Sunday, November 15, 2009

THE OPEN 2009, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
GREATWOOD HURDLE DAY, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15


GREAT OPEN

He said: “Well Chief beating Master Minded has set the season up for the two-milers, with the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival being the decider.

“It has also helped establish the Connaught Chase in its first year and we will endeavour to make the race even better next year.

“The Open 2009 has been great. The crowd as ever own this place along with the horses. We saw three Gloucestershire-trained winners on the trot this afternoon.

“The crowds have been terrific - we had over 30,000 yesterday and there were 15,847 here today.

“The Greatwood Hurdle, sponsored by Nigel Bunter’s Barbury Castle Estate, and the support of Connaught demonstrates the commitment of the sponsors at The Open headed of course by Paddy Power.

“Our aim is to keep prize money as high as we can in difficult times. Peter McNeile, the Director of Sponsorship, and his team do a great job in bringing in the sponsors. We try and look after them as much as possible and make sure they get the best value from their investment. Looking ahead, we are very optimistic.

“This meeting’s high-profile in the media, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup yesterday and Master Minded’s reappearance in the Connaught today, has helped.

“Now the show moves on to the Boylesports International in four weeks’ time.

“We always have a bit of sporting nonsense on the Sunday - from volleyball to cricket to football and rugby. We had cycling today - there are three sports that Britain is great at now but we thought rowing and swimming were too tricky to stage so we went for pursuit cycling around the parade ring.

“This meeting is full of events - we had camel racing, the War Horse and a stallion parade here on Friday. Yesterday is the most straightforward day of the three.

“People need entertainment off the course and the tented village has been humming with the shops. The Hall Of Fame has been great also with a photography exhibition through the three days. There is something for everybody. It is great to see so many young people here today. It is serious racing but it is also fun off the track.”




THOMAS PINK AWARDS GO TO TWISTON-DAVIES, WALSH AND BRENNAN

The Thomas Pink Award for Leading Trainer at The Open went to locally-based Nigel Twiston-Davies. He saddled three winners over the course of the three days - Razor Royale in the opening Irish Times Amateur Riders Handicap Chase on Friday (who was partnered by his son Sam), Pettifour in yesterday’s Ultima Frontrunner In IT Solutions Novices’ Chase and Khyber Kim in today’s Greatwood Hurdle. Twiston-Davies has now saddled 23 winners at The Open since 1990, and is the most successful current trainer at the meeting.

Twiston-Davies, who also now head the trainers championship nationally, said: “I am very pleased to have ended The Open as the leading trainer.

“It is always a meeting we look forward to and have done well here in the past.

“Fortunately, it all came right for us this year.”

The Thomas Pink Award for Leading Rider resulted in a tie between Paddy Brennan and Ruby Walsh, who each rode two winners, two seconds and a third each.

Thomas Pink return to Cheltenham to sponsor the awards for leading trainer and rider at The Festival in March.

THOMAS PINK LEADING RIDER AWARD, 2009

FINAL STANDINGS

Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Paddy Brennan 2 2 1
Ruby Walsh 2 2 1
Robert Thornton 1 1 1
Daryl Jacob 1 1 -
Sam Thomas 1 - 2
Andrew Lynch 1 - 1
Timmy Murphy 1 - 1
Miss Nina Carberry 1 - -
Graham Lee 1 - -
Mr Sam Twiston-Davies 1 - -
Noel Fehily 1 - -
Barry Geraghty 1 - -
Campbell Gillies 1 - -
Richard Killoran 1 - -
Warren Marston 1 - -
Andrew McNamara 1 - -
Tony McCoy - 2 2
Aidan Coleman - 1 -
Jan Faltejsek - 1 -
Andrew Glassonbury - 1 -
Richard Johnson - 1 -
Mr J T McNamara - 1 -
Tom Molloy - 1 -
Davy Russell - 1 -
Miss Isobel Tompsett - 1 -
Mr Mark Wall - 1 -
Charlie Wallis - 1 -
Christian Williams - - 3
Jack Doyle - - 1
Mr Oliver Greenall - - 1
William Kennedy - - 1
Jamie Moore - - 1
Michael Murphy - - 1
Tom Scudamore - - 1


THOMAS PINK LEADING TRAINER AWARD, 2009

FINAL STANDINGS

Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Nigel Twiston-Davies 3 3 1
Paul Nicholls 2 2 2
Nicky Henderson 2 - -
Enda Bolger IRE 1 1 -
Nick Williams 1 1 -
Tom George 1 - 2
David Pipe 1 - 2
Ian Williams 1 - 2
Henry de Bromhead IRE 1 - 1
Willie Amos 1 - -
Tony Carroll 1 - -
Martin Keighley 1 - -
Ferdy Murphy 1 - -
Edward O’Grady IRE 1 - -
Alan King - 1 1
Bob Buckler - 1 -
George Charlton - 1 -
Chris Gordon - 1 -
Philip Hobbs - 1 -
Sarah Humphrey - 1 -
Bernard Llewellyn - 1 -
Gary Moore - 1 -
Tom Mullins IRE - 1 -
Jonjo O’Neill - 1 -
Evan Williams - 1 -
Victor Dartnall - - 1
Paul Gilligan IRE - - 1
Keith Goldsworthy - - 1
Alex Hales - - 1
Lawney Hill - - 1
Alan Jones - - 1
John O’Shea - - 1



ALL TRANQUIL ON THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS FRONT

Tranquil Sea dominated yesterday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, and he was the centre of attention once again in today’s editions of the Sunday newspapers.

Not only was the seven-year-old impressive, he was also Ireland’s first winner since 1980 of the famous race, and the team behind him thoroughly deserve the coverage he has created today. ‘Sea The Star’ is The Racing Post’s apt front-page headline, while The Sunday Telegraph’s view, above a cracking close-up photograph of Tranquil Sea and jockey Andrew McNamara and an article by Marcus Armytage, proclaims ‘Tranquil Sea packs the Power’. As Armytage reveals, with 18 winners O’Grady is the leading Irish trainer at Cheltenham’s Festival meeting, and 19 looks attainable after Tranquil Sea’s easy win.

The Sunday Express opts for ‘Sea change in Gold Cup’, while The Sunday Times leaves the puns out with a headline that says ‘Tranquil Sea is a class apart’. A colour spread in The News of the World includes a photograph of McNamara beaming and patting his mount down the neck - ‘Sea is star’ is the headline, while The Daily Star Sunday opts for ‘Sea Makes The Grade’.

‘Sea Delight’ is The Sunday Mirror’s take, followed by a sub-headline opining ‘Tranquil trounces his Cheltenham rivals’, while The Mail On Sunday brings a nautical flavour to the occasion with the statement ‘Sea’s plain sailing’. Correspondent Jonathan Powell reveals Tranquil Sea had narrowly avoided serious injury 18 months ago when getting loose after being spooked by a pigeon. “I thought he’d broken his shoulder,” O’Grady tells Powell.

Greg Wood, writing in The Observer, expands on this story, explaining Tranquil Sea was being turned out in a paddock when the incident occurred, ran back towards his stable and fell in the yard - triumph and tragedy seem to be habitual accomplices in the lives of some racehorses.

The Independent on Sunday’s ‘Tranquil Sea powers home to turn the tide for Irish raiders’ sits above a Sue Montgomery article that also looks ahead to Greatwood Hurdle day at Cheltenham - and more pertinently the return of Master Minded in the Connaught Chase. Montgomery quotes trainer Paul Nicholls saying his champion two-miler is “as big as a bullock” for his seasonal debut.

Gary Nutting, writing in The Sunday Mirror, says Well Chief’s 10lb pull gives him a chance of beating Master Minded, while Pegasus of The News of the World goes so far as to select the David Pipe-trained challenger. The Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead picks up this theme with the headline ‘Champion Chase hero returns but could he be vulnerable?’

Another Racing Post writer, Tom Segal (Pricewise), whose selections always lead to a shortening in their price, avoids the Connaught Chase and concentrates on the Greatwood Hurdle. ‘Trust the Irish with Raise Your Heart and Silverhand’ is the headline above Segal’s column, while the same newspaper prints details of Friday evening’s ‘Stars of the Future’ sale held at Cheltenham.

Edward Prosser’s report reveals that London stockbroker Charles Davies bought his first horse at the event for the not inconsiderable sum of £135,000. Sherwani Wolf will now join Nigel Twiston-Davies, said Davies, explaining: “You just visit the yard and it’s such great entertainment.” A bit like racing at Cheltenham, then.

Race 1 - The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase - Winning Quotes

SO EASY FOR TATANIANO

Tataniano was the impressive winner of the opening event on the final day of The Open, the £35,000 Grade Two The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase over two miles, giving trainer Paul Nicholls his sixth victory in the contest.

The five-year-old led throughout the race, jumping superbly. His only possible challenger, Irish raider Fosters Cross, unseated Robert Power three fences from home leaving Tataniano to come home six lengths clear of Pigeon Island, easing down.

Paul Nicholls said: “That was perfect.

“We did have some concerns about the ground, but today’s race was the right trip for him.

“He will only have one more run now before coming back here for The Festival in March. We will probably look for something over Christmas. His targets are to come back here and then hopefully on to Aintree and Punchestown. He is a better horse when he is fresh.

“The ground wasn’t a problem today as it was always our intention to make the running and he was able to go up the inside on the fresh strip of ground. We were a bit concerned beforehand as Ruby said he doesn’t want it too soft.

“Tatenen who won this race for us last year probably wants three miles now, but this horse wants two miles. When we first got him, we thought he would want three miles as he had won a point to point.

“We will now aim him at the (Irish Independent) Arkle. Our other runner (Five Dream, who finished third) wants further.”

Successful owner Andy Stewart added: “We thought Tatenhen was our Arkle horse last year but we’re still looking for him!

“We have the likes of Sizing Europe (who won at Punchestown today) and Crack Away Jack to contend with in this division, so we just need to see who is around. We can always dream.

“We have had the second and third in the Arkle and it would be nice if we could crack it with this horse.

“We have have to find another race for him now. He won’t be going for the Henry VIII at Sandown as that comes too soon.”

Paddy Power make Tataniano 5/1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at The Festival, joint favourite with Sizing Europe. William Hill make Tataniano at 8/1 while Cashmans go 10/1.

Race 1 - Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase

GOING ‘SOFT' SAY JOCKEYS AFTER FIRST RACE

Jockeys who rode in today's first race generally described the ground as ‘soft'.

That was the verdict of winning jockey Ruby Walsh, who rode Tataniano, while Paddy Brennan, second on Pigeon Island, said it was ‘soft, but better than yesterday'.

Christian Williams, who finished third on Five Dream, said: "The ground's soft, but also a little bit gluey and sticky. It was easier to get through it yesterday - today it's harder work."



RUBY WALSH BECOMES 13TH JOCKEY TO WIN AT THE OPEN


Ruby Walsh got his name on The Open 2009 roll of honour when he partnered Tataniano to an impressive victory in The Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase.

The five-year-old made all and won easing down by six lengths from Pigeon Island to give Walsh his third success in the race, following victories on Thisthatandtother in 2003 and Azertyuiop in 2002 for Tataniano's trainer Paul Nicholls.

He said: "Tataniano had the choke open and was going a right lick over the first couple of fences - thankfully he improved a great deal from Exeter jumping wise and was very sure what he was doing today.

"He was very quick to take off and land - there was a lot of horse left.

"His best performance was here in April on good ground which is why we thought he might like better ground. Last year we went two and a half miles with him because we thought he lacked a gear.

"But he is probably a flat-out two-miler and two-milers need to be stayers. He was very good."





Race 2 - Connaught Chase

CHIEF PROVES MASTER IN BATTLE WITH MINDED

The inaugural running of the £50,000 Connaught Chase produced a memorable performance from Well Chief, who beat Mahogany Blaze and reigning two-mile champion Master Minded.

A top-class chaser, Well Chief has been afflicted by a book of leg injuries, but he showed he was no has-been when second to Master Minded in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival, and today, receiving 10lb from that rival, he came out on top.

Trainer David Pipe, who deserves praise for his handling of the ten-year-old, said: “I’m just the lucky person who trains him - horses that good don’t come around very often. He’s had leg problems, but he does lots of swimming and it’s been a team effort, particularly from Jonothan Lower who rides him every day.

“It’s a dream come true to have a horse like this and today he did it effortlessly. I didn’t know whether he would keep going right to the post, but he did. This is what every trainer, owner and jockey is in the game for.

“The Tingle Creek Chase is likely to be next for him. He’s in the last-chance saloon and he’s not getting any younger so we have to look after him. We’ve had a clear run with him and there’s always room for improvement. He’s got a great attitude and to jump at that speed you have to be a very good jumper - don’t forget he’s not very big.”

Owner David Johnson said: “It’s a special moment because he’s come back more times than Frank Sinatra - it’s a fantastic training performance from David, and we knew the horse was fit and well and getting 10lb so we were hopeful. Whether Master Minded has run to his best I don’t know, but we’ve beaten him fair and square. Timmy [Murphy] took the inside rail and gave him a fine ride and Master Minded seemed to lug away to the outside. When we put it to him at the top of the hill to see what he had we seemed to find more. He’s a star, and to think he missed his best years through injury. It’s like having a ten-year-old car with 3,000 miles on the clock. Now I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hoping his legs are good.

“He’s a 175-rated horse and they don’t come around very often so we’ve hung in there with him [through the injury lay-ups]. He’s got glass legs. He’s been blistered, had stem cell treatment and you name it he’s had it - it’s amazing he’s still walking. Now let’s see what March brings [and another attempt on the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase]. I’m not getting carried away because the 10lb helped, but he’s done it and can improve.

“Every time he’s on a racecourse it’s thrill and to lower Master Minded’s colours, well, it can’t get any better.”


TIMMY MURPHY TRIUMPHS ON WELL CHIEF WHO RETURNS TO A TREMENDOUS RECEPTION FROM RACEGOERS


Timmy Murphy, the 14th jockey to win in 14 races at The Open 2009, returned in triumph after Well Chief defeated a strong field for the inaugural Connaught Chase.

He said: “I am delighted with Well Chief - he deserved that.

“Obviously, he got 10lb from Master Minded. He jumped pretty well on the whole and acted on the ground well.

“It will be a different task come March - if he did not beat Master Minded today, he was not going to beat him in March at The Festival.

“Jonothan (Lower) rides him every day at home and David (Pipe the trainer) has done a great job. It is the first year for a while that they have had a clean run from the time he has come back in from grass.

“He feels a million dollars, though he is not the best ride in the world. He won’t be someone’s hack when he retires as he is a bit of a character.”


Race 2 - Connaught Chase - Placed Quotes

MASTER MINDED BEATEN ON RETURN


Master Minded, winner of the last two renewals of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, could only finished third in the inaugural running of the £50,000 Connaught Chase.

The main concern for trainer Paul Nicholls was the fact that the six-year-old hung to his right throughout the two-mile contest.

The Ditcheat handler said of the beaten 4/7 favourite: “Basically, he has just hung to his right throughout the race.

“I had said beforehand that if Well Chief was ever going to beat us, it was going to be today given the conditions of the race and I am more disappointed by the fact that he has hung, rather than the fact he has got beat.

“When we first got him, he did hang to his right and when I suggested to Ruby that we should go for the Queen Mother with him after he won his first race for us at Sandown, Ruby said no because he needs to go right-handed.

“I don’t know why he has hung right-handed again today. Maybe the ground was a bit dead for him. He has had a good blow after the race.

“Another day beckons now and we will be back at level weights from now on. Take nothing away for Well Chief though, that was a great performance from him.

“We will now go for the Tingle Creek at Sandown where he will be going right-handed.”



Race 3 - Greatwood Hurdle - Winning Quotes

BRENNAN TIMES IT TO PERFECTION ON KIM

The superb run of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies at The Open continued when Khyber Kim came with a great run from the back to land the feature of day three, thre £100,000 Greatwood Hurdle. This was Twiston-Davies’ third success at The Open 2009 and his 23rd since 1990. After Khyber Kim’s victory, he now heads the trainers’ championship nationally.

James de Vassey made much of the running and it looked as if Harry Tricker and then Medermit were his most likely challengers. However, Paddy Brennan bought Khyber Kim from well off the pace to deliver his challenge after the last flight, and the seven-year-old came with a strong run to score by two lengths at 9/1.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “That was a brilliant ride.

“Poor Paddy, when he went out he said to the others jockeys that he would either be sacked or a genius after this ride!

“I was standing with Caroline Mould (owner of Khyber Kim) as I watched the race and we both said what a dreadful ride Paddy had given the horse! I was happy enough at the last though.

“To be fair, the horse is a complete monkey. He tries when he wants to. Having said that, there may have been something wrong with him last season that we didn’t get to the bottom of.

“We will look at all the big handicaps for him now and he is also in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

“He could maybe have another run quite quickly and, depending on how he runs, we might then leave him for The Festival. It may be that he needs to be kept fresh.”

Looking back to the second race today, Twiston-Davies saddled Mahogany Blaze who managed to split Well Chief and Master Minded when finishing second in the Connaught Chase.

Twiston-Davies added: “That was a great run from Mahogany Blaze.

“The blinkers seemed to do the trick with him today. He had ‘won’ the race at Exeter last time out (the Haldon Gold Cup) before he decided he had had enough (he eventually finished fourth), but the blinkers have really helped.

“He is another horse who is not entirely straightforward - we call him Mog the Dog at home!

“We will aim him at the top two-mile races and see what happens.

“It’s great to be the leading trainer in the country and at this meeting.”

Successful rider Paddy Brennan played down his winning ride on Khyber Kim, saying: “Jockeys often try and come from the back like that and weave their way through. It usually works one day.

“Today it just worked out. The race fell at my feet and I was on the best horse.

“I think he probably has to be ridden like he was today.

“He is something to look forward to. He has his confidence back now.”


BRENNAN VICTORIOUS ON KHYBER KIM IN THE GREATWOOD - HEADS THOMAS PINK JOCKEY STANDINGS

Paddy Brennan became the first jockey to ride two winners at The Open 2009 after last to first success on 9/1 chance Kyber Kim in the £100,000 Greatwood Hurdle.

He now heads the Thomas Pink Jockey Standings for The Open.

Brennan, who also partnered Pettifour to victory in the Ultima Frontrunner In IT Solutions Novices’ Chase yesterday, said: “The whole way round I was thinking Nigel (Twiston-Davies) will be going mental as they were hacking up front, but I had to hold him up as I got there an hour too soon at Newbury first time out last season.

“I said on the way out I’ll either be a hero or I’ll get the sack but it worked out well.

“He has got lovely owners and a great turn of foot.”

Race 3 - Greatwood Handicap Hurdle


GLASSONBURY PRAISE FOR HARRY TRICKER

Harry Tricker, trained in Sussex by Gary Moore, has really begun to find his way as a hurdler, and he put up a fine performance when chasing home Khyber Kim in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, one of the season’s premier races held pre-Christmas.

Moore was not present at Cheltenham, but conditional jockey Andrew Glassonbury, who rode the runner-up, said: “I’m disappointed not to win, but the horse ran his heart out and could have done with a stronger pace. Having said that I had a good position in a slowly-run race and near the front was the best place to be. My immediate reaction is that we were simply beaten by a better horse, because mine jumped well and stayed on.”

Alan King, who trained third-placed Medermit, said the grey would next be seen over fences. Medermit shouldered joint top-weight of 11st 12lb, and King said: “I’m thrilled with him at the weights, even though the winner has carried 11st 9lb, but especially because my horses have just been coming on a bit for their first run of the season. He’s run a smashing race, but he’ll go novice chasing next.

“He’s not schooled yet, so we thought we’d have a crack at this along the way.”

Asked why he would not consider running the horse in more hurdles races, King said wryly: “We might win an Arkle with him - that should get Mr Nicholls going after the first race today [when the Paul Nicholls-trained Tataniano was so impressive in Th Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase].

“I’m very excited about going chasing with this horse, and he travelled lovely today. He’ll want three quiet weeks after this, so he’ll have a week off now and then two weeks of schooling. We might get him out again before Christmas, but he’s got to school properly first. My team are nearly there.”

Nick Williams, who saddled fourth-placed James De Vassy, said: “That was a great run - we were hoping to drop in second or third and did not intend to make the running, but I still thought two out we would nick it. He’s just been outpaced from the last.

“I’ve no firm plans for him, but we might go up in trip with him next time.”


Race 4 - Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle


KEIGHLEY’S CAREER ON THE UP


Gloucestershire trainer Martin Keighley posted another important win in his burgeoning career when Wolf Moon took the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.

No track will have greater poignancy than Cheltenham for Keighley, who worked at the course for two years on the groundstaff - his wife, Belinda, is no stranger to the venue either, for she spent four years as PA to the course’s sponsorship director Peter McNeile. Martin Keighley was formerly a jockey who worked for the late champion trainer David ‘Duke’ Nicholson, and he is based in the village of Condicote, which for many years was Nicholson’s home.

Wolf Moon’s jockey, Warren Marston, praised Keighley when he said:”I’m delighted for Martin - he’s really going places. The set-up involves a lot of ex-Nicholson people and it works well. I’ve been mates for a long time with Martin, and I’m actually older than him.”

Of Wolf Moon he said: “He’s very, very tough and a fantastic horse for Martin. I had a lovely pitch down the inner and just hoped I wouldn’t meet traffic problems.”

Keighley, who had a short, but successful stint training point-to-pointers before gaining a licence, said: “I’ve always thought the world of the horse, but feel he will be a better chaser than hurdler. He’s a proper chasing type and what he is doing over hurdles is a bonus. However, we might save his novice status until next season and aim for something like the Coral Cup this time.

“He just needed his first run of the season at Towcester [on November 5] as he did last year before his bumper wins. He’s just one of those horses. He’s owned by Louise and Andrew Jones who have been massive supporters of me. Among the horses they own are Benbane Head and Spring Moon, a four-year-old half-brother to Wolf Moon.

“This is my second winner at Cheltenham - Benbane Head won for us at the last meeting, so two out of two is great. It’s a brilliant experience to win at this course. After I had finished riding as a jockey I came here to get further experience and it has really helped in my understanding of the gallops at home. Whatever job you do in racing is worth learning.

“I only had nine winners as a jockey, but one was at Aintree in the champion bumper.”

Belinda Keighley said: “It’s amazing. I can’t take it all in. I’m so proud of Martin, but we have a fantastic team at home. I ride out two lots each day while my mum and dad look after our little boy Freddie.”


Race 5 - Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle - Winning Quotes

BUMPER DAY FOR GLOUCESTERSHIRE TRAINERS CONTINUES AS TELL MASSINI REGISTERS GRADE TWO SUCCESS

Tell Massini became the third winner of the afternoon to be trained in Gloucestershire when he prevailed in the £30,000 Grade Two Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle for Slad handler Tom George. Partnered by Sam Thomas, the 15/2 chance tracked the leader Berties Dream before taking a clear advantage on the final turn for home. Odds-on favourite Reve de Sivola attempted to reel him in, but was unable to land a blow as Tell Massini stayed on resolutely to record an eight-length victory.

Tom George said: “He obviously needed to step up on what he did when he won at Chepstow last time but he has done it well.

“I am thrilled as he was up against some solid benchmarks in this race. He is an exciting prospect.

“We bought him in the summer at Doncaster. They said he looked a bit slow when he won his point-to-point in Ireland and that he would be a three-and-a-half mile chaser.

“He is a lovely straightforward horse who eats well, gallops and has the right attitude.

“I think we will stick to these kind of races for the moment. We will probably rest him for three or four weeks and I would be happy to step him up to three miles at some point. He is an out and out stayer.

“If he was to run at The Festival, it would have to be in the three-mile race (the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle) but that’s a long way off and I just want to enjoy today.”


Race 5 - Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle


WILLIAMS TAKES REVE DEFEAT ON THE CHIN

Devon-based trainer Nick Williams was back in the winner’s enclosure after the Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle, but standing by the spot reserved for the runner-up.

Williams’ Reve De Sivola was sent off the odds-on favourite for the race, but was comfortably beaten by winner Tell Massini, who was receiving 7lb from the second.

Williams said: “I always thought carrying a 7lb penalty and giving weight to all but one of the other horses was going to be a problem, even though he was a short-priced favourite.

“I think he’s run to form. He’s a very consistent horse and the trip and ground were okay, but it was a good performance by the winner. The Challow Hurdle [run at Newbury] is likely to be his next race.”

Paul John Gilligan, who had travelled over from Galway, was pleased with the effort of third-placed Berties Dream, who also had a 7lb penalty.

Gilligan said: “He’s a good tough customer. Probably a little further would suit him and he ran on again at the finish. As Tony [McCoy] said, ‘in another 50 yards we would have caught the second’ so we’re delighted.

“He fell last time out at Limerick but it had no affect on him and I felt he would have won that day. Giving 7lb to today’s winner, beaten little more than eight lengths, was a fine effort and we’ve picked up some prizemoney too. Now we’ll look for another race, possibly at Leopardstown at Christmas. He’s a horse that needs winter ground, so we’ll keep him on the go while it’s soft.”


Race 6 - Griffins Richard Davis Awards Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race


GHIZAO TO GO HURDLING AFTER EASY BUMPER WIN

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh teamed up for a first-and-last race double on the final day of The Open.

Ghizao completed the two-timer when winning the Griffins Richard Davis Awards National Hunt Flat Race, but he will not be coming back to the Festival meeting for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, said Nicholls. The five-year-old’s next outing will be over hurdles.

Nicholls said: “I was put off by the ground a little, but we knew the horse was good after he won at Newton Abbot [in August]. He’s done well since and had worked with some good horses at home. I just thought he might have too good an action to go on such testing ground, but he did it really well.

“I believe Kingy [Alan King] thinks a bit of his [runner-up Lidar] so that’s good form.

“I think we’ll go jumping now. If he was four we would stay on the bumper route, but he’s five and I’m not a great one for the champion bumpers. I would rather go hurdling then chasing.

“Ruby is of the opinion we should go jumping and he said he’s a Ballymore Properties [Hurdle] horse. He felt he would get two and a half miles on better ground, and we’ve already schooled the horse so I suspect he will be ready to go hurdling in about three weeks’.

“Any horse that runs on this sort of ground is going to need a bit of time, so we’ll see how he is but we’ll start low key.”

Ghizao is regally bred, being a son of Darley sire Tiger Hill out of Glorosia, who won the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile. He is the first horse owned jointly by Andy Stewart and David Johnson, who had already enjoyed winners today in their individual colours - Tataniano scored for Stewart and Well Chief for Johnson.

GILLIES STILL ON A HIGH AFTER LIE

Scottish teenage jockey Campbell Gillies was this morning still revelling in the afterglow of his win yesterday on Lie Forrit in Cheltenham’s Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle.

Gillies, 19, said: “Last night I went out for a wee celebration at an Italian restaurant in Cheltenham with the horse’s owners who are my grandfather [John McNeill], mother [Lesley] and uncle [Crawford]. Because I was riding today I was taking it easy, but the owners had a good time.

“It’s like a fairytale to ride a winner at Cheltenham for my family - and to come back from a bad injury makes it extra special.“

That ‘bad injury’ was caused by Lie Forrit, who three weeks earlier had spat Gillies off approaching a hurdle at Aintree. When the jockey rose to his feet he was knocked over by a following runner, puncturing a lung and breaking ribs. It says plenty about his constitution that he returned to the saddle so quickly, and showed strength and style to win yesterday’s race.

Of the victory he said: “I knew turning for home that he would stay on, but I was worried coming down the hill when the others sprinted and I was left behind for a few strides. Luckily he had the stamina when he needed it.”

Wearing strapping to support the injuries to his ribs, Gillies needs no reminder of the dangers associated with being a jump jockey, yet ironically he admits he was scared of horses as a child and did not start riding until the advanced age of 13.

He said: “I was petrified of horses before then, but my sister [Rita] had a palomino pony called Honey who was absolutely bombproof and I gained confidence on her. I kept stepping up in grade after that, and my granddad had point-to-pointers so I was soon riding thoroughbreds. By the time I was 14 I wanted to be a jockey.”

Ask Gillies about role models and he names Tony McCoy, but also Garry Berridge, who is associated with Lie Forrit’s trainer, Willie Amos. Gillies has worked for Lucinda Russell since 2007 and has also received tuition from her partner, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore (“a great mentor for me”), and stable jockey Peter Buchanan.

At Cheltenham today Gillies has one ride, the Russell-trained Culcabock in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. The horse provided him with his first victory at the track in December, and followed up with an Aintree win, yet Gillies said: “He’s a fantastic horse, but I think the ground may have gone against him. Lucinda’s assistant trainer, Jamie Duff, rides the horse every day and she is delighted with him, but it’s going to be very tough.”



GOING NEWS

The going for the third and final day of The Open 2009, Greatwood Hurdle Day, remains:

SOFT, HEAVY IN PLACES
GoingStick reading 6.6 (taken at 6.00am)

Simon Claisse, Cheltenham’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, commented: “We had one millimetre of rain early this morning and the going remains soft, heavy in places.

“There is the chance of an occasional shower today but fortunately we don’t have to worry about gusts of wind.

“The rails on the inside of both the chase and the hurdle courses have been moved in three yards to provide fresh ground for today.”

Bright sunshine greeted racegoers arriving at the home of Jump racing on Sunday morning.

PADDY POWER SAVED FROM NICHOLLS PAY-OUT

Paddy Power had generously offered to refund all single losing bets placed on the Paddy Power Gold Cup if a horse trained by Paul Nicholls was triumphant. Fortunately for the innovative Irish bookmaker, the best Nicholls could manage was second, with Poquelin going down by four and a half lengths to Irish raider Tranquil Sea.

Paddy Power himself said: “We are gutted that punters didn’t get a result on our amazing money-back special if Paul Nicholls had won the Paddy Power Gold Cup with any of his three runners.

“It was great to see the first Irish-trained Paddy Power Gold Cup winner since 1980, but I would equally have liked to have seen Poquelin make up that little extra.

“If Chapoturgeon had won it would have cost us the best part of £1 million and if either of Paul Nicholls’ other two had prevailed around £600,000.

“Yesterday’s race looked to be a great renewal and we now offer 6/1 about Tranquil Sea for the Ryanair Chase at The Festival. It should be remembered that Imperial Commander took both races last year. It was also a great run from Poquelin on ground that was not in his favour.”



TODAY’S PADDY POWER MARKET MOVERS

1.10pm The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase
1 Fosters Cross - 2/1 (from 11/4)

2.20pm Greatwood Hurdle
1 Raise Your Heart - 10/1 (from 12/1)
3 El Dancer - 16/1 (from 25/1)
7 Silverhand - 15/2 (from 9/1)

2.55pm Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle
15 Sangfroid - 13/2 (from 9/1)
17 Wolf Moon - 14/1 (from 25/1)

3.30pm Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle
1 Berties Dream - 8/1 (from 9/1)
9 Tell Massini - 7/1 (from 8/1)

4.00pm Griffins Richard Davis Awards Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
11 Midnight Tuesday - 13/2 (from 9/1)



FIRST RACE RESULT
1.10pm THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER NOVICES' CHASE (GRADE 2) 2m
£35,000 guaranteed, For 4yo+ Weights: 4yo 10st 8lb; 5yo+ 11st 2lb, Penalties: after April 25th, 2009, a winner of a Class 3 chase 4lb; of a Class 1 or 2 chase 6lb, Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb Penalty value: 1st £19,953.50; 2nd £7,486.50; 3rd £3,748.50; 4th £1,869.00;

1) TATANIANO (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 5-11-06 Ruby Walsh 5/6 Fav
2) PIGEON ISLAND (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 6-11-02 Paddy Brennan 12/1
3) FIVE DREAM (FR) (Scott-Macdonald, Kilduff, Donlon & Doyle) Paul Nicholls 5-11-06 Christian Williams 15/2
U 3out FOSTERS CROSS (IRE) (Patrick J O'Donovan) Tom Mullins IRE 7-11-08 Robert Power 15/8

4 ran
Distances: 6l, 17l
Breeder: Carol Garmond
Breeding: b g Sassanian (USA) - Rosa Carola (FR) (Rose Laurel)
Totes: Win: £1.70 Exacta: £7.70

Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston, Bristol, 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 as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship for several years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title in the 2005/06 season. 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. Cheltenham Festival Wins (25): Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s), Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2009 Chapoturgeon), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2008 Celestial Halo), Irish Independent Arkle Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2004 Earthmover, 2005 Sleeping Night), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran, 2007 Andreas), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest, 2009 American Trilogy), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2007 Denman) Other big race wins include: Aon Chase (2000 See More Business, 2001 Shotgun Willy, 2003 Valley Henry, 2007 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman), Betfair Chase (2006& 2007 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2001 & 2003 Ad Hoc), Brit Insurance Novices’ Prestige 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, 2003 Strong Flow, 2008 Breedsbreeze), totesport.com Challengers Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (2006 Napolitain), 2007 New Little Bric, 2008 Silverburn, 2009 Herecomesthetruth) Game Spirit Chase (2000 Flagship Uberalles, 2004 & 2005 Azertyuiop, 2008 Master Mided), Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1995 Captain Khedive, 1999 Fadalko, 2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother, 2008 Tatenen, 2009 Tataniano), King George VI Chase (1997 & 1999 See More Business, 2006, 2007 & 2008 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, 2007 Twist Magic, 2008 Master Minded), Tolworth Hurdle (2003 Thisthatandtother, 2006 Noland, 2007 Silverburn), totesport.com Becher Chase (2006 Eurotrek, 2007 Mr Pointment), 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), Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (2007 & 2008 Neptune Collognes), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2007 Denman), Commercial First Ascot Chase (2008 Kauto Star), Lexus Chase (2007 Denman), Kerrygold Champion Chase (2008 Twist Magic), Jnwine.com Champion Chase (2008 Kauto Star), Victor Chandler Chase (2009 Master Minded), Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s) 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 (1992/03-2008/09): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148*; 124*; 151* (first trainer to win more than £4 million in prize money in a season);155*; *Champion Trainer Wins this Season: 43

Winning Jockey: Ruby Walsh Born: May 14, 1979 Background: Ruby (short for Rupert) is associated with the powerful stables of Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland. He is the son of 11-times Irish amateur champion jockey, Ted Walsh, now a trainer and television pundit. Ruby is the second of Walsh's four children and his younger sister Katie is a successful amateur. He secured his first success under Rules aboard Siren Song at Gowran Park on July 25, 1995, and followed in his father's footsteps when capturing the Irish amateur riders’ championship (1996-97) at the age of 19 while still studying for his Leaving Certificate. He was crowned champion Irish National Hunt jockey in his first season as a professional (1998/99) and has taken the title a further five times (2000/2001, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/7 and 2007/08). Walsh has won the John Smith's Grand National twice. His first success came in 2000 on his first ride in the race aboard Papillon, trained by his father, less than a month after returning from a fractured leg sustained in a fall in October, 1999, in the Czech Republic. The Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter provided him with a second success in 2005 and the pair finished a creditable runner-up in 2006. He followed Papillon's Aintree triumph with an Irish Grand National victory aboard his father's Commanche Court but surpassed that achievement in the 2004/2005 season when his John Smith's Grand National success aboard Hedgehunter was augmented by wins in the Welsh National (Silver Birch) and Irish Grand National (Numbersixvalverde). He narrowly missed out in that season's Scottish Grand National when his mount, Cornish Rebel, finished a short-head second to Joes Edge. First Winner: Siren Song, Gowran Park, July 25, 1995 Cheltenham Festival Wins (24): Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s), David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (2009 Quevega), Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Fiveforthree, 2009 Mikael D’Haguenet), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2008 Celestial Halo), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (1998 Alexander Banquet, 2005 Missed That), Mildmay Of Flete (2002 Blowing Wind), Irish Independent Arkle (2003 Azertyuiop), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran), County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis) Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), William Hill Trophy (2006 Dun Doire), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2007 Denman, 2009 Cooldoine), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007 Kauto Star) Other Big Race Wins: Betfair Chase (2006 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2003 Ad Hoc); Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Cornish Rebel, 2006 Denman); Stan James Christmas Hurdle (2005 Feathard Lady); totesport Classic Chase (2006 Eurotrek) December Festival Hurdle (2006 Brave Inca), Dipper Novices’ Chase (2005 My Will); Feltham Novices’ Chase (2003 Strong Flow, 2008 Breedsbreeze); Game Spirit Chase (2004, 2005 Azertyuiop, 2008 Master Minded); Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole); Haldon Gold Cup (2004 Azertyuiop); Heineken Gold Cup (1999 Imperial Call, 2000 Commanche Court); Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2003 Strong Flow); Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (2003 Thisthatandtother); Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother, 2009 Tataniano); Irish Grand National (2000 Commanche Court, 2005 Numbersixvalverde); King George VI Chase (2006, 2007 & 2008 Kauto Star); Kingwell Hurdle (2004 Rigmarole); Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Be Be King); Old Roan Chase (2006 Kauto Star); Peterborough Chase (2004 Le Roi Miguel); Racing Post Chase (2004 Marlborough); Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (2007 New Little Bric); Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (2003 Le Roi Miguel); Tied Cottage Chase (2007 Nickname); Tingle Creek Trophy (2002 Cenkos, 2006 Kauto Star); Tolworth Hurdle (2006 Silverburn), Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (2005 Hoo La Baloo); Coral Welsh National (2004 Silver Birch), Lexus Chase (2007 Denman), Dr P J Moriaty Novice Chase (2008 J’y Vole), Kerrygold Champion Chase (2008 Twist Magic), Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (2007 & 2008 Neptune Collognes), Victor Chandler Chase (2009 Master Minded), Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s) 1,000th Winner in Ireland: Rare Article, Smirnoff (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, Thurles, May 4, 2008 (became only the second jockey to complete the feat after Charlie Swann) Number of Wins in Britain (1998/99-2008/09): 1; 1; 5; 13; 77; 62; 81; 69; 73; 69; 69; Wins in Britain This Season: 17


SECOND RACE RESULT
1.45pm THE CONNAUGHT CHASE 2m
£50,000 guaranteed, For 5yo+ Weights: 11st, Penalties: after September 30th, 2008, a winner of a Class 3 weight-for-age chase or a Class 2 handicap chase 4lb; of a Class 2 weight-for-age chase or a Class 1 handicap chase 6lb; of a Class 1 weight-for-age chase 10lb (half penalties for wins achieved in novices/beginners chases in GB/Ireland), Allowances: mares 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £31,310.00; 2nd £9,250.00; 3rd £4,625.00; 4th £2,315.00; 5th £1,155.00; 6th £580.00;
1) WELL CHIEF (GER) (David Jonhson) David Pipe 10-11-00 Timmy Murphy 11/4
2) MAHOGANY BLAZE (FR) (Lorna Berryman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-00 Paddy Brennan 12/1
3) MASTER MINDED (FR) (Clive Smith) Paul Nicholls 6-11-10 R Walsh 4/7 Fav
4) NEWMILL (IRE) (Mary Hayes) John Murphy IRE 11-11-00 Edward Power
5) WILLIAM BUTLER (IRE) (J Swinnerton & Miss S Howell) Evan Williams 9-11-00 Paul Moloney
6) KINKEEL (IRE) (Group 1 Racing (1994) Ltd) Tony Carroll 10-11-00 Stephen Craine
6 ran
Distances: 1¼, 2¾, 1, dist, dist
Breeder: Gestut Norina
Breeding: b g Night Shift (USA) - Wellesiena (GER) (Scenic)
Totes: Win: £3.40; Places: £1.50, £2.90; Exacta: £22.80
Winning Trainer: DAVID PIPE Born: February 7, 1973 Based: Pond House, Nicholashayne, Wellington, Somerset Background: David Pipe is the son of 15-times champion jump trainer Martin Pipe. He started out riding in point-to-points in 1992, going on to record 22 wins over the next five seasons, plus two under Rules, which included victory aboard Bonanza Boy in the Ludlow Gold Cup. After finishing as a rider, he had spells with Michael Dickinson in the US, Criquette Head-Maarek in France and Joey Ramsden in South Africa, before setting up as a point-to-point trainer, handling the likes of Horus, Lord Atterbury and Celestial Gold, who went on to have successful careers under Rules when transferred to his father’s yard. Based at Purchas Farm, a mile away from his father’s Pond House, he sent out 164 point-to-point winners over six seasons, with Well Armed successful 15 times. He took over the reins at Pond House in Somerset following the retirement of his father on the last day of the 2005/06 jump season - Saturday, April 29. First Trainer’s Licence: May 2006 First winner under rules: Standin Obligation in the ‘Persimmon Homes Novices’ Chase’ at Kelso, May 9, 2006 - his first runner under rules Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Grand National (2008 Comply Or Die), totesport Bowl (2008 Our Vic, 2009 Madison Du Berlais) Cheltenham Festival Wins (3): Ryanair Chase (2008 Our Vic), William Hill Trophy (2008 An Accordion), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurde (2007 Gaspara) Big Race Wins: Charlie Hall Chase (2006 Our Vic), Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle (2006 Acambo), Game Spirit Chase (2007 Well Chief), VC Casino.com Gold Cup (2007 Madison Du Berlais), Boylesports.com Gold Cup (2007 Tamarinbleu), Boylesports.com International Hurdle (2007 Osana), BCG Long Walk Hurdle (2007 Lough Derg), Sky Bet Chase (2008 An Accordion), Sunderlands Imperial Cup (2008 Ashkasar), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2008 Madison Du Berlais), Victor Chandler Holloway’s Hurdle (2008 & 2009 Lough Derg), Levy Board Chase (2009 Madison Du Berlais), Connaught Chase (2009 Well Chief) Wins (2006/07-2008/09): 134; 100; 76; Wins This Season: 45

Winning Jockey: Timothy James Murphy Date of birth: August 20, 1974 Background: Father Jimmy was a leading amateur and manager of Newberry Stud. Timmy began working for Noel Chance during weekends when still at school, and rode for the trainer as an amateur, as well as for Mick Halford and Michael Hourigan. Opted to relocate to England after turning professional and began riding for Kim Bailey. Began riding for Paul Nicholls in 1998, before being overtaken as first choice jockey for the trainer by Joe Tizzard. Returned to Nicholls as number one rider in May 2001, but following a lengthy battle with alcoholism, Murphy was jailed for four months in July 2002 for assaulting an air stewardess. Returned to the saddle on his release in October 2002, and has enjoyed considerable success since. Became the retained jockey for leading owner David Johnson after the departure of Tony McCoy from the Martin Pipe stable. Has written critically acclaimed autobiography “Riding The Storm”. First winner: Gayloire (Kilmuckridge point to point, Co Wexford) General: Rode the last ever winner over jumps at Nottingham - Dominie (29/2/96) Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Grand National (2008 Comply Or Die), Cordon Bleu Hcap Hurdle (1999 Kinnescash), Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Al Eile), Scottish And Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle (2005, 2007 & 2008 Al Eile), Betfair Bowl (2006 Celestial Gold, 2008 Our Vic) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (8) Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2009 Chapoturgeon), Ryanair Chase (2008 Our Vic), Mildmay of Flete Chase (1997 Terao, 2004 Tikram), Vincent O’brien County Hcap Hurdle (1999 Sir Talbot, 2005 Fontanesi), Pertemps Final (2004 Creon), Irish Independent Arkle (2005 Contraband) Other major wins: Agfa Diamond Hcap Chase (1999 Clever Remark); Ascot totesport Chase (2006 Our Vic); Betfair Bowl (2006 Celestial Gold); Betfred Celebration Chase (2005 Well Chief); Charlie Hall Chase (2006 Our Vic); Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial (2006 Al Eile); Ericsson Chase (2002 Beef Or Salmon); Faucets For Mira Showers Silver Trophy Chase (2006 Our Vic); Game Spirit Chase (2006 Don’t Be Shy, 2007 Well Chief); Hennessy Gold Cup (2004 Celestial Gold); Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (2004 Contraband, 2005 Racing Demon); Irish Hennessy Gold Cup (2003 Beef Or Salmon); John Smith’s Hurdle (2006 Redemption); Old Roan Chase (2005 Impek); Paddy Power Gold Cup (2004 Celestial Gold, 2005 Our Vic); Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase (2007 Point Barrow); Pillar Property Chase (1998 See More Business); Pricewaterhousecoopers Ascot Hurdle (1998 Juyush); Rehearsal Chase (1998 See More Business); Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (2004 Our Vic); Rising Stars Novices’ Chase (2005 Celtic Son); Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Nous Voila); Sunderlands Imperial Cup (2005 Medison); Swinton Handicap Hurdle (2003 Macs Joy); Tolworth Hurdle (2005 Marcel); Fraser Steele HBLB Chase (2007 Dempsey); Victor Chandler Chase (2005 Well Chief); woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle (2006 Celestial Wave), bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle (2007 Al Eile), JETS/Richard Davis Awards Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Diamond Harry), Blue Square Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Diamond Harry), Racecourse Of The Year Classic Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Diamond Harry), Connaught Chase (2009 Well Chief) Number of Wins (1995/96-2008/2009): 26; 28; 60; 73; 64; 54; 98; 42; 57; 143; 87; 98; 71; 63; Wins This Season: 22


THIRD RACE RESULT

2.20pm THE GREATWOOD HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 110y
£100,000 guaranteed, For 4yo+, Minimum weight 10st Penalties: after October 31st, a winner of a hurdle 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb), Raise Your Heart's Handicap Mark 146, Penalty value: 1st £57,010.00; 2nd £21,390.00; 3rd £10,710.00; 4th £5,340.00; 5th £2,680.00; 6th £1,340.00;

1) KHYBER KIM (Caroline Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-11-09 Paddy Brennan 9/1
2) HARRY TRICKER (Richard Green) Gary Moore 5-10-03 Andrew Glassonbury (3) 6/1 Jt-Fav
3) MEDERMIT (FR) (The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership) Alan King 5-11-12 Robert Thornton 8/1
4) JAMES DE VASSY (FR) (Jakeman, Barrett, Booth & Ferrand) Nick Williams 4-10-13 Daryl Jacob 6/1 Jt-Fav
5) EL DANCER (GER) (Ron Davies) Lucy Wadham 5-11-11 Leighton Aspell
6) EUROPEAN DREAM (IRE) (You Trotters) Richard Guest 6-11-01 Paddy Aspell
7) COCKNEY TRUCKER (IRE) (Karola Vann) Philip Hobbs 7-10-10 Richard Johnson
8) SIMARIAN (IRE) (Peter Conway) Evan Williams 4-11-07 Paul Moloney
9) HEARTHSTEAD DREAM (M J Wasylocha) Gordon Elliott IRE 8-9-07 Keith Donoghue (7)
10) CULCABOCK (IRE) (Elizabeth Ferguson) Lucinda Russell 9-11-00 Campbell Gillies (3)
11) SILVERHAND (IRE) (Anna Foxe) Noel Meade IRE 5-11-03 Ruby Walsh
12) GLENSTAL ABBEY (IRE) (J P McManus) Charlie Swan IRE 5-11-00 Tony McCoy
13) ISSAQUAH (IRE) () Malcolm Jefferson 7-11-00 Phil Kinsella
14) RONALDO DES MOTTES (FR) (Mr & Mrs J M Davenport) David Pipe 4-11-00 Timmy Murphy
15) RAISE YOUR HEART (IRE) (Gaeltacht Gang Syndicate) Joanna Morgan IRE 6-11-12 Davy Condon

15 ran
Non-Runners: SECRET TUNE (Going), TRAMP STAMP (IRE) (Self Cert - Not Eaten Up), GEE DEE NEN (Going), SALUTE HIM (IRE) (Going)
Distances: 2, 1, 1, 10, 3¼, ½, 5, nk, 3¼, nk, sh, 7, 7, 7
Breeder: Mr & Mrs P D Player
Breeding: b g Mujahid (USA) - Jungle Rose (Shirley Heights)
Totes: Win: £10.80 Places: £3.70, £2.60, £2.90 Exacta: £65.40

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), Greatwood Hurdle (2009 Khyber Kim) 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: 34 - third winner of The Open 2009 - Thomas Pink Leading Trainer at the moment

Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Background: Brennan spent the summer of 1995 working for County Kildare handler Gerry Stack before embarking on a five season apprenticeship with the leading Irish trainer Jim Bolger, for whom he rode eight winners. The first of those came on Ivory Isle at Gowran Park in August, 1998. He became too heavy and tall for the Flat and moved to Paul Nicholls' stable as a conditional jockey in 2001. He stayed there for two and a half years, riding winners for Nicholls and Jeff King, before joining Philip Hobbs in the 2003/4 season as one of that yard's conditionals. Brennan also struck up a good rapport with Ashley Brook, on whom he won the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2005, and enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival success that year aboard Shamayoun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Brennan was appointed as retained rider to owners Andrea and Graham Wylie for the 2006/7season after dropping by trainer Howard Johnson's County Durham yard for a cup of tea and toast. He rewarded those connections when guiding Inglis Drever to victory in the 2007 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham - the gelding's second success in the race. Brennan, who wanted to return to the south of England, left Johnson at the end of the 2006/07 season and joined Naunton-based handler Nigel Twiston-Davies at the start of the 2007/08 campaign Cheltenham Festival Wins (4): Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), Pertemps Final (2008 Ballyfitz), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2006 Shamayoun), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2007 Inglis Drever) First Winner: Ivory Isle (Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, Gowran Park, August 12, 1998) 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), Boylesports.com International Hurdle (2007 Osana), Old Roan Chase (2008 Knowhere), John Smith’s Hurdle (2008 Pettifour), Paddy Power Gold Cup (2008 Imperial Commander), Greatwood Hurdle (2009 Khyber Kim) Number of Wins (2000/01-2007/08): 3; 9; 15; 19; 67* (*Champion Conditional Jockey); 60; 80; 104; 84 Wins This Season: 29 - second winner of The Open 2009 - Thomas Pink Leading Jockey at the moment


FOURTH RACE RESULT

2.55pm THE PADDY POWER INTERMEDIATE HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 5f
£25,000 guaranteed, For 4yo+ Rated 0-135 which, prior to April 27th, 2008, had not won a hurdle, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 7th, each hurdle won 7lb Tisfreetdream's Handicap Mark 134, Penalty value: 1st £15,655.00; 2nd £4,625.00; 3rd £2,312.50; 4th £1,157.50; 5th £577.50; 6th £290.00;

1) WOLF MOON (IRE) (Louise Jones) Martin Keighley 6-10-10 Warren Marston 12/1
2) BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) (The Brushmakers) Philip Hobbs 5-11-05 Richard Johnson 25/1
3) ADROIT APPROACH (IRE) (The Patient Partnership) Alex Hales 6-11-03 William Kennedy 25/1
4) AMORE MIO (GER) (N Mustoe) Emma Lavelle 4-11-06 Jack Doyle 20/1
5) SANGFROID (The Bacchanalians) Nick Williams 5-11-00 Daryl Jacob
6) WELLFORTH (IRE) (Mrs N B Watts) Caroline Hutchinson IRE 5-10-10 Giles Hawkins (7)
7) PRESQUE PERDRE (J W Andrews) George Moore 5-11-00 Paddy Brennan
8) TISFREETDREAM (IRE) (Woodland Generators & D R Pritchard) Peter Pritchard 8-11-09 Harry Skelton (3)
9) DARSTARDLY DICK (IRE) (Cheltenham Or Bust) Victor Dartnall 6-11-03 Timmy Murphy
10) GALAXY ROCK (IRE) (Michael & John O'Flynn) Jonjo O'Neill 5-10-12 Tony McCoy
11) FRUITY O'ROONEY (Heart Of The South Racing) Gary Moore 6-10-10 Philip Hide
12) MAHONIA (IRE) (Messrs Lewis, Deal, Holder, Tincknell, Warner) Paul Nicholls 6-11-08 Ruby Walsh 4/1 Fav
13) ERZEN (IRE) (J B Duffy) Nicky Henderson 4-11-07 Felix De Giles
14) SILK AFFAIR (IRE) (L Mulryan & M C Fahy) Mick Quinlan 4-11-11 Jamie Moore
15) FREDDIES RETURN (IRE) (W E Sturt) Jim Old 8-10-07 Tom Siddall
F2out BAILY STORM (IRE) (Chasing Gold Ltd) Tim Vaughan 7-10-12 Dean Coleman (5)
PU NORMAN THE GREAT (McNeill Family) Alan King 5-11-02 Robert Thornton

17 ran
Non-Runners: GREAT ENDEAVOUR (IRE) (Self Cert- Not Eaten Up), TULLAMORE DEW (IRE) (Ran 2.35 Fontwell)
Distances: ¾, 1, 1½, nk, 5, 2½, 8, nk, ½, 12, 1¼, 14, 10, 13
Breeder: Alistair Corrigan
Breeding: b g Presenting - Toasted Oats (IRE) (Be My Native (USA))
Totes: Win: £14.70 Places: £3.50, £4.10, £6.10, £5.30 Exacta: £450.20

Winning Trainer: MARTIN KEIGHLEY Based: Condicote Stables, Luckley, Longborough, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire Background: Joined David Nicholson’s stable after leaving school, riding both Barton Bank & Viking Flagship in all of their fast work. Enjoyed limited success as a conditional jockey but retired from race-riding to work for Cheltenham racecourse, where his duties included building fences. Trained point-to-pointers and eventers prior to taking out his full licence. First Winner: Bosuns Mate, Octagon Developments 'Ubique' Hunters' Chase, Sandown, February 13, 2003 - ridden by his wife Belinda. Wins (2002/03-2008/09): 1; 0; 0; 0; 1; 5; 7; Wins This Season: 15

Winning Jockey: Warren Marston Date of Birth: March 16, 1971 First Winner: 16/05/90 Worcester (Bel Course) Apprenticeship: David Nicholson Cheltenham Festival Wins: (2) Citroen Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1996 Indefence), Royal & Sunalliance Chase (1996 Nahthen Lad) Other Big Race Win: Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Jet Rules 1996), William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Land Afar 1993), United House Construction Chase (Egypt Mill Prince 1995), Long Distance Hurdle (Spendid 2002), Racing Post Chase (La Landiere 2003) Wins (1989/90-2008/09): 1, 4, 16, 26, 34, 66, 44, 18, 45, 56, 44, 41, 39, 61, 33, 50, 19; 24; 26; 14; Wins This Season: 15




FIFTH RACE RESULT
3.30pm THE CLEANEVENT NOVICES' HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2m 5f
£30,000 guaranteed, Grade Two, 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, Penalty value: 1st £17,103.00; 2nd £6,417.00; 3rd £3,213.00; 4th £1,602.00; 5th £804.00; 6th £402.00;
1) TELL MASSINI (IRE) (Mr & Mrs R Cornock) Tom George 5-11-00 Sam Thomas 15/2
2) REVE DE SIVOLA (FR) (Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership) Nick Williams 4-11-07 Daryl Jacob 5/6 Fav
3) BERTIES DREAM (IRE) (Half A Keg Syndicate) Paul Gilligan IRE 6-11-07 Tony McCoy 9/1
4) BOBBY EWING (IRE) (Million In Mind Partnership) Nigel Twiston-Davies 4-11-04 Paddy Brennan
5) QUENTIN COLLONGES (FR) (Neville Statham) Henry Daly 5-11-04 Richard Johnson
P BALLYOLIVER (Richard Britten-Long) Kim Bailey 5-11-00 Timmy Murphy
P BORROWDALE (Kevin McConnell) John Carr IRE 4-11-00 William Kennedy
P HUMBEL BEN (IRE) (BPD Ltd) Alan Jones 6-11-04 Christian Williams
F 2out REBEL DU MAQUIS (FR) (Kathy Stuart) Paul Nicholls 4-11-04 Ruby Walsh

9 ran
Distances: 8, ¾, 10, 29
Breeder: Colm Griffin
Breeding: b g Dr Massini (IRE) - Kissantell (IRE) (Broken Hearted)
Totes: Win: £8.70 Places: £2.00, £1.10, £2.10 Exacta: £17.50

Winning Trainer: TOM RICHARD GEORGE Born: June 4, 1967 Based: Springbank Stables, Slad, Stroud, Gloucestershire Background: lives in his childhood home with his lovely wife Sophie (daughter of former leading national hunt trainer John Edwards), Noel and Archie. Having left Gordonstoun school in 1984 he worked for the leading Irish National Hunt trainer, Arthur Moore, followed by a spell at the privately owned Kingwood Stud. The next 8 years were spent in Newmarket, firstly working for The British Bloodstock Agency and gaining a diploma in Stud Management at The National Stud. The following 5 years were spent as assistant trainer to Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and then Michael Jarvis. To broaden Tom's experience he decided to spend a year working in France for Francois Doumen, and finally a year working for champion National Hunt trainer, Martin Pipe. Tom starting training in 1993 with a collection of 6 horses. He soon sent out his first winner, Newton Point, at Worcester on 11th September 1993. Date of First Trainer’s Licence: August 4, 1993 Aintree Wins: John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase (2009 Tartak) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (2002 Galileo) Other Major Wins: Charisma Gold Cup (2000 Tremalt), Racing Post Chase (2009 Nacarat), Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Tell Massini) Number of Winners (1993/94-2008/09): 4; 2; 4; 6; 11; 18; 21; 19; 30; 22; 50; 46; 34; 30; 32; 37; Wins this Season: 18

Winning Jockey: Sam Thomas Born: June 22, 1984 Background: Thomas hails from a family of school teachers, with both his parents and his sister engaged in that profession but bucked the trend by forging a successful career as a jump jockey. Born in Abergavenny (father is a maths teacher), 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. His first professional victory came in November, 2003, when he rode I Tina to glory in a Chepstow selling hurdle, and the jockey went on to be runner up champion conditional jockey twice, before moving on to the powerful Paul Nicholls’ yard in 2006. Thomas - who was short-listed for the Bachelor of the Year award, organised by woman's magazine, Company - is second rider behind Ruby Walsh at Paul Nicholls’ yard. While Walsh was injured in the 2007/08 season, he enjoyed a great spell aboard some of the Nicholls stable stars - landing the Betfair Chase on Kauto Star, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Denman and Tingle Creek Chase on Twist Magic. He kept the ride on Denman in the 2008 totesport Gold Cup and the pair recorded a scintillating seven-length success over Kauto Star. Appointed as number one jockey to Tom George for the 2009/10 season. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): totesport Gold Cup (2008 Denman) First Cheltenham Festival Winner: Denman, totesport Gold Cup, March 14, 2008 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); Betfair Chase (2007 Kauto Star); Becher Chase (2007 Mr Pointment); Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2007 Denman); paddypower.com Tingle Creek Chase (2007 Twist Magic), totescoop6 Heroes Handicap Hurdle (2008 The Tother One), totesport.com Challngers Novices’ Chase (2008 Silverburn), Aon Chase (2008 Denman), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (2008 Tatenen), Cleanevent Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Tell Massini) 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 (2002/03-2008/09): 1; 47; 55; 55; 73; 88; 78; Wins This Season: 14


SIXTH RACE RESULT
4.00pm THE GRIFFINS RICHARD DAVIS AWARDS STANDARD OPEN NH FLAT RACE (LISTED) 2m 110y
£16,000 guaranteed, For 4-6yo which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing, except NH Flat races, INH Flat races or French AQPS Flat races, Weights: 11st, Penalties: a winner of a race 4lb, Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £9,121.60; 2nd £3,422.40; 3rd £1,713.60; 4th £854.40; 5th £428.80; 6th £214.40;
1) GHIZAO (GER) (The Johnson & Stewart Families) Paul Nicholls 5-11-4 Ruby Walsh 7/2
2) LIDAR (FR) (High 5) Alan King 4-11-4 Robert Thornton 11/10 Fav
3) ALVERSTONE (The Freudians) Lawney Hill 6-10-11 Christian Williams 14/1
4) MASTER BEAU (J I A Charlton) George Charlton 5-11-0 Jan Faltejsek
5) CHAIN OF COMMAND (IRE) (Malcolm Denmark) Warren Greatrex 6-11-0 Jamie Moore
6) RED NOT BLUE (IRE) (Sara Meehan) Simon Earle 6-11-4 Daryl Jacob
7) CRESSWELL PRIDE (Grahame Barrett) Keith Goldsworthy 4-11-4 Richard Johnson
8) MIDNIGHT TUESDAY (FR) (Tony Eaves) Nigel Twiston-Davies 4-11-0 Paddy Brennan

8 ran
Non-runners: CAPTIVE AUDIENCE (IRE) (Other), LUSH LIFE (IRE) (Going), AGE BENEFIT (IRE) (Travel), AJLOUN (USA) (Going), BANJO DAVIS (IRE) (Going)
Distances: 6, 2, 2¼, 8, 6, 9, 16
Breeder: Baron Georg Von Ullman
Breeding: b g Tiger Hill (IRE) (10.9f) — Glorosia (FR) (Bering (10.1f))
Totes: Win: £3.70 Places: £1.70, £1.30, £2.40 Exacta: £8.20

Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston, Bristol, 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 as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship for several years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title in the 2005/06 season. 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. Cheltenham Festival Wins (25): Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s), Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2009 Chapoturgeon), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2008 Celestial Halo), Irish Independent Arkle Novices’ Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2004 Earthmover, 2005 Sleeping Night), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran, 2007 Andreas), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest, 2009 American Trilogy), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2007 Denman) Other big race wins include: Aon Chase (2000 See More Business, 2001 Shotgun Willy, 2003 Valley Henry, 2007 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman), Betfair Chase (2006& 2007 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2001 & 2003 Ad Hoc), Brit Insurance Novices’ Prestige 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, 2003 Strong Flow, 2008 Breedsbreeze), totesport.com Challengers Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (2006 Napolitain), 2007 New Little Bric, 2008 Silverburn, 2009 Herecomesthetruth) Game Spirit Chase (2000 Flagship Uberalles, 2004 & 2005 Azertyuiop, 2008 Master Mided), Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole), Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1995 Captain Khedive, 1999 Fadalko, 2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother, 2008 Tatenen, 2009 Tataniano), King George VI Chase (1997 & 1999 See More Business, 2006, 2007 & 2008 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, 2007 Twist Magic, 2008 Master Minded), Tolworth Hurdle (2003 Thisthatandtother, 2006 Noland, 2007 Silverburn), totesport.com Becher Chase (2006 Eurotrek, 2007 Mr Pointment), 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), Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (2007 & 2008 Neptune Collognes), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2007 Denman), Commercial First Ascot Chase (2008 Kauto Star), Lexus Chase (2007 Denman), Kerrygold Champion Chase (2008 Twist Magic), Jnwine.com Champion Chase (2008 Kauto Star), Victor Chandler Chase (2009 Master Minded), Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s) 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 (1992/03-2008/09): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148*; 124*; 151* (first trainer to win more than £4 million in prize money in a season);155*; *Champion Trainer Wins this Season: 44

Winning Jockey: Ruby Walsh Born: May 14, 1979 Background: Ruby (short for Rupert) is associated with the powerful stables of Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland. He is the son of 11-times Irish amateur champion jockey, Ted Walsh, now a trainer and television pundit. Ruby is the second of Walsh's four children and his younger sister Katie is a successful amateur. He secured his first success under Rules aboard Siren Song at Gowran Park on July 25, 1995, and followed in his father's footsteps when capturing the Irish amateur riders’ championship (1996-97) at the age of 19 while still studying for his Leaving Certificate. He was crowned champion Irish National Hunt jockey in his first season as a professional (1998/99) and has taken the title a further five times (2000/2001, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/7 and 2007/08). Walsh has won the John Smith's Grand National twice. His first success came in 2000 on his first ride in the race aboard Papillon, trained by his father, less than a month after returning from a fractured leg sustained in a fall in October, 1999, in the Czech Republic. The Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter provided him with a second success in 2005 and the pair finished a creditable runner-up in 2006. He followed Papillon's Aintree triumph with an Irish Grand National victory aboard his father's Commanche Court but surpassed that achievement in the 2004/2005 season when his John Smith's Grand National success aboard Hedgehunter was augmented by wins in the Welsh National (Silver Birch) and Irish Grand National (Numbersixvalverde). He narrowly missed out in that season's Scottish Grand National when his mount, Cornish Rebel, finished a short-head second to Joes Edge. First Winner: Siren Song, Gowran Park, July 25, 1995 Cheltenham Festival Wins (24): Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s), David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (2009 Quevega), Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Fiveforthree, 2009 Mikael D’Haguenet), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2008 Celestial Halo), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (1998 Alexander Banquet, 2005 Missed That), Mildmay Of Flete (2002 Blowing Wind), Irish Independent Arkle (2003 Azertyuiop), Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded), Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran), County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis) Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Noland), William Hill Trophy (2006 Dun Doire), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2007 Denman, 2009 Cooldoine), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007 Kauto Star) Other Big Race Wins: Betfair Chase (2006 Kauto Star), Betfred Gold Cup (2003 Ad Hoc); Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Cornish Rebel, 2006 Denman); Stan James Christmas Hurdle (2005 Feathard Lady); totesport Classic Chase (2006 Eurotrek) December Festival Hurdle (2006 Brave Inca), Dipper Novices’ Chase (2005 My Will); Feltham Novices’ Chase (2003 Strong Flow, 2008 Breedsbreeze); Game Spirit Chase (2004, 2005 Azertyuiop, 2008 Master Minded); Greatwood Hurdle (2003 Rigmarole); Haldon Gold Cup (2004 Azertyuiop); Heineken Gold Cup (1999 Imperial Call, 2000 Commanche Court); Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2003 Strong Flow); Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (2003 Thisthatandtother); Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (2002 Azertyuiop, 2003 Thisthatandtother, 2009 Tataniano); Irish Grand National (2000 Commanche Court, 2005 Numbersixvalverde); King George VI Chase (2006, 2007 & 2008 Kauto Star); Kingwell Hurdle (2004 Rigmarole); Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2006 Be Be King); Old Roan Chase (2006 Kauto Star); Peterborough Chase (2004 Le Roi Miguel); Racing Post Chase (2004 Marlborough); Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (2007 New Little Bric); Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (2003 Le Roi Miguel); Tied Cottage Chase (2007 Nickname); Tingle Creek Trophy (2002 Cenkos, 2006 Kauto Star); Tolworth Hurdle (2006 Silverburn), Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (2005 Hoo La Baloo); Coral Welsh National (2004 Silver Birch), Lexus Chase (2007 Denman), Dr P J Moriaty Novice Chase (2008 J’y Vole), Kerrygold Champion Chase (2008 Twist Magic), Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (2007 & 2008 Neptune Collognes), Victor Chandler Chase (2009 Master Minded), Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle (2009 Big Buck’s) 1,000th Winner in Ireland: Rare Article, Smirnoff (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, Thurles, May 4, 2008 (became only the second jockey to complete the feat after Charlie Swann) Number of Wins in Britain (1998/99-2008/09): 1; 1; 5; 13; 77; 62; 81; 69; 73; 69; 69; Wins in Britain This Season: 18

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