Friday, November 13, 2009

THE OPEN 2009, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
COUNTRYSIDE DAY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13


20 - 25 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN EXPECTED OVERNIGHT

At both The Open and The Festival, racegoers and television viewers alike will be able to spot the jockey who is leading the standings at any stage, as they will be wearing a pink armband during any races in which they take part.

The Festival Awards have been an integral part of Cheltenham for many years, but the introduction of two prestigious awards to the Open from underlines the growing appeal of these three days, with 18 highly competitive races, headlined by the £150,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The Awards will give added profile to Cheltenham’s most successful trainers and riders and provide Thomas Pink with a retail presence at the meetings to showcase their goods.

Cheltenham’s Director of Sponsorship Peter McNeile said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Thomas Pink back to sponsorship at Cheltenham. From 2000 to 2002 Thomas Pink sponsored The Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

“Its products are an excellent fit with a significant proportion of our customers and the Thomas Pink Leading Rider and Trainer awards will add further lustre at both of our major meetings.”

Jonathan Heilbron, President & CEO of Thomas Pink, welcomed the deal: “The Cheltenham arena provides the stage for the best talent and competition in the world of jump racing. We are thrilled to be involved with the sport of the horse, so important in the heritage of our brand, and to support the talented individuals who strive with such intensity and commitment for success.”

Notes
• Thomas Pink is the leading international luxury shirt brand, specialising in the design and production of quality shirts and associated accessories for men and women.

• Thomas Pink is part of LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods conglomerate.

• Inspired by the eighteenth century heritage of Jermyn Street, Thomas Pink has successfully revived, restored and reinterpreted the quality British shirt making tradition.

• The brand’s flagship store is located on London’s Jermyn Street, befitting its position within London’s sartorial elite, and has 34 stores and concessions nationwide. The company has more than 80 boutiques and concessions worldwide, operating in countries including the UK, US, France, China, Mexico, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia.

Up to £600,000 could be won on this weekend’s totescoop6

The totescoop6 has not been won for a month and the pools are building up nicely with a rollover of £307,340 in the win fund and £131,717 in the bonus pot.

This means a single winner of tomorrow’s bet could land up to £600,000 if successful in next Saturday’s bonus race.

All eyes of the racing world will be on Cheltenham tomorrow and there are four races in the Scoop6 from Prestbury Park with the other two races coming from Wetherby.

All six races will be screened live on Channel 4 with the highlight being the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham where Ballyfitz will be aiming to give trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies his second consecutive winner of the race following Imperial Commander’s victory last season.

“The jumps season is well and truly back and Scoop6 players have six top-class races to get their teeth stuck into this weekend,” said totepool spokesman George Primarolo . “A single winner could well pocket up to £600,000.”


Scoop6 Races – Saturday, 14/11/09

Leg 1: 1.55 Cheltenham - Servo Trophy Handicap Chase
Leg 2: 2.35 Cheltenham - Paddy Power Gold Cup
Leg 3 2.55 Wetherby
Leg 4: 3.10 Cheltenham - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle
Leg 5: 3.25 Wetherby
Leg 6: 3.45 Cheltenham - Ultima Business Solutions Novices’ Handicap Hurdle


totescoop6 Rollovers

Win: £307,340

Bonus: £131,717


Race 1 - Irish Times Amateur Riders Handicap Chase
TWISTON-DAVIES FAMILY REIGNS SUPREME IN OPENER


The first race of The Open 2009 was all about the Twiston-Davies family as Razor Royale sauntered home 23 lengths clear of The Sawyer. Qhilimar was the only possible challenger to the winner, but he fell two fences from home.

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the most successful current trainer at The Open and enjoying 21st success at the meeting since 1990, the seven-year-old was partnered by his eldest son, 17-year-old Sam, who was enjoying his first success at Cheltenham,

Twiston-Davies senior commented of the 12/1 winner: “I am very proud and it is lovely when it all works. The boy gets very over excited about everything - he was offered rides from a lot of the top trainers today and I said ‘No, you will ride mine’. I was right and I would have got into a lot of shit if I hadn’t been.

“It’s great to win here. This is where we want to win and we have more runners here than anyone else - this is where we want to be.

“Sam knows Razor Royale well - he schools him and rides him at home - when these young lads get to know these horses, they are probably get on better than some of the more experienced jockeys.

“We have always thought that he was a good horse but he has let us down a lot recently. It was a question of getting him right and he was right today. His hurdle rating was well above these and I thought that he had some 10 or 12lbs in hand - I am sure the handicapper will be kind!”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, he added: “If all the forecast rain arrives, Ballyfitz has a superb chance. Knowhere has done it all before but has hasn’t been treated kindly by the handicapper.”

Sam Twiston-Davies, 17, is currently a student at Cotswold School in Bourton.

He said: “It feels absolutely unbelievable. It’s an amazing feeling and I will just enjoy it while I can. It’s one of those things you never know how it will feel like until it actually happens.

“I am absolutely thrilled - it’s so nice to have a winner here! It is what I have dreamed about ever since I was a little kid. Dad has been really good to me, he has helped me out loads, and Carl, Nige, Fearghal and Sparky at the yard have given me loads of advice. Paddy B, Tom Molloy, Dave - they have all helped me loads.

“Mum has been a great help - she was the one who brought me up here today and said that there was no pressure and I shouldn’t worry about it.

“He travelled like a dream and, when I was long, he really came up to me. He’s a lovely horse and I am so pleased to be riding him. This means more than anything that I have done before.

“We always thought Razor Royale was a nice horse. He has had problems with bleeding and when he fell earlier in his career it may have just knocked his confidence. He then got sick but was freshened up in the field over the summer.

“I spent time during the Flat season at Andrew Balding’s yard. I learnt a lot there from William Buick and David Probert. They helped me with my sense of pace.

“Hopefully, I will going to university, hopefully, to study PE.

“I would like to turn professional, but would ideally like to do it as a hobby if that’s possible. I like riding in good races when I have a chance, but I am not sure if I would want to do it day in, day out with all the problems that can bring.

“I wouldn’t rule out a training career in the future. I have learnt a lot from my father and for the moment I just want to continue to learn as much as I can.

“I get out of school to ride by giving out tips!”



Race 1 - Irish Times Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase

GROUND ON SOFT SIDE, SAY AMATEUR RIDERS


Amateur riders who took part in the Irish Times-sponsored opening handicap chase on day one of The Open, generally described the ground as ‘soft’.

Sam Twiston-Davies, who rode the winner, Razor Royale, said: “It’s on the soft side of good to soft.”

Mark Wall, who rode runner-up The Sawyer, said: “It’s good to soft and not too bad. It felt lovely on him.”

Ollie Greenall, who rode third-placed Mister Apple’s, said: “It’s soft, with the odd heavier patch.”

Harry Challoner said: “It’s plenty soft enough.”

Tom David said: “It’s on the soft side of good to soft.”

Ben Brisbourne said: “It’s quite soft, but they’re getting through it.”

Rob Kirk said: “It’s fairly soft.”

Matt Griffiths said: “It’s soft all the way round and takes some getting.”

Paul Tolman said the ground was “Dead”, while Nina Carberry and Joshua Moore described it as, “Soft”.

Race 2 - Sharp Novices’ Hurdle

LOAD LOOSENS BOOKIES’ SATCHELS

Loosen My Load proved too good for his seven rivals in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle in which horses trained in Ireland filled the first two places after a slow early gallop.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained winner, who beat Some Present by half a length, was ridden by Andrew Lynch in the colours of Ann and Alan Potts. Mr Potts said: “I think this horse could be as good as Sizing Europe [also trained by De Bromhead]. At this stage of his career, he’s even better than Europe.”

De Bromhead said: “I thought Andrew gave the horse a superb ride. We had a vague idea what we were going to do and he executed it brilliantly. We are thinking about coming back here for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle [at the Festival] but we plan on giving him a little break in the meantime.

“You would think he would improve in a faster-run race. He had to do a lot of work there and the horse he beat is very good. Our horse liked this ground - it was a bit lively when he ran at Tipperary and Andrew felt there was too much jar so he didn’t kill him. He won a bumper at Cork in June so he’s been in a long time, but he takes his racing so well.

“He has stacks of stamina and could be anything - he’s a machine. I forgot to tell you that before the race. He’s good and we’re very lucky.”

“I was hopeful beforehand. Andrew said that he loved the ground and it’s great. He’s brilliant over his hurdles - he’s like an elastic band, he’s so agile - and he was taking lengths off them at every flight. I would love to say that it is something that I can teach because everybody would sent me their bad jumpers, but I think a little bit of it is natural!

“Alan and Ann have been amazing to me for about the past four or five years now and we have had plenty of success together so it has been great.”

Sizing Europe, De Bromhead’s high-class hurdler who has made an impressive switch to chasing, is set to run in another novices’ event at Punchestown on Sunday.

Lynch, who had just ridden his first Cheltenham winner, said: “Half way up the run-in I heard the other horse [Some Present] coming to me, but my horse was idling and he soon picked up again. He’s a real athlete and takes good care of himself at the jumps.

“He’s won well. They went a bit slow for him early on - he’s a real galloper - but he winged the last and stepped out of it. There weren’t too many front-runners in the field so we were always going to go a bit slow early on. He travelled well and he will be better in a strongly-run race.”

Loosen My Load was quoted at 25/1 by William Hill for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and at 20/1 by Paddy Power, Skybet and Victor Chandler.

Tom Mullins, who trains Some Present, was in no mood for social banter after his horse’s defeat. This was the second time in a row that his horse had finished runner-up after a slowly-run race, and he said wryly: “We’ll run him in the Breeders’ Cup next time and hope there’s a good pacemaker in there.”


Race 3 - paddypower.com Handicap Chase - Winning Quotes

OPERA COULD BE BACK FOR GRAND ANNUAL

Favourite backers had to wait until the third race of The Open 2009 to get off the mark when 5/2 market leader French Opera landed a pillar-to-post victory under Barry Geraghty in the paddypower.com Handicap Chase over two miles.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old was winning his second race of the current season, having won his first chase won at Ascot 13 days ago, and kept on gamely to defeat Nikola by four lengths.

Henderson said: “In fairness to him, he is still only a novice - he only won his first novice chase at Ascot a fortnight ago and AP said as much as he wants fast ground, he really has to go left handed. So I had to come here regardless of the ground. I actually wanted to run him in the novice chase on Sunday, but I didn’t dare wait with the forecast.

“He was good over hurdles - he used to pinch a lead - and he takes a bit of pegging back when he is like that.

“I do want him for the Grand Annual Chase - that was the plan last year and he came third. He is obviously going to go up for that win so we will have to wait and see. He really is a top of the ground horse so you would prefer him in the autumn and the spring rather than the depths of winter.

“It’s the same thing regarding the ground with My Petra tomorrow. It will be interesting to hear what Barry has to say but speaking to the boys after the first hurdle race, they didn’t think that the ground was too bad. Obviously, as the weekend goes on, it is obviously going to deteriorate, but if French Opera can get through it, she can too.

“Aigle D’Or (who runs in the Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase at 4.05pm) has been great with his schooling and AP has been thrilled with him. It’s a tough race to start but he is a good horse and he wouldn’t mind it soft. I think he will be all right.”

Barry Geraghty added: “They went a nice pace - the ground is on the slow side but he did it well. He coped with the ground but did not really relish it and is a better horse on better ground.”

Tomorrow Geraghty begins a 12-day ban following his ride on My Petra at Wetherby on October 31, when he took the wrong course on turning for home.

He said: “I’m not retiring, it’s only 12 days!”





Race 3 - paddypower.com Handicap Chase

TOUGH NIKOLA SURE TO WIN AGAIN


French Opera had too much speed for the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Nikola, but the runner-up ran better than many expected.

Nikola’s jockey, Tom Molloy, said: “He’s sound, he jumps well and always runs his race. He found one too good today, but he’ll definitely win his share of races.”

Twiston-Davies, who also ran sixth-placed Tramantano in the contest, said of Nikola: “We’re chuffed to bits with that. He’s surprised a few people, he’s very tough and he jumped better than the others. That’s what keeps him in races. A stiff two miles in that ground suits him well - it was a bit quick at Ascot on his previous run. He’ll keep winning.

“Tramantano hit the ditch at the top of the hill and went from looking the likely winner to the likely loser.”

The David Pipe-trained Consigliere took third in the colours of Elder Scouller, whose father, Philip, was a successful amateur rider who sadly succumbed to cancer last year. Scouller said:

“I inherited this horse and Choumakeur when my father died. I’ve been interested in racing ever since I was six, when my father gave me some money to put on a horse that won at Tweseldown point-to-point.”

Of Consigliere he said: “He’s run his heart out. He made a mistake coming down the hill, which didn’t help, but he’s run his best race ever. When you think he won his first race off a mark of 112, and is now running off 135, he’s done pretty well.”





Race 4 - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
TWIST THE SHOUT FOR
GARDE CHAMPETRE

Trainer Enda Bolger added to his lengthening sequence of cross-country chase victories when Garde Champetre took today’s Glenfarclas-sponsored version.

The 10-year-old, ridden by Nina Carberry for owner J P McManus, beat his stablemate Heads Onthe Ground, ridden by J T McNamara, who also wore McManus’s colours. Garde Champetre has now won four cross-country races at Cheltenham, including twice at the Festival.

Bolger has long maintained Carberry’s role in Garde Champetre’s successes, and he said: “Nina just puts the horse to sleep and that’s the key to him in long-distance races. She switches him off, stalks the guys and then away we go as they turn in. I’m proud of the horses, Nina and J T, and all the staff at home. It takes a lot to get these horses trained to do this and keep them sound.

“Garde loves the twists and turns. He’s adapted to these fences and if he stays safe and sound we will enjoy him for a good few years. Heads Onthe Ground has run another cracking race.

“They may both come back here in December [for the handicap cross-country chase], but I’m not sure we would want Garde Champetre to carry top weight. We also have L’Ami at home and he could come here - he runs tomorrow in a race at Punchestown and we’ll make a decision after that.”

A new series of European cross-country races has been created, but Bolger said: “The timing of the races is so important. The Pardubice [held in the Czech Republic] is held in early October and the ground is often pretty firm at home at that time of year, but I think it’s a great incentive and we will be supporting it.”

Asked if Garde Champetre might go for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next April, Bolger said: “We tried him in the Irish National this year when we felt he had a nice weight, and he said, ‘This is not my game’. We have to keep him twisting and turning.”

Nina Carberry commented: “He’s a little dinger! He’s great and he loves it round here - he loves flicking through the little hedges and he comes to life underneath me when he does it. It’s all to do with this fellow really because he is such a good horse. He has the rating to be a very good chaser but I think that he just prefers these fences a bit more.

“I just slipped going into the fifth last a little bit and he was very good to get over it - it was a bit slippy but thank God he got over it anyway.”

McManus added: “It’s wonderful to see him coming up that hill and Nina seemed so confident on him - she gave a great old drive round there. I was hoping that she would hold on to him - the longer you hold on to him the better as he idles a bit when he gets there - but fair play to Nina because she knows him well and knows his habits. He has been a very, very good servant for us now.

“We love the banks racing and I think that they are a big addition to National Hunt racing. You look at the amount of people watching the race on the course and they get quite excited. I only hope that we can have some more of these races. Spot Thedifference was a great horse for me and I wouldn’t like to compare one with another. I enjoyed Spot enormously and now I am enjoying this fellow.”



Race 4 - Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase - Placed Quotes

AUSTRALIA TO GO DOWN THE CROSS COUNTRY ROUTE AFTER DELIGHTING DE BROMHEAD

Trainer Henry De Bromhead was delighted with the effort of Sizing Australia, who finished third, just under two lengths behind the Enda Bolger-trained pair of Garde Champetre and Heads Onthe Ground in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

De Bromhead said of the 8/1 chance: “There was no disgrace in coming third behind two of Enda’s horses. We tried to break his stranglehold on the race but couldn’t even split them!

“Our horse loved it today and has really enjoyed himself. These races are a lot of fun and it’s good to have them at the festival meetings. The crowd love them.

“He could maybe come back here next month for the cross country chase and we will definitely be looking at the cross country race at The Festival and then the Le Touche Cup at Punchestown later in the season.”



Race 5 - RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle - Winning Quotes

LORD RAGNAR BATTLES THROUGH THE MUD

Lord Ragnar gave trainer Nicky Henderson a 41/1 double on Countryside Day when taking the RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle with 11/1 chance Lord Regnar. The six-year-old was wearing the colours of owners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin Hughes, meaning that the same owner/trainer combination that were successful in this race last year with subsequent Festival winner Andytown prevailed for the second successive year. It was a first Cheltenham Festival for 23-year-old Richie Killoran.

The winner raced prominently on the inside throughout the two mile, five furlong contest and had three and a quarter lengths to spare over Attorney General at the finish.

Nicky Henderson said: “Lord Ragnar is a lovely big horse. We have had to be very, very patient with him as all he has done is grow and grow.

“He will make a lovely chaser in time. He has done that well today and is starting to strengthen up now.

“Richie said it was very noisy in behind him today. He has given him a lovely ride round on the inside and given the horse lots of daylight.

“Richie is now down to a 3lb claim. It is good to have these young lads in the yard. When they are schooling alongside the likes of Barry and AP it teaches them so much.

“We may stay where we are with this horse for the time being, although like Andytown he looks a chaser.

“It’s great for Richard and Lizzie Kelvin Hughes as they are such huge supporters of us and of racing.”

Richie Killoran added: “That was my first Cheltenham winner.

“I have been with Nicky just over a year and he has been very good to me.”



Race 5 - RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

GORDON MAKES FIRST ‘OFFICIAL’ VISIT TO CHELTENHAM’S WINNER’S ENCLOSURE


A failed point-to-pointer proved he remains a useful hurdler when finishing second of 24 runners in the RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Ten-year-old Attorney General, a smart horse at Cheltenham in former years when trained by Jim Old, is now in the care of Winchester-based Chris Gordon, who said: “He ran in point-to-points last year for [Kent-based] Ann Blaker, and while he ran well enough first time up at Cottenham he really didn’t like the fences and didn’t jump well enough. A lot of horses by Sadler’s Wells are like that.

“I bought him from Ann and Sara Sansom for a couple of thousand, set up a little syndicate of eight people and this has been a great result for them.

“Charlie [Wallis] is our conditional jockey, so he rode the horse and did a good job. Hopefully the handicapper won’t put him up too much because it would be great to win a little race for the gang that own him.”

A useful amateur rider and former South East champion between the flags, Gordon did not ride a winner at Cheltenham and had never entered the course’s winner’s enclosure in an official capacity. He said: “I had four or five rides around here, but never troubled the judge. If I’ve ever been in here before it was probably after the last race following a few drinks with friends.”



Race 6 - Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase

AL PROVES HE IS NOT SO WEIRD

Trainer Ian Williams continued his fine run of form when Weird Al took the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase for his Alvechurch stable.

Weird Al finished second in a bumper, then won a hurdle last season, but had not run for nearly a year before today’s debut over fences. Williams said: “It was a huge ask today because the horse has only been on the track twice before. When he ran last time he had a problem afterwards and suffered trying to get oxygen into his system. I was a little worried today, but he seems fine this time.

“My assistant, Kevin Frost, hasn’t slept since Sunday when we entered the horse for this race. We all love the horse, but we came here thinking if he finished third or fourth and ran well we would be delighted. There is improvement to come, but as it is he’s won which makes it even more exciting.

“A big horse like this might just get at it around a track like Huntingdon or Warwick, and we had the option of going to Haydock but decided that might be too soft, so kept this as an option. The horse was green but professional today, and Noel [Fehily] gave him a great ride.

“We don’t have many top-class horses in the yard, so we tend to look after them, and of course we were anxious today.”

Williams, who has enjoyed a good season on the Flat, said: “It’s a great team effort. We’ve had 31 winners on the Flat, the jumps season has started well and now we have a Cheltenham Festival prospect, so it’s all good.”

Weird Al was quoted at 33-1 by Paddy Power for the RSA Chase here at Cheltenham in March.

Race 6 - Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase - Placed Quotes

CHARLTON PLEASED WITH BEAU

George Charlton was very satisfied with the performance of 5/2 joint-favourite Knockara Beau, the neck runner-up in the Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase, the concluding event on day on of The Open.

He said: “He has run a great race when you consider the ground, the penalty he carried and his lack of experience. He made a mess of one of the ditches. Well, it is pouring with rain and it is Friday the 13th!

“This is a cracking horse and he just needs to get some more experience under his belt.

“We will go home and have a look at the computer and decide where we go with him. It’s my job to earn prize money so we will look at the better races.

“He should stay three miles in the fullness of time. He just lacks a top gear - he is not like Tidal Bay when I trained him.”



RAIN EASES GOING SLIGHTLY, BUT FORECAST SUGGESTS IT COULD TURN SOFT


The going at Cheltenham on Countryside Day, the first at the three-day Cheltenham Open Meeting, is now ‘good to soft on the chase and hurdle courses, good on the cross-country course’.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: “We had nine millimetres of rain yesterday, and are expecting rain to begin again at midday and continue through the afternoon, evening and into the early hours of the morning. There could be up to 25mm.

“My sense is that it won’t take much more rain on the current ground to turn the going to soft, but we can certainly cope with the amount the forecast predicts we will receive.”

Both the chase and hurdles courses were used at the October meeting - they are also utilised on the first two days of the Festival in March - but today’s airing for the cross-country track is its first since the Festival.

Claisse said: “On average during the summer months we were receiving half an inch of rain per week, but from the beginning of September until the October meeting it was very dry, with only 14mm to 15mm in total. For that reason we irrigated intensely to produce good to firm ground for the first fixture. The cross-country was not used at that meeting so we did not irrigate it, and while it has been watered since it is considerably quicker.”

Looking ahead to a meeting that is one of the highlights of the jumping season, Claisse added: “We can’t wait to get started, and with the new Connaught Chase on Sunday [1.45pm] - in which we hope Well Chief will take on Master Minded - we’re looking forward to three great days.”




NEW BOY IN ON THE ACT AT TBA STALLION PARADE


Very early clues to future winners were on show at Cheltenham today when the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual National Hunt Stallion Parade was held.

The event provides an opportunity to promote British breeding and show the public 12 leading or potentially high-class stallions. They were tip-top performers on the track, and their sons and daughters are now beginning to follow in their hoofprints.

Among them was 10-year-old Act One, who won five of six races including the Gr.1 Prix Lupin and finished runner-up in the Prix du Jockey-Club. He was initially retired to Shadwell Stud, but will stand next season at Bill Bromley’s Wood Farm Stud in Shropshire, which was also represented at the stallion parade by five-year-old Lucarno, winner of the St Leger in 2007. Bromley said of the pair: “Act One has come here straight from Shadwell - I’ve just met him for the first time, but he looks grand and we’re really excited about his potential as a sire of jumpers. Lucarno completed his first season earlier this year and covered 97 mares.”

David and Kathleen Holmes of Warwickshire’s Pitchall Farm Stud will be watching tomorrow’s Paddy Power Gold Cup with particular interest, for My Petra, a strongly-fancied runner from Nicky Henderson’s yard, is a daughter of their stallion Midnight Legend. He has steadily become a leading sire in Britain.

Kathleen said: “This parade is an important opportunity to show some of the best jumping stallions in Britain. We have shown Midnight Legend here for the past three or four years because we are keen to support the TBA, which is working to promote British breeding.”

David added: “Midnight Legend is now 18, but he covered 130 mares this year and got 104 in foal, and his sire, Night Shift, went on until he was well in his mid-20s. We hope our fellow can stay active for another five seasons at least.”

Other stallions in the parade were Beat All, Double Trigger, Grape Tree Road, Helissio, Indian Danehill, Kayf Tara, Revoque, Tobougg and Victory Note.

SCUDAMORE RECALLS THE HAPPY HUNTING DAYS OF HIS YOUTH

Top jockey Tom Scudamore recalled happy hunting days in the Cotswolds during a discussion about the links with jump racing at Cheltenham today.

Scudamore was joined by Baroness Ann Mallalieu, president of the Countryside Alliance, whose organisation is a joint-beneficiary of the day, along with the Spinal Injuries Association.

Hunting a quarry with a pack of hounds is banned under the Hunting Act, which Baroness Mallalieu described as “a flawed piece of legislation” and said: “We hope that at some time in the future a government will be brave enough to turn it over.”

When asked what hunting had meant to him, Scudamore said: “My grandfather was a master of hounds and my father [Peter, the eight-times champion jockey] hunted too. I have many happy memories of riding my pony over the beautiful Cotswolds while following hounds. It taught me so much about jumping, horsemanship, and how to ride in a variety of conditions.

“For English jockeys like Richard Johnson, Choc Thornton and myself it goes back to our roots and heritage and we hope our children and their children will be able to hunt. It’s part of the countryside community.”

The Countryside Alliance was formed ten years ago, and Baroness Mallalieu said: “There was a time when policies in the countryside were decided upon by an urban, metropolitan elite. In the Countryside Alliance we have a body that speaks out on a range of countryside-related issues, and not just on hunting.”



BALLYFITZ NOW FAVOURITE FOR PADDY POWER GOLD CUP

After issuing an upbeat bulletin at his stable visit on Wednesday, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyfitz is now the 6/1 clear favourite for tomorrow’s £150,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup, the feature contest of The Open.

Paddy Power himself said: “The money keeps pouring in for Ballyfitz, as does the rain. He’s plenty short enough now though and Paul Nicholls could hold the key to the race if he withdraws Poquelin, as he has also declared Chapoturgeon and Tatenen.”

Twiston-Davies is the most successful current trainer in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, having saddled Tipping Tim (1992) and Imperial Commander (2008) to victory.

Soft ground specialist According To Pete, trained by Malcolm Jefferson, has also come in for support and is now 12/1 (from 16/1).

Latest Paddy Power odds for the Paddy Power Gold Cup: 6/1 Ballyfitz, 13/2 Tranquil Sea, 7/1 Chapoturgeon, 7/1 Tatenen, 10/1 Poquelin, 10/1 Northern Alliance, 10/1 Tarotino, 12/1 According To Pete, 14/1 My Petra, 16/1 Tartak, 20/1 BAR

TODAY’S PADDY POWER MARKET MOVERS

1.15pm Irish Times Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase
7 Hoopy - now 7/1 from 8/1
11 Freeze Up - now 5/1 from 6/1
16 Notabotheronme - now 11/1 from 16/1

1.50pm Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two)
2 Loosen My Load - now 7/2 from 4/1

2.25pm paddypower.com Handicap Chase
5 Consigliere - now 7/2 from 13/2
7 Nikola - 12/1 from 16/1
Please note there are 2 non-runners in this race and a 10% Rule 4 deduction will apply to earlier bets.

3.00pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
6 Rimsky - now 11/1 from 16/1

3.35pm RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
5 French Salute - now 11/1 from 14/1
14 Regal Approach - now 13/2 from 8/1 (opened at 11/1 this morning)

4.05pm Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase
1 Knockare Beau - now 11/4 (from 3/1)
2 Ashkazar - out to 9/4 from 7/4
5 Little Josh - now 5/1 from 6/1
7 Weird Al - now 20/1 from 25/1


War Horse and the Horse Whisperers

There is the chance to see the celebrated 'Man Who Listens to Horses', Monty Roberts, and the horse psychologist, Kelly Marks, demonstrating their world-renowned equine training techniques with a real horse and one of the War Horse puppets, at 12.15pm today.

With Matthew Burgess, Ian Piears and David Emmings in Joey from War Horse.

War Horse
The award-winning smash hit War Horse is now playing at the New London Theatre.

War Horse is a thrilling and spectacular production based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo. The First World War is the backdrop for this tale of bravery, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse.

Actors, working with astonishing life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company, take audiences on an unforgettable journey through history.

Winner of Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards.

Now playing at: New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW


THE FULL SCHEDULE BEFORE RACING

10am Gates open
Master Butchers Band in tented village
120 trade stands to visit

10.30am Countryside Alliance Members’ Tent
Bottle Stall and Silent Auction - see racecard for the lots

11am TBA Stallion Parade

11.30am The Link Between Jump Racing & Hunting
Baroness Mallalieu, Choc Thornton & Tom Scudamore in the Paddock

11.55am Side Saddle Display in the Paddock

12.15pm War Horse - The Centaur

12.30pm Camel Racing for the Paddy Power Rural Challenge Trophy

After the second race, there will be a parade of Cotswold hounds.

FIRST RACE RESULT

1.15pm THE IRISH TIMES AMATEUR RIDERS’ HANDICAP CHASE
£20,000 guaranteed, 3m 110y, For 4yo+ Rated 0-140 Weight raised 3lb Minimum weight: 10-0. Penalties after October 31st, each chase won 7lb. Strawberry's Handicap Mark: 135. Entries: 31 pay £100. Penalty value: 1st £12,004; 2nd £3,750; 3rd £1,874; 4th £938; 5th £468; 6th £236

1 RAZOR ROYALE (IRE) (Colin Cornes) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-1 Mr Sam Twiston-Davies (5) 12/1
2 THE SAWYER (BEL) (D Fear & Bob Buckler) Bob Buckler 9-11-6 Mr Mark Wall (5) 16/1
3 MISTER APPLE'S (FR) (Paul Vogt) Ian Williams 9-11-1p Mr Oliver Greenall 10/1
4 NEVER SO BLUE (FR) (The Moody Blues) Venetia Williams 8-10-13 Mr Rob Kirk (5)
5 HOOPY (IRE) (John Earls) Gordon Elliott IRE 7-11-8t Mr Jamie Codd
6 NOTABOTHERONME (IRE) (J Mutch) Philip Hobbs 7-9-13 Mr Matt Griffiths (7)
7 STRAWBERRY (IRE) (Paul Murphy) Nicky Henderson 8-11-7 Mr Ben Brisbourne (5)
8 FREEZE UP (IRE) (Roger Brookhouse) David Pipe 7-10-8 Mr Tom David (5)
9 VERASI (F Ledger & J Bateman) Gary Moore 8-10-6 Mr Joshua Moore (5)
10 RADETSKY MARCH (IRE) (Piers Pottinger) Mark Bradstock 6-10-13 Mr Paul Tolman (7)
F2nd last QHILIMAR (FR) (Jim White) Alan Jones 5-9-10p Mr Robbie Henderson (7)
F4 SILLY WUPPLE (S Smith, K Hunter, P Duffen) Michael Scudamore 7-10-5 Mr Tom Weston (3)
P MY LORD OSCAR (IRE) (Mrs Adam Gurney) Enda Bolger IRE 8-10-9 Miss Nina Carberry 4/1f
P ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE) (Six Blokes) Venetia Williams 11-10-10 Mr Harry Challoner (5)
U 2out DREAM CHAMPION (Mrs Mac Partnership) Tony Martin IRE 6-10-8t Ms Katie Walsh

15 ran
Non-runners: 3 Out The Black (Ground), 8 Rakalackey (Ground)
Distances: 23, 2 3/4, 8, 10, 9, 1, 3, 15, 17
Breeder: Jeremiah Daly
Breeding: b g Oscar (IRE) - Maypole Gayle
Totes: Win: £15.80 Places: £3.90, £6.30, £2.20 Exacta: £244.60

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 Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Born on May 16, 1957, as an amateur jockey Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture, having teamed up with Denis Caro in 2002 and then his father Michael. Twiston-Davies has adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. An essentially shy man, he momentarily shocked Des Lynam after Earth Summit’s Grand National success in 1998 by telling the BBC presenter in front of millions of viewers “I don’t do interviews”. 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, 2008 Imperial Commander), 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, 2009 Hello Bud), Totesport Sandown Hcap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish), Welsh Champion Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), Whitbread Gold Cup (2000 Beau), Wayward Lad Novices Chase (2007 Mahogany Blaze), Old Roan Chase (2008 Knowhere), John Smith’s Hurdle (2008 Pettifour), Cheltenham Festival wins (10): Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The National Hunt Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Wins (1982/3-2008/09): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; Wins this Season: 32

Winning Jockey: Mr Sam Twiston-Davies Background: 17-year-old son of Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. First Winner under Rules: Baby Run, Magnus Aall-croft Memorial Hunters’ Chase, Ludow, February 18, 2009 First Cheltenham Winner: Razor Royale, Irish Times Amateur Rider Chase, November 13, 2009. Wins (2008/2009): 2 Wins This Season: 3



SECOND RACE RESULT

1.50pm SHARP NOVICES' HURDLE (GRADE TWO)
£30,000 guaranteed, 2m 110y. For 4yo+. Weights: 11st .Penalties: a winner of a Class 4 hurdle 4lb; of a Class 1 to 3 hurdle 7lb. Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb. Entries: 15 pay £150 Penalty value: 1st £17,103, 2nd £6,417, 3rd £3,213, 4th £1,602, 5th £804, 6th £402.

1 LOOSEN MY LOAD (IRE) (Ann & Alan Potts Partnership) Henry De Bromhead IRE 5-11-7 Andrew Lynch 5/2
2 SOME PRESENT (IRE) (Mrs Paul Duffin/F Doyle) Tom Mullins IRE 6-11-7 Davy Russell 13/8f
3 SECRET DANCER (IRE) (Bpd Ltd) Alan Jones 4-11-4 Christian Williams 16/1
4 WILLIAM HOGARTH (Rol Plant Hire Ltd) Keith Goldsworthy 4-11-0 Rhys Flint
5 TITO BUSTILLO (FR) (Mrs A Yeoman & Mrs S Larsen) Paul Nicholls 4-11-4t Ruby Walsh
6 SLEEPY HOLLOW (Lady Blyth) Hughie Morrison 4-11-0 Tom Scudamore
7 MONGOOSE ALERT (IRE) (Drink Up) Shaun Lycett 7-11-0 Tom Messenger
8 COOTEHILL (IRE) (Felicity Griffin) Nigel Twiston-Davies 5-11-7 Paddy Brennan

8 ran
Distances: 1/2, 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 2 1/4, 6, hd, nk
Breeder: John Roche
Breeding: b g Dushyantor (USA) - The Kids Dante (IRE)
Totes: Win: £3.60 Places: £1.50, £1.20, £3.20 Exacta: £7.00

Winning Trainer: HENRY DE BROMHEAD Based: Knockeen, Co Waterford, Ireland Date of first Trainer’s Licence: January 2000 Background: Worked as assistant for Sir Mark Prescott. Took over from father Harry. Had first winner in Britain when Sizing Europe won the City Inn National Hunt Maiden Hurdle at Newbury on November 24, 2006. First Winner: Fidalus, Tramore, January 1, 2000 (his first runner) Big Race Wins: Langtons House Handicap Hurdle (2004 Whatareyouhaving), Murphys Handicap Hurdle (2004 Whatareyouhaving), Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2007 Sizing Europe), AIG Europe Champion Hurdle (2008 Sizing Europe), Byrne Group plc Novice Hurdle (2008 Mister Watzisname), Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Loosen My Load) Wins in Britain (2006/07-2008/09): 1; 1; 0 Wins in Britain This Season: 1

Winning Jockey: Andrew Lynch Background: Andrew had his first racecourse ride on a horse called Jack Dante in a bumper at Fairyhouse in April 2001. He had to wait over a year to get off the mark, which he did at the 26th time of asking on Tristernagh in a novice hurdle at Downpatrick on May 18th 2002. Amazingly, Lynch only rode three winners in the two years that followed that day at Downpatrick. Won the Amateur Derby at Epsom in late-August 2004 on Tender Falcon. His win on Ballard Lad in a bumper at Wexford on 24th July 2005 proved to be the final winner of his amateur career as he took the brave decision to turn professional days later. Big Race Wins: Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Loosen My Load), Volkswagen Craddockstown Novice Chase (2006 Blueberry Boy), O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle (2006 Emma Jane), paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle (2006 De Valira), Kinloch Brae Chase (2007 Forget The Past), Aramark Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (2007 Duty), Grimes Hurdle (2007 Essex), Dunboyne Castle Hotal & Spa Novices’ Hurdle (2007 De Valira), Sunderlands Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2006 Victram), Freshways Handicap Hurdle (2007 Nintytwo Team), Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase (2007 Notre Pere), Coral Welsh National (2008 Notre Pere) First Cheltenham Winner: Loosen My Load, 2009 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle Wins in Britain (2005/06-2008/09):1; 0; 0; 1 Wins in Britain this season: 1





RACE THREE RESULT

2.25pm Paddypower.com HANDICAP CHASE
£40,000 guaranteed, 2m, For 4yo+ Rated 0-145. Weights raised 1lb. Minimum weight: 10st. Penalties: after October 31st, each chase won 6lb. Song Of Songs's Handicap Mark 144. Entries: 21 pay £200. Penalty value: 1st £25,048, 2nd £7,400, 3rd £3,700, 4th £1,852, 5th £924, 6th £464.

1 FRENCH OPERA (Judy Wilson & Martin Landau) Nicky Henderson 6-11-6 Barry Geraghty 5/2f
2 NIKOLA (FR) (Graham & Alison Jelley) Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-10-4 Tom Molloy (5) 10/1
3 CONSIGLIERE (FR) (E Scouller) David Pipe 6-11-3tb Tom Scudamore 7/2
4 SAFARI JOURNEY (USA) (Hill, Trembeth, Bryan & Outhart) Philip Hobbs 5-10-11 Rhys Flint (3)
5 SAFARI ADVENTURES (IRE) (Mrs P Clarke, P Stephen & H McCaig) Lucinda Russell 7-9-13 Campbell Gillies (3)
6 TRAMANTANO (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-11-6 Paddy Brennan
7 SONG OF SONGS (J P McManus) James Fanshawe 7-11-12 Tony McCoy

7 ran Non-runners: 4 Beggars Cap (Ground); 8 Beherayn (Ground) Distances: 4, 3 1/2, 1 1/4, 2, 13, 2 1/2
Breeder: N. P . Bloodstock Ltd Breeding: b g Bering - On Fair Stage (IRE)
Totes: Win: £3.10 Places: £1.90, £4.60 Exacta: £32.60

Winning Trainer: NICHOLAS (NICKY) JOHN HENDERSON Based: Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Date of birth: 10/12/50 Background: The son of financier and amateur jockey John Henderson MBE, Nicky attended Eton before working in the City for stockbrokers Cazenoves. Ended up in their Sydney office and rode out each morning prior to work before deciding to study farming at Cirencester. Also spent six years as an amateur, riding 78 winners including the Imperial Cup and the Foxhunters Chase at Liverpool. He was assistant to the legendary Fred Winter from 1974 to 1978. In July 1978 he first took out a trainer's licence and trained from Windsor House in Lambourn. He moved to Seven Barrows in 1990. Cheltenham Festival wins (34): Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2009 Andytown), County (1997 Barna Boy, 1993 Thumbs Up), Kim Muir (1990 Master Bob, 2002 The Bushkeeper, 2005 Juveigneur), Mildmay (1985,1986 The Tsarevich, 2005 Liberthine), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (1989 Rustle, 2000 Bacchanal), Cathcart (1994 Raymylette, 1990 Brown Windsor, 1999 and 2000 Stormyfairweather), Supreme Novices H (1986 River Ceiriog, 1992 Flown), Queen Mother (1992 Remittance Man), Arkle (1991 Remittance Man, 1993 Travado, 2000 Tiutchev), Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (1985, 1986, 1987 See You Then, 2009 Punjabi),JCB Triumph (1985 First Bout, 1987 Alone Success, 1999 Katarino, 2009 Zaynar), William Hill National Hunt H’cap Chase (2000 Marlborough), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2005 Trabolgan), Ryanair Chase (2006 Fondmort), Racing Post Plate (2006 Non So), Grand Annual Chase (2006 Greenhope) Number of Winners (1982/83-2008/09): 40, 43, 40, 46, 67, 40, 43, 41, 49, 52, 53, 48, 45, 47, 58, 54, 73, 67, 81, 92, 69, 79; 53; 85; 74; 83; 115; Wins this Season: 21

Winning Jockey: Barry Geraghty Born: September 16, 1979 Background: Barry Geraghty will forever be associated with the great Moscow Flyer who provided him with his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the 2002 Arkle Chase and went on to add the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2003 and 2005, as well as a host of other championship races including the Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree in 2004 and 2005. Geraghty is one of six children from a "horse-mad" family that hails from Drumree in Co Meath. His father ‘Tucker' was a useful amateur and trains a few horses in addition to his riding school and livery yard while his brother Ross, who won the 2002 Irish National on The Bunny Boiler, and sister Jill, an amateur, are both jockeys. Like so many Irish jockeys, Geraghty has a background in pony racing, riding his last winner in that sphere in September, 1996, before becoming apprenticed to Noel Meade that month and having his first ride in October, 1996. He rode his first winner aboard Stagalier at Down Royal on January 29, 1997, and has twice been champion jump jockey in Ireland in the seasons 1999/2000 and 2003/04. It was for Moscow Flyer's trainer Jessica Harrington that he first sprang to prominence, partnering her 1998 Midlands National winner Miss Orchestra. He crowned the 2002/03 season with victory in the John Smith's Grand National aboard Monty's Pass, something which contributed to him being voted RTE Sports Personality of the year by Irish television viewers. Took up the offer of becoming Nicky Henderson’s number one jockey following the retirement of Mick Fitzgerald at the end of the 2007/08 season, and he now divides his time between Britain and Ireland. Based: Drumree, County Meath, Ireland First Winner: Stagalier (EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, Down Royal, January 29, 1997) Achievements: Champion jockey in Ireland in 1999/2000 and 2003/04 Cheltenham Festival Wins (16): Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (2009 Punjabi), Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2008 Finger OnThe Pulse), Irish Independent Arkle Chase (2002 Moscow Flyer, 2009 Forpadydeplasterer), William Hill Trophy Chase (2003 Youlneverwalkalone), Pertemps Final (2003 Inching Closer), Queen Mother Champion Chase (2003, 2005 Moscow Flyer), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope, 2009 Zaynar), County Hurdle (2003 Spirit Leader), bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle (2004 Iris’s Gift), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2005 Kicking King), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star de Mohaison), Coral Cup (2006 Sky’s The Limit), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2007 Cork All Star) Leading Rider at The Festival: 2003 (5). Other Big Race Wins Include: Martell Cognac Grand National (2003 Monty’s Pass) Wins in Britain (2001/02-2008/09): 4; 26; 13; 10; 8; 1; 1; 65 Wins in Britain this Season: 7


FOURTH RACE RESULT

3.00pm GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
£25,000 guaranteed, 3m 7f cross-country. For 5yo+ which, after August 1st, 2007, have been placed first, second or third in a chase (hunters' chases included), or have won two open chases at point-to-point meetings (it is a condition of this race that horses are to be schooled over the cross country course). Weights 10st 10lb. Penalties: after August 1st, 2007, a winner; of a Class 5 chase 3lb; of a Class 4 chase 6lb; of a Class 3 chase 9lb; of a Class 1 or 2 chase 12lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries: 18 pay £125. Penalty value: 1st £15,655; 2nd £4,625; 3rd £2,312.50; 4th £1,157; 5th £577.50; 6th £290.

1 GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) (J P McManus) Enda Bolger IRE 10-11-8 Miss Nina Carberry 4/6f
2 HEADS ONTHE GROUND (IRE) (J P McManus) Enda Bolger IRE 12-10-10 Mr J T McNamara 18/1
3 SIZING AUSTRALIA (IRE) (Ann & Alan Potts Partnership) Henry De Bromhead 7-10-10 Andrew Lynch 8/1
4 MR BIG (IRE) (Mark Hunter & Hugh Villiers) Charlie Mann 8-11-2 Noel Fehily 16/1
5 OPENIDE (Brendan W Duke Racing) Brendan Duke 8-10-10 Daryl Jacob
6 SILVER BIRCH (IRE) (Brian Walsh (Co Kildare)) Gordon Elliott IRE 12-10-10 Robbie Power
7 RIMSKY (IRE) (Mrs S Goodman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-10-13b David England
8 SOLEIL FIX (FR) (David Dunsdon) Nick Gifford 8-11-5 Mr David Dunsdon
9 MARATH (CZE) (Swiss Fans-Kinsky) Pavel Kinsky CZE 9-11-2 Josef Bartos
10 LIGHTS OUT (DEN) (Stall Atk) Dennis Persson SWE 9-11-5tv1 N Loven
F20 CASADEI (IRE) (L Fay/Oliver Curtis) Tom McCourt IRE 10-10-10 Davy Condon
U3 LIRAIN (CZE) (H & H Hrudka) Jaromir Hrudka CZE 8-11-0ow4lb Jaromir Hrudka

12 ran
Distances: 1 3/4, hd, 8, sh, 6, 4 1/2, dist, 1 1/2, 25
Breeder: Olivier Delegue
Breeding: b g Garde Royale - Clementine Fleurie (FR)
Totes: Win: £1.80 Places: £1.10, £3.00, £2.10 Exacta: £9.70

Winning Trainer: ENDA BOLGER Born: April 21, 1963 Based: Howardstown House, Bruree, Co Limerick, Ireland Background: rode many winners for the legendary P P Hogan including five renewals of the Champion Hunters Chase at the Punchestown Festival with Under Way in 1984 being the first of them while he also was successful on Ah Whilst in 1986, 1987 and 1990 with Howyanow in 1998 completing the quintet. Also trained and rode Risk Of Thunder (who was owned by Sean Connery) to win seven La Touche Cups and Elegant Lord to glory in the 1996 Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham and the 1999 Foxhunters Chase at Aintree. Retired from the saddle after Risk Of Thunder’s seventh La Touche Cup victory in 1999 and decided to concentrate on training, most notably on the point-to-point circuit. Cheltenham Festival Winners (5): Christies Foxhunter (1996 Elegant Lord), BGC Cross Country Handicap Chase (2005 Spot Thedifference, 2007 Heads Onthe Ground, 2008 & 2009 Garde Champetre) Other Big Race Wins Include: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 Spot Thedifference; 2009 Garde Champetre), paddypower.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase (2006 Darby Hall) Winners in Britain in (2003/2004-2008/09): 0; 3; 2; 4; 2; 2 Wins in Britain this season: 1

Winning Jockey: Nina Carberry Born: July 21, 1984 Background: father Tommy, trainer of John Smith’s Grand National winner Bobbyjo, is a former champion Irish jump jockey. Brothers Paul, one of the biggest names in Ireland, and Philip are also both jockeys. Mother Pamela is the daughter of Dan Moore, trainer of dual totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero and John Smith’s Grand National winner L’Escargot, and sister of former jockey and successful trainer Arthur Moore. Became the first women since Gee Armytage to ride a winner in a professionals’ race at the Cheltenham Festival when guiding Dabiroun to victory in 2005. Primarily associated with Noel Meade’s yard, but is always in great demand with British trainers when she rides in the UK. First Win Under Rules: Sabrinsky, The Curragh, July 15, 2001 (Masterchef Ladies Derby). First Bumper Win: Pretty Native, Tipperary, August 21, 2002 (Cashel ladies INH Flat Race). First Win Over Hurdles: Prince Among Men, Uttoxeter, June 5, 2003 (Box Telematics Lady Riders’ Summer Champion Handicap Hurdle). Big Race Wins include: totesportcasino.com Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2005 Karanja) Cheltenham Festival Wins (4): Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2005 Dabiroun), Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2007 Heads Onthe Ground, 2008 & 2009 Garde Champetre) Wins in Britain (2003/04-2008/09): 1; 2; 0; 1; 2; 2 Wins in Britain this season: 2




FIFTH RACE RESULT

3.35pm RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS' HANDICAP HURDLE
£10,000 guaranteed, 2m 5f. For 4yo+ Rated 0-120. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties after October 31st, each hurdle won 7lb. The Apprentice's Handicap Mark 120. Allowances: riders who, prior to November 10th, 2009, have not ridden more than 20 winners under any Rules of Racing 3lb; more than 10 such winners 5lb; any such winner 7lb; those riding for their own stable allowed an additional 3lb. Entries 57 pay £ 50 Penalty value 1st £6,262.00 2nd £1,850.00 3rd £925.00 4th £463.00 5th £231.00 6th £116.00

1 LORD RAGNAR (IRE) (Mr & Mrs Richard Kelvin Hughes) Nicky Henderson 6-11-1 Richard Killoran (3) 11/1
2 ATTORNEY GENERAL (IRE) (The Morsetead Breakfast Club) Chris Gordon 10-11-6t Charlie Wallis (6) 33/1
3 FREDO (IRE) (Jacky Allen) Ian Williams 5-11-4 Michael Murphy (3) 16/1
4 REGAL APPROACH (IRE) (Paul Vogt) Kim Bailey 6-11-2 Sean Quinlan 6/1f
5 FFOS LAS DIAMOND (IRE) (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Andy Boxhall 5-11-7 Giles Hawkins (5) 11/1
6 CRAZY EYES (IRE) (Brian Walsh (Co Kildare)) Charlie Mann 4-11-2 Peter Toole (3)
7 BOB MOUNTAIN (IRE) (Lucky Seven R Us) Peter Bowen 8-10-10p Donal Devereux (3)
8 FRENCH SAULAIE (FR) (Carol Skan) Philip Hobbs 8-11-6 Rhys Flint (3)
9 DAWN AT SEA (Barry Marsden) John Flint 7-10-10p Dean Coleman
10 GOLDAN JESS (IRE) (Druid Sports, Galway Lads & The Jessies) Paul Kirby 5-10-6 Kyle James (5)
11 SHARE OPTION (Last Day Racing Partnership) Tony Carroll 7-10-10 Lee Edwards (6)
12 QUELQU'UN COMME TOI (FR) (Robroy Racing) Nigel Twiston-Davies 5-11-0 Tom Molloy (3)
13 WONTFOOLS BEFOOLS (IRE) (Tadhg Moynihan) Seamus Lynch IRE 5-11-0 Edward Power
14 EARCOMESTHEDREAM (IRE) (Woodlands Generators & D Pritchard) Philip Pritchard 6-10-6 Paddy Merrigan
15 ROSSBEIGH (IRE) (Rita Byrne) Pat Hughes IRE 7-11-12 Richie McLernon
16 THE APPRENTICE (IRE) (Hannele Morgan) Victor Dartnall 7-11-4 Edward Glassonbury (8)
17 NOVARRA (IRE) (Kate Foster-Smith) Rachel Hobbs 7-10-6 Hadden Frost
18 DOUBLE HIT (Dr. G Thelwall Jones) Donald McCain Jnr 5-11-1 Paul Benson (3)
19 LOCK MOR LAD (IRE) (John Flynn) Philip Rothwell IRE 6-10-1 Declan Bates (8)
20 ABSOLUT POWER (GER) (Kimpton Down Racing Club) Jonathan Geake 8-11-5 Andrew Glassonbury
21 LAWGIVER (IRE) (Braveheart Racing) Marjorie Fife 8-10-13p Alex Merriam
F 2out COLOMBARD (FR) (Sir Robert Ogden) Paul Nicholls 5-11-2t Harry Skelton (3)
S NOUGAT DE L'ISLE (FR) (KS Bloodstock) Colin Tizzard 8-10-13 Ian Popham (3)
U 2out MITH HILL (P Vogt) Ian Williams 8-10-13 Trevor Whelan (8)

24 ran Distances: 3 1/4, 2 1/4, nk, nk, 1 1/4, hd, 1, hd, 1, 4, 7, 12, 7, 10, 1, 11, 1/2, 7, 1 1/4, 21
Breeder: J. F. Mernagh
Breeding: b g King’s Theatre (IRE) - Shaiymara (IRE)
Totes: Win: £12.50 Places: £3.30, £12.90, £6.70, £3.20 Exacta: £1047.00

Winning Trainer: NICHOLAS (NICKY) JOHN HENDERSON Based: Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Date of birth: 10/12/50 Background: The son of financier and amateur jockey John Henderson MBE, Nicky attended Eton before working in the City for stockbrokers Cazenoves. Ended up in their Sydney office and rode out each morning prior to work before deciding to study farming at Cirencester. Also spent six years as an amateur, riding 78 winners including the Imperial Cup and the Foxhunters Chase at Liverpool. He was assistant to the legendary Fred Winter from 1974 to 1978. In July 1978 he first took out a trainer's licence and trained from Windsor House in Lambourn. He moved to Seven Barrows in 1990. Cheltenham Festival wins (34): Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2009 Andytown), County (1997 Barna Boy, 1993 Thumbs Up), Kim Muir (1990 Master Bob, 2002 The Bushkeeper, 2005 Juveigneur), Mildmay (1985,1986 The Tsarevich, 2005 Liberthine), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (1989 Rustle, 2000 Bacchanal), Cathcart (1994 Raymylette, 1990 Brown Windsor, 1999 and 2000 Stormyfairweather), Supreme Novices H (1986 River Ceiriog, 1992 Flown), Queen Mother (1992 Remittance Man), Arkle (1991 Remittance Man, 1993 Travado, 2000 Tiutchev), Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (1985, 1986, 1987 See You Then, 2009 Punjabi),JCB Triumph (1985 First Bout, 1987 Alone Success, 1999 Katarino, 2009 Zaynar), William Hill National Hunt H’cap Chase (2000 Marlborough), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2005 Trabolgan), Ryanair Chase (2006 Fondmort), Racing Post Plate (2006 Non So), Grand Annual Chase (2006 Greenhope) Number of Winners (1982/83-2008/09): 40, 43, 40, 46, 67, 40, 43, 41, 49, 52, 53, 48, 45, 47, 58, 54, 73, 67, 81, 92, 69, 79; 53; 85; 74; 83; 115; Wins this Season: 22

Winning Jockey: Richard Killoran. Background: Started out as a flat jockey, riding three winners when attached to Andrew Balding before switching to jumps. Rode for Brendan Powell and became the winner of the jumps hands-and-heels series in 2006/07 season. Moved on to Shaun Lycett’s yard the following season before joining the powerful Nicky Henderson stable in October, 2008. Wrote a column for the Racing Post First Ride: At Loggerheads (twelfth) Taunton, January 9, 2006 First Winner: Maggie Mathias, Back And Lay On ggbet.com Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race, Taunton, November 9, 2006 First Cheltenham Winner: Lord Ragnar, RBC Wealth Management Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, November 13, 2009 Wins (2006/07-2008/09): 8; 10; 19 Wins This Season: 7



RACE SIX RESULT

4.05pm STEEL PLATE AND SECTIONS NOVICES' CHASE
£20,000 guaranteed, 2m 4f 110y. For 4yo+. Weights 4yo.10st 7lb; 5yo+ 11st 2lb. Penalties: after April 25th, 2009, a winner of a Class 3 to 6 chase 5lb; of 2 chases or of a Class 1 or 2 chase 8lb. Allowances fillies and mares 7lb. Entries: 19 pay £100. Penalty value 1st £12,524, 2nd £3,700, 3rd £1,850, 4th £926, 5th £462, 6th £232

1 WEIRD AL (IRE) (Brannon Dennis, Dick Holden) Ian Williams 6-11-2 Noel Fehily 12/1
2 KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) (W Trueman) George Charlton 6-11-10 Jan Faltejsek 5/2JF
3 OVERCLEAR (Exe Valley Racing) Victor Dartnall 7-11-7 Jack Doyle 18/1
4 ASHKAZAR (FR) (David Johnson) David Pipe 5-11-7 Timmy Murphy 5/2JF
5 AIGLE D'OR (J P McManus) Nicky Henderson 6-11-2 Tony McCoy 4/1
F9 LITTLE JOSH (IRE) (Tony Bloom) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-2 Paddy Brennan

6 ran
Non-runner: 6 Minella Theatre (Ground)
Distances: nk, 6, 1 1/4, 16
Breeder: C. Ronaldson
Breeding: b g Accordion - Bucks Gift (IRE)
Totes: Win: £16.00 Places: £3.40, £2.40 Exacta: £62.50

Winning Trainer: IAN WILLIAMS Born: June 27, 1968 Based: Dominion Racing Stables, Alvechurch, Worcs. Background: Rode as an amateur, previously assistant to Jenny Pitman (1988 to 1991), Martin Pipe (August 1991 to December 1991), Francois Doumen FR (January 1992 to May 1996) Date of First Trainer’s Licence: August 1996 Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase (2007 Bambi De L’Orme) Other Big Race Wins: Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Brewster), Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Brewster) Number of Winners (1996/97-2008/09): 5, 14, 31, 42, 42, 48, 51, 50, 40, 28, 19; 20; 14 Wins this Season: 22

Winning Jockey: Noel Fehily Date Of Birth: December 24, 1974 Based: c/o Charlie Mann, Whitcombe Stables, Maddle Road, Upper Lambourn, Berkshire Background: Fehily became Jonjo O'Neill's second jockey in November, 2005, having previously ridden for Charlie Mann, who is now, once again his number one patron. Having gained experience on the point-to-point circuit and in hunter chases in his home country, he began riding in Britain as an amateur and gained his first success on Ivy Boy at Plumpton on November 16, 1998. He rode 12 winners in that first campaign and turned professional after two successes in 1999/2000, which he ended with a score of 17. The best horses Fehily has partnered include Moon Over Miami, Run For Paddy, Albertas Run, Refinement, Butler’s Cabin and Air Force One, on whom he won the biggest success of his career in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in 2008. First Winner: Ivy Boy, Plumpton, November 16, 1998 Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2008 Silver Jaro) First Cheltenham Festival Winner: Silver Jaro, Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle, March 14, 2008 Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Bouggler), John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle (2007 Two Miles West), John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle (2007 Alberta’s Run) Other Big Race Wins: Anglo Irish Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Moon Over Miami); Ashelybank Investments Future Champions Novices’ Chase (Keltic Bard 2004); Britannia Building Society English Summer National (2005 Rheindross); totesport Lanzarote Hurdle (2006 Buck Whaley (dead-heated with Rayshan)), Ellier Developments Champion Novice Chase (2008 Air Force One) Number of Wins (1998/99-2008/09): 13; 16; 42 (Top conditional rider of 2000/01); 36; 35; 52; 56; 52; 75; 65; 89 Wins This Season: 33

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