THE NORTHWEST RACING MASTERS 2007
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
FIRST DAY, HAYDOCK PARK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24
CRACKERJACK TOTESPORT.COM BECHER CHASE
Tomorrow’s totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree, where the second day of the Northwest Racing Masters is being held, has attracted 19 runners and, once again, the £100,000 event looks like being a stepping stone to the world’s most famous chase, the John Smith’s Grand National in April.
Ferdy Murphy’s Leading Man (7/1 joint-favourite with the sponsor) has been all the rage with the sponsors after his staying on sixth in the Coors Cumberland Handicap Chase at Carlisle earlier this month.
Damian Walker, Racecourse PR Director for totesport, said: “We opened the betting on Tuesday and Leading Man was a 14/1 chance. We were knocked over in the rush and we went 10/1 and then punters came in again, forcing us into 9/1. By the end of the day, we were 7/1 and that is still the price.
“He is easily the best backed horse and with every drop of rain that falls, surely his chance will increase as all of his best form is on soft and testing ground.
“Leading Man is a 33/1 chance with us for the Grand National and if he were to win well, then there is every chance that he will most likely creep into the bottom of the weights in a normal Grand National year.”
Paul Nicholls has a great record in the totesport.com Becher Chase, having won it with Silver Birch in 2004 and Eurotrek last year. The former went on to land the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.
This year the master of Ditcheat is represented by Mr Pointment (7/1 joint-favourite), fourth in the Showcase Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on his seasonal bow, Royal Auclair (20/1), who filled the same position in last weekend’s BGC Cross Country Chase at the same venue, and Le Duc (14/1), who has unseated his rider on his last two starts after a Chepstow second on his seasonal bow.
Walker added: “We have also laid Mr Pointment and this could be because of Paul Nicholls’ tremendous record. Punters obviously think that Mr Pointment also has an excellent chance and he was backed from 10/1 into 8/1 earlier this week and clearly his trainer believes that he will handle the big fences.”
The 2005 Becher Chase winner Garvivonnian (16/1) also bids to repeat the trick for Irish handler Ned Mitchell, while Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has won this 3m 2f chase three times courtesy of Indian Tonic (1993), Young Hustler (1995) and Grand National hero Earth Summit in 1998, is represented by Irish Raptor (11/1), who struck over hurdles at Perth on his seasonal bow.
KAUTO STAR (FR) FACTFILE - THE BETFAIR CHASE WINNER
7 b g Village Star (FR) - Kauto Relka (FR) (Port Etienne (FR)) Form: 211/1F2353/112-21F/111111-21
Owner: Clive Smith Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: Mme H Aubert
Kauto Star, a Grade Three winner over hurdles at Auteuil in France, has developed into a chaser of the very highest class with six straight wins in the 2006/2007 season, including a stunning Grade One four-timer, culminating in an impressive totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup victory. He made his British debut at Newbury in December, 2004, in an extended two and a quarter mile novice chase, and produced a fine performance, gaining an emphatic nine-length victory over Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle winner Foreman. Things did not go to plan next time in a three-runner race at Exeter in January, 2005, when he fell two out with the race at his mercy. After being remounted, he just failed to reel in the winner, but it came to light afterwards that the horse had injured his near-hind leg, and he was forced to miss the rest of the season. Kauto Star reappeared in November, 2005, when he turned in an excellent comeback effort to chase home Monkerhostin in the Grade Two William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter. He improved on that run when landing the Grade One Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown over two miles the following month, staying on in fine style to score by a length and a half from Ashley Brook. The Grade One Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival in March was Kauto Star's next port of call but, after tracking the leaders in the early stages, he took off too early at the third fence and hit the deck. He returned to action last season at Aintree on October 22 over two and a half miles in the Grade Two bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase and was the most impressive winner, romping home by 21 lengths from his stable companion Armaturk when conceding 9lb to the runner-up. The son of Village Star then defeated the best three-mile chasers around when easily taking the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 18 by 17 lengths from Beef Or Salmon before showing himself to be one of the most adaptable top-class chasers of recent times when cruising to a seven-length victory over Voy Por Ustedes in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase over two miles at Sandown a fortnight later. Clive Smith's gelding evoked memories of Desert Orchid as he went directly from that triumph to capture the Grade One Stan James King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day. Ruby Walsh sat tight to survive a last fence blunder and the pair finished eight lengths clear of the chasing Exotic Dancer. Another final fence error made life more difficult again for the pair in the Grade Two Aon Chase at Newbury on February 10, but Kauto Star rallied to hold the determined challenge of L'Ami by a neck. A hot favourite for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, the seven-year-old gelding didn't disappoint. Ruby Walsh struck the front with two fences left and, despite hitting the last hard, Kauto Star stormed up the hill to prevail from Exotic Dancer by two and a half lengths. Kauto Star bacame the first horse to collect the Betfair Million bonus by winning at Haydock, Kempton Park and Cheltenham. The £1-million incentive is offered by the betting exchange for winning the Betfair Chase, the Stan James King George VI Chase or the Lexus Chase and the totesport Gold Cup. This season, he followed the same path as he did in the 2006/07 campaign by starting off in the bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase over two and a half miles at Aintree on November 28. This contest, a limited handicap, required Kauto Star to give 7lb to Exotic Dancer, a stone to Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase hero Monet's Garden and 16lb to the useful Ashley Brook. Despite the enormity of this task, Kauto Star performed with tremendous credit and only found Monet's Garden a length and a half too strong. After the race, Paul Nicholls stated that he believes the horse now needs three miles to be seen at his best. He won the Betfair Chase for the second year running in good style.
CLIVE SMITH
Clive Smith is a true jumping enthusiast who first went to Cheltenham in 1974 and has made a significant investment in his string of horses in recent years. A former Surrey golf captain, he was busy building golf courses, including Windlemere, Hawthorn Hill (now Birds Hill) and Pine Ridge, when first breaking into racehorse ownership in 1987 with Hawthorn Hill Lad, trained by Jenny Pitman. The owner then had a brief spell with David Elsworth before having horses with Martin Pipe for 12 years, but took the decision to switch his string to another Somerset-based handler, Paul Nicholls, in the summer of 2003. Jump racing's newest superstar, Kauto Star, bought for 400,000 euros, is owned by Smith while the 2005 John smith's Grand National runner-up, Royal Auclair, also sports his colours. He bid up to 500,000gns at Doncaster Sales in May, 2004, for the record-priced Garde Champetre, who was eventually sold to J P McManus for 530,000gns. Smith hit the headlines at the end of January, 2005, when Kauto Star was remounted by Ruby Walsh after falling at the second last in a novices' chase at Exeter, eventually going down by just a short-head to Mistral De La Cour, but the runner-up was subsequently found to have fractured his hind leg. The owner later called upon the racing authorities to try and change the rules over the remounting of horses. Kauto Star has since confirmed himself one of the most exciting and talented chasers of recent times, with six straight victories last season, including the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown (for a second time), the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham, in the process landing his owner a £1 million bonus offered by Betfair for landing the last three races. Smith is also believed to have collected around £100,000 in winning bets after his charge's Cheltenham victory, while Kauto Star also topped the Racing UK Order Of Merit - designed to reward horseracing excellence and participation - netting his connections a further £200,000 in total. A former executive with Ford and Chrysler who lives at Wentworth in Surrey, Smith is well known in the golfing world as the founder of the Lagonda Trophy, which attracts an international field of top amateurs, has been won by Lee Westwood and Luke Donald and is in its 33rd year. He is also a vintage car enthusiast and owns a 1928 and 1930 Lagonda. He now could win a second Betfair Million.
PAUL NICHOLLS
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out in racing as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 on Broadheath and a year later on Playschool. Nicholls partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, struggling always to keep his weight down, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. He started out at Paul Barber's Manor Farm with eight horses. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers' championship over a number of years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, Nicholls claimed his first title the following season, being responsible for 148 winners and gaining over £2.4 million in prize money. He retained the title last season, with 124 successes and nearly £2,950,000 in prize money. The hugely talented Kauto Star was the stable's flag-bearer, with victories in the bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase, the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton, Newbury's AON Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star thus became the first horse to land the Betfair Million, the huge bonus put by the leading betting exchange to a horse successful in the Grade One Betfair Chase, staged on the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters in November, the Stan James King George VI Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another high point in his training career came at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival when he captured the major chase on each of the three days - Flagship Uberalles scored in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following day and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained 17 Cheltenham Festival winners in total, and was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006 and again in 2007. His four successes earlier this year were Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Taranis in the Ryanair Chase and Andreas in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. His 1,000th British winner came when Noble Action won at Folkestone on November 15, 2004.
SAM THOMAS
Sam Thomas hails from a family of school teachers, with both his parents and his sister engaged in that profession. Thomas has bucked the trend by forging a successful career as a jump jockey. Born on June 22, 1984, in Abergavenny, he began riding ponies at the age of four before graduating to the Welsh point-to-point circuit. After training at the British Racing School in Newmarket, he joined Welshpool trainer David Evans. Initially he rode on the Flat, but after 20 winless rides, decided to turn to jump racing and joined the Hereford yard of Venetia Williams. He broke his duck on Indian Sun in a Ludlow selling hurdle in April 2003. That was his sole success in the 2002/03 campaign but he made great strides the following season. His first professional victory came in November 2003 when he rode I Tina to glory in a Chepstow selling hurdle and went on to ride 47 winners. He topped that in the 2004/05 with 55 successes, making him runner-up to Paddy Brennan in the conditional jockeys' championship. He again rode 55 winners in the 2005/2006 season and achieved 73 last term. His first ride in the John Smith's Grand National came in 2006 aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Silver Birch. The pair were in touch approaching The Chair but Silver Birch was hampered and fell at Aintree's biggest obstacle. Thomas is attached to the Paul Nicholls yard and also frequently partners horses trained by Venetia Williams and Henrietta Knight. Among the best horses he has ridden are Denman, Sporazene, Cerium, Limerick Boy and Banker Count. In 2005, Thomas was short-listed for the Bachelor of the Year award, organised by woman's magazine, Company. Kauto Star gave him his biggest success today.
BETFAIR INFORMATION
Winner: KAUTO STAR
Price at off: 1.87
Lowest Price Matched Before Race: 1.86
Highest Price Matched Before Race: 2.12
Highest Price Matched DURING Race: 3.00
Comments:
Kauto Star hit an in-running high of 3.00 and the late challenge of Exotic Dancer who hit an in-running low of 2.00. My Way De Solzen traded at a low of 2.92 when travelling well on the home bend whilst Ollie Magern’s odds halved at the start from 26 to 13 when he poached an early lead.
Prices at off for the field:
Kauto Star 1.87
My Way De Solzen 4.00
Exotic Dancer 9.8
Turpin Green 19
Ollie Magern 27
Beef Or Salmon 38
Offshore Account 75
“I could shoot that Kauto Star!” was trainer Jonjo O’Neill’s reaction after Exotic Dancer was beaten half a length by Kauto Star in the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park this afternoon. This is the third time the seven-year-old has finished runner-up to the same rival, having also chased him home in the Stan James King George VI Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup last season.
O’Neill’s continued: “The winner is a right horse, isn’t he?
“Exotic Dancer has run a blinder. I could only be more pleased if he had won! You can’t be disappointed really.
“I think he will probably go for the King George now.
“He has to travel out the back the way he does, otherwise he is no good.”
A further 18 lengths back in third was Beef Or Salmon and his trainer Michael Hourigan was delighted too.
He said: “Beef Or Salmon hadn’t run since April and Denis (O’Regan, jockey) said he really needed it today.
“I thought halfway round when I saw how he was travelling that I would have to make a statement announcing his retirement! He then picked up and stayed on really well.
“He will go for the Lexus Chase at the Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting now.
“He is a wonderful horse. I am really pleased.”
The fourth horse home was Turpin Green, another 16 lengths back.
His trainer Nicky Richards said: “Turpin Green ran OK.
“He hates that ground and hadn’t had a prep run.
“We will look at the King George and the Lexus Chase for him now and we may also consider the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
“There is still all to play for.”
MY WAY DE SOLZEN FIFTH
Alan King was taking My Way De Solzen’s fifth place in the Betfair Chase firmly on his own shoulders.
He said: “I am very disappointed with myself as he was unfit. He was blowing for 35 minutes after the race and was very tired.
“I thought that I had done plenty with him at home, but I clearly hadn’t. He will go for the King George now.”
Jockey Robert Thornton added: “He didn’t get home.”
HAYDOCK HAPPY
Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, was very satisfied after the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters and Kauto Star’s victory in the Betfair Chase.
He said: “Everyone at Haydock Park today was privileged to see another superb effort from Kauto Star as he won his second Betfair Chase.
“The Betfair Chase field consisted of the very best chasers from Britain and Ireland and Kauto Star demonstrated once again he was at the top of the tree.
“The racing throughout the day has been highly competitive and seen some superb performances. Jockey Sam Thomas will certainly not forget today.
“The Northwest Racing Masters, now in its third year, continues to go from strength to strength and we all look forward to another superb day at Aintree tomorrow.”
FOURTH RACE RESULT
2.05pm BETFAIR CHASE (GRADE 1)
3m £200,000 Guaranteed For 5yo+ Weights 11st 7lb Allowances mares 7lb Penalty value 1st £114,040 2nd £42,780 3rd £21,420 4th £10,680 5th £5,360 6th £2,680
1 KAUTO STAR (Clive Smith) Paul Nicholls 7-11-07t Sam Thomas 4/5 Fav
2 EXOTIC DANCER (Sir Robert Ogden) Jonjo O’Neill 7-11-07p Barry Geraghty 8/1
3 BEEF OR SALMON (B J Craig) Michael Hourigan IRE 11-11-07b Denis O’Regan 28/1
4 TURPIN GREEN (Trevor Hemmings) Nicky Richards 8-11-07p Tony Dobbin 14/1
5 MY WAY DE SOLZEN (B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton) Alan King 7-11-07 Robert Thornton 11/4
6 OLLIE MAGERN (Roger Nicholls) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-07 Paddy Brennan 20/1
UR OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (Brian Polly) Charlie Swan IRE 7-11-07 David Casey 40/1
Distances: 0.5, 18, 16, 7, dist
Breeder: Mme Henri Aubert
Breeding: bg Village Star- Kauto Relka (Port Etienne)
Tote: Win: £1.80; pl £1.50, £3.10 exacta £6
Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Date of first trainer’s licence: 01/11/91 Previous Occupation: Professional jockey 1980-89. Rode 130 winners including Hennessy Gold Cup (1986 & 87), Irish Gold Cup (1988), Welsh Grand National (1987) Aintree Festival Wins include: John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2002 Armaturk, 2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic), John Smith’s Melling Chase (2001 Fadalko), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison), Citroen C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Natal), John Smith’s Fox Hunter Chase (2002 Torduff Express), Betfair Bowl (2000 See More Business) Cheltenham Festival Wins (17): Irish Independent Arkle Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop), Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 Kauto Star), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2004 Earthmover, 2005 Sleeping Night), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran, 2007 Andreas), County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2007 Denman) Other big race wins: Aon Chase (2000 See More Business, 2001 Shotgun Willy, 2003 Valley Henry, 2007 Kauto Star), Betfair Chase (2006 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2001 & 2003 Ad Hoc), Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Neptune Collonges), Bula Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Cornish Rebel, 2006 Denman), Charlie Hall Chase (1999 and 2000 See More Business), totesport Classic Chase (2006 Eurotrek, 2007 Ladalko), Desert Orchid H’cap Chase (2000 Fadalko, 2002 Valley Henry), Feltham Novices’ Chase (1993 See More Indians), Game Spirit Chase (2000 lagship Uberalles, 2005 Azertyuiop), Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1995 Captain Khedive, 1999 Fadalko, 2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother), King George VI Chase (1997, 1999 See More Business, 2006 Kauto Star), Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Be Be King), Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase (2000 Rockforce), Scottish Champion Hcap Hurdle (1999 Fadalko), Rehearsal Chase (1996 Belmont King, 1997 and 1998 See More Business), Pendil Novices’ Chase (2006 Napolitain, 2007 Natal), Peterborough Chase (2004 Le Roi Miguel), Pillar Chase (1998, 2001 See More Business), Scottish Grand National (1997 Belmont King), Tingle Creek Chase (2005 Kauto Star), Tolworth Hurdle (2003 Thisthatandtother, 2006 Noland, 2007 Silverburn), totesport.com becher Chase (2006 Eurotrek), Vodafone Gold Cup (2006 Cornish Sett), Coral Welsh National (2004 Silver Birch, 2005 L’Aventure), William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase (1998 Lake Kariba, 1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2004 Azertyuiop), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (2007 Gungadu) 1000th Domestic Winner: Noble Action (Bumper, Folkestone, November 15, 2004) First Trainer to Saddle Six Winners on One Card: Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Wincanton Number of Winners (1992/03-2006/07): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148; 124 Wins this Season: 34
Winning Jockey: Sam Thomas Born: June 22, 1984 Background: The son of a maths teacher from Abergavenny, South Wales. Rode in point to points and spent one year with David Evans before moving to Venetia Williams’ stable, where he has been since training at the British Racing School. Big Race Wins: Amlin 1965 Chase (2006 Cerium); Paddy Power Amateur Riders Handicap Chase (2003 Its Onlyme - last ride as amateur); Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (20004 Limerick Boy); Pendil Novices’ Chase (2005 Limerick Boy); First Winner Under Rules: Indian Sun (Western Wines Selling Hurdle, Ludlow, April 2, 2003) First Professional Winner: I Tina (G D Environmental Services Selling Hurdle, Chepstow, November 26, 2003) Wins (2002/03-2006/07): 1; 47; 55; 55; 73 Wins This Season: 25
EXPECTATIONS HIGH AHEAD OF BETFAIR CHASE
Peter Levy of the Manchester Evening News is relishing today’s Betfair Chase and enthuses: “Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock would still rank as one of the most fascinating races ever staged at the track even if just two of the seven confirmed entries actually lined up.
“There's no chance of that with £200,000 in prize money up for grabs, but the duel between Kauto Star and My Way De Solzen looks something to savour.
“The champion, Kauto Star, was unbeaten in six races last season when he also collected a £1m bonus for his owner Clive Smith, thanks to a treble culminating in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham as well as romping home in the Order of Merit, stamping him as the best horse for years.
“But the challenger. My Way De Solzen, also has an impressive pedigree.”
“Here comes Kauto” says the front of the this morning’s Racing Post ahead of what racing’s daily describes as “an all-star line-up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock today,”
The Sun’s Favourite pullout shouts “SAM-TASTIC” on the front, highlighting the fact that Kauto Star will be ridden by Sam Thomas for the first time today as he steps in for the horse’s regular rider, Ruby Walsh, who is currently sidelined with an injury.
David Yates, Newsboy of the The Mirror believes My Way de Solzen can “lift a fascinating renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park today” while over in the Daily Star the headline of the Starform supplement is “Stars In My Eyes” as jockey Fitzgerald writes that he believes Kauto Star can return to his best today, a view which Mike Torpey in yesterday’s Liverpool Echo concurs with by saying: “Delve as you may to unearth a reason why Kauto Star won’t win tomorrow’s Betfair Chase, the fact remains the Gold Cup hero is the one to support.”
“The Paul Nicholls-trained champion returns to Haydock Park for day one of the valuable North West Masters fixture, and the race he turned into a procession 12 months ago.”
In The Independent, Chris McGrath thinks that today’s Betfair Chase sees “Kauto Star at crucial crossroads between fleeting comet and a Gold Cup immortal” as he attempts to repeat his victory of 12 months ago.
Writing in yesterday’s Times, Alan Lee also concentrates on Sam Thomas’ first ride on Kauto Star: “Two careers stand at a crossroads before the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park tomorrow. It is that of Kauto Star which will command the greediest attention, for his invincible air has been punctured by a rare defeat, his dominance of the steeplechasing scene suddenly jeopardised. But for his jockey, too, this is a race that could shape the future.”
A similar line is taken by Greg Wood in The Guardian, who writes: “If Sam Thomas feels any anxiety about his imminent arrival at the centre stage of National Hunt racing, he is keeping it well hidden. Yesterday at Exeter he was calmness personified on his two winners, first when Just Amazing jinked wildly with the race at his mercy and then as he steered The Tother One to a cheeky success. Certainly, there was a striking matter-of-factness about him before racing as he pondered the plum ride he has landed on Kauto Star at Haydock this afternoon.”
In The Express, Rolf Johnson notes: “The doubting Thomas’s will be out in force at Haydock, but have no fears regarding the best steeplechaser of modern times, Kauto Star. Sam Thomas who takes over the hot seat in the Betfair Chase from injured Ruby Walsh, Kauto Star’s ‘other half’, will not always be ‘number two’: his talent is a rare one. Worry more about the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero’s defeat, under Walsh, at Aintree last month.”
In The Daily Telegraph, J A McGrath writes: “The gates to a new golden era of steeplechasing are ready to swing wide open at Haydock Park today when last season's champion Kauto Star is challenged for supremacy by My Way De Solzen in the Betfair Chase.”
KAUTO STILL STRONG ON BETFAIR
Kauto Star is strongly fancied with Betfair customers to complete a second successive triumph in today’s feature £200,000 Betfair Chase (2.05pm).
Tony Calvin, Senior Press Officer at Betfair, commented: “Despite some negativity surrounding Kauto Star today, he is trading very strongly on Betfair this morning at around 10/11.
“The big negative in the Betfair Chase is Exotic Dancer, who is out to 17/2.
“Beef Or Salmon, runner-up for the past two years, is not proving popular and is available at 54/1 while My Way de Solzen (3/1), Turpin Green (13/1) and Ollie Magern (29/1) are all holding firm.
“Offshore Account is the outsider of the seven at 59/1.
“The Betfair Chase is proving to be our best traded race of the jumps season so far.
“It is around even money to try and back the winner or lay the rest of the field - the ideal shape for a Betfair race.”
In the other races, Lightning Strike is solid at 6/4 in the opening Betfair Poker Newton Novices’ Hurdle (12.30pm), as is Gwanako at 9/4 in the Reg Griffin 50 Years At Timeform Limited Handicap Hurdle (1.05pm). In the same contest, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained En La Cruz, a recent French import, is unfancied at 29/1.
High-class chaser Taranis is strongly fancied at 2/1 off what could prove to be a lenient handicap mark in the Betfair “Fiixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle (1.35pm).
Opera Mundi was forecast at 7/2 in today’s Racing Post but the Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old is available at 15/2 for the Betting As It Should Be Handicap Chase (2.35pm), where it is 5/1 the field.
Two for support in the concluding “Forumites Of The Year Vote Soon” Newcomers Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race are Jorveybrook at 3/1 and Call The Shots at 7/2.
Race 1 - Betfair Poker Newton Novices’ Hurdle - Winning Quotes
LIGHTNING STRIKES IN FIRST
Lightning Strike collected the opening race on Betfair Chase day, the Listed Betfair Poker Novices’ Hurdle, under jockey Sam Thomas, who takes the ride on Kauto Star in the feature Betfair Chase.
The winner, a 5/4 chance, was making his seasonal debut and saw off the determined late challenge of Tazbar to score by a neck.
Winning trainer Venetia Williams said: “I thought we weren’t going to get here today after it took 45 minutes to get to our exit on the motorway!
“I am very pleased for the owners, as when we purchased Lightning Strike we decided that we would go for the better races with him last season (Lightning Strike contested Grade One events at Cheltenham and Aintree in 2007) and if he won them it would be great and if he didn’t he was still a novice for this season.
“I don’t know where he will go next - today was the plan - although Sam says he can’t wait to see him over fences.”
Paying tribute to Sam Thomas, who regularly rides for her, Williams added: “I’m struggling to call him my man any more!
“Sam came to me six months out of school and it is great to see him where is now.
“He is an excellent rider and thoroughly deserves to take his chance in the top races.”
FIRST RACE
BETFAIR POKER NEWTON NOVICES’ HURDLE
GROUND
After the opening Betfair Poker Newton Novices’ Hurdle, the following jockeys reported the ground as:
Sam Thomas, rider of winner Lightning Strike, said: “Good to soft, soft in places, but it will probably get worse as the day goes on.”
Paddy Brennan, rider of Osprey View, said: “Beautiful - good to soft.”
Paul Moloney, rider of Chrysander, and Robert Thornton, rider of Mexican Bob, said: “Good to soft - lovely ground.”
Barry Keniry, rider of The Shy Man, said: “Good ground.”
Larry McGrath, rider of Miss Shred Easy, said: “Soft ground.”
SECOND RACE WIN QUOTES
REG GRIFFIN 50 YEARS AT TIMEFORM HURDLE
PIGEON ISLAND BLAZES HOME
Pigeon Island came from last to grab Gwanako and Pouvoir in the closing stages and go on and win the Reg Griffin 50 Years At Timeform Hurdle under a brilliant ride from Paddy Brennan.
Winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “There was no pace at all and I obviously got him fit in the Greatwood Hurdle. He only ran six days ago and I only put him in this because it looked a weak race and we were looking for fourth place!
“Paddy held him up and they came with a rattle. It is extraordinary how much he has improved in one year and he is getting better and thriving on his racing. It is quite amazing and he is still a novice and can run in all of those posh novice hurdles at Cheltenham.
“He is very good and Paddy judged it beautifully. But that’s Paddy and he doesn’t make too many mistakes.
“There are no races for Pigeon Island until Christmas and we thought that he was probably a two and a half miler.
“After Christmas we’ll probably treat him like a proper horse, poor little man, and those proper novice hurdles at Cheltenham will be on the agenda.”
GROUND LIKELY TO CHANGE
The going is likely to change later this afternoon as the rain continues to fall on Haydock Park.
The going is currently good to soft, soft in places.
Kirkland Tellwright, Clerk of the Course, commented: “I think the ground is bound to change later this afternoon.
“We started today as good to soft before changing to good to soft, soft in places.
“We will be waiting until after the running of the third race (the Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle at 1.35pm) and have a word with the jockeys after that before coming to a decision.”
Race 3 - Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle
SECOND HAYDOCK SUCCESS FOR MILLENIUM
French challenger Millenium Royal won at Haydock Park for the second time when collecting the £100,000 Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle. The seven-year-old, a 20/1 shot, appeared to be booked for second place but was handed the race following the final flight fall of Special Envoy. Millenium Royal’s previous victory came at Haydock Park in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdler Qualifier in February, 2007.
Winning trainer Francois Doumen said: “We were lucky in one sense, but the main rule of jump racing is that you have to jump. If you don’t jump, you don’t win. I won a King George with Algan in the same way.
“Millenium Royal is a bit of a tricky horse - he does what he wants.
“I thought it was worth coming back to Haydock after his win here last season. The long straight and testing ground really suit him.
“Christophe Pieux has ridden a marvellously clever race on him. He bluffed him along and made him think he was a champion.
“Although Millenium Royal is a slightly erratic horse, he has good form and is a Grade One winner in France so that is why he always carries a big weight.
“We will just take it step-by-step with him. There are no immediate plans.”
Millenium Royal provided 40-year-old jockey Christophe Pieux with his first British success. He has been champion jockey in France on 15 occasions.
THIRD RACE PLACED QUOTES
BETFAIR “FIXED BRUSH” HANDICAP HURDLE
ANOTHER FINE EFFORT FROM SONNYANJOE
Just a week after Sonnyanjoe conducted a successful overseas raid from Ireland at Cheltenham, Tom Hogan’s charge again put in a mighty effort to finish runner-up behind French challenger Millenium Royal.
Hogan said: “That was a great effort and he is as tough as nails and I am delighted. He is handicapped to the hilt and he has gone up 45lb from the Irish mark that he began winning off.
“He won’t jump a fence so I suppose that his future may lie in France where he can run with low weights in condition races.
“The soft ground was his undoing and he is better on slightly better ground. He has run a great, tremendous race.”
Connections of third-placed Halcon Genelardais were also pleased with their charge, who now heads for another tilt at the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, which he won last year.
Joint-owner Ian Payne said: “I am delighted as he has got so much more weight than last season. This was his prep race for the Welsh Grand National which is where he will be heading next and he is as genuine a horse as you could wish to see. Chocolate [Robert Thornton, jockey] said that he jumped beautifully.”
GROUND
Kirkland Tellwright, Haydock’s clerk of the course, changed the going to Soft from Good to Soft, Soft in place after today’s third race.
Race 5 - Betting As It Should Be Handicap Chase - Placed Quotes
OPERA GIVES THOMAS THREE-TIMER & NICHOLLS DOUBLE
Opera Mundi gave man of the moment Sam Thomas a 39.5/1 treble and trainer Paul Nicholls a 17/1 double following his game success in the Betting As It Should Be Handicap Chase.
The winner battled on well to secure a head victory over Heez A Dreamer.
Paul Nicholls said: “He put up a great performance, especially considering he is still only a five-year-old.
“We have now discovered he wants a trip. Like a lot of French horses he won over two miles last season but now wants three. I also think he wants a left-handed track.”
Barry Simpson, Racing Manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, added: “We thought of him as a possible Arkle Horse at one point last season.
“We came here today because the prize money on offer was so good.
“In the long-term, he could be a possible contender for the William Hill Chase at Cheltenham.”
THOMAS SUSPENDED
Sam Thomas, who won this afternoon’s feature Betfair Chase, received a sting in the tail from the stewards after the fifth race.
They looked at his use of the whip in the final furlong on Opera Mundi and found him guilty of improper riding in that he did not allow his charge time to respond.
He received a one day suspension to be served on Wednesday, December 5.
The Betfair Casino Zero Lounge Handicap Chase had a very courageous winner in Roman Ark, who defied top-weight of 11st 12lb to record a three-length success over Some Touch in the hands of Fergus King.
The winner, returned at 8/1, could now be Cheltenham bound, either next month and/or in January.
Successful handler Malcolm Jefferson said: “I was delighted as we were driving here today and it was pissing down as he wants this ground.
“Roman Ark has always been a good horse.
“I think when he ran at Cheltenham last year and was fourth (in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at the January meeting) he was slightly unlucky in that they missed quite a few fences out (four fences were omitted due to the low sun) which didn’t suit him. That would have been his Cheltenham race.
“He could go back for that race again and he will also be entered for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.
“Two miles and five furlongs on soft ground is what he needs.”
JOHNSON HORSES GALLOP AFTER RACING
Howard Johnson will gallop three horses, including dual Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever, at the end of racing.
The other two horses to be put through their paces will be Mephisto and Hard Act To Follow.
SEVENTH RACE WIN QUOTES
THE “FORUMITES OF THE YEAR VOTE SOON” NEWCOMERS’ STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE
QUEEN POLINE RULES IN LAST
Queen Poline made the perfect start to her racecourse career with victory in the newcomers’ bumper.
Justin Wadham, representing his trainer-wife Lucy, otherwise engaged at Huntingdon, said: “That was very nice and she’s just a very nice filly.
“We always thought that she was saying all of the right things at home and she is bred as a jumper. Howard Johnson had the dam’s brother Astarador.
“She was getting 22lb from the older horses and won it like a nice horse. We will probably stick to bumpers for this season and possibly aim her at the mares’ final at Sandown on Imperial Cup day. Once she’s shown that she’s nice, that’s the obvious target.
“She has come out and shown that she is a nice horse and she has a lovely temperament which she showed in the preliminaries.”
The victory was a nice fillip for the stable, which had been out of luck at Huntingdon.
“Lucy is at Huntingdon where Diarius finished fifth. He was a bit unlucky as he was virtually brought down before running on again.”
WILSON RENWICK
Wilson Renwick, who took a heavy tumble on Armaguedon in the Betfair Casino Zero Lounge Handicap Chase, sustained a bruised hip but hopes to be in action at Aintree tomorrow.
GOING
The current going at Haydock is now Good to Soft, Soft in places with a GoingStick reading of 5.9. The ground had been Good to Soft overnight.
Kirkland Tellwright, Haydock’s clerk of the course, said: “We had 15 millimetres of rain last weekend and we are forecast for around seven millimetres of rain today. It will be mild with drizzle.
“Everything is in place with the new track on what was the former hurdle track. So the first two races are over traditional hurdles, then the traditional hurdles come off to be replaced by “brush” hurdles and then we have the three chases.
“I am looking forward to the day immensely and the Betfair Chase looks like being a brilliant race.”
WYLIE HAPPY AFTER GALLOP
Owner Graham Wylie was happy after three of his horses - Inglis Drever, Mephisto and Hard Act To Follow - galloped after racing today.
The trio are all trained by Howard Johnson.
Wylie said after the gallop: “With the ground being so heavy today, we just wanted the horses to have a canter and a bit of a blow.
“It is always nice to get a gallop in at the racecourse before the first run back.
“Denis (O’Regan) was on Inglis Drever and it was good to get him to the racecourse before he runs at Newbury next week.
“Hard Act To Follow still has an entry in the Hennessy. He has not run for a year and it would be a big ask to go there first time out.
“I’ve no idea where Mephisto goes next. He is a nice horse but has had his share of injuries. It’s just nice to get him back.”
FIRST RACE RESULT
12.30pm BETFAIR POKER NEWTON NOVICES’ HURDLE (LISTED RACE)
2m, £30,000 Guaranteed For 4yo+ Weights 11st Penalties a winner of a class 5 hurdle 4lb; of a class 4 hurdle 6lb; of a class1 to 3 hurdle 8lb Allowances fillies and mares 7lb
1 LIGHTNING STRIKE (John Nicholls (Trading) Ltd.) Venetia Williams 4-11-00 Sam Thomas 5/4 Fav
2 TAZBAR (The Supreme Partnership) Keith Reveley 5-11-00 Phil Kinsella 15/2
3 CHRYSANDER (Only Fools N Horses) Evan Williams 5-11-06 Paul Moloney 8/1
4 MEXICAN BOB (First Chance Racing) Alan King 4-11-08 Robert Thornton
5 THE SHY MAN (Sean P Graham) Gary Moore 4-11-06 Barry Keniry
6 OSPREY VIEW (The Galloping Punters) Nigel Twiston-Davies 4-11-06 Paddy Brennan
7 MISS SHRED EASY (Shred Easy) Richard Guest 7-10-07p Larry McGrath
Distances: nk, 21, 8, 1.75, 11, dist
Breeder: Dr C Berglar
Breeding ch g Danehill Dancer - La Capilla (Machiavellian):
Tote: Win: £2.30 Pl £1.50, £4 Exacta £10.10
Winning Trainer: VENETIA MARY WILLIAMS Trains at Aramstone, Kings Caple, Hereford Date of birth: May 10, 1960 Riding career: 10 NH winners as an amateur 1986-88 Date of first trainer’s licence: 1995, previously assistant John Edwards (1986-93), Martin Pipe (1993-4), six months with Colin Hayes (Australia), J Fulton (USA) and Barry Hillls Cheltenham Festival wins (3): Grand Annual Challenge Cup H’cap Chase (2000 Samakaan), Coral Cup (2005 Idole First), Racing Post Plate (2007 Idole First) Aintree Festival Winners: betfair.com Handicap Chase (1999 Edelweis Du Moulin), Citroen C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2001 Montalcino), John Smith’s Novices’ Handicap Chase (2002 Spring Margot), John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Limerick Boy), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2004 His Nibs) John Smith’s Novices’ Chase (2006 Mon Mome) Big race wins: Badger Beer Chase (1998 Teeton Mill), Hennessy Gold Cup (1998 Teeton Mill), King George VI Chase (1998 Teeton Mill), Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase (1999 Teeton Mill), Cleeve Hurdle (1999, 2000, 2001 Lady Rebecca), Peter Marsh Limited Hcp Chase (1999 General Wolfe, 2007 The Outlier), Thomas Pink Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1999 The Outback Way), First National Bank Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1999 Nordance Prince), Unicorn Handicap Chase (2000 The Outback Way), Towton Novice Chase (2000 Arctic Camper), Victor Chandler Handicap Chase (2000 Nordance Prince), Haldon Gold Cup H’cap Chase (2000 Bellator), Ladbroke Hurdle (2003 Thesis), Eider Chase (2007 Nil Desperandum) Other details: Won Group Three Ormonde Stakes (1998 Stretarez) with her first runner on the Flat Number of Winners (1996/6-2006/07): 7, 33, 45, 74, 74, 63, 55, 78, 89, 80, 77, 76; Wins this Season: 11
Winning Jockey: Sam Thomas Born: June 22, 1984 Background: The son of a maths teacher from Abergavenny, South Wales. Rode in point to points and spent one year with David Evans before moving to Venetia Williams’ stable, where he has been since training at the British Racing School. Big Race Wins: Amlin 1965 Chase (2006 Cerium); Paddy Power Amateur Riders Handicap Chase (2003 Its Onlyme - last ride as amateur); Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (20004 Limerick Boy); Pendil Novices’ Chase (2005 Limerick Boy); First Winner Under Rules: Indian Sun (Western Wines Selling Hurdle, Ludlow, April 2, 2003) First Professional Winner: I Tina (G D Environmental Services Selling Hurdle, Chepstow, November 26, 2003) Wins (2002/03-2006/07): 1; 47; 55; 55; 73 Wins This Season: 24
SECOND RACE RESULT
1.05pm REG GRIFFIN 50 YEARS AT TIMEFORM HURDLE (A LIMITED HANDICAP)
2m, £40,000 Guaranteed For 4yo Weights highest weight 11st 10lb Minimum Weight 10st 4lb Penalties after November 17th, each hurdle won 6lb (no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 10lb)
1 PIGEON ISLAND (H R Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 4-10-07t Paddy Brennan 8/1
2 POUVOIR (Mr & Mrs R Scott) Alan King 4-10-08 Robert Thornton 4/1
3 GWANAKO (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 4-11-10 Sam Thomas 11/4 Fav
4. BOULAVOGUE (N O’Flaherty) Charlie Swan 4-10-04 David Casey
5 GRAND BLEU (Uplifting Bloodstock Ltd) Francois Doumen FR 4-11-08 Christophe Pieux
6 DEGAS ART (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 4-11-07b Denis O’Regan
7 MISTER BENEDICTINE (Noel Horan) Brendan Duke 4-10-05t Daryl Jacob
F EN LA CRUZ (Sir Robert Ogden) Jonjo O’Neill 4-10-04 Brian Harding
Distances: 1.75, 1.25, 6, 2, 25, nk
Breeder: Sir Eric Parker
Breeding: gr g Daylami - Morina (Lyphard)
Tote: Win: £8.30; Pl £2.40, £1.80, £1.40 Exacta £38.10
Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimmell and Kim Bailey. Trained and rode first winner (Last Of The Foxes - Hereford 1982). Trained his 1,000th winner at Stratford in October 2006. Big Race Wins Include: Charlie Hall Chase (2005 Ollie Magern, 2007 Ollie Magern), Christmas Hurdle (1997 Kerawi), Classic Chase (2005 Baron Windrush), Elite Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), Feltham Novices’ Chase (2004 Ollie Magern), Hennessy Gold Cup (2000 King’s Road), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1998 Mister Morose, 2004 Fundamentalist), Open Trophy (2003 Shardam), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1992 Tipping Tim), Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Rimsky), Peter Marsh Chase (1995 Earth Summit), Rehearsal Chase (1995 Grange Brake), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (1995 Sweet Duke, 2000 Beau), Scottish Champion Hdle (1994 Corrouge, 2000 Mister Morose), Scottish Grand National (1992 Captain Dibble, 1994 Earth Summit), Totesport Sandown Hcap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish), Welsh Champion Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), Whitbread Gold Cup (2000 Beau) Cheltenham Festival wins (7): William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance C (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish) Aintree Festival wins: John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle (1987 Mrs Muck), betfair.com Handicap Chase (1994 Grange Brake), John Smith’s Topham Chase (1994 Indian Tonic), John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase (1996 Arctic Kinsman), John Smith’s Extra Cold H’cp Hurdle (1998 The Proms), John Smith’s Grand National (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree), John Smith’s Champion Standard NH Flat Race (1998 King’s Road, 2005 The Cool Guy), Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (1999 King’s Road), S&N Aintree Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2001 Docklands Limo) Wins (1982/3-2006/07): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65,87, 4, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60 Wins this Season: 45
Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Riding Weight: 9st 7lb Background: Spent one summer at Gerry Stack’s Co. Kildare yard, aged 14. Apprenticed to Jim Bolger for five years, riding eight winners. Secured a position with Paul Nicholls, before moving to Philip Hobbs. Appointed as retained rider for the powerful Howard Johnson/Graham Wylie team in May 2006. Joined Nigel Twiston-Davies in June 2007. Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2006 Shamayoun), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2007 Paddy Brennan) First Winner: Ivory Isle (Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, Gowran Park, August 12, 1998) First Winner after riding out 3lb claim: French Executive (Sky Bet Sussex National, Plumpton, November 21, 2004) Last Winner with 3lb claim: Rollo (williamhill.com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, Exeter, November 19, 2004) Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Citroen C4 Picasso Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Tidal Bay), John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (Ashley Brook 2005), John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2006 Wellbeing) Other Big Race Wins: Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2005 Hakim); intercasino.co.uk Molyneux Novices’ Chase (2006 Lennon); Sea Pigeon Handicap Hurdle (2002 Benbyas); Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Degas Art) Charlie Hall Chase (2007 Ollie Magern) Number of Wins (2000/01-2006/07): 3; 9; 15; 19; 67* (*Champion Conditional Jockey); 60; 80 Wins This Season: 44.
THIRD RACE RESULT
1.35pm BETFAIR “FIXED BRUSH” HANDICAP HURDLE
2m 7f 110yds £100,000 Guaranteed For 4yo+ Minimum Weight 10st Penalties after November 17th, each hurdle won 6lb
1 MILLENIUM ROYAL (J Vasicek) Francois Doumen FR 7-11-12 Christophe Pieux 20/1
2 SONNYANJOE (Anthony Byrne) Tom Hogan IRE 9-11-03tp Stephen Gray (7) 11/1
3 HALCON GENELARDAIS (Ian Payne & Kim Franklin) Alan King 7-11-01 Robert Thornton 17/2
4 TARANIS (Mrs A B Yeoman & C R Whittaker) Paul Nicholls 6-10-05t Sam Thomas 7/4 Fav
5 MISTER MCGOLDRICK (Richard Longley) Sue Smith 10-10-05 Tjadge Collier (5)
6 UNGARO (Sir Robert Ogden) Keith Reveley 8-10-04 Brian Harding
7 OLD BENNY (Trevor Hemmings) Alan King 6-10-00 David Casey
8 BURNTOAKBOY (Dr R D P & Mrs L J Newland) Dr Richard Newland 9-10-09 Barry Geraghty
9 MONOLITH (Elite Racing Club) Len Lungo 9-10-03 Wilson Renwick
10 FAIR QUESTION (The MerseyClyde Partnership) Venetia Williams 9-10-00 Liam Treadwell (3)
11 DESERT TOMMY (All Adda Winna Racing Club) Evan Williams 6-10-00
F Last SPECIAL ENVOY (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Peter Bowen 5-11-00 Paddy Merrigan (3)
P COAT OF HONOUR (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 7-10-05 Denis O’Regan
P DE SOTO (Gay Smith) Jonjo O’Neill 6-10-11t Noel Fehily
P ERIC’S CHARM (M St Quinton & P Deal) Oliver Sherwood 9-10-03
P RAMBLING MINSTER (The Lingdale Optimists) Keith Reveley 9-10-00 James Reveley (3)
P REDEMPTION (Nigel Twiston Davies) Nigel Twiston-Davies 12-11-01 Paddy Brennan
PSI GRAND (Ron Davies) Lucy Wadham 4-10-08p Paul Moloney
Winning Trainer: FRANCOIS DOUMEN Date Of Birth: 11/6/40 Date Of First Trainer’s Licence: 1977 Previous Occupation: Served apprenticeship (trainers) with father, Jean, who trained for James Hennessy at Maisons-Lafitte. Riding Career: Amateur 1956-70, rode more than 100 Flat winners including the Prix Georges Courtois, at Deauville in 1969/70. Big Race Wins Include: Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Snow Drop, 2006 Kasbah Bliss), Capel Cure Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Ben Ewar), Feltham Novices’ Chase (1997 Djeddah), Grande Steeplechase de Paris (1991 The Fellow, 1994 Ucello II, 1995 Ubu III), Grande Course De Haies D’Auteuil (1992 & 1993 Ubu III), Grand Prix d’Automne (2005 Millenium Royal), King George VI Chase (1987 Nupsala, 1991 & 1992 The Fellow, 1994 Algan, 2000 First Gold), Kingwell Hurdle (2000 Hors La Loi III), Long Walk Hurdle (2000 Baracouda, 2001 Baracouda, 2003 Baracouda), Prix Heros XII (1992 The Fellow, 1993 Ucello II), Racing Post H’cap Chase (1995 Val d’Alene, 2006 Innox), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (1997 Djeddah), Wragge & Co Finesse Four-Year-Old Hurdle (1999 Hors La Loi III) Cheltenham Festival Wins (6): totesport Gold Cup (1994 The Fellow), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2000 Snow Drop), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2002, 2003 Baracouda), William Hill Trophy Chase (2005 Kelami), Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Moulin Riche) Aintree Festival wins: John Smith’s Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (2001 Bilboa), Betfair Bowl (2001 & 2003 First Gold) Number of Winners in Britain (1998/99-2006/07): 3; 5; 9; 9; 4; 7; 9; 4; 2; Wins this Season (in Britain): 1
Christophe Pieux - first British winner
FIFTH RACE RESULT
2.35pm BETTING AS IT SHOULD BE HANDICAP CHASE
3m £50,000 Guaranteed For 4yo+ Rated 0-145 Minimum Weight 10st Penalties after November 17th, each chase won 6lb
1 OPERA MUNDI (Sir Robert Ogden) Paul Nicholls 5-11-12 Sam Thomas 9/1
2 HEEZ A DREAMER (James Drummond) Venetia Williams 7-11-06 9/2 Fav
3 LOTHIAN FALCON (Peter Maddison) Peter Maddison 8-10-03 Robert Walford 5/1
4 HIGH CHIMES (Mr & Mrs William Rucker) Evan Williams 8-10-07 Paul Moloney
5 CLOUDY LANE (Trevor Hemmings) Donald McCain Jnr 7-11-02 Jason Maguire
6 LIMERICK BOY (Favourites Racing III) Venetia Williams 9-11-11 Tony Dobbin
7 NADOVER (Tony Hayward And Barry Fulton) Charlie Mann 6-11-04 Noel Fehily
8 ST MATTHEW (Keith Nicholson) Sue Smith 9-11-02 Tjade Collier(5)
P ALRIGHT NOW M’LAD (J P McManus) Jonjo O’Neill 7-11-02 Richard McGrath
P KING HARALD (Piers Pottinger & P B-J Partnership) Mark Bradstock 9-10-09 Mattie Batchelor
P MISTER MONTH (N O’Flaherty) Charlie Swann IRE 10-10-01 David Casey
P WILD CANE RIDGE (Ashleybank Investments Limited) Len Lungo 8-11-12 Wilson Renwick
P YABOYA (J P McManus) Philip Hobbs 8-10-09 Barry Geraghty
Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Date of first trainer’s licence: 01/11/91 Previous Occupation: Professional jockey 1980-89. Rode 130 winners including Hennessy Gold Cup (1986 & 87), Irish Gold Cup (1988), Welsh Grand National (1987) Aintree Festival Wins include: John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2002 Armaturk, 2003 Le Roi Miguel, 2007 Twist Magic), John Smith’s Melling Chase (2001 Fadalko), John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison), Citroen C4 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Natal), John Smith’s Fox Hunter Chase (2002 Torduff Express), Betfair Bowl (2000 See More Business) Cheltenham Festival Wins (17): Irish Independent Arkle Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop), Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 Kauto Star), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2004 Earthmover, 2005 Sleeping Night), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran, 2007 Andreas), County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2007 Denman) Other big race wins: Aon Chase (2000 See More Business, 2001 Shotgun Willy, 2003 Valley Henry, 2007 Kauto Star), Betfair Chase (2006 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2001 & 2003 Ad Hoc), Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Neptune Collonges), Bula Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Cornish Rebel, 2006 Denman), Charlie Hall Chase (1999 and 2000 See More Business), totesport Classic Chase (2006 Eurotrek, 2007 Ladalko), Desert Orchid H’cap Chase (2000 Fadalko, 2002 Valley Henry), Feltham Novices’ Chase (1993 See More Indians), Game Spirit Chase (2000 lagship Uberalles, 2005 Azertyuiop), Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1995 Captain Khedive, 1999 Fadalko, 2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother), King George VI Chase (1997, 1999 See More Business, 2006 Kauto Star), Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Be Be King), Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase (2000 Rockforce), Scottish Champion Hcap Hurdle (1999 Fadalko), Rehearsal Chase (1996 Belmont King, 1997 and 1998 See More Business), Pendil Novices’ Chase (2006 Napolitain, 2007 Natal), Peterborough Chase (2004 Le Roi Miguel), Pillar Chase (1998, 2001 See More Business), Scottish Grand National (1997 Belmont King), Tingle Creek Chase (2005 Kauto Star), Tolworth Hurdle (2003 Thisthatandtother, 2006 Noland, 2007 Silverburn), totesport.com becher Chase (2006 Eurotrek), Vodafone Gold Cup (2006 Cornish Sett), Coral Welsh National (2004 Silver Birch, 2005 L’Aventure), William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase (1998 Lake Kariba, 1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2004 Azertyuiop), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (2007 Gungadu) 1000th Domestic Winner: Noble Action (Bumper, Folkestone, November 15, 2004) First Trainer to Saddle Six Winners on One Card: Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Wincanton Number of Winners (1992/03-2006/07): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148; 124 Wins this Season: 35
Winning Jockey: Sam Thomas Born: June 22, 1984 Background: The son of a maths teacher from Abergavenny, South Wales. Rode in point to points and spent one year with David Evans before moving to Venetia Williams’ stable, where he has been since training at the British Racing School. Big Race Wins: Amlin 1965 Chase (2006 Cerium); Paddy Power Amateur Riders Handicap Chase (2003 Its Onlyme - last ride as amateur); Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (20004 Limerick Boy); Pendil Novices’ Chase (2005 Limerick Boy); First Winner Under Rules: Indian Sun (Western Wines Selling Hurdle, Ludlow, April 2, 2003) First Professional Winner: I Tina (G D Environmental Services Selling Hurdle, Chepstow, November 26, 2003) Wins (2002/03-2006/07): 1; 47; 55; 55; 73 Wins This Season: 26
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