Friday, November 12, 2004
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
Fondmort, who put up a cracking performance to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham 12 months ago, bids for a repeat display here tomorrow, when he will be running off a 10lb higher mark and for the first time this season.
“He loves it round here, which is obviously a big help,” says his jockey Mick FitzGerald, and with Nicky Henderson’s horses starting to fire in the last ten days or so, Fondmort must have a bright of defying top weight.
There will be plenty of his 13 rivals waiting to take advantage of anything which may go awry with Fondmort, amongs them the ante post favourite Monkerhostin, who displayed amazing progress over hurdles last season. He is now rated on a far lower mark over fences than he is over timber and he has gone up only 2lb for that Stratford success when he beat Vodka Bleu by a neck, though he is still 1lb out of the handicap for tomorrow.
As well as Monkerhostin, Philip Hobbs is also represented by Farmer Jack, who bounced back to form when beating Take The Stand by 11 lengths at Aintree last month, jumping well and making all the running.
Take The Stand now has a pull of 10lb for those 11 lengths, which should bring the two closer together.
There has been lively support in the offices this week for Thisthatandtother, who was a decent novice last season and whose stable, that of Paul Nicholls, has been in tremendous form of late. The fact that he will also be running for the first time this term should not pose a problem.
Nicholls is another trainer with two runners as he will also saddle Le Duc, who was well beaten behind Farmer Jack and Take The Stand at Liverpool and will do well to make up the difference.
Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson suffered a big blow when favourite Our Vic had to be taken out of the race this week, but the stable is still doubly represented by It Takes Time and Celestial Gold. Neither has run this term.
The novice Ollie Magern has been in cracking form, winning all three starts and last time winning over three miles here from Comply Or Die, who has been successful before and since. He is held in high regard at home.
Tikram, winner of the Mildmay of Flete Chase at the NH Festival last season, is another who will be out for the first time this term, but he will be in with a bright chance if at his best, while of the two Irish challengers Ground Ball seems preferred to Colca Canyon, who ran against Beef Or Salmon at Down Royal last weekend.
Kelrev, who completes the line-up, ran well against Cameron Bridge at Wincanton three weeks ago and is not without a chance.
The sponsors bet: 4 Monkerhostin, 11-2 Thisthatandtother, 9 Farmer Jack, Fondmort, 10 Tikram, 11 Ollie Magern, Ground Ball, 12 Celestial Gold, 16 Colca Canyon, Kelrev, Le Duc, It Takes Time, 20 Take The Stand, 25 Better Days. They will refund stakes, up to £/euros£200 if your selection is second.
PADDY POWER GOLD CUP HISTORY
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is a great race with an illustrious history. The 2m 4.5f contest was first run in 1960 and the race has seen many well-known chasers in action.
Last year Fondmort provided Nicky Henderson with his first Paddy Power Gold Cup success when the eight-year-old, partnered by Mick Fitzgerald, came home eight lengths clear of Poliantas.
In 2002 Cyfor Malta, a horse whose great potential has been dogged by injury problems, stormed back to the form he had shown in his younger days with a second win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup - four years after his initial success in the first big handicap of the season.
This made him the fifth horse to win the chase on two occasions, following Fortria (1960 and 1962), Gay Trip (1969 and 1971), Half Free (1984 and 1985) and Bradbury Star (1993 and 1994).
Martin Pipe, responsible for Cyfor Malta, has a tremendous record, having won the Paddy Power Gold Cup six times with Beau Ranger (1987), Challenger Du Luc (1996), Cyfor Malta (1998), Lady Cricket (2000), Shooting Light (2001) and Cyfor Malta (2002).
Shooting Light was brilliantly ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy to defeat 13 talented chasers in 2001.
Lady Cricket was impressive when scoring by 10 lengths from stable companion Exit Swinger in 2000 with another five lengths back to third in the 15-strong field. The enigmatic Challenger Du Luc scored a cheeky head success over Strong Promise in 1996 while in 1987 Beau Ranger came home 15 lengths in front under Mark Perrett.
One of the best performances since the inaugural running came in 1965 from Dunkirk, who carried a massive 12st 7lb to victory and there have plenty of other memorable renewals.
The race has been won by Irish-trained horses on four occasions. Fortria took the initial running and was successful for a second time two years later in 1962.
Ireland had to wait for more than a decade for a further winner which came in the shape of Skymas in 1973 and Bright Highway was the last successful horse from the Emerald Isle in 1980, when winning by seven lengths.
Gay Trip's two victories formed part of Fred Rimell's extraordinary training feat when he sent out the winner four years in a row. Jupiter Boy in 1968 and Chatham in 1970 completed Rimell's quartet.
Gay Trip won the Grand National in 1970, in between his Cheltenham successes, and other Paddy Power Gold Cup winners, Red Candle (1972), Bachelor's Hall (1977) and Bright Highway (1980), also proved their stamina when subsequently capturing the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Two-and-a-half-mile specialists like the dual-winner Half Free, handled by Fred Winter who trained three winners of the race, and Dublin Flyer (1995) have triumphed, while Skymas (1973) won the Queen Mother Champion Chase twice.
Tony McCoy is the most successful current jockey with three victories. The record-breaking rider triumphed on Cyfor Malta in 1998 and followed up two years later aboard Lady Cricket. He went on to secure a third success in 2001 on Shooting Light.
Following Shooting Light's victory, McCoy joined Richard Linley and Richard Dunwoody who both achieved three victories in the race during their riding careers, as the most successful jockey in the history of the contest.
Linley was victorious on Fifty Dollars More in 1982 and Half Free in 1984 and 1985, while Dunwoody gained his wins on Very Promising in 1986, Another Coral in 1991 and Challenger Du Luc in 1996.
The popularity of Cheltenham's Open Meeting increases each year with the Irish. One of the great strengths of the three days is the relationship which draws Irish-trained horses and racegoers. Both Cheltenham and Paddy Power are keen to continue this tradition. Last year there were 24 Irish runners over the three days, including three winners.
What they now want is an Irish victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, with the last one having been achieved 24 years ago. In the 1990s Toranfield (1991) and Second Schedual (1994) came second and Anabatic was fourth in 1996 while Feathered Leader finished third in 2000.
There are two Irish runners - Colca Canyon and Ground Ball - among this year’s great 14-strong field.
THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP CHASE
(Grade 3 Handicap) (2m 4f 110yds), £110,000 total prize fund
Year Name Age/Wgt Jockey Trainer Owner Ran SP
2003 FONDMORT 7-10-13 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson Bill Brown 9 3-1F
2002 CYFOR MALTA 9-11-09 Barry Geraghty Martin Pipe David Johnson 15 16-1
2001 SHOOTING LIGHT 8-11-03 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe John Brown/Michael Blackburn 14 9-4F
2000 LADY CRICKET 6-10-13 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe David Johnson 15 5-1F
1999 THE OUTBACK WAY 9-10-00 Norman Williamson Venetia Williams Seasons Holidays 14 9-1
1998 CYFOR MALTA 5-11-03 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe David Johnson 12 3-1F
1997 SENOR EL BETRUTTI 8-10-00 Jamie Osborne Susan Nock Gerard Nock 9 33-1
1996 CHALLENGER DU LUC 6-10-02 Richard Dunwoody Martin Pipe David Johnson 12 7-1
1995 DUBLIN FLYER 9-11-08 Brendan Powell Tim Forster John Sumner 12 4-1JF
1994 BRADBURY STAR 9-11-11 Philip Hide Josh Gifford J Campbell 14 5-1
1993 BRADBURY STAR 8-11-08 Declan Murphy Josh Gifford J Campbell 15 13-2
1992 TIPPING TIM 7-10-10 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Jenny Mould 16 11-2F
1991 ANOTHER CORAL 8-10-01 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Michael Deeley 15 15-2
1990 MULTUM IN PARVO 7-10-02 Norman Williamson John Edwards Alan Parker 13 12-1
1989 JOINT SOVEREIGNTY 9-10-04 Graham McCourt Philip Hobbs G J Giddy 15 10-1
1988 PEGWELL BAY 7-11-02 Peter Scudamore Tim Forster A K Barlow 13 6-1
1987 BEAU RANGER 9-10-02 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe White Bros Ltd 14 13-2
1986 VERY PROMISING 8-11-13 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Paul & Jenny Green 11 7-1
1985 HALF FREE 9-11-10 Richard Linley Fred Winter Ali Abu Khamsin 10 9-2
1984 HALF FREE 8-11-10 Richard Linley Fred Winter Ali Abu Khamsin 10 5-2F
1983 POUNENTES 6-10-06 Neale Doughty Billy McGhie Billy McGhie 9 7-1
1982 FIFTY DOLLARS MORE 7-11-00 Richard Linley Fred Winter Ali Abu Khamsin 11 11-1
1981 HENRY KISSINGER 7-10-13 Paul Barton David Gandolfo J J Mansworth 11 5-1
1980 BRIGHT HIGHWAY 6-11-01 Gerry Newman Michael O’Brien IRE George Strawbridge 15 5-1F
1979 MAN ALIVE 8-10-09 Ron Barry Gordon Richards J Ennis 11 6-1
1978 BAWNOGUES 7-10-07 Craig Smith Martin Tate Mrs H Lawler 11 5-1
1977 BACHELOR’S HALL 7-10-06 Martin O’Halloran Peter Cundell Peter & Karyl Harris 16 11-2F
+1976 CANCELLO 7-11-01 Dennis Atkins Neville Crump W V Burdon 13 4-1
1975 CLEAR CUT 11-10-09 David Greaves Maurice Camacho J W Hemingway 13 13-2
1974 BRUSLEE 8-10-07 Andy Turnell Michael Scudamore Mrs D Rees-Davies 11 2-1F
1973 SKYMAS 8-10-05 Stan Murphy Brian Lusk IRE Matt Magee 15 7-1
1972 RED CANDLE 8-10-00 Jimmy Fox Ricky Vallance Mrs C O’Shea 11 20-1
1971 GAY TRIP 9-11-03 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell A J Chambers 10 8-1
1970 CHATHAM 6-10-03 Ken White Fred Rimell C Knott 17 33-1
1969 GAY TRIP 7-11-05 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell A J Chambers 14 8-1
1968 JUPITER BOY 7-10-03 Eddie Harty Fred Rimell J E Liley 13 9-1
1967 CHARLIE WORCESTER 10-10-11 Josh Gifford Ryan Price Dorothy Price 13 7-1
1966 PAWNBROKER 8-11-09 Paddy Broderick Arthur Stephenson E W Cliff-McCulloch 5 7-2
1965 DUNKIRK 8-12-07 Bill Rees Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 8 11-10F
1964 SUPER FLASH 9-10-05 Stan Mellor Frank Cundell A H Wood 9 8-1
1963 RICHARD OF BORDEAUX 8-10-05 Bobby Beasley Fulke Walwyn J Schilizzi 20 20-1
1962 FORTRIA 10-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE G Ansley 25 5-1F
1961 SCOTTISH MEMORIES 7-10-12 C Finnegan Arthur Thomas G B Sanderson 17 9-2
1960 FORTRIA 8-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE G Ansley 19 8-1
+ Held at Haydock Park
FACTS ABOUT PADDY POWER GOLD CUP AND THE OPEN
This year sees the 45th renewal of the first major contest of the National Hunt season, the Paddy Power Gold Cup. The race, run under its present title for the first time in 2003, was known at the Thomas Pink Gold Cup from 2000-2002 while Whitbread under their Mackeson brand and then subsequently Murphys, backed the first 40 runnings.
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Since the inaugural running in 1960, the contest has been won by Irish-trained horses on four occasions. Fortria won the first running and was successful for a second time two years later in 1962. The Irish had to wait for more than a decade for a further winner which came in the shape of Skymas in 1973 and Bright Highway was the last successful horse from the Emerald Isle in 1980.
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Over the course of three days of The Open last season, there were three Irish-trained winners from 24 runners, including the Pat Hughes-trained Blue Away in the Paddy Power Casino Handicap Hurdle.
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Five horses have won the Paddy Power Gold Cup twice. Fortria was the first, then Gay Trip completed the double in 1969 and 1971, with his victory in the 1970 Grand National sandwiched in between. Half Free was successful in 1984 and the following year, while Bradbury Star achieved this magnificent feat for Findon-based handler Josh Gifford in 1993 and 1994. Cyfor Malta, the 1998 winner, triumphed four years later in 2002.
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Martin Pipe is the leading current trainer in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, having saddled six winners - Beau Ranger (1987), Challenger Du Luc (1996), Cyfor Malta (1998 & 2002), Lady Cricket (2000) and Shooting Light (2001).
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Despite the competitiveness of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, it is not a race for outsiders. 27 of the 44 runnings of the contest have been won by horses returned at odds of 15/2 or less. However, the overall record of favourites is not that great, with only 12 having been successful during the history of the race, though three of the last four runnings have gone to the market leaders, with the latest being Fondmort in 2003. The shortest-priced winner in the history of this prestigious contest was Dunkirk who went off the 11/10 favourite in 1965, while the two longest-priced horses were Chatham (1970) and Senor El Betrutti (1997), both returned at 33/1.
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Perhaps the greatest performance in the history of the contest was achieved by Dunkirk. The Domaha gelding carried a staggering 12st 7lb to victory when he gained his 1965 success.
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The incomparable Arkle made his British racecourse bow in the Honeybourne Chase on the Saturday of The Open meeting 42 years ago. It was a fantastic day for Arkle’s trainer and jockey, Tom Dreaper and Pat Taaffe, who following Arkle’s impressive destruction of the opposition by 20 lengths went on to land what is now the Paddy Power Gold Cup with Fortria.
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Best Mate, hero of the last three totesport Cheltenham Gold Cups, won the second chase of his career at The Open 2000, while the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle victor Rooster Booster defied top weight to win the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in 2002. The 2001 Greatwood Hurdle winner Westender was second to Rooster Booster in the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
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The Open has only once been held at an alternative venue to Prestbury Park. In 1976 a new drainage system was being installed at Cheltenham, so the then two-day meeting was switched to Haydock Park where Cancello became the only horse to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup anywhere but Cheltenham.
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Josh Gifford is the only man to have both ridden and trained a winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, partnering Charlie Worcester to victory in 1967 and training Bradbury Star for his brace of successes in 1993 and 1994.
PIPE LEADS THE WAY AT THE OPEN
Champion Martin Pipe is the trainer with the best record at The Open, with 39 successes since 1990, recording his best-ever tally of seven both in 2001 and 2002.
Among his victories are six winners of the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup - Beau Ranger (1987), Challenger Du Luc (1996), Cyfor Malta (1998), Lady Cricket (2000), Shooting Light (2001) and Cyfor Malta (2002).
Leading Trainers at The Open since 1990 (including Friday 2004)
Martin Pipe 41
Nigel Twiston-Davies 15
Nicky Henderson 12
Paul Nicholls 11
Venetia Williams 7
Philip Hobbs 8
Kim Bailey 6
Tony Martin IRE 6
Oliver Sherwood 5
MARTIN PIPE’S RECORD IN THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
Year/Position Horse Jockey SP
2003-5 Cyfor Malta Rodi Greene 10/1
2003-F It Takes Time Tony McCoy 4/1
2002-1 CYFOR MALTA Barry Geraghty 16/1
2002-UR Exit Swinger Rodi Greene 12/1
2002-PU Chicuelo Tony McCoy 2/1 Fav
2001-1 SHOOTING LIGHT Tony McCoy 9/4 Fav
2001-3 Exit Swinger Rodi Greene 10/1
2001-4 Cadougold Tom Scudamore 25/1
2000-1 LADY CRICKET Tony McCoy 5/1 Fav
2000-2 Exit Swinger Richard Johnson 8/1
2000-5 Majadou Tom Scudamore 33/1
1999-4 Northern Starlight Barry Fenton 11/1
1999-8 Majadou Tony McCoy 9/2
1999-F Tresor de Mai David Casey 11/1
1998-1 CYFOR MALTA Tony McCoy 3/1 Fav
1998-4 Challenger Du Luc Richard Dunwoody 11/1
1997-2 Challenger Du Luc Tony McCoy 100/30
1997-PU Terao Chris Maude 33/1
1996-1 CHALLENGER DU LUC Richard Dunwoody 7/1
1994-10 Errant Knight Richard Dunwoody 9/1
1992-F Milford Quay Peter Scudamore 12/1
1991-6 Anti Matter Peter Scudamore 6/1
1990-6 Fu's Lady Simon Earle 15/2
1990-8 Wingspan Mark Perrett 14/1
1989-7 Beau Ranger Peter Scudamore 5/1 Fav
1987-1 BEAU RANGER Mark Perrett 13/2
RECORD OF TRAINERS WITH RUNNERS IN THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
Peter Bowen
(Take The Stand)
No previous runners
Jessica Harrington IRE
(Colca Canyon)
2000-P Slaney Native
Nicky Henderson
(Fondmort)
2003-1 FONDMORT
1998-U Philip's Woody
1996-6 Big Matt
1995-3 Big Matt
1995-5 Amtrak Express
1985-7 The Tsarevich
1978-2 Zongalero
Philip Hobbs
(Farmer Jack, Monkerhostin)
2002-3 Wave Rock
2000-10 Village King
1999-2 Stormy Passage
1998-3 Dr Leunt
1996-10 Kibreet
1994-9 Mulbank
1993-U Guiburn's Nephew
1991-F Guiburn's Nephew
1989-1 JOINT SOVEREIGNTY
1989-9 Prize Asset
1988-6 Warner For Leisure
Gary Moore
(Tikram)
No previous runners
Paul Nicholls
(Thisthatandtother, Le Duc)
2003-2 Poliantas
2003-6 Exit Swinger
2002-2 Poliantas
2001-P Dorans Gold
2000-9 Norski Lad
1999-P Call Equiname
1997-6 Cherrynut
Martin Pipe
(It Takes Time, Celestial Gold)
2003-5 Cyfor Malta
2003-F It Takes Time
2002-1 CYFOR MALTA
2002-U Exit Swinger
2002-PU Chicuelo
2001-1 SHOOTING LIGHT
2001-3 Exit Swinger
2001-4 Cadougold
2000-1 LADY CRICKET
2000-2 Exit Swinger
2000-5 Majadou
1999-4 Northern Starlight
1999-8 Majadou
1999-F Tresor de Mai
1998-1 CYFOR MALTA
1998-4 Challenger Du Luc
1997-2 Challenger Du Luc
1997-P Terao Martin Pipe
1996-1 CHALLENGER DU LUC
1994-10 Errant Knight
1992-F Milford Quay
1991-6 Anti Matter
1990-6 Fu's Lady
1990-8 Wingspan
1989-7 Beau Ranger
1987-1 BEAU RANGER
Sue Smith
(Better Days)
No previous runners
Charlie Swan IRE
(Ground Ball)
No previous runners
Nigel Twiston-Davies
(Ollie Magern)
2003-P Redemption
2001-7 Bindaree
2000-12 Corniche
1999-F Mister Morose
1998-P Queen Of Spades
1998-R Pimberley Place
1994-7 Tipping Tim
1993-P Tipping Tim
1992-1 TIPPING TIM
Venetia Williams
(Kelrev)
2002-6 Mr Baxter Basics
2001-10 Samakaan
2000-6 Davoski
1999-1 THE OUTBACK WAY
RECORD OF SELECTED CURRENT JOCKEYS IN THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
Leighton Aspell
2000-U Boardroom Shuffle
Mattie Batchelor
2000-11 Skycab
Robert Biddlecombe
2002-4 Foly Pleasant
Paul Carberry
1995-9 Buckboard Bounce
Philip Carberry
2000-3 Feathered Leader
David Casey
2002-5 Killultagh Storm
1999-F Tresor de Mai
Brian Crowley
2002-6 Mr Baxter Basics
2001-10 Samakaan
Jim Crowley
1999-7 Forestal
Jim Culloty
2002-F Perfect Fellow
2001-2 Foly Pleasant
1999-3 Sounds Like Fun
Alan Dempsey
2001-8 Robbo
2000-8 Robbo
David Dennis
2002-7 Korakor
Rodney Farrant
1998-3 Dr Leunt
Noel Fehily
2001-11 Celibate
2000-P Celibate
Barry Fenton
1999-4 Northern Starlight
1995-11 Postage Stamp
Mick Fitzgerald
2003-1 FONDMORT
2001-5 Korakor
1999-P Call Equiname
1998-U Philip's Woody
1996-6 Big Matt
1995-3 Big Matt
1994-8 Usher's Island
Russ Garrity
2002-8 Turgeonev
1992-9 Nos Na Gaoithe
Barry Geraghty
2002-1 CYFOR MALTA
Rodi Greene
2003-5 Cyfor Malta
2002-U Exit Swinger
2001-3 Exit Swinger
Richard Guest
2000-4 Red Marauder
1993-9 Morley Street
1992-3 Beech Road
1988-8 Bishops Yarn
Brian Harding
1996-3 Addington Boy
Philip Hide
1998-5 Mandys Mantino
1995-10 Bradbury Star
1994-1 BRADBURY STAR
Ben Hitchcott
2001-6 Satchmo
Kenny Johnson
2002-10 Red Ark
1990-9 Captain Mor
Richard Johnson
2003-4 Young Spartacus
2000-2 Exit Swinger
1999-5 Pennybridge
1997-F Destin D'Estruval
Carl Llewellyn
2003-P Redemption
2001-7 Bindaree
2000-12 Corniche
1998-P Queen Of Spades
1996-8 Bavard Dieu
1993-P Tipping Tim
1992-1 TIPPING TIM
Jimmy McCarthy
2001-9 Eau De Cologne
Ollie McPhail
1999-9 Dr Bones
Tony McCoy
2003-F It Takes Time
2002-PU Chicuelo
2001-1 SHOOTING LIGHT
2000-1 LADY CRICKET
1999-8 Majadou
1998-1 CYFOR MALTA
1997-2 Challenger Du Luc
1996-10 Kibreet
1995-6 Bavard Dieu
Warren Marston
1995-2 Egypt Mill Prince
1994-3 Egypt Mill Prince
Timmy Murphy
2003-F Risk Accessor
2002-2 Poliantas
2001-P Dorans Gold
1998-7 Danger Baby
1997-6 Cherrynut
Conor O’Dwyer
1996-7 Strong Medicine
Tom Scudamore
2001-4 Cadougold
2000-5 Majadou
Adie Smith
2000-7 Inn At The Top
Andrew Thornton
1999-2 Stormy Passage
Joe Tizzard
2000-9 Norski Lad
Lee Vickers
2003-3 Ei Ei
Rupert Wakley
2002-3 Wave Rock
Ruby Walsh
2003-2 Poliantas
2002-F Its Time For A Win
1998-6 Papillon
Robert Widger
2000-10 Village King
Christian Williams
2003-6 Exit Swinger
McCOY OUT IN FRONT
Champion Tony McCoy holds the accolade of being the most successful current jockey at The Open, with 31 wins under his belt, five of whom were achieved in 1999, two in 2000, seven in 2001, five in 2002 and four last year.
Leading Jockeys at The Open since 1990
Tony McCoy 31
Mick Fitzgerald 12
Carl Llewellyn 9
Joe Tizzard 5
THE OPEN 2004 RACE PROGRAMME
CHELTENHAM COUNTRYSIDE DAY- Friday, November 12
Time Race Distance Prize Money
1.10pm paddypower.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase 3m 1/2f £20,000-added
1.45pm Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two) 2m 1/2f £35,000
2.20pm Sporting Index Chase (Cross Country Course) 3m 7f £30,000
2.55pm Beards Jewellers Cup (Showcase Handicap Chase) 2m £30,000
3.30pm Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase 3m 1/2f £20,000-added
4.05pm abacusglobal.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f £15,000-added
PADDY POWER GOLD CUP DAY - Saturday, November 13
Time Race Distance Prize Money
1.00pm Racing UK Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 1/2f £20,000-added
1.35pm Jim Brown Memorial Novices’ Chase 2m 4 1/2f £20,000-added
2.10pm Lombard Properties Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) 3m 1 1/2f £55,000
2.45pm Paddy Power Gold Cup (Grade Three) 2m 4 1/2f £110,000
3.20pm Servo Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade Three) 3m 3 1/2f £65,000
3.55pm Jet UK Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two) 2m 1/2f £30,000
GREATWOOD HURDLE DAY - Sunday, November 14
Time Race Distance Prize Money
1.00pm JETS Novices’ Hurdle 2m 5f £20,000-added
1.35pm Paddy Power Casino Hurdle (Intermediate Handicap) 2m 5f £25,000-added
2.05pm The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (Grade Two) 2m £50,000
2.40pm Greatwood Hurdle (Grade Three) 2m 1/2f £70,000
3.15pm Club 16-24 Handicap Chase 2m 4 1/2f £20,000-added
3.50pm Festival of Food Bumper (Listed Race) (Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) 2m 1/2f £15,000-added
THE OPEN - PAST RESULTS
SATURDAY, PADDY POWER GOLD CUP DAY
THE RACING UK NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (2m 110yds), £20,000 added
Year Winner Age/Weight SP Trainer Jockey Ran
2003 Gone Too Far 5-11-12 5-2F Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 16
2002 Classic Note 7-10-05 6-1F Tony Martin Ruby Walsh 28
2001 Image De Marque II 5-10-08 6-1 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 20
2000 Hidden Ability 6-10-02 8-1 Tony Martin IRE Adrian Maguire 24
1999 Experimental 5-10-13 4-1F Ger Lynch IRE Niall Mulholland 11
1998 Premier Generation 5-10-08 100-30F Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 17
1997 Tiutchev 4-11-06 9-4F David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 14
1996 Just Little 4-10-12 8-13F Aidan O’Brien IRE Charlie Swan 4
1995 Mysilv 5-11-02 2-7F Charles Egerton Jamie Osborne 4
1994 Chief’s Song 4-11-00 Evs F Simon Dow Tony Dicken 5
1993 Staunch Friend 5-11-07 6-5F Mark Tompkins Carl Llewellyn 5
1992 Staunch Friend 4-11-07 8-11F Mark Tompkins Steve Smith Eccles 4
1991 Sybillin 5-11-07 EvensF Jimmy FitzGerald Mark Dwyer 4
1990 Stratford Ponds 5-11-03 4-9F Oliver Sherwood Jamie Osborne 3
1997 was the first year the race was run as a handicap.
THE JIM BROWN NOVICES’ STEEPLECHASE (2m 4f 110yds), £20,000 added
2003 Puntal 7-11-07 3-1 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 4
2002 Tarxien 8-10-13 5-2 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 9
2001 Cornish Gale 7-11-04 9-2 Paul Nicholls Timmy Murphy 4
2000 Capitaine Leau 5-10-13 13-2 Nicky Henderson Richard Johnson 9
1999 Moondigua 7-10-13 11-4 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 5
1998 Stormyfairweather 6-11-00 5-4F Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 5
1997 Tullymurry Toff 6-11-05 EvensF Malcolm Jefferson Eddie Callaghan 4
1996 Potter’s Bay 7-11-05 2-7F David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 3
1995 Bertone 6-11-06 11-10F Kim Bailey Jamie Osborne 6
THE LOMBARD PROPERTIES HANDICAP HURDLE (Listed) (3m 1f 110yds), £55,000 total prize fund
2003 Therealbandit 6-10-04 11-10F Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 8
2002 Native Emperor 6-10-04 13-2 Jonjo O’Neill Liam Cooper 11
2001 It Takes Time 7-10-10 4-1 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 9
2000 Maid Equal 9-10-03 12-1 Martin Pipe Mr Tom Scudamore 12
1999 Tilty 9-9-11 9-1 Andy Streeter Jamie Goldstein 6
1998 Jet Tabs 6-10-02 3-1JF Jenny Pitman Richard Dunwoody 8
1997 Gysart 8-11-03 9-2 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 14
1996 Victor Bravo 9-10-05 15-8 Nick Gaselee Carl Llewellyn 4
1995 Greenhil Tare Away 7-10-01 13-2 Philip Hobbs David Bridgwater 6
1994 Fuzzy Logic 6-10-00 9-2JF Nigel Twiston-Davies David Bridgwater 9
1993 Sillars Stalker 5-9-11 13-8F Lynda Ramsden Warren Marston 6
1992 Vagog 7-11-03 11-1 Martin Pipe Martin Foster 10
1991 Burgoyne 5-11-00 13-2 Peter Easterby Russ Garritty 11
1990 Sir Crusty 8-10-11 5-2JF Richard Holder Nick Mann 7
See separate page for the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2m 4f 110yds, £110,000 total prize fund
THE SERVO COMPUTERS HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE (Listed) (3m 3f 110yds), £65,000 total prize fund
2003 Shardam 6-10-02 9-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn 8
2002 Stormez 5-10-06 5-1 Martin Pipe Barry Geraghty 10
2001 Hati Roy 8-10-13 4-1F Henrietta Knight Jim Culloty 10
2000 Foxchapel King 7-10-05 12-1 Mouse Morris IRE Shay Barry 13
THE JET UK JUVENILE NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (2m 110yds), £30,000 total prize fund
2003 Al Eile 3-11-06 8-1 John Queally IRE Jim Culloty 7
2002 Don Fernando 3-10-12 9-2 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 16
2001 Greenhope 3-11-06 2-1F Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 8
2000 Montreal 3-10-12 11-4 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 8
1999 High Stakes 3-11-06 3-1 Christy Roche IRE Norman Williamson 5
1998 Katarino 3-11-02 9-4F Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 9
1997 The French Furze 3-11-06 7-2 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 10
1996 Noble Lord 3-11-12 6-1 Bob Buckler Brendan Powell 7
1995 Chicodari 3-11-00 6-4F David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 12
SUNDAY’S PAST RESULTS
THE JETS NOVICES’ HURDLE (2m 5f), £20,000 added
Year Winner Age/Weight SP Trainer Jockey Ran
2003 Jollyolly 4-11-08 5-4F Peter Bowen Tony McCoy 6
2002 Taming 6-11-08 100-30 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 13
2001 Tarxien 7-11-08 7-2 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 13
2000 Sheer Genius 4-11-08 11-4 Mark Pitman Norman Williamson 8
1999 Majestic 4-11-08 5-2 Ian Williams Seamus Durack 5
1998 Arctic Camper 6-11-00 6-5F Venetia Williams Norman Williamson 14
1997 Tidal Force 6-11-08 4-1 Philip Hobbs Richard Dunwoody 8
1996 Hunting Lore 5-11-08 9-4 Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 7
1995 Wisley Wonder 5-11-04 7-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Jenks 6
1994 Betty’s Boy 5-11-00 11-4 Kim Bailey Norman Williamson 6
1993 Fuzzy Logic 5-11-04 8-15F Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn 5
1992 Gaelstrom 5-11-03 13-8F Nigel Twiston-Davies Peter Scudamore 8
1991 Miners Luck 5-11-04 9-4F David Nicholson Richard Dunwoody 8
1990 Banker’s Gossip 6-11-04 6-4F David Nicholson Richard Dunwoody 7
This race was run on the Friday until 1997.
See separate page for the Paddypower.com Hurdle (Intermediate Handicap Hurdle) (2m 5f), £25,000 added
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER NOVICES’ STEEPLECHASE (Grade 2) (2m), £50,000 total prize fund
2003 Thisthatandtother 7-11-09 8-13F Paul nicholls Ruby Walsh 5
2002 Azertyuiop 5-11-09 5-4F Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 6
2001 Seebald 6-11-09 11-4 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 7
2000 Best Mate 5-11-04 8-13F Henrietta Knight Jim Cullotty 6
1999 Fadalko 6-11-04 5-4F Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard 5
1998 Mister Morose 8-11-00 5-2F Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn 5
1997 Queen of Spades 7-10-09 11-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn 5
1996 Celibate 5-11-00 6-4 Charlie Mann Richard Dunwoody 4
1995 Captain Khedive 7-11-00 8-1 Paul Nicholls Tony McCoy 5
1994 Martin’s Lamp 7-11-00 5-2 David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 5
1993 Baydon Star 6-11-06 4-6F David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 4
1992 Egypt Mill Prince 6-11-02 100-30 Jenny Pitman Mark Pitman 6
1991 Deadly Charm 5-10-11 8-15F David Nicholson Richard Dunwoody 4
1990 Black Amber 6-11-02 6-5F Nicky Henderson Richard Dunwoody 3
THE GREATWOOD HURDLE (HANDICAP) (Listed) (2m 110yds), £70,000 total prize fund
2003 Rigmarole 5-11-12 33-1 Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 10
2002 Rooster Booster 8-11-12 7-1 Philip Hobbs Seamus Durack 11
2001 Westender 5-10-13 11-8F Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 13
2000 Hulysse Royal 5-10-00 9-1 Oliver Sherwood Jimmy McCarthy 12
1999 Rodock 5-10-00 11-4F Martin Pipe Tony McCoy 13
1998 Grey Shot 6-11-05 11-4F Ian Balding Jamie Osborne 16
1997 Mr Percy 9-10-09 14-1 Josh Gifford Philip Hide 17
1996 Space Trucker 5-11-11 7-1 Jessica Harrington IRE Jamie Osborne 9
1995 Lonesome Train 6-9-09 33-1 Colin Weedon Barry Fenton 15
1994 Atours 6-11-05 3-1F David Elsworth Paul Holley 10
1993 Leotard 6-12-00 3-1 Oliver Sherwood Jamie Osborne 7
1992 Valfinet 5-10-09 7-2F Martin Pipe Peter Scudamore 9
1991 Shu Fly 7-11-01 10-1 Susan Oliver Steve Smith Eccles 12
1990 Liadett 5-11-10 9-2 Martin Pipe Mark Perrett 8
THE CLUB 16-24 HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE (2m 4f 110yds), £20,000 added
2003 Jakari 6-11-11 6-1 Henry Daly Richard Johnson 11
2002 Halexy 7-11-12 7-2F Venetia Williams Tony McCoy 14
2001 Frenchman’s Creek 7-11-12 5-1 Hughie Morrison Mick Fitzgerald 8
2000 Davids Lad 6-10-02 11-4F Tony Martin IRE Conor O’Dwyer 11
1999 Legal Right 6-11-06 6-1 Jonjo O’Neill Tony McCoy 7
1998 Capenwray 9-11-06 5-4F Jeff King Tony McCoy 13
1997 Manor Mieo 11-10-01 10-1 George Prodromou Rodney Farrant 8
1996 Time Enough 7-10-00 9-4F Charlie Brooks Jamie Osborne 5
1995 Florida Sky 8-10-05 20-1 Charlie Brooks Graham Bradley 10
This race was run over 3m 1f prior to 1997.
THE FESTIVAL OF FOOD BUMPER (STANDARD OPEN NH FLAT RACE) (Listed), (2m 110yds), £15,000 added
2003 The Posh Paddy 6-11-00 5-1 Tony Mullins IRE Mr Barry Connell 8
2002 Rhinestone Cowboy 6-10-11 9-4F Jonjo O’Neill Mr J P Magnier 24
2001 Back In Front 4-11-04 100-30 Edward O’Grady IRE Norman Williamson 15
2000 In Contrast 4-11-04 7-2F Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 20
1999 Best Mate 4-11-00 10-1 Henrietta Knight Jim Culloty 10
1998 Scarlet Emperor 4-11-00 20-1 Jenny Pitman Dennis Leahy 18
COUNTRYSIDE DAY, CHELTENHAM, NOVEMBER 12, 2004
WINNING QUOTES RACE ONE
paddypower.com AMATEUR RIDERS’ HANDICAP CHASE
AN IMPROVING 12 YEAR OLD!
Smile Pleeze, a 16-1 chance after some indifferent recent form, bounced back to his best when he surged up the hill from the last to catch WillyJohn Daly near the line and win by two lengths.
“He came to us in the summer and we were able to win three races with him at Worcester,” said the winner’s trainer Matthew Sheppard, whose second Cheltenham success this was.
“Then he had a couple of blips, but I think he was unlucky when he was fourth here last time as the final fence was omitted because of the low sun and I think his jump at the last here made a big difference.
“That is my ninth winner of the season, which equals my previous best and we are only halfway through. I have 10 horses in training, but I am a local man (Sheppard is based at Ledbury), which is why he got such a good reception.
“He must have good ground and, as this was going to be his last run for the moment, we did not bother to clip him, but we may have to have a re-think about that now, as long as the ground stays good.”
This was a first Cheltenham winner for Lee Stephens, who had a brief spell as a conditional rider a few seasons ago when he was based with David Gandolfo.
“I went there as an amateur and rode a couple of winners, so David suggested that I should turn professional, but then the rides dried up and things just did not work out.
“So I went out of racing and worked on a building site for about a year, before I decided to give it another go. I have been with Venetia Williams for about six weeks and things are going well.
“We thought that he had a bit of an each-way chance and, when we were going to the last, I really thought he could win. He really ran on up the hill.”
PLACED QUOTES RACE ONE
PADDYPOWER.COM AMATEUR RIDERS’ HANDICAP CHASE
Tom nearly gains the prize
The name Dreaper will forever have a place at Cheltenham - Tom Dreaper trained triple Gold Cup winner Arkle and his son, Jim, saddled Ten Up to win the big race at the Cheltenham Festival.
The latest member of the family came close to getting his name on Prestbury Park’s winner’s list when Jim’s son, Tom, rode Tom’s Prize in the opening contest for amateur riders.
Dreaper, 21, who is based in Dorset with Robert Alner, was booked for the ride on Tom’s Prize by Kinnersley trainer John Spearing, and the partnership looked in control of the event running down the hill.
A mistake two out ended the challenge, and Tom’s Prize had to settle for third behind the Lee Stephens-ridden winner Smile Pleeze and runner-up Willie John Daly, who was ridden for trainer Philip Hobbs by Robert Stephens.
Dreaper said of Tom’s Prize: “He made the age-old Cheltenham mistake at the second-last, where he clipped the top of the fence, pecked, and it cost him a stride or two.
“From there he just stayed on up the hill and, if it had been three miles two furlongs, rather than three miles, it might have been a different picture. He had a big blow after the last, but was staying on.”
Tom’s Prize tackled a hurdle race on his previous start, but trainer John Spearing said: “He’s rated too highly over hurdles now, so he’ll stick to chasing. If he had winged the second-last, he would have been closer, but I doubt he would have beaten the winner.”
Tom’s Prize was bred by his owner, Stratford-based Pam Joynes.
WINNER’S QUOTES RACE TWO
SHARP NOVICES’ HURDLE
DRIFTER MARCEL BELIES THE ODDS
Martin Pipe had two reasons to worry about Marcel’s chances in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle - the condition of the ground and the fact that the four-year-old was being rejected in the market.
Those fears proved groundless as the four-year-old bounded clear under Timmy Murphy, pouring scorn on those punters who allowed him to drift from an opening price of 7-4 out to 5-1.
Pipe said: “He was on the drift, and that had me worried. He jumps well and stays well, but I was a bit concerned about the ground - it’s on the soft side, but he handled it.”
This was Marcel’s sixth win since he was bought by “Pipe Bloodstock” in France on behalf of owner David Johnson.
Pipe added: “We bought him as a chaser so we’ve had six bonuses - he must have been a good thing earlier in the season.
“He’s had plenty of experience now, but it gets tougher all the time. He was up to Grade 2 today, but he’s done it well and given some of his rivals 7lb.”
Murphy commented: “Marcel is a lovely horse and he has beaten some good opponents today.”
Johnson, who has other good chances on today’s card with Well Chief and Comply Or Die, said: “That’s a good start to the day.”
It’s hard not to believe he will be back in the winner’s enclosure before the afternoon’s action is complete.
Following this race Marcel was given a 14-1 quote for the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by Paddy Power, and was priced at 16-1 by Cashmans.
PLACED QUOTES RACE TWO
SHARP NOVICES’ HURDLE
“THIS IS A SERIOUS HORSE”
“I am delighted with that, he has run an excellent race,” declared Nigel Twiston-Davies after Baby Run had beaten all but Marcel in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle.
“He is still very green and pulls too hard, so he needs to learn to settle, but that was a very good run on only his second appearance over hurdles,” said the Naunton trainer.
“He is a serious horse and once he has won his novice and learned to settle we shall be looking at the (Letheby and Christopher) and Supreme Novices’ or the Sun Alliance for him.
“I think he will stay further (agent David Minton indicated that there is ‘lots of stamina in the pedigree’) and he was certainly running on again at the end, but the first thing for him is to learn to settle.”
WINNING QUOTES RACE THREE
SPORTING INDEX CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
SPOT THEDIFFERENCE WILL BE BACK
“This was a rehearsal for March. We wanted to see how he would adapt to the course with the idea of bringing him here at the Festival (the Sporting Index Handicap Chase on the opening day),” said Enda Bolger after Spot Thedifference, whom he trains for JP McManus, had finished with a rattle to snatch the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase by three-quarters of a length from his Irish compatriot Star Performance at 6/1.
But all involved with the winner were prepared to admit that things might have been different had not the Czech-trained mare Registana taken the wrong course when in the lead going to the second last.
“She must be be very good mare to have done what she has done,” said Bolger of Registana, “and I am sure she would have been very hard to get past, but then that sort of thing is what can happen in racing. We were lucky but are delighted to have won this race.
“I recall taking Days of Thunder (the star Irish cross country horse) to the Pardubicka two or three years ago and he lost Richard Dunwoody at the fourth or fifth fence, so I know how it feels to have to come home biting your tongue,” he said.
“We were worried that that this course might be a bit sharp for him, but over a long distance like this that does not really matter so much,” Bolger went on.
“He stays really well and can jump all the banks and fences like that; last season he was fifth in the Grand National and then went and won the La Touche Cup at Punchestown, so we knew he would have no problems with the fences.
“He was also going well when he was brought down at the fourth last in the National two years ago by Davy Lad, but I don’t know if he will have another go this season.
“He may not be rated highly enough to qualify for the National this time, but in any case any idea of that will have to depend on what happens in the cross country race here. That is the big plan.”
J T McNamara, the winning jockey, said: “Spo Thedifference did it well and it is brilliant to win this race.”
Peter Gehm, the rider of Registrana, was banned for 10 days by the stewards and he admitted to them that he knew the correct last two obstacles to jump.
PLACED QUOTES RACE THREE
SPORTING INDEX CHASE (CROSS COUNTRY STEEPLECHASE)
STAR LIVES UP TO HIS NAME
A thrilling finish to the Sporting Index Chase saw three horses fighting for the number one spot on the run-in.
Spot Thedifference got up near the post to win, overhauling two outsiders - the 50/1 runner-up Star Performance and the 33/1 third Luzcadou to win by three-quarters of a length and a head.
Star Performance, who returned with an over-reach on his off foreleg, is trained in County Dublin by Oliver McKiernan who said: “We thought jumping the last he might hold on, but it’s a long haul up the run-in and he didn’t get away from the last fence too quickly. The over-reach won’t have helped and the ground was probably a little bit tacky for him - he’s better on lively ground.
“But we’re delighted - this feels as good to us as if he’d won it.
“He’s a point-to-pointer really. He won four point-to-points for us last season and followed that up with a win in a beginners’ chase. Now we know he travels in this sort of terrain, we might well target a few more races like this.”
McKiernan could bring Star Performance back to Cheltenham next month for the Sporting Index Handicap Cross Country Chase.
That could also be a target for the Ferdy Murphy-trained Luzcadou, whose owner, Andrew Chappell, said: “He ran a fantastic race in the Velka Pardubicka last time when he spooked at the sixth-last and ran out. He’s disappointed us in the past, so we didn’t know what to expect, but he’s run a great race.
“This is the first time he’s run on this particular cross-country course and it seemed to suit him. For a big horse, he liked the twists and turns and the jockey [Alan O’Keefe] kept him handy and interested.”
RACE FOUR
BEARDS JEWELLERS CUP (HANDICAP CHASE)
ARMATURK HOLDS THE CHIEF
Favourite backers were narrowly thwarted in the two-mile Beards Jewellers Cup when Well Chief just failed to peg back Armaturk, ridden by Christian Williams for Paul Nicholls.
The winning trainer said of seven-year-old: “He’s improved so much for having a breathing operation. He’s always struggled around here because of his breathing, but he’s tough and he’s now won two nice races.”
Nicholls has a wealth of talent among his two-mile chasers and he commented: “He might have to go for some better races now - he must go left-handed so the Castleford Chase [at Wetherby] is a possible, even if it means taking on some of the others [his stablemates].”
Nicholls praised winning jockey Christian Williams, who is enjoying a good spell. “Christian gets on really well with this horse,” said Nicholls. “He’s riding well at the moment and does what he’s told. Hopefully, we can help him win the conditional jockeys’ title.”
Nicholls ran two in the race, but Cenkos unseated jockey Ruby Walsh at the fifth. “Cenkos is fine,” said Nicholls. “Ruby just said he needed a long one to stay in the race and they got it wrong between them.”
Armaturk was given a 25-1 quote for the Queen Mother Champion Chase by Paddy Power.
PLACED QUOTES RACE FOUR
BEARDS JEWELLERS HANDICAP CHASE
BEATEN BUT NOT DOWN
“It is better to win than to be second, but he has run a good race all the same,” said owner David Johnson after his 13-8 favourite Well Chief had failed by a head to catch Armaturk in the Beards Jewellers Handicap Chase, making up some five lengths after the final fence.
“He jumped a bit stickily to start with -- he was not very good at any of the first three,” Johnson went on, “but this was his first run of the season and I hope he can come on for it.
“I don’t know what plans there are for him,” added the owner when Sandown’s Tingle Creek was put up as a possible target, “you will have to consult the maestro.”
And as if on cue, enter stage left Well Chief’s trainer Martin Pipe with an attitude very similar to that of the horse’s owner.
“I have no idea where we will go with him after this, I really don’t know about the Tingle Creek, but it was his first run of the season and hopefully he will come on for it.
“He jumped a bit rustily to start with, and to finish where he did from where he started coming down the hill was a good effort.
“The handicapper got it just about right with all the first three, and at least that has shown that we are entitled to be up and mixing it with the best of them.”
Both the Tote and Paddy Power quoted Well Chief at 6-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, with the latter having brought him in a point from 7-1.
WINNING QUOTES RACE FIVE
STEEL PLATE AND SECTIONS NOVICES’ CHASE
ALL SMILES THIS TIME
There was no more gloom in the David Johnson/Martin Pipe camp after Comply or Die had completed a 11-1 double for them and Timmy Murphy by making all the running to take the Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase, following their success with Marcel earlier in the day and making up for the defeat of Well Chief earlier.
“That was very good,” enthused the trainer. “This track suited him much better than Wincanton, where he won last time, and he jumped and stayed really well.
“I don’t know what we will do with him now, but the long term plan remains the (Royal &) SunAlliance Chase.”
Comply Or Die is now a 12-1 shot for March with Paddy Power (from 14), the Tote and Cashmans.
“He has now had three pretty quick races, so I expect he will now have a short break. Tom Malone,who rides him all the time at home, said that he was bucking and kicking after his Wincanton race so we decided to run him again here, even though that race was only six weeks ago.
“He is only a five-year-old, so he is still just a baby, but there were no excuses when he was beaten by Ollie Magern two runs ago; he was just beaten by a better horse on the day.
“It will be very interesting to see how Ollie Magern gets on in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here tomorrow.”
PLACED QUOTES RACE FIVE
STEEL PLATE AND SECTIONS NOVICES’ CHASE
FOUR-MILER ON CARDS FOR DEAL
Comply Or Die ran out an easy winner of the Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase, but Northern Deal put up a good effort under a double penalty and could return to Cheltenham for the Festival.
Northern Deal was giving 1lb to the winner, and trainer Evan Williams said: “We’re overjoyed with that. I’ve won two £10,000 races with him so he had to come here even though it meant going up in class.
“We’re penalised up to the hilt, but we had no other options.”
Williams, a former national point-to-point champion rider, will be taking part in that sport when the season starts in January, and he could ride Northern Deal in Cheltenham’s four-mile National Hunt Chase for amateur riders.
“I’ll have to speak to the owners, but I’ve ridden in the race in the past and there would be a few worse amateurs,” said Williams. “We came here for D-Day [the Festival] to find out how good we were and he’ll be much better over a longer trip.”
Ruby Gale finished third in first-time blinkers, and trainer Paul Nicholls said: “The blinkers worked alright, but he needs to go back to two and a half miles.”
WINNER’S QUOTES RACE SIX
ABACUSGLOBAL.COM CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE
HORDAGO SPRINGS SURPRISE
There was a shock result to this conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle, when a pair of 33-1 shots, both trained in Ireland, finished first and second. The Tote Exacta paid £793.40.
First home was Hordago, trained by Eric McNamara and ridden by Brian Byrnes in the colours of Seamus Braddish.
McNamara, from Rathkeale in County Limerick, said: “We’ve had this race in mind for quite a while. I ran Rudi’s Pleasure in the race twice in the past and he finished second both times, so we were determined to win it.
“This horse won at Tralee two months ago, but was then disappointing at Limerick - we really don’t know why, but he came home very dead and wasn’t right for a day or two. He’s been right for the past week so we decided to come here.”
McNamara admitted, “I had something very small on the winner,” and judging by the number of delighted Irishmen in the winner’s enclosure he was not alone. He trains two horses for Braddish, and employs winning-jockey Byrnes at his yard.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH LEADING TRAINER AWARD AT THE END OF DAY ONE
1st 2nd 3rd
Martin Pipe 2 1 -
Paul Nicholls 1 - 1
Enda Bolger IRE 1 - -
Eric McNamara IRE 1 - -
Matt Sheppard 1 - -
Philip Hobbs - 1 -
Oliver McKiernan - 1 -
John Joseph Murphy IRE - 1 -
Nigel Twiston-Davies - 1 -
Evan Williams - 1 -
Nicky Henderson - - 1
Alan King - - 1
Ferdy Murphy - - 1
John Spearing - - 1
Paul Webber - - 1
THE PADDY POWER LEADING JOCKEY AWARD AT THE END OF DAY ONE
1st 2nd 3rd
Timmy Murphy 2 1 -
Christian Williams 1 1 -
Brian Byrnes 1 - -
J T McNamara 1 - -
Mr Lee Stephens 1 - -
William Callaghan - 1 -
Garrett Cotter - 1 -
Carl Llewellyn - 1 -
Mr Robert Stephens - 1 -
Tom Doyle - - 1
Mr Tom Dreaper - - 1
Wayne Hutchinson - - 1
Alan O’Keeffe - - 1
Andrew Tinkler - - 1
Ruby Walsh - - 1
TWO STEWARDS’ ENQUIRIES
GEHM BANNED FOR 10 DAYS
The stewards banned Peter Gehm, the German rider of Registrana, for 10 days after holding an enquiry into why he took the wrong course two out in the Sporting Index Chase.
They interviewed the rider and, having heard his evidence and viewed the video recording of the race, found him in breach of Rule 156 (ii).
Gehm told the Press Association: “Sure I am disappointed. The horse did all the work, but I messed up. It's a shame for me and real bad luck for the horse and for the owners.
“I walked the course, but I had the wrong track in my mind. I rode the way I thought it was.
“I'm not sure we would have won. The ground was a bit too soft for her, but it is my job to understand where I have to go and I got it wrong.”
ELLIOTT FINED £250
The starter reported that Historic, ridden by Mr Gordon Elliott, had cantered in to the start and broken the tape in the paddypower.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, before the field was eventually despatched.
The stewards interviewed the rider in the presence of the starters. Having heard the evidence and viewed the video recording of the race, the stewards found the jockey in breach of Rule 28 in that he failed to obey the starter and imposed a fine of £250.
FINES FOR McCOY AND WILLIAMS
Tony McCoy and Christian Williams were fined £250 for anticipating the start on Upgrade and Armaturk respectively in the Beards Jewellers Handicap Chase.
And Williams will also have to see the stewards again to explain his use of his whip on the winner, though as he was injured - broken collar-bone - in a last race fall on Blue Americo that inquiry has been postponed.
GOING NEWS AT 10 AM
The going for Countryside Day, the first day of Cheltenham’s Open meeting, is
GOOD
on the steeplechase and hurdle courses and
GOOD, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES
on the cross country course.
“I think the ground on the main course will ride just on the slow side of good,” said clerk of the course Simon Claisse, “and there are a couple of good to soft patches on the cross country course, one near the start and one by the far left hand bend.
“We have had no rain to speak of, just a little drizzle at about 4.30 am, though there is a forecast of the possibility of a little light rain this afternoon.
“The forecast for tonight and the next two days is for it to be dry and cold, which is just what we want.
“I am looking forward to three tremendous days of racing. The entries were up by 30% on last year’s figure and we have about 20 more runners than on this day 12 months ago.
“The only possible snag is the temporary closure of the exit slip road on the M5, but we have been aware of it for a good couple of hours now and I just hope that it will not cause too many problems for visitors.”
BETTING NEWS
The feature of the betting this morning has been the opposition to Well Chief in the Beards Jewellers Handicap Chase (2.55), in which he has, according to Victor Chandler’s representative Neal Wilkins, “fewer friends than Max Clifford.”
Chandlers have eased David Johnson’s Arkle Trophy winner from 11-8 to 7-4, and Paddy Power have gone even further, pushing the horse out to 15-8 from their morning 7-4.
There has also been plenty of positive news on this race with Mr McGoldrick in from 7-2 to 3-1 with Chandlers, though Coral have left him at the longer price in spite of good support.
Two outsiders who have caught the fancy are Tysou and Duke of Buckingham. Tysou has been cut from 14-1 to 12-1 by Chandlers and from 16-1 to 14-1 by Paddy Power, and Duke of Buckingham has come in from 20-1 to 16-1 with Chandlers.
Powers also report business over Baby Run in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (1.45) and have cut him by half a point to 11-2, and Just Kate has come in with Coral in the abacusglobal.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (4.05) from 25-1 to 18-1, though Yourman is all the rage here and is forecast as being likely to start as low as 9-4.
Powers are also betting on the top jockey and trainer at the meeting and have Timmy Murphy and Martin Pipe at odds on in each category. Among the jockeys Murphy is at 5-6 from 5-4 with Ruby Walsh on 2-1, Carl Llewellyn a 7-1 shot and 12 bar, while Pipe is at the same price as Murphy (from 11-8) with Paul Nicholls on 15-8, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Philip Hobbs on 6-1 and 7-1 respectively and 20 bar.
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