Thursday, January 22, 2009

BUOYANT NOVICE CHASE ENTRIES

There are 52 engaged in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase, run over two miles on The Festival’s first day, Tuesday, March 10, and this year’s renewal currently looks wide open. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five engaged in a race he has won with Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Azertyuiop (2003) with his principal hopes looking to rest with Tatenen, a 24-length winner of The Independent Newspaper Novice Chase at Cheltenham in November, dual chasing winner I’msingintheblues and Free World.
Alan King – successful with My Way De Solzen in 2007 and Voy Por Ustedes 12 months earlier – has four chances to add to his impressive record via Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase winner Araldur, Oh Crick, Sir Harry Ormesher and Turkish Surprise.

There are 17 Irish-trained entries, including the Tom Cooper-trained Forpadydeplasterer and the Willie Mullins-trained Jayo, while leading French handler Marcel Rolland is set to bid for a Festival winner with his first runner at Cheltenham with the colossal Original, winner of the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton on December 27.

“We are hoping to run Original in The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase,” said Rolland. “We were expecting him to run well at Kempton but didn’t really reckon that he would win. He’s better going left-handed so we are hoping that he can improve going round Cheltenham.

“Obviously, he’s won a Grade Two and now we are going to be taking on some of the top novice chasers around at The Festival. We had thought about Cheltenham prior to his victory at Kempton Park and I wanted to get him used to British fences beforehand.

“He will go straight to Cheltenham now and he will follow the same programme as he did prior to Kempton, when he came over 10 days before the race and stayed with Jean-Rene Auvray in Lambourn.
“He’s a very tall horse but jumping seems to come naturally to him. James Davies will definitely take the ride again having ridden him so well at Kempton Park. We actually asked some other jockeys to ride him at Kempton Park but they all declined – perhaps they were too scared of the horse!”
Panjo Bere and Calgary Bay, who finished first and second in the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday, and the Philip Hobbs-trained Planet Of Sound, an impressive winner at Newbury last week, are other notable entries.

There are 72 entered in the RSA Chase, run on Wednesday, March 11, with What A Friend, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, the current favourite. His trainer Paul Nicholls has won two of the last three runnings (including with Denman in 2007) and he is also represented by Breedsbreeze and Kicks For Free.

Jeremy Scott’s stable star Gone To Lunch and Carruthers, owned and bred by Lord Oaksey and trained by his son-in-law Mark Bradstock, are others with solid form.

“Carruthers ran as we hoped he would do last time at Fakenham,” said Bradstock. “It wasn’t a particularly strong race but it was nice that he won in such style. What A Friend is certainly a good horse and a deserving favourite for the RSA Chase but we have improved since Uttoxeter. Carruthers pulled a muscle in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle last year and the ground appeared to be too tacky for him. The going when he won at Fakenham, when it rode on the easy side of good, is probably ideal. Carruthers has always struck us a chaser but you start over hurdles and work your way up.”
The 26 entries based in Ireland include five trained by Willie Mullins, who won the race in 1998 with Florida Pearl and in 2004 with Rule Supreme. His team includes the high-class Cooldine while other notable entries from Ireland include Casey Jones and Trafford Lad, who finished well clear of their rivals in the Grade One Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.
The Festival’s longest contest, the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup for amateur riders, has closed earlier than in past years and has attracted 85 entries, easily the highest number in the modern era. Local trainer Jonjo O’Neill has won four of the last six runnings and his four entries include Wichita Lineman, winner of the 2007 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival. Trainer Alan King and owner Trevor Hemmings, who teamed up to win the 2008 renewal with Our Benny, are represented by Pangbourne, a winner at Taunton last week in fortuitous circumstances.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2009 ANALYSIS OF ENTRIES

NUMBER OF ENTRIES

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE 52 64 43 57 48 42 47 57 51
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
47 58 51 46 30 30 28 29


2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
RSA CHASE 72 78 73 91 61 64 72 82 61
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
84 88 75 81 61 54 65 43


2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
139TH YEAR OF THE NH CHASE 85 56 58 50 54 71 71 61 58
2000 1999 1998 1997
44 41 42 48




IRISH-TRAINED ENTRIES

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE 17 20 10 19 17 12 17 15 12
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
9 17 11 6 8 7 4 5

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
RSA CHASE 26 22 28 28 17 19 20 24 11
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
12 16 13 7 10 8 14 6

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
139TH YEAR OF THE NH CHASE 29 18 22 17 11 17 24 17 19
2000 1999 1998 1997
10 11 10 10

HORSES ENGAGED IN BOTH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE &
THE RSA CHASE
Bringbackthebiff (Edward O’Grady IRE)
Clarified (Tony Martin IRE)
Cooldine (Willie Mullins IRE)
Deutschland (Willie Mullins IRE)
Forpadydeplasterer (Tom Cooper IRE)
Jayo (Willie Mullins IRE)
Nicanor (Noel Meade IRE)
Pressgang (Paul Webber)
Sa Suffit (James Ewart)
Shazand (Edward O’Grady IRE)
Tranquil Sea (Edward O’Grady IRE)
Turkish Surprise (Alan King)

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class 1, Grade One, Total Prize Fund £170,000, 2.05pm, Cheltenham, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, two miles. For novice 5-y-o & upwards, two miles. Weights: 11st 7lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 20, entries revealed January 22 (52 entries), forfeit stage February 17, six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, January 21, 2009. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
613111 ARALDUR (FR) 5 David Sewell Alan King
124- BLACK BEAUTY 6 Liam Mulryan Mick Quinlan
1-F24 BRINGBACKTHEBIFF (NZ) 7 Thomas Barr Edward O'Grady IRE
202-212 CALGARY BAY (IRE) 6 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight
21-1155 CHEATING CHANCE (IRE) 8 M Tedham Andrew Turnell
00/01-2F CLARIFIED (IRE) 7 C P Byrne Tony Martin IRE
314-114 COOL OPERATOR 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
114-013 COOLDINE (IRE) 7 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
1-24501 CORNAS (NZ) 7 The Gascoigne Brookes Partnership III Nick Williams
162P/-40 CUAN NA GRAI (IRE) 8 John Brennan Paul Nolan IRE
20-411P DEEP PURPLE 8 Paul Green Evan Williams
03/26-F6 DEGAS ART (IRE) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
00-2FF0 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 6 Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins IRE
15003-2 EBAZIYAN (IRE) 8 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE
F61121 FOLLOW THE PLAN (IRE) 6 Cavan Developments Bloodstock Oliver McKiernan IRE
1214-12 FORPADYDEPLASTERER (IRE)7 Goat Racing Syndicate Tom Cooper IRE
104-123 FREE WORLD (FR) 5 Clive D Smith Paul Nicholls
350-521 GAUVAIN (GER) 7 J H McDougall Charlie Mann
000-241 GOLDEN SILVER (FR) 7 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
20000-5 HIDE THE EVIDENCE (IRE) 8 Maynard Hamilton & Fearghal Eastwood Victor Dartnall
4/121/0-3 HOTEL HILAMAR (IRE) 8 R J Bagnall Noel Meade IRE
2-2F112 I'M SO LUCKY 7 Sheila Brookhouse David Pipe
503-121 I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES (IRE) 7 John Hales Paul Nicholls
060132 IDARAH (USA) 6 Liam Mulryan Mick Quinlan
505211 JAYO (FR) 6 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE
1113-12 JIGSAW DANCER (IRE) 7 Robinson Webster (Holdings) Ltd Andrew Turnell
431-112 KALAHARI KING (FR) 8 Mrs J Morgan Ferdy Murphy
404-205 KHYBER KIM 7 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
221142 MADE IN TAIPAN (IRE) 7 Mrs P Duffin Tom Mullins IRE
400-651 MAJESTIC CONCORDE (IRE) 6 Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
53-5111 MASTER MEDIC (IRE) 8 Pell-mell Partners Robert & Sally Alner
F22111//- NICANOR (FR) 8 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
2-1311F NORTHERN ALLIANCE (IRE) 8 Irish Rover Syndicate Tony Martin IRE
10-1423 OH CRICK (FR) 6 David Sewell Alan King
F/5-0431 ORIGINAL (FR) 7 Edward Walsh Marcel Rolland FR
1424-15 OTHERMIX (FR) 5 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tom George
1060-11 PALOMAR (USA) 7 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Richards
22-1131 PANJO BERE (FR) 6 Paul Chapman Mrs Elizabeth Kiernan Gary Moore
211P-31 PASCO (SWI) 6 Terry Warner Paul Nicholls
221-411 PLANET OF SOUND 7 Charles Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs
U01-113 POQUELIN (FR) 6 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
2211F0 PREMIER DANE (IRE) 7 Jim Ennis Construction Ltd Nicky Richards
353-321 PRESSGANG 7 Mrs A Timpson Paul Webber
032-124 RING THE BOSS (IRE) 8 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs
2122/-1 SA SUFFIT (FR) 6 Proud To Be Scottish Partnership James Ewart
1105-1F SHAZAND (FR) 6 Simon Tindall Edward O'Grady IRE
1412-14 SIR HARRY ORMESHER 6 David Sewell Alan King
2-11232 TARTAK (FR) 6 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tom George
124-112 TATENEN (FR) 5 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
0-62261 THE DUKE'S SPEECH (IRE) 8 Mrs A N Durkan Ferdy Murphy
3011-15 TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 7 P D Cox Edward O'Grady IRE
14/F-23 TURKISH SURPRISE (FR) 6 John and Barbara Cotton Alan King

52 entries
17 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with Past Successes in The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy
5 Entries
Paul Nicholls (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop)
Willie Mullins IRE

4 Entries
Alan King (2006 Voy Por Ustedes, 2007 My Way De Solzen)

3 Entries
Edward O’Grady IRE (1996 Ventana Canyon)

2 Entries
Tom George
Philip Hobbs
Howard Johnson (2008 Tidal Bay)
Tony Martin IRE
Noel Meade IRE
Ferdy Murphy
Mick Quinlan
Nicky Richards
Andrew Turnell

1 Entry
Robert & Sally Alner
Tom Cooper IRE
Victor Dartnall
James Ewart
Henrietta Knight
Charlie Mann
Oliver McKiernan IRE
Gary Moore
Tom Mullins IRE
Paul Nolan IRE
David Pipe
Marcel Rolland FR
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Paul Webber
Dermot Weld IRE
Evan Williams
Nick Williams

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE - Analysis

A top-quality entry of 52 has been received for this year’s £170,000 The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, run on the first day of The Festival, Tuesday, March 10.

Paul Nicholls looks set to have a strong hand in the two-mile contest with current ante-post favourite Tatenen one of five entries from the champion trainer. The five-year-old was a facile course and distance winner in the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase at The Open prior to finishing a short-head second against older opposition in the Grade One Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

The Ditcheat handler is also responsible for I’msingingtheblues, Pasco, Poquelin and Free World, who chased home Araldur in the Grade Two Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.

Henrietta Knight has entered Calgary Bay, who took the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and was a close second to the Gary Moore-trained Panjo Bere in the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase at Ascot on January 17.

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle fourth Kalahari King may return to The Festival for Ferdy Murphy, having made a bright start to his career over fences, while Nicky Richards has entered Palomar and Premier Dane.

Philip Hobbs could be represented by the unexposed Planet Of Sound, whose two victories in novice chases at Newbury this season included a seven-length verdict over I’m So Lucky on December 29.
The Minehead-based handler has also entered Ring The Boss, who began his chasing career with a smooth victory in the Tiger Developments Novices’ Chase at The Showcase in October prior to coming home second in the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton the following month.

Last year’s winning trainer Howard Johnson may bid to follow up Tidal Bay’s victory with former smart Flat performer Degas Art, while Evan Williams has entered Deep Purple, who defeated Turkish Surprise when taking the Grade Two Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot on December 19.
Local trainer Tom George has engaged the consistent Tartak, who has finished in the frame on all of his three starts in Grade Two contests, including when second on his latest appearance at Haydock on January 17.

An Irish challenge of 17 is headed by the Oliver McKiernan-trained Follow The Plan, who defeated Tatenen in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase, and last year’s Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle fourth Forpadydeplasterer, who was second in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on November 30.

A strong quintet from the yard of Willie Mullins includes Jayo, who easily accounted for Made In Taipan in a novice chase at Naas on his latest start in January, Ebaziyan and Cooldine, while last season’s Grade One Punchestown Novice Hurdle victor Tranquil Sea has been engaged by Edward O’Grady.
Dermot Weld could be represented by recent Leopardstown scorer Majestic Concorde and the six-year-old could be joined by the Noel Meade-trained Nicanor, who has yet to jump a fence in public but defeated the mighty Denman on his penultimate start in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in March, 2006.

The French-trained entry is the giant seven-year-old Original, who was an emphatic winner on his only previous start in Britain in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on December 27.

49.

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 £1,365, and was won by Chatham (10/1), trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Terry Biddlecombe. The 2009 running has total prize money of £170,000. 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 Festival:
2006 Voy Por Ustedes (Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner 2007)
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)
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 eight (1979,1984 & 1993) and the highest 19 (1987 & 2005) as the Arkle Chase - there were 25 runners in the Cotswold Chase in 1960. The current safety limit is 20.

5. The Irish Independent Arkle Chase has seen several trainers and jockeys run up strings of wins. Martin Pipe notched up successive wins with Or Royal in 1997 and Champleve in 1998 before Well Chief in 2004 and Contraband a year later gave him another brace of victories. Peter Easterby trained three winners - Alverton 1978, Clayside 1981 and Ryeman 1983. Among current trainers, Nicky Henderson leads the way with three successes (Remittance Man 1991, Travado 1993 and Tiutchev 2000), while both Paul Nicholls (Flagship Uberalles in 1999 and Azertyuiop in 2003) and Alan King, successful in the two of the past three renewals with My Way De Solzen in 2007 and Voy Por Ustedes in 2006, boast a pair of victories. Among jockeys, Jamie Osborne won three times, via 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). Robert Thornton was on Voy Por Ustedes in 2006 and My Way De Solzen in 2007.

6. Irish trainers have won The Irish Independent Arkle Chase nine times, including three of the last 13 runnings with Klairon Davis (1995), Ventana Canyon (1996) and Moscow Flyer (2002).

7. The longest-priced winner 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.

50.

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
Previous Results

2008-WINNER-TIDAL BAY 7-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-6/1
2ND-Kruguyrova 5-11-00 Owner-Ronald Brimacombe; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/1
3RD-Noland 7-11-07 Owner-John Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/4 Fav
14 ran, Time-4m 3.40s Dist- 13, 1½

2007-WINNER-MY WAY DE SOLZEN 7-11-07 Owner-Ben Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-7/2
2ND-Fair Along 5-11-02 Owner-Alan Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-100/30 Fav
3RD-Jack The Giant 5-11-02 Owner-Hanbury Syndicate; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-14/1
13 ran, Time-3m 51.70s Dist-5, 1

2006-WINNER-VOY POR USTEDES 5-11-02 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-15/2
2ND-Monet’s Garden 8-11-07 Owner-David Wesley Yates; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-8/1
3RD-Foreman 8-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Thierry Doumen FR; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-5/1
14 ran, Time-3m 52.30s Dist-1¼, 4 9/2 Fav Racing Demon (7th)

2005-WINNER-CONTRABAND 7-11-07 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-7/1
2ND-Ashley Brook 7-11-07 Owner-Elizabeth Ellis; Trainer-Kevin Bishop; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-20/1

3RD-River City 8-11-07 Owner-Sally Rowley-Williams & Partners; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP-10/1
19 ran, Time-3m 53.10s Dist-1, 4 11/4 Fav War Of Attrition (7th)

2004-WINNER-WELL CHIEF 5-11-03 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/1
2ND-Kicking King 6-11-07 Owner-Conor Clarkson; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/2
3RD-Le Duc 5-11-03 Owner-Judy Stewart; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-25/1
16 ran, Time-3m 55.80s Dist-1, 7 5/2 Fav Thisthatantother (f)

2003-WINNER-AZERTYUIOP 6-11-08 Owner-John & Lisa Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-Impek 7-11-08 Owner-Jim Lewis; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-6/1
3RD-Isio 7-11-08 Owner-Sir Peter & Lady Gibbings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-10/1
9 ran, Time-3m 56.70s Dist-11, 1

2002-WINNER-MOSCOW FLYER 8-11-08 Owner-Brian Kearney; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/2
2ND-Seebald 7-11-08 Owner-The Macca and Growler Partnership; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Armaturk 5-11-03 Owner-Barry Marshall; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-8/1
12 ran, Time-3m 50.50s Dist-4, 13

2001 - Cancelled

2000-WINNER-TIUTCHEV 7-11-08 Owner-The Liars Poker Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-8/1
2ND-Cenkos 6-11-08 Owner-Judy Stewart; Trainer-Oliver Sherwood; Jockey-David Casey; SP-10/1
3RD-Decoupage 8-11-08 Owner-Decoupage Partnership; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-7/4 Fav 12 ran, Time-3m 46.5s Dist-8, 8

1999-WINNER-FLAGSHIP UBERALLES 5-11-00 Owner-Elizabeth Gutner & Michael Krysztofiak Racing; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-11/1
2ND-Tresor De Mai 5-11-00 Owner-Joe Moran; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-14/1
3RD-Nipper Reed 9-11-8 Owner-Graham Piper; Trainer-Rod Simpson; Jockey-Adrian Maguire; SP-10/1
14 ran, Time-3m 58.1s Dist-2½, 14 4/1 Fav His Song (5th)

1998-WINNER-CHAMPLEVE 5-11-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-13/2
2ND-Hill Society 6-11-08 Owner-Pat Garvey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey- Richard Dunwoody; SP-8/1
3RD-Mandys Mantino 8-11-08 Owner-John Plackett ; Trainer-Josh Gifford; Jockey-Philip Hide; SP-25/1
16 ran Time-3m 55.1s Dist-sh, 1½ 11/2 Fav Kadastrof (10th)

1997-WINNER-OR ROYAL 6-11-08 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
2ND-Squire Silk 8-11-08 Owner-Robert Ogden; Trainer-Andrew Turnell; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-11/2
3RD-Celibate 6-11-08 Owner-Stamford Bridge Partnership; Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Jamie Railton; SP-13/2
9 ran Time-3m 52.5s Dist-½, 6 11/10 Fav Mulligan (f)

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR
(The Irish Independent Arkle Chase since 2000, Guinness Arkle Chase 1994-99, Waterford Castle Arkle Chase 1991-93, no sponsor 1969-90, Cotswold Chase before 1969)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2008 Tidal Bay 7-11-07 Denis O’Regan Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 6/1 14
2007 My Way De Solzen 7-11-07 Robert Thornton Alan King Ben Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton 7/2 13
2006 Voy Por Ustedes 5-11-02 Robert Thornton Alan King Sir Robert Ogden 15/2 14
2005 Contraband 7-11-07 Timmy Murphy Martin Pipe David Johnson 7/1 19
2004 Well Chief 5-11-03 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe David Johnson 9/1 16
2003 Azertyuiop 6-11-08 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls John and Lisa Hales 5/4F 9
2002 Moscow Flyer 8-11-08 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE Brian Kearney 11/2 12
2001 No race (Foot and Mouth disease)
2000 Tiutchev 7-11-08 Mick FitzGerald Nicky Henderson Liars Poker Partnership 8/1 12
1999 Flagship Uberalles 5-11-00 Joe Tizzard Paul Nicholls Elizabeth Gutner/Michael Krysztofiak 11/1 14
1998 Champleve 5-11-00 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe David Johnson 13/2 16
1997 Or Royal 6-11-08 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe David Johnson 11/2 9
1996 Ventana Canyon 7-11-08 Richard Dunwoody Edward O’Grady IRE Philip Myerscough 7/1 16
1995 Klairon Davis 6-11-08 Francis Woods Arthur Moore IRE Chris Jones 7/2F 11
1994 Nakir 6-11-08 Jamie Osborne Simon Christian Jim Lewis 9/1 10
1993 Travado 7-11-08 Jamie Osborne Nicky Henderson Mrs Michael Ennever 5/1 8
1992 Young Pokey 7-11-08 Jamie Osborne Oliver Sherwood Maurice Oberstein 4/1 11
1991 Remittance Man 7-11-08 Richard Dunwoody Nicky Henderson Jim Collins 85/40 F 14
1990 Comandante 8-11-08 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford Maurice Pinto 9/2 14
1989 Waterloo Boy 6-11-08 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Michael Deeley 20/1 14
1988 Danish Flight 9-11-08 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald A F Budge (Equine) Ltd 11/2 12
1987 Gala’s Image 7-11-08 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin 25/1 19
1986 Oregon Trail 6-11-08 Ronnie Beggan Simon Christian Henry Ponsonby 14/1 14
1985 Boreen Prince 8-11-08 Niall Madden Andrew McNamara IRE William Lenehan 15/2 16
1984 Bobsline 8-11-08 Frank Berry Francis Flood IRE R H Kelsey 5/4F 8
1983 Ryeman 6-11-08 Alan Brown Peter Easterby D Slater 16/1 16
1982 The Brockshee 7-11-08 Tommy Carberry Arthur Moore IRE T Murray 12/1 19
1981 Clayside 7-11-08 Alan Brown Peter Easterby Mrs D Grant 5/2F 13
1980 Anaglogs Daughter 7-11-08 Tommy Carberry Bill Durkan IRE A Durkan 9/4 9
1979 Chinrullah 7-11-08 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs R Eastwood 10/11F 8
1978 Alverton 8-11-08 Graham Thorner Peter Easterby Snailwell Stud Co Ltd 5/2 12
1977 Tip The Wink 7-11-08 Dessie Hughes Pat Taylor Michael Simmonds 15/2 10
1976 Roaring Wind 8-11-08 Reg Crank Roy Cambidge S Jones 11/1 16
1975 Broncho II 6-11-11 Colin Tinkler Tony Dickinson Frank Tyldesely 8/1 12
1974 Canasta Lad 8-11-11 Jeff King Peter Bailey Mrs R Hague 2/1F 10
1973 Denys Adventure 8-12-01 Graham Thorner Tim Forster Mrs Robert Henriques 8/1 10
1972 Pendil 7-12-01 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Mrs C Kinney 10/11F 10
1971 Alpheus 6-11-08 Eddie Wright Tom Dreaper IRE Lord Donoughmore 15/1 11
1970 Soloning 5-11-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Mrs C E Thornton 4/1 13
1969 Chatham 5-11-00 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell C Knott 10/1 10
1968 The Hustler 6-11-12 Barry Brogan Earl Jones Mrs D E Crouch 20/1 11
1967 Arctic Stream 7-12-02 Ben Hannon P Rooney IRE J A Duffy 8/1 9
1966 Arctic Sunset 6-12-06 George Milburn Ken Oliver J R McNair 3/1 9
1965 Flyingbolt 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Mrs Jean Wilkinson 4/9F 13
1964 Greektown 8-11-08 Michael Scudamore Willie Stephenson Lionel Ensten 13/2 16
1963 Ben Stack 6-12-01 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Duchess of Westminster 13/8F 17
1962 Prudent Barney 8-12-01 Johnny East Bobby Renton Lurline Brotherton 20/1 9
1961 Mountcashel King 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE John Glyn 2/5F 12
1960 Mazurka 6-11-12 Ron Harrison Ron Smyth Mrs Chris Barnes 10/1 25
1959 Flame Gun 8-12-04 Fred Winter Charlie Mallon Michael Sobell 7/2 14
1958 Fortria 6-12-01 Tom Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE A Craigie 7/2 17
1957 Ballyatom 5-11-04 Mr Bob McCreery George Beeby David Evans-Bevan 8/1 13
1956 Sir Ken 9-12-03 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson Maurice Kingsley 5/4F 17
1955 Manuscrit 5-11-00 Johnny Bullock Fulke Walwyn Mme Peggy Hennessy 10/1 20
1954 Armorial III 5-11-05 Rene Emery Fulke Walwyn Mrs M de Pret-Roose 7/2F 17
1953 Bramble Tudor 5-11-12 Tim Molony Stewart Wight Lord Joicey 11/4 9
1952 Nautical Print 5-11-00 Tommy Cusack Gerry Wilson Lt Col J F Harrison 6/1 15
1951 Red Steel 5-11-00 Dick Francis Frank Cundell Hugh Sumner 4/1F 15
1950 High Level 5-11-04 Johnny Bullock Fred Rimell T E Ward 9/2 14
1949 Grand Refrain 5-11-05 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Abergavenny 9/4F 12
1948 Top Cash 6-12-05 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Abergavenny 3/1 9
1947 No race (abandoned due to snow and frost)
1946 Bright Penny 6-11-12 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Penrhyn 5/1 15

THE 2008 IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE RESULT IN DETAIL


2m, Old Course, £170,000 guaranteed. For 5yo+ weights 11st 7lb Allowances mares 7lb Entries 64 pay £185 1st Forfeit 38 pay £370 Confirmed 17 pay £185 Penalty Value 1st £96,934, 2nd £36,363, 3rd £18,207, 4th £9,078, 5th £4,556, 6th £2,278

1 TIDAL BAY (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 7-11-07 Denis O'Regan 6/1
2 KRUGUYROVA (FR) (Ronald Brimacombe) Charles Egerton 5-11-00p Tony McCoy 9/1
3 NOLAND (John Hales) Paul Nicholls 7-11-07 Ruby Walsh 7/4 Fav
4 THYNE AGAIN (IRE) (Simply The Best Syndicate) Liam Burke IRE 7-11-07 Davy Russell 8/1
5 MAHOGANY BLAZE (FR) (Lorna Berryman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 6-11-07 Paddy Brennan 10/1
6 MOON OVER MIAMI (GER) (Anne Fulton & M Lynch) Charlie Mann 7-11-07 Noel Fehily 14/1
7 SCOTSIRISH (IRE) (Double R Stables LLP Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 7-11-07 Davy Condon 20/1
8 RING THE BOSS (IRE) (Alan Peterson) Philip Hobbs 7-11-07 Richard Johnson 10/1
9 MARODIMA (FR) (David Johnson) Paul Nicholls 5-11-07 Sam Thomas 33/1
10 ORPEN WIDE (IRE) (Andy & Bev Wright) Michael Chapman 6-11-07 Lee Vickers 125/1
11 LESLINGTAYLOR (IRE) (Marie Taylor) John Quinn 6-11-07 Dougie Costello 20/1
P PREMIERSHIP (IRE) (Judith & Tina Wilson) Michael Scudamore 12-11-07 James Davies 400/1
P FRENCH ACCORDION (IRE) (Padraig Brady) Paul Nolan IRE 8-11-07 John Cullen 33/1
U 1st CLOPF (IRE) (Bernard Heffernan) Edward O'Grady IRE 7-11-07 Andrew McNamara 11/1

14 ran
Distances: 13, 1 1/2, nk, 6, 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 11, 6, 27, 6 Time: 4m 3.40s
Breeding: b g Flemensfirth (USA) - June’s Bride (IRE) (Le Moss)
Breeder: John Dorgan
Totes: Win: £7.50 Places: £2.70, £2.40, £1.30 Exacta: £67.90

Winning Trainer: HOWARD JOHNSON Based: White Lea Farm, Crook, County Durham Born: August 11, 1953, Barnard Castle Date of First Licence: 7th July 1986 Previous Occupation: worked for Arthur Stephenson, Roy Johnson Cheltenham Festival wins (6): The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy (2008 Tidal Bay), National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (1993 Ushers Island), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), RSA Novices’ Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever, 2007 Inglis Drever) Aintree Festival wins: John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Tidal Bay), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli, 1998 Direct Route), John Smith’s Red Rum Chase (1997 Down The Fell), John Smith’s Topham Chase (1996 Joe White), John Smith’s Melling Chase (1999 and 2000 Direct Route), Betfair Bowl (2005 Grey Abbey) Other major wins: Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Blue Square Speed Dial 64555 Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Charlie Hall Chase (2003 Ballybough Rasher, 2004 Grey Abbey), Dipper Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), John Smith’s Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Lonesome Glory Hurdle (1993 Dance Of Words), Pillar Property Chase (2005 Grey Abbey), Peter Marsh Chase (2005 Lord Transcend), Scottish National (2004 Grey Abbey), Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle (2005 Coat Of Honour), Tingle Creek Chase (1998 Direct Route), VC Casino.com Long Distance Hurdle (2006 Ingis Drever) Number of Winners (1988/9-2005/06): 14, 14, 10, 21, 19, 32, 32, 35, 23, 27, 18, 19, 13, 15, 33, 41, 68, 58, 54 Wins this Season: 55

Winning Jockey: Denis O’ Regan Background: Rode out at yard ran by cousin John Crowley, before spending a summer with Francis Flood when 16, returning to the yard after finishing his education. Rode first winner for Flood aboard All Honey on April 20, 2001, and rode 12 more winners in the following two seasons. Joined Noel Meade as second stable jockey in 2004 and became stable jockey for Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie in summer of 2007. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy (2008 Tidal Bay) First Cheltenham Festival Win: Tidal Bay, Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, March 11, 2008 First winner at Cheltenham: Church Island (Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase, November 11, 2005) Big Race Wins: Galway Plate (2005 Ansar), Champion Novice Chase (2007 Offshore Account), Boylesports.com Gold Cup (2007 Tamarinbleu) Wins in Britain 2003/04-2006/07: 0; 0; 1; 1; Wins This Season: 48

THE RSA CHASE
Class 1, Grade One, £170,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.40pm Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 11, 2009. For novice 5-y-o+, three miles and half a furlong. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 2lb; 6-y-o+ 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 20, entries revealed January 22 (72 entries), forfeit stage February 17, six-day confirmation stage March 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 10. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, January 21. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
61115/-1 ARAN CONCERTO (IRE) 8 John Corr Noel Meade IRE
11//-1 AU COURANT (IRE) 9 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson
152-112 BALLYFITZ 9 F J Mills & W Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies
431 BELON GALE (IRE) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
30-5112 BOHEMIAN LASS (IRE) 6 Ms R Molony Bill Harney IRE
210-111 BREEDSBREEZE (IRE) 7 Jim Lewis, Markus Jooste, Malcolm King Paul Nicholls
1-F24 BRINGBACKTHEBIFF (NZ) 7 Thomas Barr Edward O'Grady IRE
625114 BUCK THE LEGEND (IRE) 7 Alan Parker, C Fell & A Harris Nigel Twiston-Davies
22110-3 CAPTAIN CONFLICT (IRE) 6 GLS Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
2110-21 CARRUTHERS 6 The Oaksey Partnership Mark Bradstock
F231P1 CASEY JONES (IRE) 8 Gillian Burke Noel Meade IRE
6000-32 CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) 9 Maurice Chapman James Moffatt
00/01-2F CLARIFIED (IRE) 7 C P Byrne Tony Martin IRE
114-013 COOLDINE (IRE) 7 Mrs V O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
1-r3134 CRESCENT ISLAND (IRE) 6 Sarah Bays, Jill Scott, Sarah MacEchern Nigel Twiston-Davies
00-2FF0 DEUTSCHLAND (USA) 6 Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins IRE
14-5155 DRUMCONVIS (IRE) 8 Billy Moffett Tony Martin IRE
210-31P EQUUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 9 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
4142 FAIR POINT (IRE) 7 Jared Sullivan & Bob Michaelson Charlie Mann
4/500F-2 FLIGHT LEADER (IRE) 9 John & Heather Snook Colin Tizzard
1214-12 FORPADYDEPLASTERER (IRE) 7 Goat Racing Syndicate Thomas Cooper IRE
1/12260- GEM DALY (FR) 8 P M McCormack Noel Meade IRE
2-32111 GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 9 G T Lever Jeremy Scott
424F0-1 HENNESSY (IRE) 8 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
613333 HOLD EM (IRE) 7 David Hughes Mike Evans & Partners Keith Goldsworthy
210-4F2 HORNER WOODS (IRE) 7 Howard Spooner Jessica Harrington IRE
3/0445-1 ITSA LEGEND 10 The We're A Legend Partnership Alan King
12114-1 JAUNTY FLIGHT 7 Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood
505211 JAYO (FR) 6 Peter Garvey Willie Mullins IRE
12-1 JONCOL (IRE) 6 Kay Browne Paul Nolan IRE
126-122 KICKS FOR FREE (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls
12215-1 KILLYGLEN (IRE) 7 D L McCammon Howard Johnson
113-241 KORNATI KID 7 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
40F/241- LEADING CONTENDER (IRE) 8 Joanna Peppiatt Philip Hobbs
1P360-1 LIGHTNING STRIKE (GER) 6 John Nicholls (Trading) Ltd Venetia Williams
0/1101-1 LODGE LANE (IRE) 8 O C R & Mrs S J Wynne Victor Dartnall
2113/F2- MARK THE BOOK (IRE) 8 D Allen Philip Hobbs
1/10P-24 MARLEYBOW (IRE) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
5314/-12 MASSINI'S MAGUIRE (IRE) 8 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs
506-611 MY TURN NOW (IRE) 7 Mountgrange Brindle Kempner & Merritt Charlie Mann
F22111//- NICANOR (FR) 8 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
142-32U NOM DE GUERRE (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs Nicholas Tatman Ben de Haan
111U1F OUZBECK (FR) 7 Axom VII Alan King
0-21431 PARSONS PISTOL (IRE) 7 R J Bagnall Noel Meade IRE
353-321 PRESSGANG 7 Mrs A Timpson Paul Webber
PP1-012 QUWS LAW (IRE) 7 Ian Miller Lucinda Russell
656-P1 RADETSKY MARCH (IRE) 6 Piers Pottinger Mark Bradstock
30-2431 RARE BOB (IRE) 7 D A Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
205-61P RAVEN'S RUN (IRE) 7 M J Heaslip Philip Fenton IRE
4406-F3 RAZOR ROYALE (IRE) 7 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies
2122/-1 SA SUFFIT (FR) 6 Proud To Be Scottish Partnership James Ewart
1105-1F SHAZAND (FR) 6 Simon Tindall Edward O'Grady IRE
200-11F SHINING GALE (IRE) 7 J Sullivan S Brown & Group Clean Ltd Charlie Mann
45-4133 SIEGEMASTER (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE
3-2411P SILLY WUPPLE 7 S Smith, K Hunter, P Duffen Michael Scudamore
1120P/-5 SIR JIMMY SHAND (IRE) 8 Hen`ry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
1120/-11 SKIPPERS BRIG (IRE) 8 Ashleybank Investments Limited Len Lungo
200-231 SOUND ACCORD (IRE) 8 George Ward David Arbuthnot
12//2P-14 THE MARKET MAN (NZ) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
013-Ur3 THE VICAR (IRE) 6 Trevor Hemmings Henrietta Knight
10-F12P TOP OF THE ROCK (IRE) 6 J P O'Flaherty Jessica Harrington IRE
33-1112 TRAFFORD LAD 7 Butler Family Syndicate Eamon Sheehy IRE
3011-15 TRANQUIL SEA (IRE) 7 P D Cox Edward O'Grady IRE
123F6//-3 TRAVINO (IRE) 10 P C Kilroy Margeret Mullins IRE
4221 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 6 Million in Mind Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
14/F-23 TURKISH SURPRISE (FR) 6 John & Barbara Cotton Alan King
0212-23 WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 7 B Winfield & A Longman Alan King
213P-11 WHAT A FRIEND 6 Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson Paul Nicholls
240-121 WICHITA LINEMAN (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
031111 WILL BE DONE (IRE) 8 Mr & Mrs R N C Hall Donald McCain Jnr
311-015 WIND INSTRUMENT (IRE) 8 Elizabeth Pearce Carl Llewellyn
00-2312 WINDOW OF HOPE (IRE) 7 M Roden Tom Taaffe IRE
72 Entries
26 Irish-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer with Past Successes in the RSA Chase
5 Entries
Noel Meade IRE
Willie Mullins IRE (2004 Rule Supreme, 1998 Florida Pearl)
Nigel Twiston-Davies (1993 Young Hustler)

4 Entries
Philip Hobbs (2003 One Knight)
Alan King

3 Entries
Nicky Henderson (2005 Trabolgan)
Howard Johnson
Charlie Mann
Paul Nicholls (2007 Denman, 2006 Star De Mohaison)
Edward O’Grady IRE

2 Entries
Mark Bradstock
Jessica Harrington IRE
Dessie Hughes IRE
Carl Llewellyn
Tony Martin IRE

1 Entry
David Arbuthnot
Tom Cooper IRE
Victor Dartnall
Ben De Haan
James Ewart
Philip Fenton IRE
Keith Goldsworthy
Bill Harney IRE
Henrietta Knight (2000 Lord Noelie)
Len Lungo
Donald McCain
James Moffatt
Mags Mullins IRE
Paul Nolan IRE
Jonjo O’Neill (2008 Alberta’s Run)
Lucinda Russell
Jeremy Scott
Michael Scudamore
Eamon Sheehy IRE
Oliver Sherwood (1988 The West Awake)
Tom Taaffe IRE
Colin Tizzard
Paul Webber
Ian Williams

RSA CHASE ANALYSIS
The Grade One RSA Chase over an extended three miles is The Festival’s championship contest for staying novice chasers and this year’s race has attracted 72 entries.
The race has been won in the past by a host of top-class chasers, most notably the subsequent totesport Gold Cup winners Denman (2007), Looks Like Trouble (1999), Garrison Savannah (1990), Master Smudge (1979), Ten Up (1974), Arkle (1963) and Mandarin (1959).

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has tasted success with Star De Mohaison (2006) and the mighty Denman. Nicholls has a strong hand once more with three entries including the current market leader What A Friend, part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. The six-year-old defeated last season’s Pertemps Hurdle Final victor Ballyfitz in the Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase on December 12.

Breedsbreeze is unbeaten in three chase starts and defeated Massini’s Maguire, Hold Em, The Market Man and Shining Gale when winning the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. The third Nicholls entry is Kicks For Free, who was runner-up to Calgary Bay in the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase at Prestbury Park on January 1.

Jeremy Scott is eyeing the race for Gone To Lunch, a high-class novice hurdler last season, who has secured three victories over fences this term including the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November. Carruthers, trained by Mark Bradstock for his father-in-law Lord Oaksey, was runner-up to What A Friend at Uttoxeter in October but returned with a victory at Fakenham on January 12.
There have been 13 Irish-trained victors and this year the Irish entry is 26-strong. Willie Mullins trained the two most recent successful raiders from Ireland, Rule Supreme (2004) and Florida Pearl (1998), and his quintet this year is headed by Cooldine who was third in the Grade One Durkan New Homes Novice Chase over an extended two miles at Leopardstown on December 26. Mullins has also entered impressive Naas winner Jayo, Deutschland, Captain Conflict and Equus Maximus.
Aran Concerto won a brace of Grade One Novice Hurdles for trainer Noel Meade last term and won his sole chase start at Navan on November 9. The trainer has also engaged Parsons Pistol, winner of the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas on January 17, alongside Gem Daly, 2006 Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle hero Nicanor and Casey Jones.

The last-named defeated the Eamon Sheehy-trained Trafford Lad in the Grade One Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival. Sheehy’s charge had previously seen off the Tom Cooper-trained Forpadydeplasterer and the Dessie Hughes-trained Rare Bob to win the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in November, a race in which the Edward O’Grady-trained Grade One winner Tranquil Sea was fifth.

The former top-class novice hurdler Travino, trained by Mags Mullins, has been plagued by setbacks over the years and the 10-year-old made his first appearance since April, 2006, when a close third on his chasing debut behind Back On The Road at Leopardstown on December 29.

Jonjo O’Neill won the RSA Chase in 2008 with Albertas Run and he could be represented by Wichita Lineman, already a winner at The Festival when taking the 2007 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Wichita Lineman was no match for the Victor Dartnall-trained Lodge Lane at Exeter in November but went on to defeat Pancake at Chepstow in December.

RSA CHASE FACTS AND FIGURES
1. The RSA Chase is run with its current title for the first time this year although is backed by one of Cheltenham’s longest-running sponsors. It was run as the Royal & SunAlliance Chase up to 2008 and as the Royal SunAlliance Chase in 1997. Sun Alliance, which merged with Royal Insurance in 1996, previously backed the Sun Alliance Chase for 23 years and sponsored at Cheltenham for 26 years altogether. From 1971-73, the Foxhunter 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 1959, seven horses have won both the RSA Chase and totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. They are:
1959 Mandarin (Gold Cup 1962)
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)
2007 Denman (Gold Cup 2008)

To this list might be added the name of Tied Cottage, winner of the RSA 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. The current safety limit is 20.

5. Fred Winter had the best record in the contest, having landed three victories with Killiney (1973), Pengrail (1975) and Brown Chamberlin (1982). Among current trainers Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls have both landed the race twice, Mullins having sent out Rule Supreme (2004) and Florida Pearl (1998) while Nicholls has trained the past two of the past three winners – Star De Mohaison (2006) and Denman (2007).

6. Irish-trained winners number eight since 1964, the latest being Rule Supreme in 2004.

7. The most successful jockey in the RSA 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 Arkle the shortest-priced at 4/9 in 1963.

9. The fastest running of the race was won 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 Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (previously the RSA Novices’ Hurdle) and the RSA Chase. He won the Hurdle in 1987 and the Chase in 1988.

Previous results
RSA CHASE
2008-WINNER-ALBERTAS RUN 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-4/1 Fav
2ND-Roll Along 8-11-04 Owner-Bryan & Philippa Burrough; Trainer-Carl Llewellyn; Jockey-Timmy Murphy’ SP-20/1
3RD-Battlecry 7-11-04 Owner-Hamsard Ltd; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-25/1
11 ran, Time-6m 23.5s Dist-4½, 3½

2007-WINNER-DENMAN 7-11-04 Owner-Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/5 Fav
2ND-Snowy Morning 7-11-04 Owner-Quayside Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-10/1
3RD-According To John 7-11-04 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-66/1 17 ran, Time-6m 6.80s Dist-10, 3½

2006-WINNER-STAR DE MOHAISON 5-10-08 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1
2ND-Idle Talk 7-11-04 Owner-Mrs M J George; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-33/1
3RD-Darkness 7-11-04 Owner-Lady Lloyd-Webber; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-11/2
15 ran, Time-6m 9.20s Dist-6, 11 9/2 Fav Commercial Flyer (PU)

2005-WINNER-TRABOLGAN 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald;SP- 5/1
2ND-Comply Or Die 6-11-04 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-3/1 Fav
3RD-Cornish Rebel 8-11-04 Owner-Graham Roach; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
9 ran, Time-6m 12.85s Dist-3, 3

2004-WINNER-RULE SUPREME 8-11-04 Owner-John Lynch; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-David Casey; SP-25/1
2ND-Royal Emperor 8-11-04 Owner-Widdop Wanderers; Trainer-Sue Smith; Jockey-Dominic Elsworth; SP-6/1
3RD-Our Vic 6-11-04 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/8 Fav
10 ran, Time-6m 9.70s Dist-1½, 2

2003-WINNER-ONE KNIGHT 7-11-04 Owner-Robert Gibbs; Trainer-Philips Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-15/2
2ND-Jair Du Cochet 6-11-04 Owner-Miriam Montauban; Trainer-Guillaume Macaire FR; Jockey-Jacques Ricou; SP-4/1
3RD-Barrow Drive 7-11-04 Owner-Mrs B Leniham; Trainer-Tony Mullins IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/1 9 ran, Time-6m 14.90s Dist- 1¾, 10 9/4 Fav Keen Leader (5th)

2002-WINNER-HUSSARD COLLONGES 7-11-04 Owner-Nick Bannister; Trainer-Peter Beaumont; Jockey-Russ Garritty; SP-33/1
2ND-Iznogoud 6-11-04 Owner-County Stores-Avalon Surfacing; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-14/1
3RD-Chives 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Richard Guest; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time-6m 35.65s Dist- 2, 4 9/2 Fav Colonel Braxton (5th)
2001-Cancelled
2000-WINNER-LORD NOELIE 7-11-04 Owner-Executive Racing; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-9/2
2ND-Alexander Banquet 7-11-04 Owner-Miriam O’Callaghan; Trainer-Willie Mullins; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
3RD-Toto Toscato 6-11-04 Owner-Hilda Clarke; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-11/1
9 ran Time-6m 5.3s Dist-1¼, hd 7/2 Fav-Native Upmanship (4th)

1999-WINNER-LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE 7-11-04 Owner-Universal Conference & Incentive Trv Ltd; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-16/1
2ND-Lord Of The River 7-11-04 Owner-Brian Stewart-Brown; Trainer-Oliver Sherwood; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
3RD-Billingsgate 7-11-04 Owner-Dr David and Mrs B Chesney; Trainer-David Elsworth; Jockey-Paul Holley;
SP-25/1 14 ran Time-6m 21.5s Dist-dist, 3 5/4 Fav-Nick Dundee (fell)

1998-WINNER-FLORIDA PEARL 6-11-04 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Escartefigue 6-11-04 Owner-Darren Mercer; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Adrian Maguire; SP-5/1
3RD-Fulip 5-10-08 Owner-Roger Barby; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Mr Thierry Doumen; SP-9/1
10 ran Time-6m 8.3s Dist-1½, 19

RSA CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR
(RSA Chase from 2009, Royal & SunAlliance Chase 1998-2008, Royal Sun Alliance Chase 1997, Sun Alliance Chase 1974-96, Totalisator Champion Chase 1971-73, Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase 1964-1970, Broadway Chase 1961-63, Broadway Novices’ Chase before 1961)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2008 Albertas Run 7-11-04 Tony McCoy Jonjo O’Neill Trevor Hemmings 4/1F 11
2007 Denman 7-11-04 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Maggie Findlay & Paul Barber 6/5F 17
2006 Star De Mohaison 5-10-08 Barry Geraghty Paul Nicholls Sir Robert Ogden 14/1 15
2005 Trabolgan 7-11-04 Mick FitzGerald Nicky Henderson Trevor Hemmings 5/1 9
2004 Rule Supreme 8-11-04 David Casey Willie Mullins IRE John Lynch 25/1 10
2003 One Knight 7-11-04 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Robert Gibbs 15/2 9
2002 Hussard Collonges 7-11-04 Russ Garritty Peter Beaumont Nick Bannister 33/1 19
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Lord Noelie 7-11-04 Jim Culloty Henrietta Knight Executive Racing 9/2 9
1999 Looks Like Trouble 7-11-04 Paul Carberry Noel Chance Universal Conf. & Incentive Trv Ltd 16/1 14
1998 Florida Pearl 6-11-04 Richard Dunwoody Willie Mullins IRE Violet O’Leary 11/8F 10
1997 Hanakham 8-11-04 Richard Dunwoody Ron Hodges Malcolm Brereton 13/2 14
1996 Nahthen Lad 7-11-04 Warren Marston Jenny Pitman Jim Shaw 7/1 12
1995 Brief Gale 8-10-13 Philip Hide Josh Gifford Carrie Zetter 13/2 13
1994 Monsieur Le Cure 8-11-04 Peter Niven John Edwards Hector Brown 15/2 18
1993 Young Hustler 6-11-04 Peter Scudamore Nigel Twiston-Davies Gavin MacEchern 9/4 8
1992 Miinnehoma 9-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Freddie Starr 7/2F 18
1991 Rolling Ball 8-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Hilda Clarke 7/2F 20
1990 Garrison Savannah 7-11-04 Ben de Haan Jenny Pitman Autofour Engineering 12/1 9
1989 Envopak Token 8-11-04 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford Frank Arthur 16/1 15
1988 The West Awake 7-11-04 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath 11/4F 14
1987 Kildimo 7-11-04 Graham Bradley Toby Balding Lady Harris 13/2 18
1986 Cross Master 9-11-04 Reg Crank Tom Bill Harlow Bros 16/1 30
1985 Antarctic Bay 8-11-04 Frank Berry Pat Hughes IRE P Meade 6/4F 11
1984 A Kinsman 8-11-04 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank 10/1 18
1983 Canny Danny 7-11-04 Niall Madden Jimmy FitzGerald P Norton 33/1 14
1982 Brown Chamberlin 7-11-04 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs Coral Samuel 7/1 15
1981 Lesley Ann 7-11-04 Colin Brown David Elsworth Brian Gaule 25/1 17
1980 Lacson 8-11-04 Steve Knight Bob Hawker Bob Hawker 16/1 17
1979 Master Smudge 7-11-04 Richard Hoare Arthur Barrow Arthur Barrow 16/1 17
1978 Sweet Joe 6-11-04 Steve Smith Eccles Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg 12/1 17
1977 Gay Spartan 6-11-04 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson M Armstrong 13/2 15
1976 Tied Cottage 8-11-00 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore IRE Anthony Stanley Robinson 12/1 15
1975 Pengrail 7-11-00 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs G Morton 12/1 11
1974 Ten Up 7-11-00 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Anne, Duchess of Westminster 7/2 12
1973 Killiney 7-11-03 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Enid Boucher 8/15F 9
1972 Clever Scot 7-11-07 David Mould Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg 11/1 18
1971 Tantalum 7-11-07 David Nicholson Michael Pope Colonel S W Green 14/1 16
1970 Proud Tarquin 7-11-12 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE John Thomson 100/7 17
1969 Spanish Steps 6-11-12 John Cook Edward Courage Edward Courage 100/8 22
1968 Herring Gull 6-11-12 Joe Crowley Paddy Mullins IRE Mrs G A J Wilson 9/1 16
1967 Border Jet 7-11-00 Josh Gifford Ryan Price Lady Weir 4/1F 19
1966 Different Class 6-11-12 David Mould Peter Cazalet Gregory Peck 10/1 17
1965 Arkloin 6-11-07 Liam McLoughlin Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 100/7 17
1964 Buona notte 7-12-04 Johnnie Haine Bob Turnell Jim Joel 11/8F 16
1963 Arkle 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Duchess Of Westminster 4/9F 15
1962 Caduval 7-11-08 Laurie Morgan Bogden Lubecki Bogden Lubecki 11/2 13
1961 Grallagh Cnoc 7-12-01 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE Mrs K Harper 8/13F 17
1960 Solfen 8-11-12 Pat Taaffe Willie O’Grady IRE B Naughton 5/4F 21
1959 Mac Joy 7-11-12 Arthur Freeman Ken Bailey W C Simpson 4/1 11
1958 Just Awake 6-11-08 Arthur Freeman Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 100/7 19
1957 Mandarin 6-12-01 Michael Scudamore Fulke Walwyn Peggy Hennessy 8/1 14
1956 Polar Flight 6-11-08 Tommy Cusack George Spann Mrs P Pleydell-Bouverie 100/7 19
1955 Great Eliza 7-11-13 B Cooper Danny Morgan IRE Mrs N Hope Collins 7/2F 23
1954 Glenbeigh 8-11-13 Dave Dick Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget EvsF 16
1953 Coneyburrow 7-11-03 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE I E Levy 100/8 13
1952 Good And Plenty 8-11-08 Jimmy Power Jack Fawcus Lady Joicey 8/1 18
1951 On View 8-11-13 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget 8/1 23
1950 (I) Manicou 5-11-06 Lord Mildmay Peter Cazalet Lord Mildmay 2/1F 9
1950 (II) Arctic Gold 5-10-13 Glen Kelly Gerald Balding John Hay Whitney 100/30 9
1949 (I) Glen Fire 6-11-02 Mr J Spencer Syd Mercer J G Greenaway 100/8 19
1949 (II) Comeragh 8-11-02 D Kelly Major Noel Furlong Major Noel Furlong 10/1 10
1948 (I) Blakely Grove 7-11-04 Joe Maguire Ivor Anthony Paul Mellon 5/4F 17
1948 (II) Mountain Prince 9-11-04 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget 100/8 15
1947 No race (snow and frost)
1946 Birthlaw 11-11-07 Ted Vinall Tommy Rayson Mrs V Bruce 20/1 16

THE 2008 RSA CHASE RESULT IN DETAIL
3m 1/2f, Old Course, £170,000 guaranteed for 5yo+ Weights 5yo 11st 2lb; 6yo+ 11st 4lb Aallowances mares 7lb Entries 78 pay £185 1st Forfeit 46 pay £370 Confirmed 24 pay £185 Penalty Value 1st £96,934, 2nd £36,363, 3rd £18,207, 4th £9,078, 5th £4,556, 6th £2,278

1 ALBERTAS RUN (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Jonjo O'Neill 7-11-4 Tony McCoy 4/1 Fav
2 ROLL ALONG (IRE) (Bryan & Philippa Burrough) Carl Llewellyn 8-11-4 Timmy Murphy 20/1
3 BATTLECRY (Hamsard Ltd) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-4 Paddy Brennan 25/1
4 SILVERBURN (IRE) (Paul Green) Paul Nicholls 7-11-4 Sam Thomas 6/1
5 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) (Brian Walsh) Charlie Mann 6-11-4 Noel Fehily 6/1
6 JOE LIVELY (IRE) (Richard Dimond) Colin Tizzard 9-11-4 Joe Tizzard 7/1
7 OSCAR PARK (IRE) (George Ward) David Arbuthnot 9-11-4t Seamus Durack 7/1
8 VERASI (F Ledger, J Bateman) Gary Moore 7-11-4b Philip Hide 20/1
F POMME TIEPY (FR) (Mrs S Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 5-10-9 Ruby Walsh 9/2
P STARZAAN (IRE) (Ben Arbib) Hughie Morrison 9-11-4 Robert Thornton 10/1
P BAGAN (FR) (The Centaur Group Partnership VII) Charlie Mann 9-11-4 Tony Dobbin 66/1

11 ran
Non-runner: 10 Tidal Bay
Distances: 4 1/2, 3 1/2, 3, 13, 7, 11, 11 Time-6m 23.5s
Breeding: b g Accordion - Holly Grove Lass (Le Moss)
Breeder: Oliver And Salome Brennan
Totes: Win: £4.00 Places: £1.80, £4.60, £7.50 Exacta: £69.90

Winning Jockey: Anthony Peter McCoy Date of Birth: 04/05/74 Background: Born in Antrim, Northern Ireland, Tony is the son of Peader, breeder of Thumbs Up. He began his racing education with Billy Rock in 1987 before becoming apprentice to Jim Bolger two years later. He moved to Britain in 1994 to work for Toby Balding, and was champion conditional rider in the 1994-95 season with 74 wins. Became champion jockey for the first time the next year, with 175 victories, 43 ahead of nearest challenger David Bridgewater. Started riding for Martin Pipe following the trainer’s split with Richard Dunwoody, and the pair formed a formidable partnership. Beat Gordon Richards’ record for winners in a season (269) on April 2, 2002, before going on to 289 victories in that season. Surpassed Richard Dunwoody’s record for number of jump winners later that year, and has been champion jockey every year for the past 12 seasons. First Winner: Thurles, 26/03/92, Legal Steps (First winner in Britain: 07/09/94, Exeter, Chickabiddy) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (20) Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2008 Albertas Run), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (1996 Kibreet, 1998 Edredon Bleu), Irish Independent Arkle Chase (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve, 2004 Well Chief), Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (1997 Make A Stand, 2006 Brave Inca), Totesport Gold Cup (1997 Mr Mulligan), Cathcart Chase (1998 Cyfor Malta, 2002 Royal Auclair), Pertemps Final (1998 Unsinkable Boxer), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (1998 Blowing Wind), Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1999 Hors La Loi III), Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Hcap Chase (1999 Majadou), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2000 Edredon Bleu), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2003 Liberman), Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2006 Reveillez), Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Black Jack Ketchum, 2007 Wichita Lineman) Leading Rider at The Festival: 1997 (3), 1998 (5). Other major wins: AIG Europe Champion Hurdle (2006 Brave Inca), Ballymore Properties “Classic” Nov Hdle (2007 Wichita Lineman), Cleeve Hurdle (2003 Classified), December Festival Hurdle (2005 Brave Inca), Feltham Novices’ Chase (2005 Darkness), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2006 Straw Bear), Finale Juvenile Hurdle (2004 Phar Bleu), First National Gold Cup H’cap Chase (2000 Upgrade, 2001 Wahiba Sands), Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (2006 Brave Inca), King George VI Chase (2002 Best Mate), Stan James Christmas Hurdle (2007 Straw Bear), Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase (1999 Cyfor Malta, 2007 Exotic Dancer), Long Distance Hurdle (1999 Galant Moss, 2003 Deano’s Beano, 2004 Baracouda), Long Walk Hurdle (2002 Deano’s Beeno, 2004 Baracouda), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1998 Cyfor Malta, 2000 Lady Cricket, 2001Shooting Light, 2006 Exotic Dancer), Scottish Champion Hurdle (2005 Genghis), Scottish Grand National (1997 Belmont King), Tripleprint Gold Cup Chase (1998 Northern Starlight) Aintree Festival Wins Include: Mumm Melling Chase (1996 Viking Flagship), Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle (1996 Zabadi, 1999 Hors La Loi III), John Smith’s Top Novices Hurdle (2006 Straw Bear), John Hughes Trophy Chase (1998 Cyfor Malta, 2000 Northern Starlight), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (1998 Boss Doyle, 2005 Like-A-Butterfly), Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (1998 Unsinkable Boxer, 2006 Black Jack Ketchum), Martell Aintree Hurdle (1998 Pridwell), Betfair Bowl Chase (2004 Tiutchev, 2007 Exotic Dancer), Martell Maghull Novices’ Chase (2004 Well Chief), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (2006 Foreman) Winners 1994/5-2006/07: 74; 175; 189; 253; 186; 245; 191; 289; 257; 209; 199; 178; 184; Wins this season: 133

Winning Trainer: JONJO O’NEILL Born: April 13, 1952 Based: Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire Career: former National Hunt jockey Cheltenham Festival Wins (15): Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2008 Albertas Run), Pertemps Final (1991 Danny Connors, 2003 Inching Closer, 2004 Creon); National Hunt Chase (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock, 2004 Native Emperor, 2007 Butler’s Cabin); Vincent O’Brien County H’cap Hurdle (2000 Master Tern), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2004 Iris’s Gift), Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Black Jack Ketchum, 2007 Wichita Lineman), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2007 Drombeag) Aintree Festival wins: Betfair Bowl (2007 Exotic Dancer), betfair.com Handicap Chase (2000 Radiation, 2002 Carbury Cross, 2003 Master Tern), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2002 Sudden Shock, 2006 Refinement, 2007 Alberta’s Run), John Smith’s Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (2002 Quazar), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), John Smith’s Topham Chase (2003 Clan Royal), Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Iris’s Gift, 2006 Black Jack Ketchum), John Smith’s Champion Standard National Hunt Flat Race (2003 Classic Native), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2004 Iris’s Gift), S&N Aintree Hurdle (2004 Rhinestone Cowboy) Other Big Race Wins: Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers’ Hurdle (2004 Rhinestone Cowboy), Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Black Jack Ketchum), Challow Hurdle (2002 Coolnagorna, 2006 Wichita Lineman), Christmas Hurdle (2002 & 2003 Intersky Falcon), Cleeve Hurdle (2006 Fire Dragon), Edward Hanmer Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Emo Oil Champion Hurdle (2003 Quazar), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), Greatwood Hurdle (2005 Lingo), John James McManus Memorial Hurdle (2002 & 2003 Intersky Falcon), Kingwell Hurdle (2003 Rhinestone Cowboy), Paddy Power Gold Cup (2006 Exotic Dancer), Punchestown Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle (2002 Quazar), Reynoldstown Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Swinton Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), Tommy Whittle Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Tripleprint Gold Cup (1999 Legal Right), Totesport Becher Chase (2003 Clan Royal), Totesport Silver Cup (2000 Legal Right), Welsh National (2002 Mini Sensation) Number of Winners (1995/96-2006/07): 18; 17; 32; 38; 44; 58; 113; 114; 102; 96; 105; 126 Wins this Season: 99

THE 139TH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE CHALLENGE CUP
(AMATEUR RIDERS’ NOVICES’ STEEPLECHASE)
Class 2, £75,000 Total Prize Fund, 1.30pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Four miles. For novice five-year-olds and upwards. To be ridden by Category B Amateur Riders or Category C Qualified Riders. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 5lb; 6-y-o and upwards 11st 7lb; Mares allowed 7lb. Penalties: a winner of a steeplechase prior to April 29, 2007, 4lb; A winner of a steeplechase 4lb. Entries closed January 20, entries released January 22 (85 entries), forfeit stage February 17, six-day confirmation stage March 5, final declaration stage 10.00am Tuesday, March 10. Form figures correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, January 21.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
116224 APOLLO CREED (IRE) 7 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies
11//-1 AU COURANT (IRE) 9 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson
3//24226- AUTUMN RED (IRE) 9 Dodson & Partners Paul Webber
4 BAY CHERRY (IRE) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
02/142/-0 BEST ACTOR (IRE) 10 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
12-322U BIG FELLA THANKS 7 Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay Paul Nicholls
33/051-3 BOLD RANSOM (IRE) 7 Mrs J W Furness Keith Reveley
310P-14 BORERO (FR) 6 N W A & M J R Bannister Charlie Mann
006F03 BUNDLE OF FUN (IRE) 6 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate John Murphy IRE
63-1113 CAN'T BUY TIME (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
22110-3 CAPTAIN CONFLICT (IRE) 6 GLS Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
220-PP1 CARNIVAL TOWN 8 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
F231P1 CASEY JONES (IRE) 8 Gillian Burke Noel Meade IRE
406P-32 CAVE HILL (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson
30-5341 COE (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
3223P4 COLD MOUNTAIN (IRE) 7 Woodford Valley Racing Seamus Mullins
211-111 COMPANERO (IRE) 9 W M G Black & Sue Johnson Howard Johnson
P-34503 CONTESSA MESSINA (IRE) 9 Margaret & Anthony Erangey Mouse Morris IRE
232-F6P DOUBLE INTRUDER (IRE) 8 Hinge, Searchfield & Tamburro Shaun Lycett
14-5155 DRUMCONVIS (IRE) 8 Billy Moffett Tony Martin IRE
2F/062-P DURANTE (IRE) 11 Wally Sturt Jim Old
210-31P EQUUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 9 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
4142 FAIR POINT (IRE) 7 Jared Sullivan & Bob Michaelson Charlie Mann
F220-22 FOREST LEAVES (IRE) 9 Legal Access Syndicate Edward O'Grady IRE
002/26- FREDDIES RETURN (IRE) 8 Wally Sturt Jim Old
6/0-041P FREEZE UP (IRE) 7 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
2-0 GENTLE RANGER (IRE) 7 Mrs S Clifford David Pipe
2-32111 GONE TO LUNCH (IRE) 9 G T Lever Jeremy Scott
2/034-23 GREAT APPROACH (IRE) 8 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Richards
424F0-1 HENNESSY (IRE) 8 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
5204-FP HIGH FIDELITAY (IRE) 7 J P McManus Tony Mullins IRE
0-16045 HILLS OF ARAN 7 David Hughes Mike Evans & Partners Keith Goldsworthy
0P2113 HOOPY (IRE) 7 John Earls Gordon Elliott IRE
21F231 HUCKLEBERRY (IRE) 7 Racing Shrews Syndicate Bayston Hill Donald McCain Jnr
6-04602 IRISH REALM (USA) 6 Gabriel Dixon Paul Magnier IRE
3/0445-1 ITSA LEGEND 10 The We're A Legend Partnership Alan King
31-3432 IWILLREMEMBERYOU (IRE) 9 Tunnel Vision Charlie Longsdon
6211//5-6 KILDONNAN 10 Wally Sturt Jim Old
113-241 KORNATI KID 7 Diana L Whateley Philip Hobbs
051331 LE BEAU BAI (FR) 6 Glass Half Full Richard Lee
5302-21 LYDON HOUSE 10 Michael Lydon Gordon Elliott IRE
204-133 LYICAL ASSASSIN (IRE) 9 S Gillen Kahlil Burke
2113/F2- MARK THE BOOK (IRE) 8 D Allen Philip Hobbs
010B11 MERCHENT PADDY (IRE) 8 P P Byrnes Charles Byrnes IRE
4(0)/-064 MISS FLEUR 6 Milcombe Racing Nick Mitchell
0/2425-P MISTER VIRGINIAN (IRE) 10 First Of Many Partnership Michael Phillips IRE
31142P MONZON (FR) 9 Tony O'Gorman Chris Gordon
031600 MUSTANGSALLYRALLY (IRE) 8 Mrs H Mullins Tom Mullins IRE
U44P-31 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 8 G Regan Bob Buckler
F22/-22P NINE DE SIVOLA (FR) 8 The DPRP Sivola Partnership Ferdy Murphy
5/-2110P NUVELLI (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Shane Donohoe IRE
211220 OPERATION HOUDINI (IRE) 7 Aryawillyasthap Syndicate Davy Fitzgerald IRE
012036 OULART 10 Dessie Hughes & Ged Pierse Dessie Hughes IRE
154-4U1 PANGBOURNE (FR) 8 Trevor Hemmings Alan King
0-21431 PARSONS PISTOL (IRE) 7 R J Bagnall Noel Meade IRE
25P-245 PLEIN POUVOIR (FR) 6 Dr Moira Hamlin Venetia Williams
14U/13/-4 PRESENT GLORY (IRE) 10 George Ward David Arbuthnot
P2303-2 QUARTANO (GER) 6 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn
656-P1 RADETSKY MARCH (IRE) 6 Piers Pottinger Mark Bradstock
30-2431 RARE BOB (IRE) 7 D A Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
205-61P RAVEN'S RUN (IRE) 7 M J Heaslip Philip Fenton IRE
43214/-4 ROCK DIPLOMAT (IRE) 9 Pierce Molony Michael Cunningham IRE
1-0 RUN FOR MOOR (IRE) 8 Mr & Mrs Richard Kelvin Hughes Nicky Henderson
2122/-1 SA SUFFIT (FR) 6 Proud To Be Scottish Partnership James Ewart
01221F SELECTION BOX (IRE) 8 Web Law Racing Syndicate Colin McBratney IRE
45-4133 SIEGEMASTER (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE
3-2411P SILLY WUPPLE 7 S Smith, K Hunter, P Duffen Michael Scudamore
1P35-24 SILVER BY NATURE 7 G S Brown Lucinda Russell
11153P SKIP TWO (IRE) 8 Thomas O'Doherty Davy Fitzgerald IRE
P05-322 SLASH AND BURN (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE
U3U215 SNAKE CHARMER 6 Racing Roses Partnership Milton Harris
411340 STRONG COFFEE 7 David Knox & John Rathbone Oliver Sherwood
66411 SUPREME KEANO (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
26-2F22 TANK TOP 8 R & L Channing, A & P Hurley Tom George
1/1P-222 THAT'S RHYTHM (FR) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Martin Todhunter
43 THE ARTFUL FOX 8 Mrs E A Verity Mike Sowersby
2/3F/-243 THE COOL GUY (IRE) 9 Frosty's Four Nigel Twiston-Davies
42406 TOBY JUG 8 Laura Anne Hourigan Michael Hourigan IRE
051U31 TOPOFDEMORNINTOU (IRE) 7 Belinda O'Brien Davy Fitzgerald IRE
123F6//-3 TRAVINO (IRE) 10 P C Kilroy Margaret Mullins IRE
4221 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) 6 Million In Mind Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
140402- WAYNESWORLD (IRE) 11 Michael Scudamore Michael Scudamore
0212-23 WEST END ROCKER (IRE) 7 B Winfield & A Longman Alan King
21-2300 WHATEVER NEXT (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud John Murphy IRE
240-121 WICHITA LINEMAN (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
85 Entries, 29 Irish-trained

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES
4 Entries
Jonjo O’Neill (2007 Butler’s Cabin, 2004 Native Emperor, 2003 Sudden Shock, 2002 Rith Dubh, 1995 Front Line)

3 Entries
Davy Fitzgerald IRE
Dessie Hughes IRE
Alan King (2008 Old Benny)
Carl Llewellyn
Jim Old
Nigel Twiston-Davies

2 Entries
Gordon Elliott IRE
Nicky Henderson
Philip Hobbs
Howard Johnson (1993 Ushers Island)
Charlie Mann
Noel Meade IRE
Willie Mullins IRE
John Murphy IRE
David Pipe
Michael Scudamore

1 Entry
David Arbuthnot
Mark Bradstock
Bob Buckler
Kahlil Burke
Charles Byrnes IRE
Michael Cunningham IRE
Shane Donohoe IRE
James Ewart
Philip Fenton IRE
Tom George
Keith Goldsworthy
Chris Gordon
Milton Harris
Michael Hourigan IRE (1999 Deejaydee)
Malcolm Jefferson
Charlie Longsdon
Shaun Lycett
Tony Martin IRE
Colin McBratney IRE
Donald McCain Jnr
Paul Magnier IRE
Nick Mitchell
Mouse Morris IRE
Mags Mullins IRE
Seamus Mullins
Tom Mullins IRE
Tony Mullins IRE
Ferdy Murphy (2006 Hot Weld)
Paul Nicholls
Edward O’Grady IRE (1996 Loving Around, 1983 Bit Of A Skite, 1974 Mr Midland)
Richard Lee
Michael Phillips IRE
Keith Reveley
Nicky Richards
Lucinda Russell
Jeremy Scott
Oliver Sherwood
Sue Smith
Mike Sowersby
Charlie Swan IRE
Martin Todhunter
Paul Webber
Venetia Williams

139th Year of the National Hunt Chase - Analysis
This year sees the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – the longest race run at The Festival – close earlier than it has done in the past and this has resulted in a bumper entry of 85, a massive increase on the 56 entries received in 2008.
No current trainer can come close to the record of Jonjo O’Neill, with the master of Jackdaws Castle having sent out five winners of the four-mile contest including three consecutive successes from 2002 to 2004. This year O’Neill has made four entries, more than any other trainer. The O’Neill quartet are Can’t Buy Time, a three-time winner already this season, Carnival Town, who proved he has stamina aplenty when winning a beginners’ chase over an extended three and a quarter miles on heavy ground at Chepstow on January 16, Supreme Keano, who also shouldn’t be found wanting in the stamina department having won a three-mile handicap chase at Chepstow on the same card as Carnival Town and Wichita Lineman, successful in the 2007 renewal of what is now the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival. Wichita Lineman has begun his chasing career in fine style, having won two of his three starts to date.
Last year saw Old Benny successful for the combination of owner Trevor Hemmings and trainer Alan King. This time around Hemmings and King could be represented by Pangbourne. A Grade Two bumper at Aintree back in 2006, the eight-year-old must rank as one of the most fortunate winners of the season when left clear on the flat after the last at Taunton on January 15. King could also be represented by Itsa Legend, a winner at Taunton in December and West End Rocker, who was last season out when finishing third in the Sir Tristram Ricketts Novices’ Chase at The Open in November.

There have been 14 Irish-trained winners of the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup in the post-war period, most recently Another Rum in 2005. There are 29-Irish trained entries in 2009, including Hoopy, trained by Gordon Elliott and a successful at The Open in November in the Irish Times Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase. Edward O’Grady, successful in the race three times, has entered Forest Leaves, who has shaped as if a marathon trip should be well within his grasp.

Other interesting entries include the consistent Gone To Lunch from the small yard of Jeremy Scott, the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Fella Thanks and Nine De Sivola from the Ferdy Murphy yard who finished second in this race in 2007 as well as both the Irish and Scottish Grand Nationals in the same year but has remarkably yet to win a race.

139TH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASE FACTS & FIGURES
1. The National Hunt Chase has been run more times than any other race at The Festival, and is in its 139th year in 2009. Until the 1930s, only the Grand National was more important than the National Hunt Chase in the jump calendar. The race had been run at a number of venues until it became a part of the new two-day National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham in 1911. It had also been run at Cheltenham in 1904 and 1905.

2. The four-mile National Hunt Chase is the longest race run at The Festival. The race was reduced in distance by a furlong in 2008 and reverted back to the old course.

3. The race is usually one of the best supported at The Festival, with very competitive fields each year. The largest post-war field size is 37 (1948) and the smallest 13 (1993). There is now a safety limit of 20 runners.

4. Flimsy Truth, a 33/1 chance, set a record post-war time of 8 mins 11.09s in 1998 but that was beaten by Relaxation in 2000, who scored in 8 mins 0.60s.

5. Flimsy Truth is not the longest priced post-war winner - that honour goes to Topsham Bay, successful in 1990, and 2005 winner Another Rum, who were both returned at 40/1. Castledermot, 6/4 favourite in 1949, is the shortest-priced victor.

6. The race has proved a good guide to future success in recent seasons. The 2007 winner Butler’s Cabin subsequently won the Irish Grand National while 2006 victor Hot Weld landed a memorable double in 2007 by collecting the Scottish National and the Betfred Gold Cup in the space of a week. 2007 John Smith’s Grand National victor Silver Birch finished fourth in 2004.

7. The 2008 race was run as the Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase to celebrate the legendary commentator’s 90th birthday.

139TH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASE CHALLENGE CUP PAST RESULTS
2008-WINNER-OLD BENNY 7-11-07 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Charlie Huxley; SP-9/1
2ND-Over The Creek 9-12-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Mr Josh Guerriero; SP-7/1
3RD-Back On Line 8-11-07 Owner-ROA Arkle Partnership; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Mr William Biddick
20 ran, Time-8m 26.6s; Dist-7, 4½ 9/2 Fav Ornais (5th)

2007-WINNER-BUTLER’S CABIN 7-12-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr Alan Berry; SP-33/1
2ND Character Building 7-12-00 Owner-Mrs E Wright; Trainer-John Quinn; Jockey-Mr Derek O’Connor; SP-7/1
3RD Countess Trifaldi 7-11-00 Owner-C Wilkinson; Trainer-Michael Phillips IRE; Jockey-Mr Colman Sweeney; SP-100/1
19 ran, Time-8m 38.70s; Dist-¾, 10 2/1 Fav Gungadu (Fell)

2006-WINNER-HOT WELD 7-11-11 Owner-S Hubbard Rodwell; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Mr Richard Harding; SP-33/1
2ND Beantown 8-11-07 Owner-Eoin Barry; Trainer-Sean Aherne IR; Jockey-Mr Paul Tobin; SP-40/1
3RD Far From Trouble 7-11-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-7/2 Fav
22 ran, Time-8m 33.20s; Dist-nk, 1

2005-WINNER-ANOTHER RUM 7-11-07 Owner-Ronald Lilley; Trainer-Ian Duncan IRE; Jockey-Mr Mark O’Hare; SP-40/1
2ND Caislean Ui Cuain 9-11-11 Owner-Seamus O’Farrell; Trainer-Jim Lambe IRE; Jockey-Mr J P O’Farrell; SP-150/1
3RD Control Man 7-12-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Gordon Elliott; SP-11/1
20 ran, Time-8m 49.90s; Dist-7, 2 100/30 Fav Point Barrow (5th)

2004-WINNER-NATIVE EMPEROR 8-11-11 Owner-J C, J R & S R Hitchins; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr Robert Widger; SP-5/1 Jt Fav
2ND Celestial Gold 6-11-11 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Ashley Farrant; SP-33/1
3RD Drombeag 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-8/1
22 ran, Time-8m 12.10s; Dist-1:, 6 5/1 Jt Fav Silver Birch (5th)

2003-WINNER-SUDDEN SHOCK 8-11-07 Owner-Darren Mercer; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr Denis Cullen; SP-25/1
2ND Stormez 6-12-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Jamie Moore; SP-7/4 Fav
3RD Young Ottoman 7-11-11 Owner-D G Staddon; Trainer-Victor Dartnall; Jockey-Mr Julian Pritchard; SP-10/1
24 ran, Time-8m 21.80s; Dist-1, 13

2002-WINNER-RITH DUBH 10-11-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-10/1
2ND-Timbera 8-12-00 Owner-Josephine Breen; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Mr Davy Russell; SP-8/1
3RD-Silver Steel 7-12-00 Owner-Thomas Harty; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Mr Alan Crowe; SP-12/1
26 ran, Time 8m 46.40s; Dist-hd, 13 6/1 Fav Mister Bigtime (8th)

2001-Race Cancelled

2000-WINNER-RELAXATION 8-12-00 Owner-Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey and Mrs Vicky Wiggin; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Mr Mark Bradburne; SP-8/1
2ND-Inch Rose 6-11-13 Owner-E Hunston, P White and Mrs V Griffiths; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Mr Tom Doyle; SP-9/1
3RD-Mister One 9-12-07 Owner-Colin Tizzard; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Mr J D Moore; SP-11/2
21 ran, Time-8m 0.60s, Dist-6, 5 4/1 Fav Fandango De Chassy (PU)

1999-WINNER-DEEJAYDEE 7-12-00 Owner- Mrs M Devine; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Mr Tony Martin; SP-13/2
2ND-Riot Leader 9-12-07 Owner-Mrs & Mrs D A Gamble; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Mr Alan Dempsey; SP-10/1
3RD-Spot Thedifference 6-12-04 Owner-Mrs S Bolger; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mr Paul Moloney; SP-13/2
21 ran, Time-8m 33.7s, Dist-nk, 6 6/1 Fav Derrymore Mist (4th)

1998-WINNER-WANDERING LIGHT 9-12-7 Owner-Anne Duchess of Westminster; Trainer-Tim Forster; Jockey-Mr Rupert Wakley;
SP-10/1
2ND-Thatswhatithought 6-12-0 Owner-Joy Valentine; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Mr Ruby Walsh; SP-20/1
3RD-Torduff Express 7-12-7 Owner-Two Plus Two; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Mr Joe Tizzard; SP-7/1
24 ran, Time-8m 21.1s, Dist-16, 7 100/30 Fav Farfadet V (BD)

1997-WINNER-FLIMSY TRUTH 11-12-07 Owner-Martin Weston; Trainer-Martin Weston; Jockey-Mr Mike Harris; SP-33/1
2ND-Vol Par Nuit 6-12-04 Owner-D O McIntyre; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Mr Thierry Doumen;SP-13/2
3RD-Robsand 8-12-00 Owner-Sir Brian McGrath; Trainer-Toby Balding; Jockey-Mr Andrew Balding; SP-9/1
23 ran, Time-8m 11.09s, Dist-13, 27 6/1 Fav Random Harvest (PU)

1996-WINNER-LOVING AROUND 8-11-13 Owner-Lord Tavistock; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Mr Philip Fenton; SP-10/1
2ND-Fellow Countryman 9-12-07 Owner-A D Wardall; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Mr Marcus Armytage; SP-10/1
3RD-Class of Ninetytwo 7-12-07 Owner-Lord Cadogan; Trainer-Tim Forster; Jockey-Mr Jim Culloty; SP-3/1 Fav
22 ran, Time-8m 34.7s, Dist-13, 6

1995-WINNER-FRONT LINE 8-12-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr John Berry; SP-7/1
2ND-Keano 6-12-00 Owner-Midavon Partnership; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Mr Sean Mulcaire; SP-8/1
3RD-Lacken Cross 7-12-04 Owner-John J Howlett; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Mr Henry Cleary; SP-7/1
25 ran, Time-8m 55.5s, Dist-dist, 7 13/2 Fav Extra Special (PU)

139TH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASE CHALLENGE CUP (AMATEUR RIDERS) ROLL OF HONOUR
(Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase in 2008)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2008 Old Benny 7-11-07 Mr Charlie Huxley Alan King Trevor Hemmings 9/1 20
2007 Butler’s Cabin 7-12-00 Mr Alan Berry Jonjo O’Neill J P McManus 33/1 19
2006 Hot Weld 7-11-11 Mr Richard Harding Ferdy Murphy Simon Hubbard Rodwell 33/1 22
2005 Another Rum 7-11-07 Mr Mark O’Hare Ian Duncan IRE Ronald Lilley 40/1 20
2004 Native Emperor 8-11-11 Mr Robert Widger Jonjo O’Neill J C, J R & S R Hitchins 5/1JF 22
2003 Sudden Shock 8-11-07 Mr Denis Cullen Jonjo O’Neill Darren Mercer 25/1 24
2002 Rith Dubh 10-11-11 Mr J T McNamara Jonjo O’Neill J P McManus 10/1 26
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Relaxation 8-12-00 Mr Mark Bradburne Henry Daly Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey/Vicky Wiggin 8/1 21
1999 Deejaydee 7-12-00 Mr Tony Martin Michael Hourigan IRE Mrs M Devine 13/2 21
1998 Wandering Light 9-12-07 Mr Rupert Wakley Tim Forster Anne Duchess of Westminster 10/1 24
1997 Flimsy Truth 11-12-07 Mr Micky Harris Martin Weston Martin Weston 33/1 23
1996 Loving Around 5-11-06 Mr Philip Fenton Edward O’Grady IRE Lord Tavistock 10/1 22
1995 Front Line 8-12-07 Mr John Berry Jonjo O'Neill J P McManus 7/1 25
1994 Christmas Gorse 8-12-04 Mr Marcus Armytage Nick Gaselee David Stoddart 14/1 19
1993 Ushers Island 7-12-04 Mr Noel Wilson Howard Johnson Bob Bowden 15/2 13
1992 Keep Talking 7-12-07 Mr Marcus Armytage Tim Thomson Jones Jim Joel 5/2F 24
1991 Smooth Escort 7-12-00 Mr Tony Martin Di Haine A F Budge (Equine) Ltd 7/1 18
1990 Topsham Bay 7-12-00 Mr Paul Hacking David Barons Michael Marsh 40/1 25
1989 Boraceva 6-12-07 Mr Seamus Mullins Toby Balding Duke of Atholl 4/1F 21
1988 Over The Road 7-12-04 Mr Tom Costello Terry Casey John Upson 10/1 28
1987 Mighty Mark 8-12-07 Mr Jimmy Walton Frank Walton Frank Walton 8/1 30
1986 Omerta 6-12-07 Mr Lorcan Wyer Homer Scott IRE Mrs J McMorrow 9/4F 22
1985 Northern Bay 9-12-04 Mr Tony Fowler Tom Bill Twycross Frozen Food Centre Ltd 12/1 20
1984 Macks Friendly 7-12-07 Mr Willie Mullins Paddy Mullins IRE John Mulhern 11/4 18
1983 Bit Of A Skite 7-12-00 Mr Frank Codd Edward O'Grady IRE J P McManus 5/1F 29
1982 Hazy Dawn 7-12-07 Mr Willie Mullins Paddy Mullins IRE R Daniels 8/1 26
1981 Lucky Vane 6-12-07 Mr Stephen Bush Toby Balding Bridget Swire 13/1 21
1980 Waggoners Walk 11-12-04 Mr Tony Fowler Caroline Mason George Mason 10/1 23
1979 Artic Ale 8-12-00 Mr John Fowler Dan Moore IRE Anthony Robinson 20/1 25
1978 Gay Tie 5-11-09 Mr John Fowler Mick O'Toole IRE Dr P Morrissey 10/1 17
1977 Alpenstock 10-12-04 Mr Dick Saunders Stan Mellor Harron Thompson 14/1 21
1976 Sage Merlin 8-12-07 Mr Peter Greenall Jack Hardy John Bingham 5/2F 22
1975 Abandoned (course waterlogged)
1974 Mr Midland 7-12-04 Mr Mouse Morris Edward O’Grady IRE B Naughton 7/2 17
1973 Foreman 7-12-01 Mr Bill Shand Kydd Tom Jones R Dean 11/2F 25
1972 Charley Winking 7-12-00 Mr Derrick Scott Leslie Scott Leslie Scott 20/1 23
1971 Deblin’s Green 8-11-07 Mr Derek Edmunds George Yardley George Yardley 9/2F 20
1970 Domason 7-12-01 Mr Robert Alner Harry Dufosee Harry Dufosee 10/1 18
1969 Lizzy The Lizard 10-12-00 Mr Grant Cann Tony Hartnoll Tony Hartnoll 10/1 35
1968 Fascinating Forties 9-11-07 Mr Michael Dickinson George Owen Lord Leverhulme 9/1 22
1967 Master Tammy 9-11-07 Mr Brian Fanshawe George Guilding George Guilding 100/7 24
1966 Polaris Missile 7-11-09 Mr John Thorne John Thorne John Thorne 100/6 29
1965 Red Vale 11-12-00 Mr George Small Albert Piper Mrs C Smith 100/8 26
1964 Dorimont 10-12-01 Mr Charles Vaughan Tom Taaffe IRE M A Walshe 4/1 30
1963 Time 8-12-00 Mr Ian Balding Willie Stephenson John Cheatle 8/1 35
1962 Go Slow 7-12-07 Mr George Small Albert Piper Mrs I R Millar 10/1 26
1961 Superfine 8-12-04 Sir William Pigott-Brown Frank Cundell I Kerwood 10/1 33
1960 Proud Socks 8-12-00 Mr H Thompson Vivian Bishop Vivian Bishop 100/6 22
1959 Sabaria 8-12-00 Mr John Lawrence Bob Turnell Bob Turnell 5/2F 17
1958 Spud Tamson 7-12-04 Mr Geordie Dun Tommy Dun Mrs T D C Dun 13/2 28
1957 Kari Sou 8-12-00 Mr Alan Lillingston Archie Thomlinson Archie Thomlinson 100/6 24
1956 Rosana III 7-12-00 Mr G Everitt G Everitt G Everitt 9/1 22
1955 Reverend Prince 9-12-00 Mr C Pocock P Dufosee P Dufosee 33/1 26
1954 Quare Times 8-12-04 Mr Bunny Cox Vincent O’Brien IRE Mrs R Smyth 5/2F 26
1953 Pontage 7-12-04 Mr Bunny Cox Dan Moore IRE Lady Honor Svejdar 9/4F 22
1952 Frosty Knight 6-12-00 Mr Charles Straker Ian Straker Ian Straker 15/2 19
1951 Cushendun 6-12-04 Mr Peter Chisman Bobby Renton Lurline Brotherton 10/1 18
1950 Ellesmere 7-12-07 Mr Atty Corbett Ken Cundell Lord Bicester 100/30F 26
1949 Castledermot 7-12-07 Lord Mildmay Vincent O'Brien IRE Mrs Harry Keogh 6/4F 17
1948 Bruno II 8-12-03 Major Guy Cunard William Anstruther-Gray William Anstruther-Gray 20/1 37
1947 Maltese Wanderer 8-12-03 Major Dermot Daly Tom Yates G J Wells 6/1 20
1946 Prattler 11-12-03 Major Dermot Daly Tom Yates E Manner 33/1 20

THE 2008 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE CHALLENGE CUP RESULT IN DETAIL
4m, Old Course, £75,000 guaranteed, For 5yo+ Weights 5yo 11st 5lb; 6yo+ 11st 7lb Penalties a winner of a chase prior to April 29, 2007 4lb, a winner of a chase after April 28, 2007 4lb, of two such races 7lb Allowances mares 7lb Entries 56 pay £115 Confirmed 39 pay £260 Penalty value 1st £45,015, 2nd £14,062.50, 3rd £7,027.50, 4th £3,517.50, 5th £1,755, 6th £885

1 OLD BENNY (Trevor Hemmings) Alan King 7-11-7b Mr Charlie Huxley 9/1
2 OVER THE CREEK (David Johnson) David Pipe 9-12-0 Mr Josh Guerriero 7/1
3 BACK ON LINE (IRE) (ROA Arkle Partnership) Venetia Williams 8-11-7 Mr William Biddick 8/1
4 NICHE MARKET (IRE) (G Regan) Bob Buckler 7-11-7 Mr Jamie Codd 66/1
5 ORNAIS (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 6-12-0t Mr Nick Scholfield 9/2 Fav
6 DREUX (FR) (Valerie Courtney) Thomas Cooper IRE 6-11-11 Mr Michael O'Connor 100/1
7 MENCHIKOV (FR) (Sir Robert Ogden) Nicky Henderson 8-11-11 Mr Jamie Snowden 20/1
8 SANDHURST (IRE) (C Kiernan) Edgar Byrne IRE 8-11-7 Mr Jason McKeown 12/1
9 SIZING AUSTRALIA (IRE) (Alan Potts) Henry De Bromhead IRE 6-11-7 Mr David Roche 25/1
10 RIMSKY (IRE) (D & S Goodman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-11 Mr Ran Morgan 16/1
11 OULART (IRE) (Ged Pierse) Dessie Hughes IRE 9-11-7v1 Miss Nina Carberry 16/1
12 HERE'S JOHNNY (IRE) (The Big Boys Toys Partnership) Victor Dartnall 9-11-11p Miss Polly Gundry 16/1
F 4th ICE TEA (IRE) (Sandicroft Stud) Donald McCain Jnr 8-12-0b Mr Richard Burton
F LAST IN ACCORD (T Nixon) Henry Daly 9-11-11 Mr Tom Greenall
U 4th LEADING AUTHORITY (IRE) (Robert And Sarah Tizzard) Colin Tizzard 7-12-0b Mr James Tudor 33/1
U 4th PASS IT ON (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 9-11-11p Mr J T McNamara 20/1
F 8th SHERWOODS FOLLY (Trevor Hemmings) Henry Daly 6-11-11p Mr Damien Murphy 25/1
P BEANTOWN (IRE) (Eoin Barry) Sean Aherne IRE 10-11-11 Mr Derek O'Connor 9/1
P THE KING OF ANGELS (IRE) (J & S Hitchins) Jonjo O'Neill 6-12-0p Mr Alan Berry 50/1
P MILLARDS LAD (IRE) (Terry Evans) Aaron Bateman 9-12-0t Nick Williams 66/1

20 ran
Distances: 7, 4 1/2, hd, 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 3/4, 5, 3/4, 1, 3 3/4, 20 Time-8m 26.6s
Breeder: Robert & Jackie Chugg
Breeding: b g Saddler’s Hall (IRE) - Jack’s The Girl (IRE) (Supreme Leader)
Totes: Win: £10.60 Places: £3.60, £3.00, £3.00 Exacta: £67.90

Winning Trainer: ALAN KING Born: December 13, 1966 Based: Barbury Castle Stables, Wroughton, Wiltshire Cheltenham Festival Wins (9): Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase (2008 Old Benny), Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (2008 Katchit), William Hill National Trophy Handicap Chase (2004 Fork Lightning), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2005 Penzance, 2007 Katchit), Arkle Challenge Trophy (2006 Voy Por Ustedes, 2007 My Way De Solzen), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2006 My Way De Solzen), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2007 Voy Por Ustedes) Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Anniversary 4-Y-0 Hurdle (2007 Katchit), Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2002 Stromness), John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (2002 Spendid), John Smith’s HBLB TBA Mares’ Only NH (2005 Senorita Rumbalita), John Smith’s Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2006 Pangbourne) Big Race Wins: Bula Hurdle (1999 Relkeel), Betfair Handicap Hurdle (2006 Halcon Genelardais), Desert Orchid Chase (2006 Voy Por Ustedes), Dipper Novices’ Chase (2006 My Way De Solzen), Long Walk Hurdle (1999 Anzum, 2005 My Way De Solzen), Jim Ford Challenge Cup (2000 Spendid), Cleeve Hurdle (2004 Crystal d’Ainay), Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (2006 Voy Por Ustedes), National Spirit Hurdle (2006 My Way De Solzen), Ryman The Stationer Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Katchit), Coral Welsh National (2006 Halcon Genelardais), Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle (2007 Francheok), Desert Orchid Chase (2007 Voy Por Ustedes) Number of Winners (1999/2000-2006/07): 27; 18; 34; 39; 47; 66; 63 Wins this Season: 105

Winning Jockey: Charlie Huxley Based: c/o Alan King, Barbury Castle Stables, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts. Background: Grandfather Roy Edwards won 1967 Champion Hurdle on Saucy Kit, great aunt point-to-point trainer Sheila Crow. Rode for Heather Dalton and Michael Hourigan in Ireland. Won novice point-to-point title in 2007, and rode over 50 flapping winners. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase (2008 Old Benny) First Cheltenham Festival Winner: Old Benny, Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase, March 13, 2008 First Ride in UK: King Kong (eighth), Cannons Health Club Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race, Worcester, June 22, 2005. First Winner in UK: An Capall Dubh, Jane McAlpine Memorial Hunters’ Chase, Bangor, April 22, 2006. Wins 2005/06-2006/07: 1; 0 Wins This Season: 9

PIPE MULLING LOUGH DERG AND AN ACCORDION OPTIONS AHEAD OF FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY AT CHELTENHAM

The nine-year-old notched his first success of the season in the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day when he stayed on strongly to get the better of fellow Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle hopeful No Refuge.

He subsequently went on to defy top-weight when making all to win a second successive Grade Two Holloway’s Hurdle at Ascot last Saturday, January 17, while he also recorded the biggest victory of his career at the Berkshire course when taking the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle in December, 2007.

Pipe commented: “We gave Lough Derg an entry in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle and he’s a possibility for the race although I have to speak to the owner and see how the horse is before deciding whether he takes his chance or not.

“I was obviously delighted with his victory at Ascot last weekend and he’s certainly a unique horse. He has come out of that race just like comes out of every race - full of beans.

“He won the Holloway’s Hurdle last year and ran in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle seven days later, but we would still need to check how he is before letting him run at Cheltenham and he could alternatively line up at Sandown at the end of the month.

“The ground won’t be an issue for him but he looks as though he has it all to do based on official ratings. He’s been entered in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the race is a possible target for him but he’s run in the last two renewals and he’s fallen short on both occasions.”

The Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle looks set to be contested by some of this season’s top staying hurdlers, including the Nicky Henderson-trained Punchestowns, who is the current ante-post favourite for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle following a facile victory in this season’s Long Walk Hurdle.

The 2007 winner Blazing Bailey may bid for a second success in the race, having finished second to the recently retired three-time Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever 12 months ago, while Fair Along and Big Buck’s, who have both been victorious in handicap hurdles at Cheltenham on their latest starts, are also set to test their Festival aspirations.

Pipe may also be represented by An Accordion in the feature race on Festival Trials Day, the £100,000 Grade Two Letheby & Christopher Chase (2.35pm), although the trainer would like to see faster ground for the eight-year-old, who was successful on his latest appearance in the Grade Three William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at The Festival last March.

The Pond House handler continued: “We entered An Accordion in the Letheby & Christopher Chase but I would have to speak to the owners prior to deciding if he took his chance or not and the ground appears to be going against him at present.

“He would be having his first run of the season in the race, but he’s in good order at the moment. The underfoot conditions would be the deciding factor as to whether he runs or not.“

Several chasers with totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup ambitions are set to clash in the extended three mile, one furlong contest, including the 2006 Welsh National scorer Halcon Genelardais, who was fourth in jump racing’s Blue Riband last year.

The winner of this season’s Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup, Imperial Commander may also take his chance, while previous Festival winners Tidal Bay and Star De Mohaison have also been targeted at the race.

Some of the leading novice hurdlers will also be hoping to further their Festival ambitions in the £30,000 Grade Two Racecourse Of The Year Classic Novices’ Hurdle (12.55pm), and the £30,000 Grade Two Wragge & Co Finesse Juvenile Novice’ Hurdle (3.10pm).

The seven-race card is completed by the £60,000 Grade Three Betchronicle.com Trophy Chase (2.05pm), the £25,000 Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase (1.30pm) and the £25,000 Brightwells Cheltenham Bloodstock Auctions Handicap Hurdle (4.20pm).

GROUND
The going at Cheltenham remains SOFT, following 5mm of rainfall overnight. A further 12-13mm of rain is expected to fall by mid-morning on Friday and there is the chance of a light shower on Saturday.

TODHUNTER HOPES RAIN WON’T SPOIL HIS RHYTHM IN THE SKY BET CHASE

That’s Rhythm, who is set to carry 10st 5lb under Brian Hughes, is one of a maximum field of 22 runners (plus two reserves) declared today for the three-mile handicap chase. The Peter Bowen-trained Always Waining (33/1) is set to carry top-weight of 11st 12lb.

The fantastic Town Moor feature will see the lightly-raced That’s Rhythm race for only the 11th time and the consistent nine-year-old will be bidding for a first victory over fences, having won three contests over hurdles and filled the runner-up berth on his three previous attempts in chases.

Over three miles and a furlong at Hexham on October 3, the Sir Robert Ogden-owned That’s Rhythm hinted at a bright future as a chaser when two lengths runner-up to According To Pete (set to carry 11st 11lb), currently the 8/1 co-favourite with Sky Bet for Saturday’s prestigious race. Todhunter’s charge was last seen racing over two and a half miles at Newcastle on October 30, when a length second to Mill Side, to whom he was conceding 7lb.

Todhunter revealed this morning: “The plan is to run at Doncaster but he doesn’t want more rain. It’s a case of the quicker the ground, the better for him. He’s going there as a live outsider, the only worry is that soft ground would go against him. If the rain isn’t as heavy as expected, I’m looking forward to a good run.

“It’s unfortunate, every time he’s run, he’s finished second to good horses. He was runner-up to According To Pete at Hexham and that one has done nothing wrong.

“He’s lightly raced but he has been declared once or twice over the Christmas period and unfortunately those races have been off. We wanted to run him at Catterick on New Year’s Day but that was cancelled, so the weather hasn’t been kind.”

Four horses are currently vying for outright favouritism - According To Pete, Alexanderthegreat from the Venetia Williams yard, the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Fella Thanks and Possol, trained by Henry Daly, all on offer at 8/1 with Sky Bet.

The high-quality field also includes Hot Weld, winner of the Scottish Grand National and Sandown Gold Cup (formerly the Whitbread Gold Cup) in the space of seven days in April 2007. The Ferdy Murphy-trained 10-year-old is having his first start since completing that historic double and is one of three runners from the yard, the others being Noir Et Vert (20/1 & 10st 6lb) and You’re Special (33/1 & 10st 9lb).

Keith Reveley will saddle last year’s runner-up Ungaro (11/1 &11st 11lb), while the Paul Webber-trained Laskari (10/1 & 11st 7lb), Montgermont (10/1 &11st 1lb), trained by Caroline Bailey, and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Fier Normand (10/1 & 11st 1lb) are also set to line up.

The two reserves for the Sky Bet Chase are Morgan Be (10st 3lb) and Rare Society (10st). Reserves can take the place of a non-runner up to 9am on Friday, January 23.

SKY BET PRICES FOR THE SKY BET CHASE
Big Fella Thanks 8/1, According To Pete 8/1, Possol 8/1, Alexanderthegreat 8/1, Laskari 10/1, Fier Normand 10/1, Ungaro 11/1, Montgermont 16/1, Native Coral 16/1, That's Rhythm 18/1, Flying Enterprise 20/1, Aleron 20/1, Noir Et Vert 20/1, Verasi 22/1, Crozan 25/1, Lysander 25/1, Irish Raptor 28/1, Billyvoddan 28/1, Hot Weld 33/1, Always Waining 33/1, My Immortal 33/1, You're Special 33/1, Morgan Be 40/1, Rare Society 50/1

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

WILL BE DONE COULD RETURN TO WETHERBY FOR totesportbingo.com TOWTON NOVICES’ CHASE

The eight-year-old has made an impressive start to his career over fences, following up success in a novice chase at Market Rasen in November with a brace of victories at Wetherby, winning the One Man Novices’ Chase on December 6 by 11 lengths before recording an even more impressive 15-length triumph in the Skyvegas.com Novices’ Chase at the Sky Bet Christmas Meeting on December 27.

He took the step up to Pattern company in his stride on his latest appearance, making all of the running to defeat Tartak by four lengths in a Grade Two novice chase at Haydock Park on January 17.

McCain revealed: “We will certainly be looking to give Will Be Done an entry in the totesportbingo.com Towton Novices’ Chase. He had the hardest race of his career at Haydock Park but he’s come out of it fine and seems in good order.

“He’s going the right way and I would expect him to improve further with the step up to three miles on softish ground. He’s rated 144 over fences now so we have to continue in Graded races and he obviously loves it round Wetherby.

“He has been given an entry in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and that’s a possible long-term target for him. I hadn’t thought of him as a possible contender for the top novice chases this year, especially if you look at his Irish form, but he’s surprised me with his ability.

“If he gets the three miles and runs well at Wetherby, then we will certainly have to consider him for the RSA Chase because he keeps on improving and he keeps on winning.”

The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase boasts an illustrious roll of honour, with previous winners including subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Mr Mulligan in 1996, while Escartefigue, successful in 1998, went on to finish second to Teeton Mill in that year’s King George VI Chase.

Sue Smith sent out Royal Emperor to success in the 2004 and the grey went close to Cheltenham glory on his next start, finding only Rule Supreme too good in the RSA Chase.

The 2005 winner Ollie Magern returned to Wetherby to collect the Grade Two Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase in both 2005 and 2007, while Halcon Genelardais, victorious in 2006, collected the Welsh National at Chepstow later the same year.

A quality seven-race card at Wetherby on Saturday, January 31 also includes the competitive £20,000 totesportcasino.com Handicap Chase (2.20pm) over an extended two and a half miles. Action gets underway with the TurfTV Handicap Hurdle at 1.15pm while the other races on the card are the European Communications Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1.45pm), the totesportgames.com Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm), the Bramham Hall For Conferences & Banqueting Handicap Chase (4.00pm) and the Saturday 14th March Is Irish Day Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (4.30pm).

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.wetherbyracing.co.uk or by phoning 01937 582 035.

Admission Prices (January 31): Premier Enclosure £21, Paddock Enclosure £14, Pick of the Paddock £19 (includes admission to the Paddock Enclosure, £4 Refreshment Voucher, £2 Tote Betting Voucher and Racecard), Pick of the Premier £32 (includes admission to the Premier Enclosure, 2 x £4 Refreshment Voucher, 2 x £2 Tote Betting Voucher and Racecard).

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

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