Sunday, November 22, 2009

THE NORTHWEST RACING MASTERS, DAY TWO
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
AINTREE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009


AINTREE PROMOTION BOOSTS ATTENDANCE

Julian Thick, Aintree’s Managing Director, commented: “We are thrilled that so many people turned up at Aintree for day two of the Northwest Racing Masters.

“Today is the only day of the year when racegoers can watch two races over the Grand National fences and it is great that our John Smith’s Grand National meeting promotion was so popular.

“All our attention now turns to the countdown to the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National meeting on April 8, 9 and 10.”



Race 1 - Weatherbys Bank Maiden Hurdle - Winning Quotes

SITTING TENNANT TAKES OPENER


Sitting Tennant landed the opening Weatherbys Bank Maiden Hurdle for the combination of trainer Howard Johnson and jockey Denis O’Regan. Carrying the colours of owners Graham and Andrea Wylie, the six-year-old was always in a handy position during the extended two-mile contest and saw off all challengers to reward supporters of the 13/8 favourite.

This was a second Aintree success for Sitting Tennant, following his success in the Grade Two John Smith’s Champion Bumper at the Grand National meeting in April.

Unfortunately, the winner suffered an overreach and was unable to return to the winner’s enclosure immediately after the race.

Winning jockey Denis O’Regan said: “I think that he is fine - there was just a bit of blood underneath the joint so the vet decided to take him straight down and stitch him up - but I don't think that it is anything too serious. I would imagine that he will be fine in a couple of days.

“It was the first race of the day, so it was the best ground. He will probably be better on better ground and they usually jump better after a run, so he had the experience over some of the others. He used that to his advantage - he travelled and jumped well and stayed on well all the way up the run-in.

“It was unfortunate what happened at Hexham but the heavy ground didn't suit him. He was only having his first run and the course wouldn't have been ideal for him. In fairness, he gained valuable experience that day and I am glad that he has done the business today."

“He won the bumper here, so he wouldn't be slow, and I would like to see how he would get on in a better class of race now. I am sure that the boss has a plan for him.

“It's very soft ground out there and it is going to get tiring towards the end of the day. There will be some tired horses finishing in the totesport.com Becher Chase, but it's going to be fun!”


FIRST RACE QUOTES
WEATHERBYS BANK MAIDEN HURDLE

TWISTON-DAVIES BULLISH ABOUT IMPERIAL COMMANDER


Nigel Twiston-Davies, who saddled Imperial Commander to finish a gallant nose second in yesterday’s Betfair Chase on the first day of the Northwest Racing Masters at Haydock Park, wants to take on Kauto Star again.

After saddling the second in the opener on the second day of the Northwest Racing Masters, Benbens in the Weatherbys Bank Maiden Hurdle, the trainer said: “Imperial Commander is great today, not a bother on him. He was beaten literally a whisker - it is disappointing. That whisker was worth a lot of money. I was champion trainer (leading the race to be champion trainer this season) and now I am not.

“I loved Paul Nicholls’ comment that Kauto Star will improve for the race, ours will improve even more - Imperial Commander is a great big burly horse and he will have needed the race every bit as much as Kauto Star did.

“We don’t know about Kempton (for the King George) - Kempton is much more Kauto Star’s track, but Cheltenham..... let’s have a go. There is nowhere else to go except Kempton - the Lexus is a bit of a graveyard - it is abroad and there will be soft ground - I would much rather run in England.

“Imperial Commander has run poorly at Kempton once but who is to say. He would not have won anything that day. I am sure it was not the right-handed nature of Kempton that caused that poor run

“We are really excited by Irish Raptor and Hello Bud this afternoon (in the totesport.com Becher Chase) - they are both superb jumpers and that is what they do best. Paddy has come back from this race and said the ground is nothing like as soft as envisaged. So he might be on the wrong horse as Irish Raptor could win. The Grand National is the target for both horses - they have got all that it takes.

“Cheltenham and Aintree are my two favourite courses. Benbens is a real special horse and he has finished ahead of some nice ones today. “

Paddy Brennan, Imperial Commander’s jockey, added: “There is still massive improvement in Imperial Commander. I lost four lengths at a fence and that is an awful lot of ground to lose at one fence. To get back at Kauto Star was always going to be very hard but my horse has really dug deep and tried all the way to the line.

“I thought we had done it but brilliant Kauto Star - he is a wonderful horse and a great advertisement for racing - came out on top.

“Ruby Walsh is the perfect role model for jump racing because he is a brilliant winner and even better loser. He thought he had lost and that was his reaction (to pat Paddy past the post). It is a lesson I need to learn - to handle losing as well as him. Ruby is a true professional and a brilliant ambassador for the sport.

“Imperial Commander is better going left-handed. I went around the inner on him in the King George last year but I might just give him more room and time to go around the bends this time. He is just a very exciting horse to be associated with.”



GOING AFTER THE FIRST RACE


Denis O’Regan, rider of the winner, the 13/8 favourite Sitting Tennant, reported: “Good to soft”.

Paddy Brennan, on the six-length second Benbens, said: “Good to soft, soft.”

Richard Johnson, jockey of third placed Rushwee, said: “Soft. It was hard work.”

Jason Maguire, rider of Overturn, thought: “It was hard work.”

Wayne Kavanagh, jockey of Diddley Dee, said: “It was hard enough work on my lad, but he didn’t like the ground.”

Phil Kinsella, rider of High Ambition, described the ground as: “On the soft side.”

Tony McCoy, rider of Kensington Oval, thought the going: “Very tiring.”

Mr Oliver Greenall, rider of Girly Whirly, said: “I found it on the soft side on mine.”

Timmy Murphy, on Selskar, said: “Soft.”

Graham Lee, jockey of Sumak, said: “Very slow.”

Mr Alan Berry, partner of Paisley Cross, described the ground as: “Dead.”






Race 2 - totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase - Winning Quotes

DEV LASTS HOMES IN THE SEFTON


Dev put up a spectacular display of jumping to claim the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences.

Partnered by Jamie Moore, the nine-year-old was always in a handy position in the two mile, five furlong contest and was left in a clear lead following the fall of Frankie Figg at the 14th fence. Despite tiring markedly on Aintree’s long run-in, Dev kept on gamely to repel the challenge of Pak Jack and score by a length and a half at 14/1.

The winner is trained in Newmarket by Mick Quinlan and is one of only six jump horses at the flat-orientated 35-horse yard.

Noel Quinlan, Mick’s brother and assistant trainer, said: “That was fantastic.

“Today was a bit of a shot in the dark as we thought he wouldn’t stay and wouldn’t like the ground - how do you train horses!

“This horse’s jumping is everything. I am delighted for Jamie, this win should give him a great fillip on his return from injury. I am also delighted for his owner Liam Mulryan, who is a great supporter of jump racing and has put lots of money into the game over the years.

“We didn’t really have a plan for him after today’s race but I suppose after the way he has jumped today, he could possibly come back here for the Topham. I don’t think I have ever seen a horse jump Becher’s like he did today.”

Successful jockey Jamie Moore added: “He was gutsy today. He got tired on the run in but then picked up again when the other horse (Pak Jack) came to him.

“Two miles is really his trip but I’ve been begging Noel and Mick to run him over these fences for ages as he is one of the best jumpers you will ever see, he is brilliant.

“Things have been going well since I came back from an ankle injury two weeks ago.”

When asked if Dev would be a suitable candidate for the John Smith’s Grand National, Moore replied: “No. He wouldn’t get the trip in an aeroplane!”




Second race The totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase
Placed quotes

PHILIPS DELIGHTED WITH PAK JACK


After a dour battle from the elbow to the line between Dev and Pak Jack, the trainer of second placed Pak Jack, Richard Phillips reflected: “He just got touched off but we were delighted with him.

“We were a little bit worried about the ground - it’s not his ideal. In a way, we hoped that coming for this race rather than the totesport Beecher Chase, that they might stop a little in front and they did apart from the winner.

“Actually when we got to the winner he found a bit more, I think the horse in front was looking for a little company. But our lad has run a cracker and I’m delighted with him, he’s really good round here and we’ll be back here in April hopefully. But in between it would be nice if he got his head in front somewhere because he’s been so consistent for us.”


JIM GOLDIE HAS MIXED EMOTIONS


Jim Goldie, trainer of the third Craiglands, had mixed emotions after his charge came in eight-lenghts adrift of the runner-up in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase

“I’m disappointed not to win but thrilled to bits to jump as well as that round here.” he commented. “I think we want better ground.”

“If you can jump round here like that means you can go anywhere.”


TIMMY MURPHY INJURED


Timmy Murphy was taken to Fazakerley Hospital after his fall from Bible Lord in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase. The jockey was knocked unconscious for a short time. He recovered to be fully conscious but complained of shoulder pains and was taken to hospital to be checked out.

JAMIE MOORE BANNED


Jamie Moore, rider of the winner Dev in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase, was found to have caused interference to the length and a half runner-up Pak Jack and also that he used his whip with excessive frequency from the last fence.

He was cautioned for the first offence and banned for two days, December 6 & 7, for the whip offence.

Race 3 - Best Odds At totesport,com Handicap Hurdle - Winning Quotes

JOHN FORBES RALLIES CLOSE HOME


It looked for all the world that the £30,000 Best Odds Guaranteed At totesport.com Handicap Hurdle would go the way of Sam Lord, as the five-year-old came with a smooth run to take up the running at the final flight. However John Forbes, who had led at the third last but looked to have given his all, came with a renewed effort in the shadows of the post to score by a neck in the hands of Keith Mercer.

Trainer Brian Ellison was not present to see his 20/1 winner but Keith Mercer said: “He is so tough and just kept digging in.

“I thought he was getting tired but he has put his head down and really tried. You need a horse that tries in that ground.

“I thought I was beaten at the last but he just kept finding and finding.”

A philosophical James Moffatt, trainer of the runner-up Sam Lord, said: “He has done us proud and I don’t want to make any excuses.

“He shown us that he is good enough to compete in these sort of races. We will give him a break for two or three weeks and then looking for something else.”


Race 4 - totesport.com Becher Chase - Winning Quotes

totesport.com BECHER CHASE GOES TO HUGHES FOR SECOND SUCCESSIVE YEAR


Trainer Dessie Hughes obviously likes the totesport.com Becher Chase. Black Apalachi landed the three and quarter mile handicap over the Grand National fences for the Irish trainer 12 months ago and this year it was Vic Venturi who took the spoils in the £100,000 Listed event.

Partnered by Paddy Flood, the nine-year-old was hunted round during the early part of the race as Hello Bud made the running. He began to take much closer order on the long run towards the second last and, approaching the final fence, the race was clearly between Vic Venturi and Keenan’s Future. It was Vic Venturi who handled the conditions best as he powered away up the run-in to register a five-length success. The winner was returned at 7/1.

Dessie Hughes said: “I am very pleased.

“He had to carry top weight today but he stays very well.

“Paddy has given him a brilliant ride and the horse got the trip really well.

“He got into a bit of trouble at the third fence but was fine after that. His jumping was very safe.

“You would have to say after that race that he would be on target for the Grand National. He could go for the Bobbyjo Chase next and then go over hurdles after Christmas.

“With Black Apalachi, we could have two contenders for the National this year. It’s just a pity there will be 38 others runners!

“Black Apalachi is in great form and will be ready to run soon. He is likely to start off over hurdles.”

Paddy Flood added: “He is a horse with plenty of class. The main issue before the race was whether he would jump round but he’s taken to these fences like a duck to water.

“There wasn’t really much riding involved for me today - I just had to steer and push him along.

“There is no other course like this to ride round. When you get a horse in a rhythm over these fences, there is nothing like it.

“He will be a National horse - he’s a little bit small but has plenty of class and jumps like a buck.

“I didn’t want to get there too soon. He really was an absolute dream today.”

Reaction among bookmakers as to Vic Venturi’s chance in the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National was variable. totesport go 16/1 while Paddy Power offer 20/1. Both Ladbrokes and William Hill offer more generous odds, quoting 25/1 about Vic Venturi for the 2010 Aintree spectacular.



Fourth race placed quotes
totesport.com Becher Chase


IAN WILLIAMS PLEASED


Ian Williams, trainer of the toteposrt.com Becher Chase five-length runner-up Keenan’s Future, was delighted with the performance of the eight-year-old.

He said: “It was a huge run. He has jumped like a stag and travelled well.

“He would not have appreciated the ground as soft as it is. Now it is a question of whether we can get him up high enough in the handicap to get a run in the Grand National.

“He would make a lovely National horse. It is a question of whether he is quite good enough. He will go up a few pounds for this run and then we have to get him up another 7lb or 8lb. Whether that is feasible, I don’t know. We will try very hard as he has loved it out there today.

“Jason Maguire has given him a very good ride and Keenan’s Future has given Jason Maguire a lovely spin around.”



JOCKEYS QUOTES AFTER THE toesport.com BEECHER CHASE


Jason Maguire, on the five-length second Keenan’s Future, said: ”I was delighted with him - he jumped super. The ground has obviously taken a lot of getting and we did hack around for three quarters of the way. When we jumped the canal turn we all started to pick up from there. He just got a little tired at the end.”


Denis O’Regan, partner of Royal Rosa, the third in the totesport.com Beecher Chase, reflected after the race: “We had a great run and he jumped superb. I rode him to be placed and we were. We will see what the handicapper does to him.”


Tom Siddall, jockey of fourth placed Palypso Creek, said: “He’s run a cracker to be fair, but we’ve probably ended up handier than we wanted to be. We’ve only hacked round. The ground might have found us out a little as it was very soft but lovely proper jumping ground.”


PADDY FLOOD BANNED


Paddy Flood, the winning jockey on Vic Venturi in the totesport.com Becher Chase, was asked by the stewards about his use of the whip on the run-in.

He was found to have used his whip in the wrong place and suspended for a day - Sunday, December 6, 2009.

VIC NEW 16/1 FAVOURITE FOR GRAND NATIONAL AFTER BECHER CHASE SUCCESS


Vic Venturi is the new 16/1 favourite with totesport for the John Smith’s Grand National after giving trainer Dessie Hughes a second successive victory in the totesport.com Becher Chase in the hands of Paddy Flood.

Hello Bud made most of the running but the eventual winner crept into the race slowly and took up the running after the final fence. Keenan’s Future was five lengths behind in second with the staying-on Royal Rosa in third. Vic Venturi had been as short as 3/1 in the morning but proved to be friendless in the market, eventually returning at 7/1.

“Punters deserted him in their droves but Vic Venturi proved them wrong by producing a fairly stylish victory in the Becher Chase given conditions and he fully deserves his place at the head of the Grand National market,’ said totesport spokesman George Primarolo .

Notre Pere, Tricky Trickster and Don’t Push It are all next in the market at 20/1 with last year’s Becher Chase winner Black Apalachi a 25/1 shot.

John Smith’s Grand National – totesport bet: 16 (first show) Vic Venturi, 20 Notre Pere, Tricky Trickster, Don’t Push It, 25 Big Fella Thanks, Black Apalachi, Character Building, Comply Or Die, Irish Raptor, Mon Mome, My Will, State Of Play, Hello Bud, Backstage, Galant Nuit, 33 bar.

A quarter the odds 1-2-3-4


Race 5 - Plastic Design Handicap Chase - Winning Quotes

EASY SUCCESS FOR I’MONCLOUDNINE


A chance ride aboard I’moncloudnine proved very worthwhile for William Kennedy as the six-year-old powered to an impressive 17-length victory in the Plastic Design Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong. Timmy Murphy had originally been booked to partner the Cloudings gelding but missed the ride after suffering from concussion earlier in the afternoon.

It was top-weight Fourty Acers that cut out the early running. I’moncloudnine took up the running from two out and from that point onwards there was only ever going to be one winner. The winner was returned at 9/2.

The winning trainer, Motcombe-based Neil Mullholland, was not in attendance and was represented by assistant Liz Harrington who said: “That was his first attempt at three miles but he is bred to get the trip and showed today that he stays well.

“He liked the ground and has done it well - probably a bit too well for his handicap mark!

“It will be up to Neil where he goes next but now that we know he stays three miles that gives us more options.

“I am very pleased for William Kennedy. He has ridden for us before and has always given a good ride to everything he has ridden.”



Race 6 - Christmas Party At Aintree Novices’ Handicap Hurdle -
Winning Quotes

BOWEN LOOKING FOR MORE AFTER NATURAL ACTION VICTORY


The 2009 Northwest Racing Masters concluded with the Christmas Party At Aintree Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles, which went the way of the Peter Bowen-trained Natural Action.

The mount of Donal Devereux and a 5/1 chance, Natural Action was travelling smoothly as the field entered the straight and saw off the challenge of top-weight Shadow Dancer to come home eight lengths clear.

The five-year-old was winning his first race, having made four previous appearances.

Peter Bowen said: “He did that very well.

“He wasn’t good enough to win a novice hurdle but the ground suited him today and we also fitted him with cheekpieces for the for the first time, which have helped him.

“I think he will be out again soon. As he has won on a Sunday, we have a fortnight before he is re-assessed, so we will try and find a race for him.”



PRESS SALUTE GUTSY KAUTO


“For anyone who is passionate about jump racing, Haydock was the place to be yesterday,” writes Tom O’Ryan in today’s Racing Post - a phrase which perfectly encapsulates Kauto Star’s brave nose victory over Imperial Commander in the thrilling £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park yesterday.

O’Ryan begins his piece by saying: “It was the sort of thrilling outcome which makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up...A blunt knife would have cut the atmosphere at the end of a finish that will live long in the memory. And, as for the cheers that rang out when the result virtually everyone wanted to hear boomed over the tannoy, they had to be heard to be believed.”

In the same publication, Alastair Down also believes that the 2009 Betfair Chase will live long in the memory: He writes: “Most races, even those at the highest level, soon slip down between the duckboards of memory, but yesterday’s Betfair Chase was an exception, not least because even after it was over it had not finished handing out both drama and surprise.”

Down goes on to finish his article by saying: “Most of us thought the Betfair Chase was something close to a wonder to behold, one of those races with nearly every ingredient you would expect to find on the tin marked ‘Epic Chases’. It was not far off what the sport is always striving to produce and which we live in hope of seeing.”

Meanwhile in the Sunday Times Brough Scott leads on the fact that Kauto Star had work hard for his victory: “Kauto Star, the greatest steeplechaser since Desert Orchid, perhaps even since Arkle himself, duly began his sixth British racing season with victory in the Betfair Chase but only after a desperate, lung-sapping slog up the Haydock run-in against Imperial Commander. At the line Ruby Walsh thought his horse was beaten. So did the crowd and a huge collective cheer of relief went up when the result came through.”

Over in The Observer Will Hayler reminds us that Kauto Star is a horse of tremendous courage as well as one of tremendous ability by saying: “It was not a race for the faint-hearted, but Kauto Star showed once again that he is not afraid to get his nose dirty when claiming the hardest fought of all his 12 Grade One victories and denying Imperial Commander by a nose in the Betfair Chase.”

Marcus Armytage also picks up on this point in the Sunday Telegraph by commenting: “You do not have 12 Grade One wins notched on your stable door if you are not a battler.”

Yesterday’s race was afield day for tabloid headline writers and the News Of The World’s racing section barks SUPER STAR ahead of Andy Birt’s words of wisdom: “Kauto Star was forced to call on all his reserves to land the bravest win of his life at Haydock yesterday.”

Patrick Weaver’s piece in the Sunday Express is preceded by the headline KAUT SHORT. Weaver goes on to say: “Kauto Star put his supporters through the mill as Imperial Commander made him pull out all the stops to register a 12th Grade One success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.”


NORTHWEST RACING MASTERS 2009

Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, 2009


This weekend, yesterday Saturday and today Sunday, November 21 and 22, 2009, makes up the fifth Northwest Racing Masters which has thrilling top-class horseracing at two of Britain’s best racecourses, Haydock Park and Aintree.

The Northwest Racing Masters, from the first running in 2005, has established itself as a tremendous event, giving
racegoers the opportunity of experiencing two different historic courses within a short journey of each other - Haydock Park, between Manchester and Liverpool and close to St Helens, Wigan and Warrington, and Aintree on the northern edge of Liverpool and not far from Southport.

The racing is superb over the two days, with yesterday’s £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park being one of the best races seen for a long time as Kauto Star just edged out Imperial Commander by a fraction in a tremendous battle to the line, while Aintree has two excellent contests over the world-famous Grand National course among six races on day two, the £100,000 totesport.com Becher Chase and the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase.

This year’s renewal of the Betfair Chase was a cracker. The outstanding chaser of recent years, Kauto Star, claimed a third victory in the race but the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old had to be at his bravest as Imperial Commander launched a very strong challenge which only just failed in a thrilling finish.

Day two of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree today, Sunday, November 22, features the £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase, which give horses the chance to test their John Smith’s Grand National credentials over the Grand National fences. Last year, Black Apalachi revelled on the heavy ground to score a convincing victory over the 2007 winner Mr Pointment and the Dessie Hughes-trained chaser was leading the John Smith’s Grand National prior to unseating Denis O’Regan at Becher’s Brook in the second circuit. Hughes bids for a second successive victory in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase with his smart performer Vic Venturi, who was placed in Grade One company as a novice chaser and comfortably won a Clonmel chase on his seasonal return at the end of October.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, the only current handler to have won the John Smith’s Grand National on two occasions, is represented by last year’s John Smith’s Topham Chase victor Irish Raptor and Hello Bud, who won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April. The Charlie Longsdon-trained Palypso De Creek, a Grade Three winner over Auteuil’s fences for former handler Jehan Bertran de Balanda, the Donald McCain-trained Idle Talk, Keenan’s Future, another Irish challenger Cleni Boy and the Howard Johnson-trained Royal Rosa are the other runners. The second race over the Grand National fences today is the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, which has attracted 11 runners.

Aintree’s raceday has one of the warmest, friendliest family atmospheres with Christmas activities marking the start of a very special season - including a visit from Santa and his real reindeer.

Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager at Aintree, remarked: “Day two of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree features two races over the Grand National fences, including the totesport.com Becher Chase which has proved to be a significant pointer to the John Smith's Grand National itself since its inception in 1992.

“Our thanks go to the tote for sponsoring that race again and the other contest over the Grand National fences, the
totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

“The day also offers fun and activities for all members of the family, while the start of the festive season ensures a tremendous atmosphere complete with Santa and his reindeer!”

George Primarolo of the tote said: “The Northwest Racing Masters has established itself as one of the main festivals in the National Hunt calendar and the racing at both Haydock and Aintree is nothing short of top-class.

“We are proud to have sponsored the totesport.com Becher Chase since 1998 and in that time the race has grown both in stature and in value. It has also become one of the most important Grand National trials of the year with two winners of the race having gone on to win the big one in April in the shape of Amberleigh House and Silver Birch.”



£100,000 totesport.com BECHER CHASE - AINTREE
over the Grand National Fences

Year Horse Owner Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
1992 Kildimo Lady Harris Sue Smith 12-10-03 Lorcan Wyer 9/1 9
1993 Indian Tonic Joanne Richards Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-10-06 Chris Maude 4/1 11
1994 Into The Red John Huckle John White 10-10-04 Richard Guest 13/2 9
1995 Young Hustler Gavin MacEchern Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-12-00 Chris Maude 2/1F 10
1996 Into The Red John Huckle Mary Reveley 12-10-00 Tony Dobbin 9/2 8
1997 Samlee White Lion Partnership Philip Hobbs 8-10-00 Rodney Farrant 6/1 11
1998 Earth Summit The Summit Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-12-00 Tom Jenks 6/1 8
1999 Feels Like Gold Independent Twine Man. Co Nicky Richards 11-10-00 Tony Dobbin 9/1 12
2000 Young Kenny Trevor Hemmings Peter Beaumont 9-12-00 Russ Garrity 9/4F 11
2001 Amberleigh House Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain 9-10-09 Warren Marston 33/1 15
2002 Ardent Scout Alicia Skene & W S Skene Sue Smith 10-9-11 Dominic Elsworth 14/1 15
2003 Clan Royal J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill 8-10-12 Liam Cooper 11/2 15
2004 Silver Birch Des Nichols Paul Nicholls 7-10-01 Ruby Walsh 4/1F 14
2005 Garvivonnian Angela Long Ned Mitchell IRE 10-10-04 Garrett Cotter 33/1 19
2006 Eurotrek Paul Green Paul Nicholls 10-11-07 Liam Heard 25/1 21
2007 Mr Pointment Stockton Heath Racing Paul Nicholls 8-11-05 Sam Thomas 15/2 19
2008 Black Apalachi Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE 9-10-05 Denis O'Regan 15/2 13

The inaugural running in 1992 of the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences went to the Sue Smith-trained Kildimo and the Yorkshire trainer gained a second success a decade later when Ardent Scout prevailed under an excellent ride from Dominic Elsworth to beat 2004 John Smith’s Grand National hero Amberleigh House by 24 lengths.

Amberleigh House himself won this prestigious handicap chase in 2001 when driven out by Warren Marston to prevail by two lengths from Smarty. The 2004 Grand National saw winners of the Becher Chase fill the first two places as Clan Royal was runner-up to Amberleigh House after being successful in this event by a short-head from that same rival in 2003.

Another Grand National winner to capture the totesport.com Becher Chase was Earth Summit. Seven months after
he had won the world’s most famous chase in 1998, Earth Summit returned to Aintree and defeated the previous year’s Becher Chase winner Samlee by 16 lengths. In addition to saddling Earth Summit, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has also won the Becher Chase on two other occasions, courtesy of Indian Tonic in 1993 and Young Hustler two years later. Indian Tonic scored unchallenged by six lengths from Southern Minstrel, while Young Hustler was successful by the same margin.

Young Kenny was cheered home in 2000 as the market leader, beating subsequent winner Ardent Scout by half a length for popular Yorkshire-based trainer Peter Beaumont. The Ardross gelding fell on his only attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National, but he did win the Scottish version in 1999.

Into The Red is the only dual winner of the totesport.com Becher Chase so far. He was victorious for trainer John White in 1994, when coming home unchallenged by 15 lengths from Feathered Gale and then, two years later, when under the care of Mary Reveley, he ran on well for Tony Dobbin to score by three and a half lengths and deny 1995 victor Young Hustler successive wins. Tony Dobbin was on the scoresheet again three years later aboard the Nicky Richards-trained Feels Like Gold. The 11-year-old galloped clear of his opponents and eventually won eased down, with Him Of Praise taking the runner-up spot, 11 lengths adrift.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Silver Birch justified favouritism in the 2004 totesport.com Becher Chase under Ruby Walsh to master Just In Debt by a length in a thrilling renewal. He also captured the Welsh National in 2004 and, after being sold out of Nicholls’ stable for just 20,000 guineas, made one of the greatest comebacks to win the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.

Ned Mitchell’s Garvivonnian became the first Irish-trained winner of the totesport.com Becher Chase when taking the contest in November, 2005, at the initial running at the Northwest Racing Masters weekend. He held on in a thrilling finish from the fast-finishing Nicholls-trained Le Duc by three quarters of a length, with Just In Debt a neck away in third.

Nicholls claimed his second win in the totesport.com Becher Chase in 2006 with Eurotrek, who defied top-weight to defeat Bewleys Berry and 19 others in decisive fashion under Liam Heard, though there was drama after the last when it momentarily looked as if the winning jockey was going to take the wrong course.

The champion trainer was back for more in 2007 when he equalled Nigel Twiston-Davies’ record of three totesport.com Becher Chase victories by saddling Mr Pointment. The eight-year-old excelled over the Grand National obstacles, beating the previous year’s runner-up Bewleys Berry by a length.

Last year saw a fine front-running performance from Black Apalachi, under Denis O'Regan, who galloped resolutely all the way to the line to secure success in the totesport.com Becher Chase. The 15/2 chance, trained by Dessie Hughes in Ireland, came home a distance clear of the Mr Pointment in the three and a quarter mile event, with his stablemate Oulart a further half-length back in third. Black Apalachi was the second Irish-trained success in the totesport.com Becher Chase, following Garvivonnian in 2005.

The totesport.com Becher Chase attracts plenty of runners, many of whom are having their first start over the Grand National fences and the race is seen as one of the best John Smith’s Grand National trials, with two winners - Amberleigh House and Silver Birch - going on to success in the world’s greatest chase.

Three favourites have prevailed - Young Hustler (1995), Young Kenny (2000) and Silver Birch (2004) - but there have also been three shock results - Amberleigh House was a 33/1 chance in 2001, while Garvivonnian (33/1 - 2005) and Eurotrek (25/1 - 2006) also caused upsets.



totesuper7 GRAND SEFTON CHASE - AINTREE
Over the Grand National Fences

Year Horse Owner Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
2003 Dark Room J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill 6-10-06 Liam Cooper 7/1 11
2004 Forest Gunner John Gilsenan Richard Ford 10-11-02 Peter Buchanan 7/1F 15
2005 Hakim T N Siviter John Spearing 11-10-12 Paddy Brennan 18/1 23
2006 I Hear Thunder Nick Elliott Bob Buckler 8-11-02 Daryl Jacob 12/1 20
2007 Lampion Du Bost The Dodoz Partnership Jim Goldie 8-9-11 Phil Kinsella 66/1 22
2008 Endless Power Fyffees Jim Goldie 8-10-00 James Reveley 11/1 13


HISTORY OF THE totesuper7 GRAND SEFTON CHASE

The totesuper7 Grand Sefton has attracted good fields since its revival six years ago after a 38-year break. The handicap chase is run over one circuit of the Grand National course, with 18 fences jumped during the two miles, five and a half furlongs. The old Grand Sefton took place over further - just under three miles - and ceased after the 1965 renewal, which was won by The Fossa.

The totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase was re-established in 2003. Well-known Irish owner J P McManus saw his famous green and gold colours carried to victory by the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Dark Room. Partnered by Liam Cooper, the six-year-old was one of eight in with a chance jumping the final fence and kept on best of all after the elbow to score by three lengths from Scotmail Boy.

The Richard Ford-trained Forest Gunner, under claimer Peter Buchanan, scored the following year. The winner had earlier taken the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting when ridden by the trainer’s wife, Carrie. That pairing subsequently finished fifth in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, equalling Rosemary Henderson’s highest-placed finish by a woman in the race.

The 2005 renewal of the totesuper7 Grand Sefton was the first under the umbrella of the Northwest Racing Masters. The John Spearing-trained Hakim took the honours. Paddy Brennan soon had his mount out in front and Hakim jumped for fun. He stayed on gamely to defeat Fiori by two and a half lengths.

There were 20 runners in the 2006 contest which went the way of the Bob Buckler-trained I Hear Thunder, a 12/1 chance, who jumped well and stayed on strongly for then conditional jockey Daryl Jacob to come home seven lengths clear of Shannon’s Pride. Hakim, attempting to land the race for a second year in a row, again tried to make all the running, but this time got no further than the eighth fence.

The race was even more popular in 2007 when 22 lined up before the starter. There was a shock result as 66/1-chance Lampion Du Bost, ridden by Phil Kinsella and trained by Jim Goldie in Scotland for the Dodoz Partnership, which included ex-Scotland striker Billy Dodds, won on merit, jumping exemplarily.

There were shades of the famous finish to the 1973 Grand National between Crisp and Red Rum as 11/1 chance Endless Power tired rapidly after the last in the 2008 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase

However, the leader held on by two and a half lengths from Brooklyn Brownie under 3lb conditional James Reveley for Goldie, gaining a second Grand Sefton success. The winner jumped for fun over the famous fences, soon built up a commanding advantage and was still around 15 lengths in front over the last.



TODAY’S totesport MARKET MOVERS

The horses for money with totesport today are both in the two races run over the Grand National fences.

In the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase (12.35pm), the Peter Bowen-trained Always Waining, who has experience of the course having finished fourth in the John Smith’s Topham Chase back in April, is into 14/1 (from 16/1).

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies’ record in races run over the Grand National fences is second to none and in the totesport.com Becher Chase (1.45pm) the Naunton handler’s Hello Bud, who captured the Scottish Grand National last season, is now 7/2 (from 5/1).

Also in the totesport.com Becher Chase, Keenan’s Future is into 11/2 (from 13/2). The Ian Williams-trained eight-year-old is making his first appearance since finishing fourth in the Summer National at Uttoxeter in June.

GOING CHANGE

After walking the course this morning, Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, has changed the going description to:

MILDMAY & HURDLE COURSES: Good to Soft, Soft in places (GoingStick reading 5.6) (previously Good to Soft)

GRAND NATIONAL COURSE: Soft (GoingStick reading 5.0) (previously Good to Soft, Soft in places)

Tulloch reported: “After the two millimetres of rain last night and the showers this morning, the going has eased slightly and I have changed the going description accordingly.”



GOING NEWS

Following two millimetres of rain overnight, the going for day two of the Northwest Racing Masters at Aintree today is currently:

MILDMAY & HURDLE COURSES: Good to Soft

GRAND NATIONAL COURSE: Good to Soft, Soft in places

Today’s forecast is for some sunny spells combined with blustry showers, some of which may be heavy.

FIRST RACE RESULT
12.05pm WEATHERBYS BANK MAIDEN HURDLE 2m 110y
£8,000 guaranteed, For 3yo+, Weights: 3yo:10st 7lb; 4yo+: 11st 8lb, Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £5,204.00 2nd £1,528.00 3rd £764.00 4th £381.60
1) SITTING TENNANT (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 6-11-08 Denis O'Regan 13/8 Fav
2) BENBENS (IRE) (Nigel Twiston-Davies) Nigel Twiston-Davies 4-11-08 Paddy Brennan 12/1
3) RUSHWEE (IRE) (Mr & Mrs J Timmons) Lucy Wadham 7-11-08 Richard Johnson 50/1
4) OVERTURN (IRE) (T G Leslie) Donald McCain Jnr 5-11-08 Jason Maguire
5) HIGH AMBITION (G H Leatham) Richard Fahey 6-11-08 Phil Kinsella
6) HIGHLAND LOVE (John & Susan Robertson) Jedd O'Keeffe 4-11-08 Aidan Coleman
7) SUMAK (FR) (Tony Pye & Masoud Khadem) Ferdy Murphy 5-11-08 Graham Lee
8) DIDDLEY DEE (Mrs I M Moore) Cornelius Moore 5-11-05 Wayne Kavanagh (3)
9) KENSINGTON OVAL (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 4-11-08 Tony McCoy
P SELSKAR (IRE) (J P Hill) Cormac Farrell IRE 4-11-08 T J Murphy
P PAISLEY CROSS (IRE) (Russell McAllister) Jonjo O'Neill 5-11-03 Mr Alan Berry (5)
P GIRLY WHIRLY (Rye Braune) Ian Williams 5-10-12 Mr Oliver Greenall (3)
12 ran
Distances: 6, 9, 1½, 6, 17, 12, 20, ¾
Breeder: S E Kettlewell
Breeding: b g Erhaab (USA) - Aeolina (FR) (Kaldoun (FR ))
Totes: Win: £2.60; Places: £1.30, £2.90, £4.30; Exacta: £25.90;

Winning Trainer: HOWARD JOHNSON Based: White Lea Farm, Crook, Co Durham Born: August 11, 1953, Barnard Castle Background: Born in Barnard Castle, Co Durham, on August 11, 1953, Howard Johnson began training in 1984 and sent out his first winner, Tabriz Gold, at Kelso on February 26, 1985. He was involved with the Pony Club from a young age and assisted his father Roy, who trained a few horses under permit at the family's White Lea Farm on the outskirts of Crook in Co Durham as well as tending a 100-strong dairy herd. Johnson spent two years learning the ropes with legendary Northern trainer Arthur Stephenson and initially harboured hopes of becoming a Flat jockey, something that never materialised, and his achievements as a rider amounted to just one win on the veteran Trim Lawns. He still combines cattle farming with training at White Lea Farm, although over the past five years he has considerably stepped up his training operation, thanks to the huge investment of owner Graham Wylie. His owners include former Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer. Wylie owns most of the horses he has in training although Johnson shares ownership of horses that run under the Transcend Bloodstock banner. Cheltenham Festival wins (7): Irish Independent Arkle Trophy (2008 Tidal Bay), National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (1993 Ushers Island), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever, 2007 Inglis Drever, 2008 Inglis Drever) Other major wins: Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Blue Square Speed Dial 64555 Hurdle (2005 No Refuge), Charlie Hall Chase (2003 Ballybough Rasher, 2004 Grey Abbey), Dipper Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2005 Arcalis), John Smith’s Hurdle (2005 Inglis Drever), Lonesome Glory Hurdle (1993 Dance Of Words), Pillar Property Chase (2005 Grey Abbey), Peter Marsh Chase (2005 Lord Transcend), Scottish National (2004 Grey Abbey), Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle (2005 Coat Of Honour), Tingle Creek Chase (1998 Direct Route), VC Casino.com Long Distance Hurdle (2006 Ingis Drever) Number of Winners (1988/9-2008/09): 14, 14, 10, 21, 19, 32, 32, 35, 23, 27, 18, 19, 13, 15, 33, 41, 68, 58, 54; 63; 83; Wins this Season: 20

Winning Jockey: Denis O’ Regan Background: Rode out at yard ran by cousin John Crowley, before spending a summer with Francis Flood when sixteen, returning to the yard after finishing his education. Rode first winner for Flood aboard All Honey on April 20, 2001. O’Regan rode 13 winners as an amateur before turning professional at Downpatrick in September, 2003. Born in Youghal, Co Cork, on March 24, 1982, to Denis and Derleine O’Regan, the jockey has no family involvement in racing – his father runs Lombards Pub in Youghal. O’Regan is good friends with Niall Madden - who rode Numbersixvalverde to victory in the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National. He joined the powerful Co Durham stable of Howard Johnson in the summer of 2007 but prior to that his biggest victory came on Ansar in the 2005 Galway Plate for trainer Dermot Weld and a few months later he rode his first Cheltenham winner when the Michael Hourigan-trained Church Island won a novices’ chase at The Open meeting held in November. In October, 2006, at Wexford, he rode his first treble on Hard Scuffle and Irish National for boss Noel Meade, and Mission Impossible for Philip Rothwell. He enjoyed a fantastic start to his association with Johnson and owners Andrea & Graham Wylie in the 2007/08 season. O’Regan partnered two winners for the connections at the Cheltenham Festival in March, guiding Tidal Bay to success in The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and sealing an historic win aboard Inglis Drever in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, a third triumph in the race for the great horse. Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2008 Inglis Drever), Irish Independent Arkle Trophy (2008 Tidal Bay) First Cheltenham Festival Win: Tidal Bay, Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, March 11, 2008 First winner at Cheltenham: Church Island (Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase, November 11, 2005) Big Race Wins: Galway Plate (2005 Ansar), Champion Novice Chase (2007 Offshore Account), Boylesports.com Gold Cup (2007 Tamarinbleu), totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase (2008 Black Apalachi) Wins in Britain (2003/04-2008/09): 0; 0; 1; 1; 57; 83 Wins This Season: 29


SECOND RACE RESULT
12.35pm totesuper7 GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE 2m 5f 110y
£70,000 guaranteed, For 5yo+, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 14th, each chase won 5lb, Penalty value: 1st £43,834.00 2nd £12,950.00 3rd £6,475.00 4th £3,241.00 5th £1,617.00 6th £812.00

1) DEV (IRE) (Liam Mulryan) Mick Quinlan 9-10-07 Jamie Moore 14/1
2) PAK JACK (FR) (The Pak Jack Partnership) Richard Phillips 9-10-13 Richard Johnson 10/1
3) CRAIGLANDS (IRE) (Andrew Dick & Philip Holden) Jim Goldie 7-10-04 Keith Mercer 5/1
4) NUDGE AND NURDLE (IRE) (The Yes No Wait Sorries) Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-10-09 Paddy Brennan
5) FRESH AIR AND FUN (IRE) (McGrath, Beighton & Hancock) Jonjo O'Neill 6-10-03 Paul Moloney
F 3rd CORLANDE (IRE) (Crow Partnership) Donald McCain Jnr 9-9-11 Paul Benson (5)
F 5th BIBLE LORD (IRE) (M Tedham) Andrew Turnell 8-11-12 Timmy Murphy
F 8th ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) (Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas) Peter Bowen 8-11-02 Seamus Durack
UR 13th THE SAWYER (BEL) (D R Fear) Bob Buckler 9-11-03 William Kennedy 9/2 Fav
F 13th VALLEY RIDE (IRE) (Saith O Ni & Ednyfed & Elizabeth Morgan) Peter Bowen 9-10-12 Donal Devereux (5)
F 14th FRANKIE FIGG (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 7-11-01 Denis O'Regan

11 ran
Distances: 1½, 8, dist, dist
Breeder: John Quane
Breeding: b g Anshan - Local Dream (Deep Run (13.4f))
Totes: Win: £15.00; Places: £4.00, £3.40, £1.70; Exacta: £198.30

Winning Trainer: MICK QUINLAN Based: Athnid Stables, Hamilton Road, Newmarket, Suffolk Background: Although Mick holds the licence, he trains in partnership with his brother Noel, who originally employed Mick as a salaried trainer. Mick trained national hunt horses under permit in Tipperary. He also rode as an amateur and worked for Coolmore for five years. The family also owned their own stud in Ireland Big Flat Wins: Queen Mary Stakes (2008 Langs Lash), Dubai International Airport World Trophy (2006 Dixie Belle) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2009 Silk Affair) Wins over jumps (2002/03-2008/09): 2; 0; 3; 2; 3; 6; 7; Wins this Season: 6

Winning Jockey: Jamie Edward Moore Born: January 31, 1985 Background: Hails from the great Moore racing family - father Gary now trains, having been a fearless Jumps jockey, while brother Ryan is a top Flat rider. He formerly worked for his father before a spell attached to Martin Pipe’s yard at Nicholashayne in Somerset. Champion conditional jockey in the 2003/04 season with 48 winners. Went freelance in July 2005, but now primarily rides for his father. First Winner: Stormy Skye (Guy Fawkes Amateur Riders’ Classified Stakes, Nottingham, November 5, 2001) Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Topham Chase (2007 Dunbrody Millar) Other Big Race Wins: Cantorsport.co.uk Silver Cup (2003 Horus); Elite Hurdle (2003 Well Chief); Scottish Champion Hurdle (2004 Copeland); Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase (2004 Horus); Totespot Ascot Chase (2005 It Takes Time); Totesport Trophy (2007 Heathcote, 2008 Wingman); William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2005 Verasi); Vodafone Gold Cup (2006 Horus (ddht with Cornish Sett)), totesport Trophy Hurdle (2008 Wingman), Greatwood Hurdle (2008 Numide), Montpelier Group Lightning Novicesì Chase (2009 Panjo Bere) Number of Wins (2002/3-2008/09): 16; 48 (champion conditional jockey); 47; 52; 42; 75; 45; Wins This Season: 15



THIRD RACE RESULT
1.10pm BEST ODDS AT totesport.com HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 4f
£30,000 guaranteed, For 4yo+, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 14th, each hurdle won 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £18,786.00 2nd £5,550.00 3rd £2,775.00 4th £1,389.00 5th £693.00 6th £348.00

1) JOHN FORBES (R Wagner) Brian Ellison 7-10-09 Keith Mercer 20/1
2) SAM LORD (Panther Racing Ltd) James Moffatt 5-10-00 Graham Lee 15/2
3) ARCTIC WINGS (IRE) (Paul Downing) Tony Carroll 5-10-05 Wayne Hutchinson 7/2
4) CHIEF YEOMAN (B Moore & E C Stephens) Venetia Williams 9-11-09 Aidan Coleman
5) DANCING DIK (Panther Racing Ltd) Chris Grant 4-9-13 Miss Lucy Horner (5)
6) WENDEL (GER) (Jared Sullivan/Sally Morgan & Dick Prince) Charlie Mann 5-11-12 Noel Fehily 9/4 Fav
P WOODY WALLER (W M G Black & Sue Johnson ) Howard Johnson 4-11-01 Denis O'Regan
P SHATABDI (IRE) (Robert Waley-Cohen) Robert Waley-Cohen 7-11-04 Felix de Giles

8 ran
Non Runner: SOLWAY BAY (self cert - lame)
Distances: nk, 10, 1¼, 29, 12
Breeder: Northmore Stud
Breeding: b g High Estate - Mavourneen (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))
Totes: Win: £19.20; Places: £3.50, £2.10, £1.60; Exacta: £158.70;

Winning trainer:-Name: Ellison, Brian Born: June 28, 1952 Based: Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire, having moved from Low Meadows Farm, Lanchester, County Durham Background: The son of a Tyneside ship builder, Brian was originally obsessed with football. Was told that he was too short for a professional career so he decided to become a jockey, despite the fact that he had never sat on a horse before. Left school at 15 to work for Harry Blackshore before becoming conditional jockey for Mr R. Lambe. In a long career as a jockey (1968-1989), Brian’s greatest success came when he defeated the mighty Tingle Creek in a handicap chase at Worcester in 1976. Started training jump horses in 1989, having previously been with Nigel Tinkler, Don Eddy and Jimmy Fitzgerald. Is married to Claire, who assists him alongside daughter Claire. Date of First Trainer’s Licence: August 1, 1989 Major Flat Wins: November Handicap (2000 Batswing, 2004 Carte Diamond) totesport.com Stakes (2007 Teslin) Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Beefeater Restaurants Handicap Hurdle (2004 Batswing), John Smith’s No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle (2004 Zibeline) Number of Jumps Wins (1990/91-2008/09): 3; 3; 3; 2; 0; 10; 11; 8; 8; 7; 20; 20; 7; 15; 11; 3; 10; 6; 4; Jumps Wins This Season: 8

Winning Jockey: Keith Mercer Born: March 24, 1982 Based: c/o Len Lungo, Hetland Hill Farm, Carrutherstown, Dumfriesshire. Background: Mercer was born at Southport - where his parents ran a farm - but the fledgling jockey embarked on his riding career in Ireland, where he spent two years with Paddy Mullins in County Kilkenny. He had his first success on Torose at Clonmel in February, 2002. Mercer had six wins from about 60 mounts in Ireland before returning to Britain in September, 2003, to ride, initially as an amateur, for Ferdy Murphy's stable near Middleham in North Yorkshire. His first British success was on Lazy But Lively at Sedgefield on Boxing Day that year. After three seasons with Murphy, Mercer went freelance and remains so. His successes include the Scottish Grand National (2005 Joe Edge), Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers' Hurdle (2005 Carly's Quest) at Punchestown and Wetherby's Rowland Meyrick Chase (2004 Trucker's Tavern). First win: Torose, Clonmel, February 2002 First win in Britain: Lazy But Lively, Sedgefield, 26/12/03. Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Champion Standard Open NHF (2008 Honest John) Big Race Wins: Scottish Grand National (2005 Joe’s Edge), Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers’ Hurdle (2005 Carly’s Quest), Rowland Meyrick Chase (2004 Trucker’s Tavern). Wins (2003/04-2008/09): 2; 40; 36; 24; 16; Wins This Season: 14


FOURTH RACE RESULT
1.45pm totesport.com BECHER HANDICAP CHASE (Listed) 3m 2f
£100,000 guaranteed, For 5yo+, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 14th, a winner of a chase 3lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb), Penalty value: 1st £56,330.00 2nd £21,220.00 3rd £10,620.00 4th £5,310.00 5th £2,660.00 6th £1,330.00
1) VIC VENTURI (IRE) (J P Dunne) Dessie Hughes IRE 9-11-12 Paddy Flood 7/1
2) KEENAN'S FUTURE (IRE) (Patrick Kelly) Ian Williams 8-10-06 Jason Maguire 5/1
3) ROYAL ROSA (FR) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 10-10-06 (6lb ow) Denis O'Regan 6/1
4) PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) (Alan Halsall) Charlie Longsdon 6-10-12 Tom Siddall
5) HELLO BUD (IRE) (Seamus Murphy) Nigel Twiston-Davies 11-11-06 Paddy Brennan 10/3 Fav
UR 2nd IDLE TALK (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Donald McCain Jnr 10-10-10 Graham Lee
UR 2nd IRISH RAPTOR (IRE) (Caroline Beresford-Wylie) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-11-2 Tony McCoy
F 17th CLENI BOY (FR) (I Heard It All Before Syndicate) John Daniel Moore IRE 7-9-11 Philip Enright (3)
8 ran
Distances: 5, 2½, 3, 2
Breeder: Mrs P & C Brabazon
Breeding: ch g Old Vic - Carmen Lady (Torus)
Totes: Win: £6.30; Places: £2.20, £1.90, £2.20; Exacta: £50.70

Winning Trainer DESSIE HUGHES Born: October 10, 1943 Based: Osborne Lodge, Kildare, Co Kildare, Ireland Background: A highly successful jockey, Dessie Hughes partnered Davy Lad to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup and returned to Prestbury Park three years later to ride the diminutive Monksfield to victory in the Champion Hurdle. Having always had one eye on the future, Dessie prepared his yard for three years before finally taking out a training licence in 1980 and the winners soon started flowing, including a first Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer when Miller Hall took the 1982 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His yard was struck down by a persistent fungal problem in the late 1980s which resulted in Dessie enduring several years of poor form, but the yard began churning out the winners again in the late 1990's, with horses such as Guest Performance, Rathbawn Prince and Grade One winner Colonel Braxton being standard bearers. But it was Hardy Eustace who provided Hughes with some of his finest hours as a trainer. Owned by long standing patron Lar Byrne, the Archway gelding won the Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival before returning a year later to win the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle under a superbly judged ride from Conor O’Dwyer. Hardy Eustace went on to victory at the Punchestown Festival and returned to Prestbury Park the following year for another win in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, becoming the first horse since Istabraq to successfully defend his crown. Central House became another outstanding performer for Dessie, winning five Grade Two contests as well as a Grade One Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown. More recently, Schindlers Hunt has emerged as another superstar, winning two Grade One events as a novice chaser. Dessie also holds the notable feat of saddling a winner on nine consecutive racing days over the 2006 Christmas period. Cheltenham Festival Wins (5): Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1982 Miller Hill), Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (2003 Hardy Eustace), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (2004 & 2005 Hardy Eustace), Pertemps Final (2005 Oulart) Other Big Race Wins: Coral Ascot Hurdle (2006 & 2007 Hardy Eustace), Durkan New Homes Novice Chase (2006 Schindlers Hunt), Isuzu Chase (2000 Rathbawn Prince), Fortria Chase (2005 Central House), Hilly Way Chase (2005 Central House), Tied Cottage Chase (2006 Central House) Irish Champion Hurdle (2007 Hardy Eustace) Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup (2007 Schindlers Hunt), Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (2002 Hardy Eustace), Punchestown Champion Hurdle (2004 Hardy Eustace), Irish Champion Hurdle (2007 Hardy Eustace), Maplewood Developments Hurdle (2008 Hardy Eustace), totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase (2008 Black Apalachi, 2009 Vic Venturi) Number of Winners in Britain (2002/03-2008/09): 2; 2; 2; 0; 1; 2; 1; Wins this Season (in Britain): 1

Winning Jockey: Paddy Flood Background: Paddy Flood's first victory under Rules came at Tralee in June, 2003, but it was subsequently erased from the record books when the horse, Ballygowan Beauty, was adjudged to have run under the name Bog Road at the Dingle pony racing meeting in August, 2002, an unlicensed meeting. For that infringement, trainer Thomas Walker was deemed a disqualified person for six months and the horse disqualified from all 32 races he ran in an exceptionally busy period from January, 2003, to December, 2004. Flood (born May 6, 1986), who had ridden the horse at Dingle, escaped censure as he was not a licensed jockey at the time. Flood became attached to the Dessie Hughes stable at the Curragh from the age of 16 and in his first season, 2003/2004, had 15 winners and was recognised as one of the best young jockeys around. Able to ride at 9st 12lb, he was soon in demand from other stables too. However, in the next couple of years, as Flood's career in the saddle progressed, his difficulties off the course grew. He split with Dessie Hughes and joined the Edward O'Grady stable in Tipperary, but then opted to take a break from the sport to resolve alcohol problems. Flood returned to action late in 2005 when his mounts included Back In Front, who was making the switch from hurdling to chasing. Flood partnered that horse in the 2006 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, the jockey's first ride at the Cheltenham Festival. For the 2007/08 campaign, Flood left Edward O'Grady at Thurles to move 15 miles down the road to Mouse Morris' stable at Fethard. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Coral Cup (2009 Ninetieth Minute - his first winner in Britain) Other Big Race Wins: Sharp Minds Betfair Novices’ Handicap Chase (2004 Liscannor Lad), Jack Duggan Memorial Hurdle (2004 Classic Note), Midlands National Handicap Chase (2004 Night Busker), Paddy Power Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (2004 Oulart), Guinness Galway Hurdle (2006 Cuan Na Grai), Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle (2008 Venalmar), Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National (2008 Hear The Echo) Wins in Britain this season: 1


FIFTH RACE RESULT
2.20pm PLASTIC DESIGN HANDICAP CHASE 3m 1f
£12,000 guaranteed, For 4yo+ Rated 0-125, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 14th, each chase won 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £7,514.40 2nd £2,220.00 3rd £1,110.00 4th £555.60 5th £277.20 6th £139.20

1) I'MONCLOUDNINE (IRE) (F J Matthews) Neil Mulholland 6-11-01 William Kennedy 9/2
2) FOURTY ACERS (IRE) (David Manning Associates) David Pipe 9-11-09 Danny Cook (3) 3/1 Jt-Fav
3) SILLY WUPPLE (S Smith, K Hunter, P Duffen) Michael Scudamore 7-11-00 John Kington (5) 3/1 Jt-Fav
4) TOP DRESSING (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 8-11-01 Denis O'Regan
5) DARINA'S BOY (Mrs C Steel) Sue Smith 13-10-00 Tjade Collier (3)
P PRESTBURY KNIGHT (The Cheltenham Racing Club) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-07 Paddy Brennan

6 ran
Non Runner: JUSTWHATEVERULIKE (IRE) (self cert - bruised foot)
Distances: 17, 19, 3¾, 2
Breeder: B Kendellen
Breeding: b g Cloudings (IRE) - I’m Maggy (NZ) (Danseur Etoile (FR ))
Totes: Win: £5.80; Places: £2.10, £2.10; Exacta: £22.60

Winning Trainer: NEIL MULHOLLAND Based: Larkinglass Farm, Motcombe, Dorset Background: Born in Ulster, Served a three year apprenticeship with Aidan O’Brien before switching codes to become a National Hunt jockey, riding for trainers such as Eamonn Sheehy, Colm Murphy and Edward O’Grady and finishing second in the Irish champion conditional championship. After 56 successes in Ireland, he came to England in January, 2003, and was initially based with Ferdy Murphy, but a heavy fall at Wetherby in March, 2004, resulted in a shattered leg and broken cheekbone kept him on the sidelines for nine months. He subsequently moved on to Micky Hammond, Alan and Lucy Normile and Sandy Forster before becoming Paul Keane’s retained jockey in 2006. Took out a trainer’s licence in May, 2008, after Keane decided that he “wanted to see the world”. First Winner: Winsley Hill, Morgan Timber Novices’ Hurdle, Uttoxeter, June 8, 2008 Wins (2008-2009): 16; Wins This Season: 9

Winning Jockey: William Kennedy Based: c/o Noel Chance, Berkeley House Stables, Upper Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Background: son of Curragh trainer Vivian Kennedy. His brother, also Vivian, a conditional with Charlie Brooks, died in a fall at Huntingdon in 1988. Made headlines with a remarkable record at Perth, winning on each of his first six rides at the track. Champion conditional for the 2005/06 season. First Winner: La Luna, Kelso, October 18, 2003 First double: 16/05/05, Market Rasen (Seaniethesmuggler, Lanmire Tower) Aintree Festival Wins: totepool Handicap Hurdle (2009 Time For Rupert) Other Big Race Wins Include: betchronicle.com Trophy Handicap Chase (2009 The Sawyer) Wins (2003/04-2008/09): 2; 11; 37; 31; 15; 27; Wins This Season: 5




SIXTH RACE RESULT
2.55pm Christmas Party At Aintree Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
£10,000 guaranteed, For 3yo+ Rated 0-120, Minimum weight 10st, Penalties: after November 14th, each hurdle won 7lb, Penalty value: 1st £6,262.00 2nd £1,850.00 3rd £925.00 4th £463.00 5th £231.00 6th £116.00

1) NATURAL ACTION (Karen Bowen) Peter Bowen 5-10-04 Donal Devereux (5) 5/1
2) SHADOW DANCER (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 4-11-12 Tony McCoy 7/2 Fav
3) ROOKERY REBEL (IRE) (Threasa McAloon) Cormac Farrell IRE 7-10-12 Philip Enright (3) 14/1
4) TURTLE SPIRIT (Distillery Racing Club) Sandra Forster 5-10-08 Keith Mercer
5) SOLWAY ALLY (David Harrison) Lisa Harrison 6-9-12 Ewan Whillans (5)
6) NOMADIC WARRIOR (Carol Lacey) John Holt 4-10-11 Chris Honour (3)
7) BALTIC PATHFINDER (IRE) (John Regan & John Conroy) Sue Smith 5-10-11 Tjade Collier (3)
8) MANSONN LEDA (FR) (Simon & Mark Hubbard Rodwell) Ferdy Murphy 6-10-12 Graham Lee
P OVERTLY BLUE (FR) (M W Harris) Steve Wynne 7-10-06 Aidan Coleman
P PADDY LIVE (FR) (A Barnes) Ian Williams 6-11-05 Jason Maguire
P DARK GENTLEMAN (A Slack & R Lyle) Dianne Sayer 6-10-09 Denis O'Regan

11 ran
Non Runner: KING FONTAINE (IRE) (self cert - bad scope)
Distances: 8, 2½, 2¼, 14, 26, 7, dist
Breeder: Darley
Breeding: b g Diktat - Naskhi (Nashwan)
Totes: Win: £6.60; Places: £2.50; £1.70; £3.00; Exacta: £38.50

Winning Trainer: PETER BOWEN Based: Yet-Y-Rhug, Letterston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales Background: Born on June 9, 1958, Peter Bowen is married to Karen and has three sons, Michael, Sean and James. The son of a haulier and a village postmistress, Bowen trains at Letterston near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and took out his first trainer’s licence in 1995, having previously been a livery yard proprietor and hugely successful point-to-point handler. He won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton the following November with Dreams End and the same horse took the Kingwell Hurdle at the Somerset course in February, 1997. A big race hat-trick was completed by Dreams End in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock later in the same year. Another horse that he did well with early in his training career was Iffee, whom he saddled to win the Durham National at Sedgefield in 1996. The 1996/1997 campaign saw Bowen set a modern-day record with Stately Home, winner of 10 races that season. More recently, he captured the Badger Ales Handicap Chase at Wincanton in both 2002 and 2003 with Swansea Bay and the same horse won the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock, also in 2003. His stable stars have included Take The Stand, who was second to Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and finished fifth in the 2006 renewal. Peter’s biggest success to date came when Snoopy Loopy won the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, 2008. Date of First Licence: 1995 Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Topham Chase (2007 Dunbrody Millar), John Smith’s Extra Smooth H’cap Hurdle (1999 Kinnescash), John Smith’s No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle (2005 Genghis) Other Major Wins Include: Badger Beer Chase (2002, 2003 Swansea Bay), Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (1997 Stately Home), Edward Hanmer Chase (2003 Swansea Bay), Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle (2005 Genghis), Ballymore Properties Challow Novices’ Hurdle (2007 Souffleur), Betfair Chase (2008 Snoopy Loopy) Number of Winners (1995/96-2008/09): 7; 33; 38; 32; 25; 8, 10, 18, 38; 40; 41; 73; 41; 44; Winners this Season: 25

Winning Jockey: Donal Devereux Based: c/o Peter Bowen, Yet-Y-Rhug, Letterston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales Background: Began riding as an amateur in 2007 in Ireland and Britain, before becoming conditional jockey for Peter Bowen in June, 2009. First Ride in Britain: King Kasyapa (thirteenth), Bollinger Champagne Challenge Series Handicap for Amateur Gentlemen Riders, Windsor, August 6, 2007 First Winner (Jumps): Take The Stand, Montpelier Re Hunters' Chase, Newbury, March 28, 2008 Jumps Wins (2007/08-08/09): 2; 12 Jumps Wins This Season: 14



END

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