Tuesday, February 25, 2003
LATEST TOTE ANTE-POST PRICES
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE (Cheltenham, 11th March 2003)
2 Rhinestone Cowboy, 4 Intersky Falcon, 11-2 Rooster Booster, 8 Davenport Millenium, 9 Like-A-Butterfly, 10 Flame Creek, 16 Hors La Loi III, 20 Landing Light, Westender, 25 Adamant Approach, Santenay, 33 Copeland, In Contrast, Lavron, Scottish Memories, 50 Bar
IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE (Cheltenham 11th March 2003)
2 Azertyuiop, 6 Adamant Approach, 7 Farmer Jack, Impek, 10 Bust Out, 12 Isio, 14 Hand Inn Hand, 16 Le Roi Miguel, Vol Solitaire, 20 Soltero, 25 Byron Lamb, Golden Alpha, Stage Affair, 33 Alexander Milenium, Got One Too, 40 Tresor Preziniere, 50 Bar
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (Cheltenham, 12th March 2003)
2 Moscow Flyer, 9-2 Cenkos, 6 Kadarann, 8 Edredon Bleu, Tiutchev, 9 Flagship Uberalles, 12 Lady Cricket, Native Upmanship, Seebald, 20 Latalomne, Young Devereaux, 25 Dark N Sharp, Geos, 33 Turgeonev, 40 Redemption, 50 Bar
ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE CHASE (Cheltenham 12th March 2003)
3 Keen Leader, 4 Jair Du Cochet 5 It Takes Time, 10 Joss Naylor, Le Coudray, Tarxien, 14 Barrow Drive, One Knight, Montalcino,16 Iris Royal, Telemoss, 20 Stormez, 25 Ask The Natives, Bold Investor, First Love, Rule Supreme, Stars Out Tonight, The Premier Cat, 33 Hedgehunter, Hersov, Irish Hussar, Lord Jack, Lucky Bay, One Night Out, Over The Storm, Placid Man, Skippers Cleuch, The Bajan Bandit, 40 Bar
TRIUMPH HURDLE (Cheltenham 13th March 2003)
5 Don Fernando, 7 Well Chief, 10 Golden Cross, 12 Moneytrain, Saintsaire,16 Lilium De Cotte, Mutineer, Nas Na Riogh, Old California, 20 Smugglers Song, 25 Andy Gin, Bal De Nuit, Bareme, Bongo Fury, East Tycoon, Fortune Island, Mistanoora, Mughas, 33 Bellaficient, Dashing Home, Entisag, Fantastic Champion, Far Pavillions, Kenilworth, Liberthine, Maldoun, Party Airs, Red Wine, Spectroscope, Starzaan, Statim, The Last Cast, 40 Bar
BONUSPRINT STAYERS HURDLE (Cheltenham, 13th March 2003)
11-8 Baracouda, 11-4 Limestone Lad, 5 Classified, 9 Galileo, 10 Iris's Gift, 16 Brother Joe, Deano's Beano, Laveron, Native Emperor, 33 Crazy Horse, Over The Bar, Stromness, Sudden Shock, 40 Bar
TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (Cheltenham, 13th March 2003) 11-8 Best Mate, 4 Beef or Salmon, 9 Hussards Collonges, 12 Commanche Court, 16 Behrajan, Chives, Keen Leader, See More Business, 25 Colonel Braxton, It Takes Time, Marlborough, Rince Ri, 33 Cyfor Malta, First Gold, Fondmort, Harbour Pilot, Le Coudray, Truckers Tavern, 40 Bar
LINCOLN HANDICAP (Doncaster 22nd March)
7 Adiemus, 9 Pablo, 10 Certain Justice, 16 Akshar, Halland, Selective, Zucchero, 20 Gallant Boy, Island Light, Jabaar, Lingo, Nimello, Norton, Sahaat, Scotty's Future, Smirk, 25 Albuhera, Atlantic Ace, Atlantic Rhapsody, Bougainville, Cape Town, Colisay, Cornelius, Dumaran, Golden Chaliace, Highland Reel, Incline, Internationalguest, Passing Glance, Pentecost, Pulau Tioman, Rapscallion, The Judge, Thihn, 33 Bar
MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL (Aintree 5th APRIL)
12 Ad Hoc, Chives, 16 Gingembre, 20 Bindaree, Carbury Cross, Gunner Welburn, Hussards Collonges, Iris Bleu, Mini Sensation, Monty's Pass, Shotgun Willy, 25 Ardent Scout, Behrajan, Carbury Cross, Gunther McBride, Kingsmark, Marlborough, Rince Ri, Southern Star, Stormez, Take Control, 28 Foxchapel King, 33 Bar
VODAFONE DERBY (Epsom 7th June)
7 Brian Boru, 16 Dalakhani, Hold That Tiger, Refuse to Bend, 20 Alberto Giacometti, Chevalier, Lanteen Sails, New South Wales, 25 Marino Marini, Powerscourt, Spartacus, Statue of Liberty, Van Nistelrooy, 33 Bar
TONY MARTIN AND TIMMY MURPHY APPEALS LODGED
Trainer, Tony Martin and jockey, Timmy Murphy have lodged Appeals against the decision of the Acting Stewards at Naas on Sunday 23rd February, 2003 when following the running of the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Steeplechase Martin was fined 1000 euros and the horse Davids Lad was suspended for 42 days because the Stewards were of the opinion that the racecourse had been used as a training ground. The Jockey was suspended for seven racedays for making insufficient effort.
A date for the hearing has not yet been determined.
CHELTENHAM TO WATER AHEAD OF THE FESTIVAL
Cheltenham Racecourse will today (Tuesday, February 25) start a watering programme which will see 12 millimetres (approximately half an inch) put on the old and new courses, both of which are used during the three-day National Hunt Festival next month.
The watering is a precautionary measure to maintain the ground on the easy side of good.
Cheltenham has had only 12 millimetres of rain in the last four weeks and this, together with a week's worth of frost culminating with temperatures dropping to minus 5C on Friday, has meant that the courses have been drying out.
The going on both courses before the watering commenced was good, good to firm in places, and Cheltenham, which has missed forecast rain before, is taking sensible precautions to keep the ground on the easy side of good.
The long-range weather forecast suggests that there will be mild temperatures next week, with occasional bands of rain, and the following week, when the Festival is staged on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 11, 12 & 13, is likely to be fairly dry.
The watering programme, which will take two and a half days to complete, will use water from Cheltenham Racecourse's own reservoir which is currently full.
Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, commented today: "Preparations for the Festival are going very well. The two courses, which have been fertilised, are in excellent shape and have come through some very cold weather in pleasing condition.
"The one worry has been the amount of rain that we will receive before the Festival. It has been looking like that this might not be enough to have the ground on the easy side of good which is always our aim.
"There is also the risk of the forecast rain not materialising and we need to start watering now to have maximum impact.
"We then have the option of watering again next week. Whether we do so depends on what the weather does and on the forecasts."
COUNTRYSIDE DAY AT WINCANTON
Wincanton Racecourse follows up its biggest day of the season, the Wessex Racing Festival, with Countryside Day on Thursday, March 6.
The Wessex Racing Festival on Saturday, February 15, featured high-class racing, with Jonjo O'Neill's exciting prospect Rhinestone Cowboy jumping to the head of the ante-post market for Cheltenham's Smurfit Champion Hurdle after his impressive success in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle and the evergreen 13-year-old See More Business recording his second win in the Country Gentlemen's Association Chase to put himself on schedule for his fifth attempt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup - the Cheltenham race he won in 1999 and finished third in last season.
Countryside Day at Wincanton features a seven-race programme, beginning at 12.45pm with the richest contest of the day - the £20,000-added TOMMY WALLIS HANDICAP HURDLE over two miles which has doubled in value since last year. This competitive contest will be broadcast live on the Channel 4 attheraces lunchtime programme and was won 12 months ago by the David Gandolfo-trained Candarli. Ladbrokes sponsor this race in memory of the late Tommy Wallis, who was a director of Wincanton Racecourse.
Race two is the £8,000-added EVENING DOUBLE NOVICES' CHASE (1.15pm) over two miles and five furlongs. Some useful performers have won this contest in the past, including Eau De Cologne in 2000 and the Paul Nicholls-trained Bengers Moor in 1998. Last season outsider Tomich caused a 40/1 upset.
The next race on the card is the £5,000-added BRADSONS EVENT SERVICES MAIDEN HURDLE (1.45pm) over two miles. Always a popular race with trainers, this event is usually run in two divisions. In 2002, Paul Nicholls landed one division with Santenay, who has gone on to prove himself a high-class performer over timber this season, with an excellent second in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and victories in the Free Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow and in the Grade Two K J Pike & Sons Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.
Next on the agenda is the best steeplechase of the day, the £12,000-added WINCANTON PLC SHOWCASE HANDICAP CHASE (2.20pm) over two miles and five furlongs. This race is usually a competitive affair and has been landed by some good performers in recent years, with the most notable victor being Senor El Betrutti in 1997.
It's over to the amateurs for the fifth race of the day, the DICK WOODHOUSE HUNTERS' CHASE over three miles, one and a half furlongs which is followed by the ROY HANNEY MEMORIAL HANDICAP HURDLE (3.30pm) over two miles and six furlongs.
Concluding the day is the WINCANTON MAIDEN OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (4.05pm) over two miles.
Stephen Higgins, General Manager at Wincanton, said: "We were absolutely thrilled with the way the Wessex Racing Festival went on February 15. Rhinestone Cowboy's success in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle was truly breathtaking while See More Business' second victory in the Country Gentlemen's Association Chase almost brought the roof down. I would like to thank all the staff at Wincanton for their great efforts to ensure that racing went ahead following the frost in the morning.
"Countryside Day on March 6 offers racegoers some good quality racing in a relaxed, informal atmosphere with other activities in addition to the horseracing."
LOTS OF COUNTRY FUN AT WINCANTON
There will be a distinct country theme at Wincanton's next fixture on Thursday, March 6, 2003, which has been designated COUNTRYSIDE DAY.
The action starts at 11.30am with terrier racing in the parade ring. Anyone who wishes to bring along a terrier to race is free to do so, but they must be returned to the car park by 12.30pm as dogs are not permitted on the racecourse once racing has begun.
In addition to both terrier and horseracing, ferrets will also be competing with ferret racing going on throughout the day on the Tattersalls Lawn.
At 12.55pm, after the first race, a parade of the Pimpernel Beagles will take place while the Foxhounds of the Blackmore Vale get their chance to parade at 2.55pm.
Racing begins at 12.45pm with the TOMMY WALLIS HANDICAP HURDLE at 12.45pm, with the seventh and final race of the day, the WINCANTON MAIDEN OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE, due off at 4.05pm.
Admission charges for Countryside Day are Club Enclosure £15 (17-25s with ID £10), Tattersalls Enclosure £10 (17-25s with ID £8), Course Enclosure £6 and cars parked in the Course Enclosure £6. Other parking is FREE. Children aged 16 and under, accompanied by a responsible adult, gain FREE admission to all enclosures. The gates open at 10.30am.
There are lots of facilities at Wincanton to help ensure that racegoers are able to thoroughly enjoy their afternoon at the friendly Somerset racecourse. Wincanton offers snack bars in every enclosure and a choice of seven public bars, including the "See More Business" bar, which also offers seafood, in the Club Enclosure and is named after the Paul Nicholls-trained 1999 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, who was successful at Wincanton's last raceday in the Country Gentlemen's Association Chase.
The excellent restaurant overlooking the paddock needs to be booked in advance by contacting the racecourse. The indoor viewing gallery with seats, opposite the winning post in the Club Enclosure, provides good viewing in a warm environment and has a bar and snack bar.
Wincanton is also scheduled to race on Thursday, March 20, when the first race is at 2.00pm.
BETFAIR SIGN DEAL WITH REDSNAPPERS
Betfair, the company revolutionizing betting, has signed up the marketing services of photography agency REDSNAPPERS (www.red-snappers.com) to maximize the branding benefits of their sponsorship events.
REDSNAPPERS photograph targeted customers of their client and then email the photos to those potential customers. The recipients view the results on the REDSNAPPERS website and are offered the Betfair-branded photos free of charge. The pick-up rate since REDSNAPPERS commenced the service in September 2001 has been an impressive 70%. In the case of this deal, any customer who clicks on the link to www.betfair.com is eligible for a cash deposit incentive.
Mark Davies, Betfair's Director of Communications, said, "At Kempton races last Friday, where Betfair sponsored 3 of the races, REDSNAPPERS' innovative service gave us another branding channel. The customer data they collected also made our sponsorship of the day more quantifiable in terms of customer acquisition. Photographs are emotive and any association with the Betfair brand is positive."
John Russell, REDSNAPPERS' Marketing Director, said, "Everyone likes having their picture taken, all the more so if that photo is delivered to them free of charge. By sponsoring their memento as well as the event, companies such as Betfair are able to maintain a relationship with a customer beyond the day itself."
KATE HILLS APPOINTED HEAD OF MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS AT ARENA LEISURE
Arena Leisure has promoted Kate Hills to Head of Marketing and Public Relations for the racing division within the group.
Ted Taylor, Chief Operating Officer for Arena's Racecourses said "For the past fifteen months Kate's role has been the Sales and Marketing Manager for Lingfield Park and Folkestone Racecourses and has done a great job. I'm delighted to be able to announce this promotion and think that Kate has a great future within Arena Leisure and the racing industry".
Career Profile:
Kate has a wealth of experience in marketing, racing and publicity joining Arena as marketing manager at Lingfield and Folkestone racecourses from Plumpton racecourse where she held a similar role. Her background includes 3 years at the BBC mainly as PA to the Head of Corporate Communications in the press and publicity office - a fabulous insight into how the media works, and great introduction to TV and radio production. Other posts have included promotions and publicity executive for Mecca Leisure, various public relations and journalistic assignments, including a brief spell with The Racing Channel, and events organiser and manager for Andrew Reid's equine & law businesses.
Kate grew up in a family where horses and racing came first. She has seen racing from just about every angle and still believes it is one of the most exciting and colourful sports. She has held an amateur riders license for the past 20 years, with the exception of 1996 when, following a bad fall where she broke her back, Kate proved her determination to continue riding and was subsequently granted a flat license. Unfortunately, an extremely busy work schedule has recently made it difficult to continue race riding.
Riding achievements include the Point to Point South East Ladies Championship in 1990 and 1991, runner up in 1992 and equal third in the Daily Telegraph National Championship with a total of 35 winners and numerous placed rides. Kate is proud to have ridden at most of the top courses over jumps and on the flat including Cheltenham, Sandown, Kempton, Newbury, Doncaster, Huntingdon, Windsor, Lingfield, Wolverhampton and Folkestone. Best horse - Prince Zeus - whom Kate rode to victory 15 times in open point-to points.
During the past fifteen months Kate has put in a tremendous effort marketing Arena's two most southern courses. She said :
"It had been a very interesting & positive 15 months.. . . . . .
"The polytrack has been one of the most exciting and successful developments in racing for many years and Lingfield Park has led the way into a new era of racing - it is fantastic to see such quality horses and maximum fields so regularly at the Surrey course. The profile of all weather racing has improved beyond all recognition and it consistently and reliably provides great excitement for both seasoned, and first time race-goers.
"Folkestone racecourse has turned a corner over the last year with a significant increase in crowd figures, and new interest and support from local companies. It is soon to begin a thorough refurbishment to modernise areas and improve facilities."
Looking ahead -
Kate said: "In my opinion, the sport has lacked vision in recent years and has only recently begun to see just what is required to compete successfully in the leisure industry. We've got to listen to what our customers want, enhance the appeal to a younger and wider audience and realise that they can only come racing when they have leisure time.
"One of the reasons I came to Arena is because I see them as a young forward thinking company that has been prepared to try and lead the industry forward and I wanted to be part of that. We have a variety of courses and I see them as completely individual with their own distinct appeal. It's a new position and obviously a huge challenge but I am very much looking forward to making a success of it."
BIG TRIFECTA POOL EXPECTED AT CHEPSTOW
The Tote are expecting the Trifecta pool on tomorrows lunchtime race (the 12.45 from Chepstow) to reach around £25,000 after a freak 1-2-3 in the 12.45 from Catterick saw the bet go unwon this afternoon and £9,355 rollover to tomorrow.
"Buckskin Lad at 33-1 led the Trifecta combination home this afternoon, and despite Jim Bell the 7-2 favourite finishing second, even the most ambitious of punters weren't going to have included the other 33-1 chance Menelak Lord in their Trifecta combinations," said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott.
"Trifecta rollovers are a rare occurrence but always generate some punting excitement and we estimate we'll get over £25,000 in the pool tomorrow afternoon."
SKY BET SET TO SUPPORT CHANNEL 4 RACES AT NEWBURY
SATURDAY 1st MARCH 2003
Channel 4 2.25pm Skybet.com Handicap Steeple chase – 3 miles
Channel 4 3.00pm 08000 722421 Freephone Betting From Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle – 2miles f
Sky Bet and Newbury racecourse are pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement for Saturday 1st March 2003 when Sky Bet will sponsor 2 of the feature races of a high quality card of National Hunt racing. Both races will be covered live on Channel 4.
The main feature race of the programme will be the 08000 722421 Freephone Betting From Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle run over 2 miles 1/2f for prize money of 20,000 (off time 3-00pm). Sky Bet will also sponsor the skybet.com Handicap Steeple Chase at 2-25pm run over 3miles with prize money of 15,000.
Mark Kershaw, Managing Director of Newbury Racecourse, was pleased to welcome a new sponsor to Newbury.
"We are delighted to welcome Sky Bet to Newbury Racecourse for their first sponsorship on Saturday 1st March and look forward to developing a long and successful relationship together"
Dale Tempest, Sky Bet Media Relations Manager was equally enthusiastic. " At Sky Bet we have rapidly grown our race sponsorship portfolio therefore the chance to sponsor at one of the countries premier racecourses was to good to miss."
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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