11. The other two entries from the Richards stable are Telemoss, fourth behind Baracouda in the 2002 renewal of this race, and the tough veteran The French Furze, successful in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last season.

Philip Hobbs has two entries in Monkerhostin and Gold Medallist. Monkerhostin has successfully mixed chasing and hurdling over the past couple of seasons, recording his biggest success over the smaller obstacles in the 2004 Coral Cup at The Festival and earlier this season taking the bonusprint.com Gold Cup over fences at Cheltenham.

Gold Medallist was previously a useful Flat performer for David Elsworth, landing the Group Two Prix Kergorlay at Deauville last season, when he defeated Brian Boru. There was a lot to like about his hurdling debut when he beat Secret Ploy at Exeter on December 16.

Another trainer doubly represented is Howard Johnson, who has Inglis Drever and Royal Rosa engaged. Inglis Drever, also entered in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, was runner-up to Fundamentalist in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle and has occupied the same position in both his starts this year, behind Harchibald in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and behind Back In Front in the totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 11.

Royal Rosa, sold for a then record 340,000 guineas at Doncaster sales in May, 2003, has yet to start this campaign but was a very decent novice last season, winning three times including in a Grade Two contest at Haydock when he defeated Fundamentalist.

There are some promising novices among the entries including Gallery God, a Listed winner on the Flat and successful three time over hurdles this season, and the James Fanshawe-trained Pole Star, third in the 2003 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and impressive in winning two of his three starts over hurdles.

Two entries who also had useful Flat form are Corrib Eclipse, winner of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2004, and the Listed-placed Romany Prince, who was bought for 60,000 guineas out of David Elsworth's stable at Tattersalls in October by John Webb, an owner with Lincolnshire handler Steve Gollings.

The remaining entries include Lord Sam, one of last season's leading novice chasers who could revert to hurdling after jumping problems this season, the 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle runner-up Marble Arch, Peter Bowen's tough performer Mr Ed, runner-up in the Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket last October, Nicky Henderson's useful dual-purpose performer Dancing Bay, placed twice in Group company on the Flat last season, and It's Wallace.

APPOINTMENT AT GOFFS BLOODSTOCK SALES LTD

This appointment follows the earlier reorganisation of the Goffs Bloodstock Sales Ltd Board, with high profile appointments from the bloodstock industry and the strengthening of the executive resources of the company with the addition of new personnel. This Board assumes total responsibility for Goffs Bloodstock Sales business.

Eimear Mulhern is an established and successful breeder and sales consignor who has also given considerable service to the bloodstock industry, both at home and abroad. She was appointed to the Chair of The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1998 and her leadership and tenacious pursuit of the requirements of that office ensure she is well equipped for this new challenge. Subsequent to her role in the ITBA Ms. Mulhern was Chairman of The European Breeders Association for a three year period, she is a past Chairman of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and served as the Breeder's representative on Irish Horseracing Authority,prior to the establishment of Horse Racing Ireland. She is the current President of the I.T.B.A.

The Board acknowledges and thanks Michael Osborne for the valuable contribution he has made as Chairman and wishes him well in the many selfless roles he holds within the wider industry.

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

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