Racenews Newslink Archive - Monday, January 23, 2006

Monday, January 23, 2006

KING HARALD "SPARKLING" AHEAD OF SKY BET CHASE

King Harald is poised for a return to action at Southwell on Saturday, January 28 in the Ł60,000 Sky Bet Chase, the highlight of a quality six-race card sponsored exclusively by the Harrogate-based betting organisation.

The Listed handicap, run over three miles and half a furlong, has attracted a 45-strong entry. The contest has a safety limit of 16, and will be staged at the Nottinghamshire venue this season while its traditional Doncaster home undergoes redevelopment.

The Mark Bradstock-trained King Harald, rated a 7/1 chance by Sky Bet, looked a star in the making when landing the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival, but, after a fourth to Innox back at the Gloucestershire venue in November, he subsequently unseated Mattie Batchelor in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 and has been off the track since.

Bradstock revealed today: "King Harald definitely goes for the Sky Bet Chase and is in great form. He had ring-worm and bits and pieces of things like that after Newbury. He took a bit of time to come back but he certainly is in sparkling form at the moment. We just hope this cold weather doesn't materialise.

"I've spoken to the course already and they're saying soft, good to soft in places, and that will be fine. They haven't raced on the actual course since last year so there's plenty of grass. We just hope the weather stays the same."

Bradstock is eyeing several options at Cheltenham in March for his charge and is hopeful of a good run at the weekend.

He continued: "If everything goes well, then after Southwell it will be on to The Festival. He'll be entered in everything he's eligible for. He's in the Gold Cup but he'll also be in the William Hill Trophy Chase and things like that."

King Harald could be up against the Paul Nicholls-trained Colourful Life who is looking to repeat his victory in last year's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster, when he came home seven lengths clear of Tikram.

The 10-year-old has also been off the track since the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in November, when he was pulled up behind Trabolgan.

The Ditcheat handler commented today: "Colourful Life definitely goes there and I think Joe Tizzard will probably ride him. We've trained him for this race. He's fine and we've kept him fresh since Newbury because he always goes well fresh. I've had this race in mind for him since the Hennessy."

Nicholls also has Ladalko entered for the contest but the seven-year-old may side-step the engagement.

He revealed: "Ladalko will probably wait and go to Sandown the following weekend but this race just gives me an option if I want it."

The Sky Bet Chase entry also includes Horus, Iris Bleu, Celtic Son, Korelo and Polar Red from the Martin Pipe yard, as well as the in-form Sonevafushi, Lord Of Illusion, Iris Royal, Steppes Of Gold, Royal Emperor and Keltic Bard.

Sky Bet Chase Day at Southwell offers total prize-money of Ł143,000, with the feature contest scheduled to be shown live on Channel Four, along with the two and a half mile 0800 722 421 Freephone Betting From Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle.

GROUND

Jon Pullin, Clerk of the Course at Southwell, reported today: "The going is soft, good to soft in places.

"The course hasn't been raced on since August so the surface is in good condition, it's nice fresh ground.

"We are forecast frost that we will keep an eye on as the week progresses, but it's going to be dry up to Saturday."

For further information, please contact:
Kate Hills
Head of Public Relations, Arena Leisure, Tel: 07813 947201

Latest Sky Bet Prices:

Ladalko 5/1
King Harold 7/1
Sonevafushi 7/1
Too Forward 9/1
Celtic Son 10/1
Colourful Life 10/1
Korelo 10/1
Lord Of Illusion 10/1
Jakari 11/1
Aristoxene 12/1
Run For Paddy 12/1
Dunbrody Millar 14/1
Glacial Delight 14/1
Ballycassidy 16/1
Europa 16/1
Iris Bleu 16/1
Iris Royal 16/1
Royal Emperor 16/1
Steppes Of Gold 16/1
Campaign Trail 20/1
Distant Thunder 20/1
He's The Guvnor 20/1
Keltic Bard 20/1
Limerick Boy 20/1
Our Armageddon 20/1
Pak Jak 20/1
Scots Grey 20/1
Tyneandthyneagain 20/1
Undeniable 20/1
Classic Capers 25/1
Horus 25/1
Merchants Friend 25/1
Northern Deal 25/1
A Glass In Thyne 33/1
Be My Royal 33/1
Mixsterthetrixster 33/1
Polar Red 33/1
Shardam 33/1
The Kew Tour 33/1
Ballybough Rasher 40/1
Catch The Perk 40/1
Dancer Life 40/1
Shannon Grey 40/1
Virgin Soldier 40/1
Major Benefit 50/1

Each Way terms: 1/4 of odds for 1st 4 places

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL LEAD RACING'S RESTRUCTURED GOVERNING AUTHORITY

At its meeting on 16th January, the British Horseracing Board confirmed its commitment to achieve, by the middle of 2006, full industry agreement on the future governance structure of the sport and also by that time to have effected the actual separation of BHB's governance and commercial activities.

Greg Nichols, Chief Executive of BHB since 2002, has indicated to the Board that he will not be putting his name forward for the role of Chief Executive of Racing's restructured governing authority as he would prefer not to make a long-term commitment to the position. He therefore will stand down in mid-2006 to ensure an appropriate transition period.

The process for defining the job specification of and considering applications for the role of Chief Executive of the new governing authority will be on the agenda of the Governance Structure Group, set up following the recommendations of Lord Donoughue's Future Funding of Racing Review Group (FFRRG) report. The Governance Structure Group held its first meeting after the 16th January Board meeting.

BHB Chairman Martin Broughton said: "The FFRRG has recommended that a new Governing Authority should be formed which would assume responsibility for the existing governance functions of BHB as well as the regulatory role of the Jockey Club and key areas of the Levy Board's work.

"This organisation will naturally wish to appoint a Chief Executive who gives a long-term commitment to the position.

"Greg Nichols has shown total commitment to BHB and to the development of British Racing since 2002, which has been greatly appreciated by the Board and by the wider industry. The Board fully respects his decision not to put his name forward for the new role."

RECORD NOVICE CHASE ENTRIES

There are a record 91 entries in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, staged on Wednesday, March 15, while the 57-strong entry for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, run on Tuesday, March 14, is one horse just short of the previous best.

The Irish Independent Arkle Chase has an unprecedented 19 entries from Ireland including Nickname, an 11-length winner at Leopardstown on January 15, the Paul Nolan-trained Accordion Etoile, winner of the Grade 2 Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in November, Justified, who scored at Newbury earlier this month, and 2005 Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero Missed That.

Champion trainer Martin Pipe is seeking his third successive Irish Independent Arkle Trophy success following Well Chief in 2004 and Contraband last year and has five entered - Tamarinbleu, Whispered Secret, Don't Be Shy, Marcel and Medison. Pipe is seeking his fifth win overall in the two-mile contest, having also triumphed with Or Royal (1997) and Champleve (1998).

Paul Nicholls, who saddled Flagship Uberalles to victory in 1999 and followed up with Azertyuiop four years later, has seven engaged, namely the promising Hoo La Baloo, Albuhera, Cerium, 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle hero Hors La Loi III, Le Volfoni, Cornish Sett and Turthen.

Henrietta Knight's hugely exciting Racing Demon, last seen out when capturing the Henry VII Novices' Chase at Sandown on the third day of December and the Alan King-trained Voy Por Ustedes are other members of a strong home team. An intriguing entry, also in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase is Mid Dancer, a winner on all of his nine starts for French trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.

The 91 Royal & SunAlliance Chase entries include current ante-post favourite Darkness, successful in four of his five starts over fences including the Grade 1 Stan James Feltham Novices' Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day, and the only horse to have beaten him, Monet's Garden, is another entry.

Robert Alner looks to have another potential star in The Listener, a winner of his three starts over fences, most recently in the Grade 2 Unicoin Homes Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. The Nicky Henderson-trained Crozan landed the Jim Brown Memorial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in November while Basilea Star - one of eight Martin Pipe-trained entries - made an impressive successful debut for his new handler at Warwick on December 31.

The record 28 Irish-trained Royal & SunAlliance Chase entries include Ted Walsh's Southern Vic, a Grade 1 winner at Leopardstown over Christmas, Church Island, an impressive winner at Cheltenham's Open Meeting in November, the 2003 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor Back In Front, a victor on his chasing debut at Limerick last month and the Willie Mullins-trained Our Ben.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's Managing Director, commented: "It is fantastic for the long-term future of steeplechasing to see such strong entries, both in terms of numbers and quality, for The Festival's two championship novice events over fences. Both races are strong pointers to the future as demonstrated in last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase when the first three home - Moscow Flyer, Well Chief and Azertyuiop - were all past Irish Independent Arkle Chase winners."

For further information, please contact Edward Gillespie on 07860 744646 or Peter McNeile, Commercial Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07850 091523. The main Cheltenham Racecourse number is 01242 513014

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class 1, Grade One, Total Prize Fund Ł140,000, 2.35pm, Cheltenham, Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 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 18, entries revealed January 23 (57 entries), forfeit stage February 21, five-day confirmation stage March 9, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 13. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Thursday, January 19, 2006. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
46-1621 ACCORDION ETOILE (IRE) 7 Banjo Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
2-13132 ALBUHERA (IRE) 8 David & F A Jackson Paul Nicholls
532-344 ALERON (IRE) 8 Grahame Liles John Quinn
431441 ARTEEA (IRE) 7 M O'Flaherty Michael Hourigan IRE
12034-0 AUGHERSKEA (IRE) 7 John O'Meara Noel Meade IRE
210-241 BACK IN FRONT (IRE) 9 Nelius Hayes Edward O'Grady IRE
124-134 BILLYVODDAN (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Henry Daly
2P-2211 BOLD BISHOP (IRE) 9 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
140-113 CERIUM (FR) 5 Barry Fulton, Tony Hayward, S Fisher, Liam Brady Paul Nicholls
6P-125F CHILLING PLACE (IRE) 7 Mike Tuckey Philip Hobbs
112-1F1 COAT OF HONOUR (USA) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
41-2142 CORNISH SETT (IRE) 7 Peter Hart Paul Nicholls
53-31BF CROSSBOW CREEK 8 Mercy Rimell Mark Rimell
3P1114 DAVENPORT DEMOCRAT (IRE) 8 P M Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
1251F2 DOCTOR LINTON (IRE) 7 Pierce Gerard Molony Michael O'Brien IRE
21-1002 DON'T BE SHY (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
FF1212 FATHER MATT (IRE) 8 Mrs Phonsie O'Brien Noel Meade IRE
13133/-4 FLEET STREET 7 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
40/22-60 FOREMAN (GER) 8 J P McManus Thierry Doumen FR
000-421 GREEN TANGO 7 Mrs Strachan,Gabb,Lady Barlow & Harford Henry Daly
115-06P HANDY MONEY 9 William Dixon Alan King
111-121 HOO LA BALOO (FR) 5 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
43R0//-13 HORS LA LOI III (FR) 11 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
01212-3 IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 6 Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien IRE
312U-41 IRON MAN (FR) 5 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
01-11U1 JUSTIFIED (IRE) 7 Braybrook Syndicate Eamon Sheehy IRE
2-22113 KILL DEVIL HILL (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE
432111 LE VOLFONI (FR) 5 Million in Mind Partnership Paul Nicholls
2-1013F MANSONY (FR) 7 M Mulholland Arthur Moore IRE
1306-03 MARCEL (FR) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
1100-P3 MEDISON (FR) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
111111 MID DANCER (FR) 5 Sean Mulryan Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR
11-4311 MISSED THAT 7 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
15521-1 MONET'S GARDEN (IRE) 8 David Wesley Yates Nicky Richards
10-611F MONJOYAU (FR) 6 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE
0-1062P MR MCAULEY (IRE) 8 Eugena Porter Ian Ferguson IRE
063124 NEPTUNE D'ANZY (FR) 5 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
11/24-11 NICKNAME (FR) 7 Claudia Jungo-Corpataux Martin Brassil IRE
4-151r5 NYRCHE (FR) 6 Tony& Jeni Fisher Alan King
421213 ON THE NET (IRE) 8 A M O'Grady Edward O'Grady IRE
FP0/-UF2 PERLE DE PUCE (FR) 7 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
11213F PHAR OUT PHAVORITE (IRE) 7 Favourites Racing V Emma Lavelle
11244-F POLE STAR 8 Paul Green James Fanshawe
1312-11 RACING DEMON (IRE) 6 Mrs T P Radford Henrietta Knight
100-U21 ROMAN ARK 8 Richard Collins Malcolm Jefferson
F0-6442 SHARP RIGGING (IRE) 6 The Sharpshooters Alex Hales
13406-3 SHUHOOD (USA) 6 Mr & Mrs M J Dowd Paul Webber
10-2212 SUPREME SERENADE (IRE) 7 Karola Vann Philip Hobbs
11P5-1P SYMPHONIQUE (FR) 5 Robert Waley-Cohen Philip Hobbs
2024-251 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 6 The Arthur White Partnership Martin Pipe
22-521P THE RAILWAY MAN (IRE) 7 Cathal M Ryan Arthur Moore IRE
021343 TURTHEN (FR) 5 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
633-111 VOY POR USTEDES (FR) 5 Sir Robert Ogden Alan King
311214 WHISPERED SECRET (GER) 7 David Manasseh Daniel Evans Dan Levine Martin Pipe
2-11222 WILD PASSION (GER) 6 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
005-134 WITHOUT A DOUBT 7 Malcolm Denmark Mark Pitman
6F3121 ZUM SEE (IRE) 7 Alex Syndicate Noel Meade IRE
57 entries
19 Irish-trained
2 French-trained

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 (1964-66). In its first year, the race was worth Ł1,365, and won by Chatham (10/1), trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Terry Biddlecombe. The 2006 running has total prize money of Ł140,000. It was known as the Cotswold Chase before 1969.

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

3. 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:
2003 Azertyuiop (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 2004)
2002 Moscow Flyer (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 2003 & 2005)
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 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

4. The lowest number of runners has been 8 (1982), the highest 19 (1987 & 2005).

5. The Irish Independent Arkle Chase has seen several trainers and jockeys run up strings of wins. Peter Easterby trained three winners - Alverton 1978, Clayside 1981 and Ryeman 1983 - as have current handlers Nicky Henderson (Remittance Man 1991, Travado 1993 and Tiutchev in 2000) and Martin Pipe, who notched up successive wins with Or Royal in 1997 and Champleve in 1998 before Well Chief in 2004 and Contraband last year gave him another brace of victories. Paul Nicholls has won the contest twice, with Flagship Uberalles in 1999 and Azertyuiop in 2003. Among jockeys, Jamie Osborne 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 equalled Osborne's three wins in 2004 when scoring on Well Chief, having also been aboard Or Royal (1997) and Champleve (1998).

6. Irish trainers have won The Irish Independent Arkle Chase nine times, including three of the last 10 runnings with Klairon Davis (1995), Ventana Canyon (1996) and Moscow Flyer (2002).

7. The longest-priced winner of The Irish Independent Arkle Chase is Gala's Image, successful at 25/1 in 1987, while Pendil (1972) and Chinrullah (1979) are the shortest-priced scorers at 10/11. Six other favourites have won - Canasta Lad (1974), Clayside (1981), Bobsline (1984), Remittance Man (1991), Klairon Davis (1995) and Azertyuiop (2003).

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.

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with Past Successes in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy

7 Entries
Paul Nicholls
(2003 AZERTYUIOP, 1999 FLAGSHIP UBERALLES)

5 Entries
Martin Pipe (2005 CONTRABAND, 2004 WELL CHIEF, 1998 CHAMPLEVE, 1997 OR ROYAL)

4 Entries
Noel Meade IRE

3 Entries
Philip Hobbs
Alan King
Edward O'Grady IRE (1996 VENTANA CANYON)

2 Entries
Henry Daly
Nicky Henderson (2000 TIUTCHEV, 1993 TRAVADO, 1991 REMITTANCE MAN)
Howard Johnson
Arthur Moore IRE (1995 KLAIRON DAVIS, 1982 THE BROCKSHEE)
Willie Mullins IRE
Paul Nolan IRE
Michael O'Brien IRE
Jonjo O'Neill

1 Entry
Martin Brassil IRE
Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR
Thierry Doumen FR
James Fanshawe
Ian Ferguson IRE
Alex Hales
Michael Hourigan IRE
Malcolm Jefferson
Henrietta Knight
Emma Lavelle
Mark Pitman
John Quinn
Nicky Richards
Mark Rimell
Eamon Sheehy IRE
Paul Webber

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE
Class 1, Grade One, Ł140,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.35pm Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 15, 2006. For novice 5-y-o+, three miles and half a furlong. Weights: 5-y-o 10st 8lb; 6-y-o+ 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 18, entries revealed January 23 (91 entries), forfeit stage February 21, 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 Thursday, January 19.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
362-41F ALDERBURN 7 Mrs D P G Flory Henry Daly
05221U3 AMERICAN JENNIE (IRE) 8 L Murray Michael Cullen IRE
41-36P2 ARDAGHEY (IRE) 7 D J & S A Goodman Nigel Twiston-Davies
210-241 BACK IN FRONT (IRE) 9 Nelius Hayes Edward O'Grady IRE
1-0P211 BAILY BREEZE (IRE) 7 R A Scott Mouse Morris IRE
306-121 BANNOW STRAND (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
302-031 BASILEA STAR (IRE) 9 David Johnson Martin Pipe
54030-P BEAUCHAMP PRINCE (IRE) 5 The "Yes" - "No" - "Wait"Sorries Michael Scudamore
1FP-123 BEWLEYS BERRY (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
435100- BILLY BUSH (IRE) 7 Oakview Racing Ferdy Murphy
124-134 BILLYVODDAN (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Henry Daly
14-5U34 BOB BOB BOBBIN 7 Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard
2P-2211 BOLD BISHOP (IRE) 9 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
413-421 BRIERY FOX (IRE) 8 Vicky Jeyes Helen Plumbly Jane Trafford Henry Daly
400-046 BRIGADIER BROWN (IRE) 9 Eamonn Duignan John Murphy IRE
3P-1244 CELTIC SON (FR) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
3-542 CENTER FIELD (IRE) 8 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
211120//- CHOPNEYEV (FR) 8 Claire Smith Richard Phillips
1111UB CHURCH ISLAND (IRE) 7 Joe Craig Michael Hourigan IRE
41/2114//- CLASSIFIED (IRE) 10 David Johnson Martin Pipe
3R-1214 COAST TO COAST (IRE) 7 Seamus Carroll Edward O'Grady IRE
111115- COMMERCIAL FLYER (IRE) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
0451331 COURT LEADER (IRE) 8 Mrs P Duffin Tom Mullins IRE
3602-14 CROZAN (FR) 6 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
0-12111 DARKNESS 7 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton
115-233 ESKIMO PIE (IRE) 7 Irvin Naylor Chris Bealby
512-512 FAR FROM TROUBLE (IRE) 7 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
FF1212 FATHER MATT (IRE) 8 Mrs Phonsie O'Brien Noel Meade IRE
5-11 GALLANT APPROACH (IRE) 7 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Charles Egerton
251/-245 GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
211-F41 HALCON GENELARDAIS (FR) 6 Ian Payne & Kim Franklin Alan King
23-002 HERE WE GO (IRE) 7 D N Green Keith Goldsworthy
402212 HOMER WELLS (IRE) 8 Margaret McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
43R0//-13 HORS LA LOI III (FR) 11 Paul Green Paul Nicholls
141P-11 IDLE TALK (IRE) 7 Mrs M J George Tom George
62614-6 IDOLE FIRST (IRE) 7 Venetia Williams Venetia Williams
3111-12 JULIUS CAESAR 6 Jack Coupe and John Thompson Howard Johnson
631P-21 KASTHARI (IRE) 7 Elliott Brothers Howard Johnson
213254 KERRYHEAD WINDFARM (IRE) 8 James Browne Michael Hourigan IRE
2-22113 KILL DEVIL HILL (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE
256-463 KORELO (FR) 8 David Johnson Martin Pipe
21-3154 LEADING MAN (IRE) 6 Mrs C McKeane Ferdy Murphy
2P-212P LORD KILLESHANRA (IRE) 7 G F Gingell Colin Tizzard
01-2F13 LOUGH DERG (FR) 6 W Frewen Martin Pipe
501-615 MAJOR VERNON (IRE) 7 B Doyle Willie Mullins IRE
11/-F14F MCGRUDERS CROSS (IRE) 8 Leonard Kinsella & Sue Magnier Tony Mullins IRE
221UP3 MCKELVEY (IRE) 7 N Elliott Peter Bowen
111111 MID DANCER (FR) 5 Sean Mulryan Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR
11-4311 MISSED THAT 7 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
15521-1 MONET'S GARDEN (IRE) 8 David Wesley Yates Nicky Richards
1/12-6F2 MONTE VISTA (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
0050F1 MORT DE RIRE (FR) 6 Andrew Wiles Robert Alner
45-024F MR BABBAGE (IRE) 8 George Creighton Willie Mullins IRE
44-2511 NADOVER (FR) 5 Tony Hayward and Barry Fulton Charlie Mann
31-12F2 NAPOLITAIN (FR) 5 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
063124 NEPTUNE D'ANZY (FR) 5 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
421213 ON THE NET (IRE) 8 A M O'Grady Edward O'Grady IRE
1335-P2 OUR BEN 7 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE
121F14- PATRIARCH EXPRESS 9 A W Muir Sue Smith
11 PREACHER BOY 7 Hunt & Co (Bournemouth) Ltd Ron Hodges
1100-51 QUEEN ASTRID (IRE) 6 Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
1312-11 RACING DEMON (IRE) 6 Mrs T P Radford Henrietta Knight
F-2F213 REBEL RHYTHM 7 The Fees R Us Syndicate Sue Smith
104-13P RED GEORGIE (IRE) 8 M P Wareing Nigel Twiston-Davies
116-2 REVEILLEZ 7 J P McManus James Fanshawe
111-04 SHER BEAU (IRE) 7 N Morrissey Philip Fenton IRE
13406-3 SHUHOOD (USA) 6 Mr & Mrs M J Dowd Paul Webber
310-21F SLIM PICKINGS (IRE) 7 Doubtful Five Syndicate Robert Tyner IRE
06-3412 SOME LEGEND (IRE) 6 Tir Conaill Syndicate Edward O'Grady IRE
115-121 SOUTHERN VIC (IRE) 7 Mrs B Graham Ted Walsh IRE
1/-115 SPIRIT OF NEW YORK (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
11-111P STANDIN OBLIGATION (IRE) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
133-123 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 5 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
5/12-F23 STEPPES OF GOLD (IRE) 9 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
10-2212 SUPREME SERENADE (IRE) 7 Karola Vann Philip Hobbs
31/111//-2 SUPREME TOSS (IRE) 10 The Coin Tossers Richard Phillips
1/120-B1 THAT'S AN IDEA (IRE) 8 J P McManus David Wachman IRE
21S-111 THE LISTENER (IRE) 7 Old Moss Farm Robert Alner
22-521P THE RAILWAY MAN (IRE) 7 Cathal Ryan Arthur Moore IRE
444-41F TIGERLION (IRE) 8 J F O'Malley John Bleahen IRE
34-1114 TIGERS LAIR (IRE) 7 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
3/110/-F2 TIGHTEN YOUR BELT (IRE) 9 The MerseyClyde Partnership Venetia Williams
F33-103 TUMBLING DICE (IRE) 7 Mrs John Donegan Tom Taaffe IRE
1331-13 TURPIN GREEN (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Richards
P21323 UNLEASH (USA) 7 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs
20-0324 VERY OPTIMISTIC (IRE) 8 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
22411B- VICTOM'S CHANCE (IRE) 8 T & Mrs Conway Noel Chance
1141-12 WILD CANE RIDGE (IRE) 7 Ashleybank Investments Limited Len Lungo
132-324 WOODLANDS GENPOWER (IRE) 8 Woodland Generators Peter Pritchard
060525 YES SIR (IRE) 7 Ms Y M Hill Peter Bowen
3-34122 ZABENZ (NZ) 9 Michael Watt Philip Hobbs

91 entries
28 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with Past Successes in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase

8 Entries
Jonjo O'Neill
Martin Pipe (1992 MIINNEHOMA, 1991 ROLLING BALL)

6 Entries
Willie Mullins IRE (2004 RULE SUPREME, 1998 FLORIDA PEARL)

4 Entries
Edward O'Grady IRE

3 Entries
Henry Daly
Philip Hobbs (2003 ONE KNIGHT)
Howard Johnson
Paul Nicholls

2 Entries
Robert Alner
Peter Bowen
Charles Egerton
Michael Hourigan IRE
Ferdy Murphy
Richard Phillips
Nicky Richards
Sue Smith
Colin Tizzard
Nigel Twiston-Davies (1993 YOUNG HUSTLER)
Venetia Williams

1 Entry
Chris Bealby
John Bleahen IRE
Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR
Noel Chance (1999 LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE)
Michael Cullen IRE
James Fanshawe
Philip Fenton IRE
Tom George
Keith Goldsworthy
Nicky Henderson (2005 TRABOLGAN)
Ron Hodges (1997 HANAKHAM)
Alan King
Henrietta Knight (2000 LORD NOELIE)
Len Lungo
Charlie Mann
Noel Meade IRE
Arthur Moore IRE
Mouse Morris IRE
Tom Mullins IRE
Tony Mullins IRE
John Murphy IRE
Paul Nolan IRE
Peter Pritchard
Christy Roche IRE
Michael Scudamore
Tom Taaffe IRE
Robert Tyner IRE
David Wachman IRE
Ted Walsh IRE
Paul Webber
Dermot Weld IRE

ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The Royal & SunAlliance Chase had a slight name change 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 Festival. Only the Tote precedes the insurance company. 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 totesport 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 Royal & SunAlliance Chase in 1976 and the 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 eight since 1964, the latest being Rule Supreme in 2004.

7. The most successful jockey in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase has been Peter Scudamore, who notched up a hat-trick from 1991 to 1993 with Rolling Ball, Miinnehoma and Young Hustler. The latter went on to further big-race success while Miinnehoma won the 1994 Grand National.

8. The longest-priced winners since 1964 are Hussard Collonges in 2002 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 5.3s, beating the previous best of 6 mins 6.6s set by Miinnehoma in 1992.

10. The West Awake is the only horse to have won both the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. He won the hurdle in 1987 and the chase in 1988.

HORSE ENGAGED IN BOTH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE &
THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE

Back In Front
Billyvoddan
Bold Bishop
Father Matt
Hors La Loi III
Kill Devil Hill
Mid Dancer
Missed That
Monet's Garden
Neptune d'Anzy
On The Net
Racing Demon
Shuhood
Supreme Serenade
The Railway Man

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