Monday, January 24, 2005

BREWSTER SET TO RUN ON PILLAR PROPERTY DAY

The £60,000 Grade Two Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle (2.35pm) has been increased in distance to three miles for 2005, having previously been run over two and a half miles. Included among the 18 entries are the 2004 winner Crystal D'Ainay, runner-up to the mighty Baracouda on his last two starts and currently lying sixth in the Order of Merit, the exciting young performers Monet's Garden and Royal Rosa, the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle runner-up Westender, the smart chaser Le Roi Miguel and the progressive Patriarch Express from the Sue Smith yard, an early faller at Haydock last Saturday. The French handler Arnaud Chaille-Chaille could send over Label Du Cochet, twice a winner at Pau in 2003.

A horse that has made tremendous strides this season is the Ian Williams-trained Brewster, who holds entries in both the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle and the opening £30,000 Grade Two Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle (12.55pm). The eight-year-old has already scored twice at Prestbury Park this season, taking in the JETS Richard Davis Awards Novices' Hurdle on November 14, when he proved two and a half lengths too strong for Monte Vista and in the Grade Two Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle on December 11, when he was most impressive in defeating Jackson by 12 lengths. Last time out he successfully took the step up to Grade One conpany when capturing the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on December 29, proving a length and three quarters superior to Ladalko.

The Portway handler revealed today: "Ground permitting, at this stage Brewster's most likely engagement is the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"He's done well since winning the Challow and is in good form. The entry in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle was a speculative one and he is much more likely to take his chance in novice company.

"If all goes to plan, this would probably be the last stop before The Festival, where his likely target is the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.

"David Dennis will ride as usual."

Arnaud Chaille-Chaille could also be represented in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle, which has received 25 entries. Chaille-Chaille's representative is Ambobo, a winner of four of his five starts including a Listed contest on his latest start at Enghien in November. Other prominent entries include Gold Medallist, currently ante-post favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at The Festival, the James Fanshawe-trained Reveillez, an impressive winner of his two hurdle starts to date as well as Howard Johnson's duo of Mephisto, the 2004 Ebor winner and Bewleys Berry. Scottish handler Len Lungo could send down the highly-regarded Villon, conqueror of Bewleys Berry at Ayr last time and considered a long-term prospect for the 2006 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

For the next two years, the £110,000 Grade Two Victor Chandler Chase will be run at Cheltenham while Ascot undergoes redevelopment and there are 14 horses going forward at the five-day stage for the extended two mile handicap, headed by last season's Irish Independent Arkle Trophy winner Well Chief. Also included in the confirmations are Cenkos, twice third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Armaturk, who defeated Well Chief in the Beards Jewellers Cup at Cheltenham in November, the consistent Seebald, Kadarann, the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Flagship Uberalles, Turgeonev, the 2002 winner of this race, Thisthatandtother, second in both the Paddy Power and bonusprint.com Gold Cups at Cheltenham this season, Golden Alpha, the current market leader Great Travel, Non So, Irish challenger Ground Ball, Bleu Superbe and the exciting Oneway, unbeaten in his last four starts.

Sponsors Victor Chandler will also be generously providing a FREE meal for every member of stable staff with a runner at Cheltenham on Saturday.

There could well be plenty of clues for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in the concluding race of the day, the £30,000 Grade Two Wragge & Co Juvenile Novices' Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. Francois Doumen could send over Danaw, victorious in all his hurdle races in France while Chaille-Chaille could run Bonbon Rose, unbeaten in four starts over hurdles in France. Heading the home challenge is Patrick Haslam's Yankeedoodledandy, a winner at Cheltenham in December, the Paul Nicholls' pair Cerium and Danaw as well as Martin Pipe's filly Miss Academy, an impressive scorer on her British debut at Newcastle.

Completing the card are two competitive handicaps, the £55,000 Grade Three Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (3.45pm) which has 24 entries and the £20,000-added Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (1.30pm), where there are 16 possibles. Included amongst the two dozen in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase are last season's Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup winner Tikram, Le Duc, a winner over the course and distance on January 1 in the Unicoin Homes Chase, the 2002 Grand Annual Challenge Cup Chase hero Palarshan and Paul Webber's Buckby Lane, an impressive winner of the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Future Champions Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on December 13.

The Grade Two Pillar Property Chase itself has had to be re-opened as it has not received 10 entries. Connections have until 9.15am tomorrow morning to add horses to the £80,000 contest.

Latest Sponsors' Betting on the Victor Chandler Chase

2 Well Chief
5/2 Thisthatandtother
6 Non So
7 Armaturk
10 Oneway
14 Kadarann
14 Seebald
16 Ground Ball
25 Cenkos
25 Flagship Uberalles
33 Golden Alpha
33 Turgeonev
40 Blue Superbe

7/2 Great Travel (with a run)

Each Way ¼ odds 1-2-3 All Quoted


Latest Sponsors' Betting on the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase

Le Duc 6
Redemption 6
Europa 7
Kandjar D“Allier 8
Whereareyounow 8
Iznogoud 10
Tikram 10
Farmer Jack 12
Horus 12
Buckby Lane 14
Jakari 14
Liberthine 14
Palarshan 14
Brooklyn Breeze 16
Catalpa Cargo 16
Run For Paddy 16
Mondial Jack 20
Latitude 25
Rathbawn Prince 25
Solarius 25
Label Du Cochet 33
Wild Tempo 50
Mister Putt 200

Doubtful Runners
Thisthatandtother

TIKRAM AIMED AT DONCASTER'S SKY BET CHASE

He said: "Tikram will probably run in the Sky Bet Chase if the ground stays good - he is more likely to go there than he is to go to Cheltenham."

The eight-year-old had his favoured good ground when gaining the most important victory of his career in last year's Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, leading with just over half a furlong to go to beat Iznogoud by two and a half lengths.

Tikram has yet to get his head in front this season although he ran creditably on his last start when dropping back in trip to two miles at Sandown earlier this month, staying on under champion jockey Tony McCoy to finish just over three and a half lengths adrift of Oneway.

"Tikram has come out of Sandown very, very well - I was very pleased and over the moon with that run," enthused the handler.

"Tony also said he was pleased with him and that he ran a nice race and if he is available on Saturday, he will definitely ride but you wouldn't know if he will be able to or not at the moment."

It currently looks as if Tikram will be able to run on the surface that he likes best. Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin commented: "The going is still good to firm, good in places.

"The forecast is for wintry showers for the next couple of days - we may get some rain or sleet during this time. After that it will probably be relatively dry, so hopefully we will get enough water in the next couple of days to give us some good ground."

The two main supporting races at Town Moor on Saturday are the £30,000-added skybetvegas.com Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm), over an extended two miles, and the £30,000 Brit Insurance River Don Novices' Hurdle (3.55pm), over an extended three miles, which have attracted 17 and 22 possibles respectively.

Henry Daly's Knock Down could make her second British start in the former event. She was runner-up to Blue Canyon, winner of a Grade Two hurdle at Haydock last Saturday, in a Listed hurdle at Enghien in France on her penultimate outing. She may face Debbie, trained by Barry Leavy, an easy winner at Catterick on her last run and Martin Pipe's Bongo Fury, successful last time in a similar event at Sandown on January 8.

The Brit Insurance River Don Novices' Hurdle could feature Martin Pipe's Celtic Son, who has won his last three starts for the champion trainer's main owner David Johnson, Romany Prince, trained by Steve Gollings, a Group performer on the Flat who has yet to jump timber in public, and Brewster, trained by Ian Williams, a Grade One scorer on his most recent outing in the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury last month,

Sky Bet sponsors six of Doncaster's seven events on Saturday and the programme is completed by the opening £10,000-added 08000 722 421 Freephone Betting From Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle (1.10pm), which has received 40 entries, the £17,000-added skybet.com HBLB Novices' Chase (1.45pm) with 17 possibles, the £20,000-added Skybet Press Red To Bet Mansion House Handicap Chase (2.20pm), which has attracted 12 chasers, and the concluding £3,000-added "Sky Vegas Live" On Sky Channel 295 Maiden Open NHF Race (4.25pm), which will provide a first success under Rules for one of the 53 entries.

Sky Bet's full betting on the Sky Bet Chase.

Your a Gassman 5/1, Le Duc 8/1, Baron Windrush 8/1, Europa 10/1, Itsonlyme 10/1, Tikram 12/1, Run For Paddy12/1, Fields Of Home 12/1, Rosie Redmann 14/1, Ad Hoc 16/1, Horus 16/1, Supreme Prince 16/1, Buckby Lane 16/1, Colourful Life 16/1, Spring Margot 16/1, The Kew Tour 16/1, Carryonharry 20/1, Little Big Horse 20/1, Arctic Jack 25/1, Skippers Cleuch 25/1, Tacolino 25/1, Tipsy Mouse 25/1, Benrajah 25/1, Red Striker 33/1.

NOVICE CHASES ATTRACT STAR-STUDDED ENTRIES

The Irish Independent Arkle Chase, run on Tuesday, March 15, has 48 entries with trainers Paul Nicholls and Martin Pipe, who have taken five of the last seven runnings, respectively having four and six engaged.

Nicholls's team is headed by the ante-post favourite Kauto Star, who earned rave reviews when winning by nine lengths on his British debut at Newbury on December 29, while Pipe's best chance at present looks to be Contraband who, like last year's winner Well Chief, is owned by David Johnson.

Recent Kempton winner Pak Jack, the Noel Chance-trained River City and Kevin Bishop's stable star Ashley Brook are also among the domestic entries while French-based Thierry Doumen has entered last season's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle hero Foreman and Christian von der Recke, Germany's champion trainer, is represented by Fiepes Shuffle.

There is a formidable 17-strong Irish entry, including yesterday's (Sunday) Baileys Arkle Chase winner at Leopardstown Ulaan Baatar.

Watson Lake, like Sir Oj trained by Noel Meade, the Paul Nolan-trained Cloone River, last season's Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle second War Of Attrition, the Pat Fahy-trained Mariah Rollins, and the 2002 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle heroine Like-A-Butterfly add further strength to Ireland's entry.

There are again 17 Irish-trained entries in the longer Royal & SunAlliance Chase, run on Wednesday, March 16, with a total of 61 engaged in the Grade 1 event.

Ireland's team are not quite so dominant in this contest with Mark The Man, trained by Noel Meade, and Forget The Past, from Michael O'Brien's yard, among the strongest contenders from the Emerald Isle although Like-A-Butterfly and War Of Attrition have both also been given this longer option.

Ollie Magern and totesport Classic Chase winner Baron Windrush give locally-based Nigel Twiston-Davies a strong hand while Trabolgan, who was due to have run at Haydock on Saturday, represents Nicky Henderson and Martin Pipe's five entries include David Johnson's duo Comply Or Die and Control Man while Best Mate's brother Cornish Rebel and the Ferdy Murphy-trained You're a Gassman, a totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup entry, add further interest. The Francois Doumen-trained L'Ami, a recent winner at Warwick, is the sole entry from France.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's Managing Director, commented: "It is encouraging to see such strong entries for The Irish Independent Arkle Chase and Royal & SunAlliance Chase which, as well as being championship races in their own right, feature contestants for top honours in years to come. Nothing demonstrates that more than the fact that the last three Irish Independent Arkle Chase winners, Well Chief, Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer, head the betting for this year's Queen Mother Champion Chase."

Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, added: "We are delighted that the two races have attracted a combined entry that is three higher than in 2004 despite the fact that we have another option in the new Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase over 2m 5f at this year's Festival."

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class A, Grade One, Total Prize Fund £140,000, 2.35pm, Cheltenham, Tuesday, March 15, 2005, two miles. For novice 5-y-o & upwards. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 2lb; 6-y-o & upwards 11st 7lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 24 (48 entries), forfeit stage February 22, five-day confirmation stage March 10, final declaration stage 10.00am March 14. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 21, 2005. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1-44131 ALMAYDAN 7 George Brookes & Family Richard Lee
2135-11 ASHLEY BROOK (IRE) 7 Mrs E K Ellis Kevin Bishop
022600 CASTLESHANE (IRE) 8 W Hobson, J King, G King, P Winfrow Steve Gollings
16/2-111 CLOONE RIVER (IRE) 9 Kathleen Gillane Paul Nolan IRE
211113 COLLIERS COURT 8 The Castle Bend Syndicate Lisa Williamson
021-221 CONTRABAND 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
5-3U214 DANGEROUSDANMAGRU (IRE)9 Noel Glynn Alan Jones
1/3/4250- DAVENPORT MILENIUM (IRE) 9 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE
4F11F0 ESCOMPTEUR (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
1220S-4 EURO LEADER (IRE) 7 John Cox Willie Mullins IRE
1115 FIEPES SHUFFLE (GER) 5 Stall Jenny Christian Von Der Recke GER
F4140-2 FOREMAN (GER) 7 J P McManus Thierry Doumen FR
442103 GUILT 5 T C D D Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
2221/-22 INDIEN ROYAL (FR) 6 Kathy Stuart Paul Nicholls
0P-2231 KADOUNT (FR) 7 Elite Racing Club Alan King
5FF222 KAHUNA (IRE) 8 Roisin Sheehy Eamon Sheehy IRE
2353-11 KAUTO STAR (FR) 5 Clive D Smith Paul Nicholls
21F102 KINGSTON TOWN (USA) 5 Jean-Louis Guillambert Martin Pipe
223211 LACDOUDAL (FR) 6 Carol Skan Philip Hobbs
201-11F LE SEYCHELLOIS (FR) 5 Clive D Smith Paul Nicholls
3/103/-1P LIKE-A-BUTTERFLY (IRE) 11 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
0F-331F LIMERICK BOY (GER) 7 Favourites Racing Venetia Williams
1220-10 LOCKSMITH 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
12-2134 MADE IN JAPAN (JPN) 5 Terry Evans Philip Hobbs
503011 MALETTON (FR) 5 Malcolm Edwards Venetia Williams
03-11 MAMBO DES MOTTES (FR) 5 John Nicholls (Trading) Ltd Venetia Williams
13U-121 MARIAH ROLLINS (IRE) 7 Gone West Racing Syndicate Pat Fahy IRE
521450 MENEUR DE JEU (FR) 5 The Three Bobs Martin Pipe
2-3P6FF MONDUL (GER) 5 Partners In Crime Milton Harris
1U1321 MY WILL (FR) 5 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
2313/3/-3 NED KELLY (IRE) 9 Sue Magnier Edward O'Grady IRE
21-5151 NEWMILL (IRE) 7 Mary Hayes Tom O'Leary IRE
2F22-P1 PAK JACK (FR) 5 Sir Robert Ogden Philip Hobbs
011111 RIVER CITY (IRE) 8 Sally Rowley-Williams & Partners Noel Chance
0/33003- SAINTSAIRE (FR) 6 Anthony Speelman Nicky Henderson
445304 SARDAGNA (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
343-511 SCARTHY LAD (IRE) 7 Ballinascarthy Syndicate Tom O'Leary IRE
0-1111U SIR OJ (IRE) 8 Brian Keenan Noel Meade IRE
66F152 STEEL BAND 7 Irish World's Partners Syndicate Paul Roche IRE
2F23F1 STRIKE BACK (IRE) 7 Commonstown Racing Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE
022212 SUPREME DEVELOPER (IRE) 8 Mrs A N Durkan Ferdy Murphy
610-412 THE LAST CAST 6 D P Barrie Hughie Morrison
1-112F1 TOWN CRIER (IRE) 10 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
1216-01 ULAAN BAATAR (IRE) 8 J O'Flaherty Jessica Harrington IRE
01102-1 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
116-011 WATSON LAKE (IRE) 7 John Corr Noel Meade IRE
45401-5 ZIBELINE (IRE) 8 Ashley Carr Brian Ellison
210-024 ZUM SEE (IRE) 6 Alex Syndicate Noel Meade IRE
48 entries
17 Irish-trained entries
1 French-trained entry
1 German-trained entry
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASEAnalysis

Champion trainer Martin Pipe gained his third success in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase last year courtesy of Well Chief, who was following in the steps of Or Royal, who landed the two-mile event in 1997, and Champleve, successful the following year.

This time the master of Nicholashayne has six entries including Contraband, who won his first start over fences last time when successful in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December when getting the better of The Last Cast by five lengths, having finished eight lengths runner-up to Fundamentalist in the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham's Open Meeting.

Pipe's entry is completed by Locksmith, a winning favourite at Plumpton in December, Escompteur, Kingston Town, Meneur De Jeu and Sardagna.

Fellow Somerset handler Paul Nicholls is one behind Pipe in the roll of honour having struck with Flagship Uberalles in 1999 and Azertyuiop two years ago.
Nicholls could have four runners this season headed by Kauto Star, who made a pleasing winning debut in this country in a Newbury novices' chase at the end of December when scoring by nine lengths from Foreman. His trainer was suitably impressed and enthused: "Ruby [Walsh, jockey] got off and said he was a machine. End of story." Not surprisingly, Kauto Star is the ante-post favourite.

Le Seychellois, who took a tumble last time after winning a four-year-old novices' chase at Warwick on his British debut in November, Indien Royal and the Judy Stewart-owned My Will, a winner again at Uttoxeter on January 22, complete Nicholls's squad.

The Paul Nolan-trained Cloone River could be the best of the 17 Irish possibles.

Last year's Galway Hurdle winner has taken well to the larger obstacles, easily winning both of his starts at Tralee and Galway while Ulaan Baatar comes into the reckoning on his Baileys Arkle Chase win at Leopardstown on Sunday, January 23.

War Of Attrition, trained by Mouse Morris, the Pat Fahy-trained Mariah Rollins and Noel Meade's Sir Oj are among many other entries with decent chances hailing from the Emerald Isle.

The former made only one mistake when winning his first start in a beginners' chase at Thurles in November, having not run since finding only Brave Inca a quarter of a length too good in last year's Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival, while Mariah Rollins, who unseated David Casey in that last-named event, has won two of her three starts over fences including the top-class Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, keeping on well to hold off Steel Band by four lengths.

Edward O'Grady won this two-mile championship event in 1996 with Ventana Canyon and this year he will be hoping to follow up with Ned Kelly, who was a further 10 lengths adrift at Leopardstown in third on his chasing bow.

Sir Oj unseated his amateur rider in that contest having previously won all three starts over fences including the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown in November, when accounting for Mariah Rollins by two lengths.

Meade could also be represented by Watson Lake and Zum See. The former was stepped up in class after making a winning bow over fences and did not let connections down winning the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in November, while Zum See is still searching for his first chasing victory having been well beaten by the Dessie Hughes-trained Guilt in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse last month.

Davenport Milenium, Euro Leader, Kahuna, 2002 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Like-A-Butterfly, Newmill, Scarthy Lad and Strike Back complete the Irish contingent.

Christian Von Der Recke supplies the German-trained entry in the form of Fiepes Shuffle, a Group Three scorer on the Flat for Mario Hofer.

Foreman is the French possible among the 48 entries. Last year's Irish Champion Hurdle hero had the misfortune to come up against Kauto Star on his chasing debut but trainer Thierry Doumen was far from downbeat afterwards about the second place, declaring: "The winner was a good horse in France so I was very happy with that and he jumped like a star."
Noel Chance has never won this race and will be hoping to alter that statistic with River City, who is unbeaten over fences in five starts including a novices' chase at Aintree in October, when he led approaching the last under a fine Tom Doyle ride to beat Contraband by two lengths.

Other significant entries include Kevin Bishop's Ashley Brook, most recently a close second to My Will after making all to beat Indien Royal by a distance in a novices' chase at Newton Abbott over two miles and six furlongs in November, and last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Made In Japan, who won a novices' chase at Kempton two months ago.

Most recently Made In Japan was well beaten behind stablemate Pak Jack in a novice chase at Kempton on January 15, when Supreme Developer finished second, two-and-a-half lengths behind the winner.

Saintsaire is trained by Nicky Henderson, who has won this event on three occasions with Remittance Man in 1991, Travado two years later and Tiutchev in 2000. Saintsaire has not been seen in action since finishing third in April's Scottish Champion Hurdle behind Copeland and has yet to jump a fence in public but it could be significant that he is the Lambourn handler's sole entry.

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE
Class A, Grade One, £140,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.35pm Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 16, 2005. For 5-y-o+, three miles and half a furlong. Weights: 5-y-o 10st 8lb; 6-y-o+ 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 5lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 24 (61 entries), forfeit stage February 22, five-day confirmation stage March 11, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 1. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 21.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
32-14 A GLASS IN THYNE (IRE) 7 J B Dale Ben Pollock
303-1F2 ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE) 7 The Irish Connection Paul Nicholls
262-22F ANOTHER RUM (IRE) 7 Ronald Lilley Ian Duncan IRE
P/P-211F BACKBEAT (IRE) 8 Bill & Shirley Robins David Elsworth
UU1621 BARON WINDRUSH 7 The Double Octagon Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
U11211 BRAVE SPIRIT (FR) 7 The Con Club Colin Tizzard
1U1114 CANE BRAKE (IRE) 6 Mount Temple Racing Sydicate David Wachman IRE
6210-2 COAST TO COAST (IRE) 6 Seamus Carroll Edward O'Grady IRE
4-1211F COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
P-11U12 CONTROL MAN (IRE) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
110-111 CORNISH REBEL (IRE) 8 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
00FP/-1 DARETOBEDIFFERENT (IRE) 7 Willsford Racing Incorporated Henrietta Knight
1/3/4250- DAVENPORT MILENIUM (IRE) 9 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE
2F3P/- DENADA 9 Camilla & Rosie Nock Susan Nock
124-F12 ERIC'S CHARM (FR) 7 Martin St Quinton & Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood
4F11F0 ESCOMPTEUR (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
1220S-4 EURO LEADER (IRE) 7 John Cox Willie Mullins IRE
2612//-1P EUROTREK (IRE) 9 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
52-1121 FORGET THE PAST 7 Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien IRE
3/11F3-1 GRAPHIC APPROACH (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Charles Egerton
22-4UP4 GREY REPORT (IRE) 8 Anne La Trobe Philip Hobbs
3/1232-F HOLLAND PARK (IRE) 8 B M Yin Sarah Williams
1///123-1 JAZZ D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 8 Ashleybank Investments Limited Nicky Richards
10-5122 JOES EDGE (IRE) 8 Chemipetro Limited Ferdy Murphy
0P-2231 KADOUNT (FR) 7 Elite Racing Club Alan King
2353-11 KAUTO STAR (FR) 5 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
541513 KEEPATEM (IRE) 9 J P McManus Mouse Morris IRE
41/-FF21 KING HARALD (IRE) 7 Piers Pottinger and P B-J Partnership Mark Bradstock
0121F1 L'AMI (FR) 6 Jim McCarthy Francois Doumen FR
0-62112 LIGHT DES MULOTTES (FR) 6 R K Carvill Charles Egerton
3/103/-1P LIKE-A-BUTTERFLY (IRE) 11 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
0F-331F LIMERICK BOY (GER) 7 Favourites Racing Venetia Williams
P/F-3145 LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (IRE) 9 Favourites Racing Willie Mullins IRE
122111 LORD OF ILLUSION (IRE) 8 P J Kennedy Tom George
11/13-1P MARK THE MAN (IRE) 8 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
3/62114- MEGGIES GAMBLE (IRE) 8 T England Venetia Williams
521450 MENEUR DE JEU (FR) 5 The Three Bobs Martin Pipe
003333 MUTINEER (IRE) 6 Seven To Eleven Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
1U1321 MY WILL (FR) 5 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
033-1U4 NAS NA RIOGH (IRE) 6 Brian Twojohns Partnership Nicky Henderson
21-5151 NEWMILL (IRE) 7 Mary Hayes Tom O'Leary IRE
111421 OLLIE MAGERN 7 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
132/PP2/- OVER THE BAR (IRE) 9 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE
230/1-13 PERSIAN WATERS (IRE) 9 Paul Green James Fanshawe
52-5421 POINT BARROW (IRE) 7 Mrs P Clune Hughes Pat Hughes IRE
0-03113 QUAZAR (IRE) 7 David Carr Jonjo O'Neill
5//105-51 ROSS RIVER 9 Seamus Ross Philip Hobbs
343-511 SCARTHY LAD (IRE) 7 Ballinascarthy Syndicate Tom O'Leary IRE
P3U22/5- SHAREEF (FR) 8 Tony & Jeni Fisher Alan King
14306-3 SIXO (IRE) 8 Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst Martin Pipe
0/3221B/- SLOOGHY (FR) 9 Peter Deal Nicky Henderson
0-12121 SONEVAFUSHI (FR) 7 Brian Dice Venetia Williams
113331 ST MATTHEW (USA) 7 Keith Nicholson Sue Smith
634312 STRONG PROJECT (IRE) 9 John Buckley Charlie Swan IRE
31/111/- SUPREME TOSS (IRE) 9 The Coin Tossers Richard Phillips
3-42211 TORCHE (IRE) 7 Sylvia Tainton Michael Scudamore
F11P-12 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
631/-132 TRIBAL VENTURE (FR) 7 Hill, Trembath, Bryan and Outhart Ferdy Murphy
P21113 VANDAS CHOICE (IRE) 7 J Petterson Lucinda Russell
01102-1 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
11211U YOUR A GASSMAN (IRE) 7 Walter Gott Ferdy Murphy
61 entries,
17 Irish-trained,
1 French-trained

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE
Analysis
There are 61 entries for the 2005 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, the championship event for three-mile novice chasers staged at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 16. There is significant Irish representation with 17 horses, while one entry hails from France.

Martin Pipe has five entries, headed by Comply Or Die, who landed a Grade Two event at Wincanton before going on to success at Cheltenham on November 12 when he proved 20 lengths too strong for Northern Deal. He fell on his latest start in a Grade Two race at Newbury later that month when still very much in contention.
Pipe could also run Control Man, victorious in the bonusprint.com Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in December, Escompteur, who has yet to score over fences but looks a very promising performer over hurdles, Meneur De Jeu, second on his British debut at Newcastle earlier this month, and Sixo, a fairly useful handicap hurdler who has yet to start over fences.

Pipe's main rival for the trainers' championship, Paul Nicholls, is also well represented with five entries. These are headed by Best Mate's full-brother Cornish Rebel, winner of all his three starts to date over fences, Alexanderthegreat, third in last season Pertemps Final at The Festival and Eurotrek.
Kauto Star, who created a very favourable impression when defeating Foreman on his chasing debut at Newbury last month, and My Will, winner of an eventful Unicoin Homes "Dipper" Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, both also have entries in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase
The Irish representation is particularly strong, with Willie Mullins, seeking his third Royal & SunAlliance Chase success, leading the way with three entries. These are the smart hurdler Davenport Milenium, yet to make his chasing debut, Euro Leader and Livingstone Bramble.
Other leading Irish-trained contenders include David Wachman's Cane Brake, a Grade Two winner at Limerick on Boxing Day, recent Leopardstown Grade One scorer Forget The Past, Keepatem, who saw off seasoned rivals when landing the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, the 2002 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle heroine Like-A-Butterfly, a winner on her chasing debut but very disappointing at Leopardstown last time when she was reportedly suffering from a blood disorder, and Noel Meade's Mark The Man, an impressive winner on his chasing debut at Naas but a flop behind Forget The Past at Leopardstown after which he scoped badly.
The Irish team is further bolstered by Newmill, a recent Grade Two Leopardstown scorer when he had Strong Project in second, Point Barrow, a good winner at Fairyhouse last time, Scarthy Lad from the small yard of Tom O'Leary and triumphant on his last two outings, and the Mouse Morris-trained War Of Attrition, second to Brave Inca in the 2004 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle and a winner on his chasing debut at Thurles in November.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful with Young Hustler in 1993, holds a very strong hand this year with Ollie Magern and Baron Windrush. Ollie Magern is currently heading the ante-post market and won his first three races over fences before running with considerable credit to finish fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and second in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Last time out Ollie Magern returned to novice company at Kempton on Boxing Day in the Feltham Novices' Chase, when he battled on gamely to defeat Trabolgan by a short-head with Quazar in third. In the same race both Backbeat and L'Ami came to grief while Control Man and You're a Gassman unseated their riders.
Baron Windrush built on his earlier promise when defeating more experienced rivals to land the valuable totesport Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick on January 15.

Prior to falling at Kempton, the French challenger L'Ami, trained by Francois Doumen, won a Grade Two contest at Lingfield and subsequently proved seven lengths too strong for Control Man at Warwick.
Ferdy Murphy has made no secret on the high regard in which he holds You're a Gassman, who before his Kempton mishap had registered impressive wins at Newcastle and Kelso. Backbeat recorded two smooth victories at Exeter before his Kempton departure and is liked by David Elsworth, who sent out Lesley Ann to victory 24 years ago.
Charles Egerton's string has been in good form of late and he could be represented by Graphic Approach, who did absolutely nothing wrong when making a winning chasing debut at Hereford, and Light Des Mulottes.

Other interesting contenders include Nicky Richards' Jazz D'Estruval, an impressive scorer at Ayr in December, Tom George's rapidly-improving handicapper Lord Of Illusion, Venetia Williams' pair of useful former hurdlers Sonevafushi and Limerick Boy and the Richard Phillips-trained Supreme Toss, a very promising novice hurdler when last seen out two years ago.

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

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