Monday, February 2, 2004

HIGH-CLASS NOVICE HURDLES ADD FURTHER SPICE TO FESTIVAL

The Festival's opening race on Tuesday, March 16, the LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE, which is sponsored by Cheltenham's long-term caterers for the first time this year, has 106 entries. The ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE NOVICES' HURDLE, run on Wednesday, March 17, has 113 horses entered while the JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE, the championship for four-year-olds on Thursday, March 18, has a record 125 horses engaged.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Lingo is currently favourite for the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle following his success in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown while the 30-strong entry from Ireland includes Mariah Rollins, winner of the Grade 1 Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 27. There are also three entries from France and one from Germany.

Smurfit Champion Hurdle entry Inglis Drever is more likely to run in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle, for which he will be a warm order following two impressive wins. His possible rivals include the 2003 Weatherbys Champion Bumper second Trabolgan, and intriguingly the Paul Nicholls-trained Cornish Rebel could take on his year-younger half-brother Inexorable, winner of his last three starts in Ireland for owner Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair chief executive. Both horses are also siblings of dual Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate. Ireland's 35 entries also include Watson Lake, winner of the Grade 3 Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 25.

The record 125 JCB Triumph Hurdle entries, which beats the previous highest number of 123 in 2001, include the Alan King-trained Trouble At Bay, winner of his last four starts, most recently the Steel Plate Trial Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, Mondul, who landed the Wragge & Co Finesse Junior Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 24, while the seven entries from France include Val Du Don and Meryl, who finished second and third in that event. Among the 38 Irish-trained entries is Hasanpour, who carries the same Gay Smith colours worn to victory by Spectroscope in 2003. Charlie Swan's charge, bought for 150,000 guineas at Tattersalls Sales in October, scored by 10 lengths on his hurdling debut at Cork on January 18. There are a string of other expensive sales purchases entered including the Howard Johnson-trained Astronomic and Rayshan, purchased by Graham Wylie respectively for 190,000gns and 140,000gns and yet to run over hurdles, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Englishtown, who cost 130,000gns and is also untested over hurdles, while better is expected from the Paul Nicholls-trained Kjetil, who cost 170,000 euros at Goffs France but was only fifth on his debut.

The maximum number of runners for each of these three championship races drops this year to 24 from 28 following a pre-season review of safety factors.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: "The championship novice hurdles begin each day of the National Hunt Festival in great fashion and we look forward to three exciting events this year."


For further information, please contact Edward Gillespie or Peter McNeile, the Commercial Manager, on 01242 513014.

THE LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE

Grade 1, Tuesday, March 16, 2004, total prize fund £100,000, two miles and about half a furlong, for novice four-year-olds and upwards. Weights 4-y-o 11st, 5-y-o and upwards 11st 7lb, fillies and mares allowance 7lb. Entries closed January 28, 2003 (106 entries), entries released, Monday, February 2, forfeit stage February 24. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including Friday, January 30, 2004. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
22-1115 ACCORDION ETOILE (IRE) 5 Banjo Syndicate Paul Nolan IRE
ADIOS (GER) 5 Ian Dalgleish Peter Niven
323 AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE) 6 U McElroy Noel Meade IRE
162115 ALBUHERA (IRE) 6 David & F A Jackson Paul Nicholls
523 ALL ROCK HARD (NZ) 6 Paul Beck Richard Guest
22S-215 ARCH STANTON (IRE) 6 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
4 ARIMERO (GER) 4 Robert Sinclair Charlie Swan IRE
10- BACK TO BEN ALDER (IRE) 7 Bridget Hanbury Nicky Henderson
(3) BELUGA (IRE) 5 Malcolm Denmark Mark Pitman
112 BIG MOMENT 6 R Doel, A Black,Dr J Howells & D Broad Amanda Perrett
04-2121 BOLD BISHOP (IRE) 7 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
116-123 BOURBON MANHATTAN 6 A Longman, T Warner, R Devereux & Ptnrs Alan King
0011-11 BRAVE INCA (IRE) 6 Novices Syndicate Colin Murphy IRE
21 CARDENAS (GER) 5 Stall Cohiba-Bar Mario Hofer GER
3-621 CASH AND CARRY (IRE) 6 Edward Wallace Edward O'Grady IRE
1- CELTIC SON (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
CHOCKDEE (FR) 4 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
4112-1 CLOUDY GREY (IRE) 7 Mrs J Lavelle & Mrs A Hepworth Emma Lavelle
3111 CONTRABAND 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
123 COOLDINE KING (IRE) 5 Mary O'Connor Paul Webber
430121 DAD'S ELECT (GER) 5 A Morton Charlie Mann
00-5110 DEAUVILLE (IRE) 6 Paul McMahon Michael Halford IRE
12 DEMOPHILOS 6 Athos Christodoulou Dessie Hughes IRE
2 DICTUM (GER) 6 Gerard Nock Susan Nock
52 DILEER (IRE) 5 Court Roof Tiling Ltd David Wintle
10-225 DIZZY'S DREAM (IRE) 6 Kevin O'Sullivan Noel Meade IRE
3-412 EASTER PRESENT (IRE) 5 Mrs R Humphries Henrietta Knight
ELECTRIQUE (IRE) 4 Paul Dixon Jamie Osborne
13 EMANIC (FR) 4 Million in Mind Partnership Alan King
11512 EURO LEADER (IRE) 6 John Cox Willie Mullins IRE
11 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 4 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
FABULOUS JET (FR) 4 Malcolm Edwards Venetia Williams
555-121 FIRST DIPLOMA (IRE) 7 Samuel Hegarty Noel Meade IRE
131 FLEET STREET 5 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
FLYING WANDA 4 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
FONTANESI (IRE) 4 David Johnson Martin Pipe
22 FOOL ON THE HILL 7 Louisville Syndicate Philip Hobbs
FOOLS RUSH IN (IRE) 5 M Kelleher Robert Tyner IRE
212 GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) 5 Million in Mind Partnership Paul Nicholls
0-421 GEILL SLI (IRE) 6 Mrs B McKinney Noel Meade IRE
612-2 GODS TOKEN 6 The Silver Cod Partnership Venetia Williams
GOLDEN REWARD (SAF) 6 Peter Deal Venetia Williams
43/10-1 GOVAMIX 6 Sean Mulryan Dermot Weld IRE
31 GRANDE JETE (SAF) 7 Lee Westwood, Chubby Chandler, Jeremy Hindley Nicky Henderson
GRYFFINDOR 6 Padraic Maloney Pat Flynn IRE
1 HASANPOUR (IRE) 4 Gay Smith Charlie Swan IRE
1214 HOWLE HILL (IRE) 4 J Brown, R Benton, R Devereux, R Lucas Alan King
HUXLEY (IRE) 5 Ms C Hehir Philip Hobbs
11U500 ISLAND STREAM (IRE) 5 Mark Apps John Jenkins
0/110-51 JOHN OLIVER (IRE) 6 P Lehane Edward O'Grady IRE
1110 KADOUNT (FR) 6 Elite Racing Club Alan King
0-1314U KAHUNA (IRE) 7 Roisin Sheehy Eammon Sheehy IRE
5 KJETIL (USA) 4 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls
P/P0-1 KOCEANE (FR) 6 Martin Pipe Martin Pipe
LACDOUDAL (FR) 5 Mrs R Skan Philip Hobbs
42-2112 LE PASSING (FR) 5 Hon Mrs Townshend & J Townshend Paul Nicholls
04-5 LECHE BOTTES (FR) 5 Martin Pipe Martin Pipe
602 LIBERIA (FR) 5 Mrs T Brown Nicky Henderson
1/121-1P LIBERMAN (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
121 LINGO (IRE) 5 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
66- LITTLE ENAM (IRE) 8 R K Carvill Charles Egerton
1441 LOCKSMITH 4 David Johnson Martin Pipe
P LUSTRAL DU SEUIL (FR) 5 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
31 MAN ON THE NILE (IRE) 4 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
1-21121 MARIAH ROLLINS (IRE) 6 Gone West Racing Syndicate Pat Fahy IRE
211-13 MARK THE MAN (IRE) 7 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
13-2225 MISTER MUSTARD (IRE) 7 Favourites Racing Ian Williams
53-3115 MON VILLEZ (FR) 5 Million in Mind Partnership Nicky Henderson
MOROZOV (USA) 5 Terry Ramsden Conrad Allen
11 MY WILL (FR) 4 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
21124 NATHOS (GER) 7 John Davies & John Trickett Charlie Mann
543-162 NAWAMEES (IRE) 6 Paul Stamp Gary Moore
F NOSTRADAMUS (USA) 5 Joseph Kelly Kahlil Burke IRE
11 OUNDLE SCOUNDREL (FR) 5 J Phelippon Yann Porzier FR
3/211-1 PADDY THE PIPER (IRE) 7 Ray & Anita Anderson Green Len Lungo
30 PAGAN DANCE (IRE) 5 The Gap Partnership Amanda Perrett
022 PAK JACK (FR) 4 Mme G Vuillard Christophe Aubert FR
1 PARKNASILLA 4 Lady Bland Mick Easterby
3-35011 PEDINA (IRE) 6 Third Avenue Syndicate Ger Lyons IRE
03011F PERLE DE PUCE (FR) 5 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
31 POP ART (FR) 4 J L Tepper Christophe Aubert FR
RAYSHAN (IRE) 4 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
101-21 ROYAL ALPHABET (IRE) 6 Ballylinch Stud Willie Mullins IRE
1 SADLERS WINGS (IRE) 6 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
0-10211 SALHOOD 5 J B Webb Steve Gollings
SAMANDARA (FR) 4 Miss J Bodycote Alan King
2/- SCORNED (GER) 9 Kingsclere Stud Andrew Balding
5 SIMOUN (IRE) 6 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
SINDAPOUR (IRE) 6 Mary Burke Martin Pipe
1-11 STEPPES OF GOLD (IRE) 7 Independent Twine Manufacturing Co Ltd Nicky Richards
TACITUS (IRE) 4 Nozzie Boys Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
12 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 4 The Arthur White Partnership Martin Pipe
111331 THESIS (IRE) 6 The 1961 Partnership Venetia Williams
222-F11 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 6 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
41111 TROUBLE AT BAY (IRE) 4 Nigel Bunter Alan King
6-11214 TUPPENNY CODY (IRE) 5 Mrs A Mee Tony Mullins IRE
41 TUSK 4 Hogarth Racing Henrietta Knight
23 VINTAGE PREMIUM 7 Jeff Parsons Richard Fahey
20110 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
10-2211 WATSON LAKE (IRE) 6 John Corr Noel Meade IRE
3F22 WET LIPS (AUS) 6 Concertina Racing Three Richard Guest
4 WHISPERED SECRET (GER) 5 D Levine Richard Guest
113-10 WIDEMOUTH BAY (IRE) 6 Mrs J Deithrick Philip Hobbs
YAKIMOV (USA) 5 B E T Partnership David Wintle
1345 ZIBELINE (IRE) 7 Ashley Carr Brian Ellison
61-010 ZUM SEE (IRE) 5 Alex Syndicate Noel Meade IRE

106 entries, 30 Irish-trained, 3 French-trained, 1 German-trained


LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle was known as the Gloucestershire Hurdle until 1974. Capel Cure Sharp backed the contest for a first time in 2000 and the company, which became Gerrard Wealth Management, supported the race until 2003. Racecourse caterers Letheby & Christopher this year become the sixth sponsor since the initial backer Lloyds Bank in 1974.

2. The Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the only race at the Festival to have been divided. From 1946-1971, it divided on no less than 25 occasions. In 1963 and 1946 there were even three divisions.

3. The oldest horse to have won was 12-year-old Beau Caprice in 1966 (Div One).

4. The 1993 winner, Montelado, holds a unique position in the history of the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham. He is the only horse to have won consecutive races at the Festival, through winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 1992, the last race of that year's meeting, and returning to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 1993, 12 months later, the first race of that year's meeting.

5. The Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle has thrown up one winner of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and two winners of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. L'Escargot won in 1968, before consecutive Gold Cup triumphs in 1970 and 1971. Bula won in 1970, before Champion Hurdle victories in 1971 and 1972 while the 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III won the novices' event in 1999.

6. The race has been won by Irish-trained raiders on no less than 34 occasions, and by the French once. Of the 16 divisions of the race from 1952-9, Vincent O'Brien won 10. Irish also kept a stranglehold on the race for seven years from 1977-83 and have won four of the five latest runnings

7. The smallest field was in 1950, with nine runners in Division 1, and the largest, 30 runners, for both Harry Hastings' win in 1985 and French Ballerina in 1998.

8. Since the race ceased to be divided, jockeys have found the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle difficult to win. Tony McCoy, successful on Hors La Loi III in 1999, is the only one of the last four champion jockeys to have scored in this particular contest, and only Charlie Swan (1993 and 2002), Tommy Carmody (1980 and 1983) and Niall Madden (1978 and 1981) have been successful twice.

9. The longest-priced winner was Arctic Kinsman at 50/1 in 1994. The shortest-priced winners at 4/9 were Tsaoko in 1950 and Flyingbolt in 1964.

10. The fastest time for the winning horse was achieved by Montelado in 1993 at 3 mins 50.6 secs. French Ballerina came close to that record in 1998 when her time was 3 mins 50.9 secs.

THE ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE NOVICES' HURDLE

Class A, Grade One, Total Prize Fund £100,000, Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Two Miles, and Five Furlongs. For Novice Four-Year-Olds and upwards. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 13lb; five-year-olds and upwards 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Entries closed Wednesday, January 28, 2003. Entries revealed Monday, February 2, 2004 (113 entries). Forfeit stage Tuesday, February 24, 2004. Five-day confirmation stage Friday, March 12, 2004. Final declaration stage 10.15am, Tuesday, March 16, 2004. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 30, 2004. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
32 A GLASS IN THYNE (IRE) 6 J B Dale Ben Pollock
3-31211 ACCIPITER 5 Bridget Swire Toby Balding
323 AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE) 6 U McElroy Noel Meade IRE
110244 ALWAYS 5 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
43 AMMONIAS (GER) 5 J E Brown & P Randall Charlie Mann
1F3 ATTORNEY GENERAL (IRE) 5 Wally Sturt Jim Old
112 BIG MOMENT 6 R Doel, A Black, Dr J Howells & D Broad Amanda Perrett
116-123 BOURBON MANHATTAN 6 A Longman, T Warner, R Devereux & Ptnrs Alan King
0011-11 BRAVE INCA (IRE) 6 Novices Syndicate Colin Murphy IRE
1322- BREWSTER (IRE) 7 Mr & Mrs John Poynton Ian Williams
02-5 CAPTAIN FLINDERS (IRE) 7 P M Warren Henrietta Knight
21 CARDENAS (GER) 5 Stall Cohiba-Bar Mario Hofer GER
3-621 CASH AND CARRY (IRE) 6 Edward Wallace Edward O'Grady IRE
1- CELTIC SON (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
131335 CHAMPAGNE HARRY 6 Gavin MacEchern Nigel Twiston-Davies
101-24 CLASSIC NATIVE (IRE) 6 Ray & Sue Dodd Partnership Jonjo O'Neill
4112-1 CLOUDY GREY (IRE) 7 Mrs J R Lavelle & Mrs A Hepworth Emma Lavelle
451044 CLOUNTIES HILL (IRE) 7 Ilen Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
01//40-41 COLLIER COUNTY (IRE) 9 Sue Magnier Edward O'Grady IRE
1121 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe
3111 CONTRABAND 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
115-134 CONTROL MAN (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
5P-1 COPSALE LAD 7 Swallow Partnership Nicky Henderson
10-11 CORNISH REBEL (IRE) 7 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
200F-13 COSMOCRAT 6 Peter J. Douglas Engineering Robert Stronge
226112 CRIAIRE PRINCESS (IRE) 6 Paul Cleary Eugene Cleary IRE
430121 DAD'S ELECT (GER) 5 Bob Morton Charlie Mann
53-1 DANTYS HAMPSHIRE (IRE) 7 Kilmeadan Racing Syndicate Sean Aherne IRE
00-5110 DEAUVILLE (IRE) 6 Paul J McMahon Michael Halford IRE
11 DEEP RETURN (IRE) 7 John Corr Noel Meade IRE
2 DICTUM (GER) 6 Gerard Nock Susan Nock
52 DILEER (IRE) 5 Court Roof Tiling Ltd David Wintle
10-225 DIZZY'S DREAM (IRE) 6 Kevin C O'Sullivan Noel Meade IRE
EASTER OGIL (IRE) 9 Mark Savill Jane Southcombe
3-412 EASTER PRESENT (IRE) 5 Mrs R A Humphries Henrietta Knight
10-33 EL VAQUERO (IRE) 6 T M Curtis Henrietta Knight
60P- EPITRE (FR) 7 Let's Live Racing Milton Harris
15-1132 ERIC'S CHARM (FR) 6 Martin St Quinton & Peter Deal Oliver Sherwood
11512 EURO LEADER (IRE) 6 John Cox Willie Mullins IRE
2-21020 FIELD MARSHAL (IRE) 6 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE
555-121 FIRST DIPLOMA (IRE) 7 Samuel John Hegarty Noel Meade IRE
FLYING WANDA 4 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
FONTANESI (IRE) 4 David Johnson Martin Pipe
311 FORTY LICKS (IRE) 7 Linda Shanahan Edward O'Grady IRE
FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies
0-421 GEILL SLI (IRE) 6 Mrs B M McKinney Noel Meade IRE
53-11F GRAPHIC APPROACH (IRE) 6 Mr & Mrs Peter Orton Charles Egerton
0-11311 GREY REPORT (IRE) 7 Mrs D A La Trobe Philip Hobbs
02-5223 HARDY DUCKETT (IRE) 5 Laurence Byrne Dessie Hughes IRE
1 HASANPOUR (IRE) 4 Mrs Gay Smith Charlie Swan IRE
260-1F3 HE'S THE BOSS (IRE) 7 M J Hallett Bob Buckler
45111 INEXORABLE (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud David Wachman IRE
111 INGLIS DREVER 5 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
3/- IT'S JUST HARRY 7 James Blackshaw Charles Egerton
5-0400 IT'S OFFICIAL (IRE) 5 John Joe Murphy John Joe Murphy IRE
1 IT'S SHOWTIME (IRE) 6 Jeremiah King Edward O'Grady IRE
10/-221 JOES EDGE (IRE) 7 Chemipetro Limited Venetia Williams
0/110-51 JOHN OLIVER (IRE) 6 P F Lehane Edward O'Grady IRE
1110 KADOUNT (FR) 6 Elite Racing Club Alan King
312233 KILDARE (IRE) 7 Cathal M Ryan Dessie Hughes IRE
10-1001 KIM FONTAINE (FR) 6 B Doyle Willie Mullins IRE
200-312 KING SOLOMON (FR) 5 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams
P/P0-1 KOCEANE (FR) 6 Martin Pipe Martin Pipe
2/2-1 KRACH (FR) 6 J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
04-5 LECHE BOTTES (FR) 5 Martin Pipe Martin Pipe
1/121-1P LIBERMAN (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
66- LITTLE ENAM (IRE) 8 R K Carvill Charles Egerton
MANX ROYAL (FR) 5 James and Antoinette Kennedy Martin Pipe
1-21121 MARIAH ROLLINS (IRE) 6 Gone West Racing Syndicate Pat Fahy IRE
211-13 MARK THE MAN (IRE) 7 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
3-621 MEGGIES GAMBLE (IRE) 7 T England Venetia Williams
101 MOBASHER (IRE) 5 The 1961 Partnership Venetia Williams
53-3115 MON VILLEZ (FR) 5 Million in Mind Partnership Nicky Henderson
1121 MONDUL (GER) 4 Let's Live Racing Milton Harris
1-412 MOUNT KARINGA 6 Jeffrey Hordle Paul Nicholls
2/3-13 NARWHAL (IRE) 6 Valda Embiricos Nick Gifford
335151 OLD FLAME (IRE) 5 Banagher Glen Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
1 ONE DAY (NZ) 6 Paul Beck Richard Guest
23-1321 OODACHEE 5 Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE
11 OUNDLE SCOUNDREL (FR) 5 J Phelippon Yann Porzier FR
111102 OVERSTRAND (IRE) 5 F F Racing Services Partnership IV Mary Reveley
3/211-1 PADDY THE PIPER (IRE) 7 Ray and Anita Anderson Green Len Lungo
022 PAK JACK (FR) 4 Mme G Vuillard Christophe Aubert FR
332-1P1 PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 6 R A S Offer Philip Hobbs
03011F PERLE DE PUCE (FR) 5 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
U1U212 PIERCING SUN (IRE) 5 Mrs A F Mee Tony Mullins IRE
31 POP ART (FR) 4 J L Tepper Christophe Aubert FR
1 PROGRESSIVE (IRE) 6 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
15/-1 ROSS RIVER 8 Seamus Ross Philip Hobbs
161-112 ROYAL ROSA (FR) 5 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
1 SADLERS WINGS (IRE) 6 John Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
2/- SCORNED (GER) 9 Kingsclere Stud Andrew Balding
5 SIMOUN (IRE) 6 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
SINDAPOUR (IRE) 6 Mary Burke Martin Pipe
113-14 SIXO (IRE) 7 Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst Martin Pipe
2121 SPECIAL RATE (IRE) 7 J Brown, Mrs Bunter, M Deeley & Mrs Faccenda Alan King
TEAM TASSEL (IRE) 6 Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst Martin Pipe
011 THE PARISHIONER (IRE) 6 Fergus Syndicate Michael Hourigan IRE
13-1 TIGHTEN YOUR BELT (IRE) 7 The MerseyClyde Partnership Venetia Williams
222-F11 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 6 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
00650 UPTON GEM (IRE) 5 George Ross John Joe Murphy IRE
1-11 VERY OPTIMISTIC (IRE) 6 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
5111 VIC VILLE (IRE) 5 Donal O'Connor Michael Hourigan IRE
20110 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
10-2211 WATSON LAKE (IRE) 6 John Corr Noel Meade IRE
113-10 WIDEMOUTH BAY (IRE) 6 Mrs J F Deithrick Philip Hobbs
16-2421 WILLIE JOHN DALY (IRE) 7 D R Peppiatt Philip Hobbs
2-14F14 WINTERTIDE 8 J E Brown Charlie Mann
10-4425 YARDBIRD (IRE) 5 Gilco Henrietta Knight
1 YOUNG COLLIER 5 Wally Sturt Jim Old
1345 ZIBELINE (IRE) 7 Ashley Carr Brian Ellison
1 ZIGGY ZEN 5 All For One and One For All Partnership Charlie Mann
241 ZIMBABWE 4 Sargent Gillespie Gary Moore

113 entries, 35 Irish-trained, 4 French-trained, 1 German-trained


ROYAL & ALLIANCE NOVICES' HURDLE FACTS AND FIGURES

1. The Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle was introduced to the National Hunt Meeting in 1971 as the Aldsworth Hurdle. Sun Alliance, who merged with Royal Insurance in 1996, took it on in 1974, together with the Sun Alliance Chase, having previously sponsored the Foxhunters' Chase.

2. The Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle and Chase are acknowledged as the championship races for the staying novice hurdler and chaser.

3. Only one horse has won both Royal & SunAlliance races. The West Awake took the Hurdle in 1987 and the Chase a year later.

4. The smallest field for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle was 14 in 2000, when there were three non-runners. Previously the lowest number of runners was 15 in 1973, the year of Willie Wumpkins, who later dominated the Coral Golden Hurdle Final at the Festival with three straight wins from 1979-81. The largest field was 29, achieved in 1979, 1984 and 1991. Last year there were 19 runners

5. The 1994 winner, Danoli, was the subject of a massive gamble by the Irish and was sent off at 7/4 favourite. The shortest-priced winner was another Irish victor, Mr Kildare at 8/11 in 1978. The longest-priced winner was 40/1 chance Even Dawn in the second running in 1972.

6. Five of the last 14 winners won the Michael Page International/EBF National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Warwick in mid-February (February 28 this year) en route to the race. These are Rebel Song (1988), Sayfar's Lad (1989), Thetford Forest (1992), Putty Road (1995) and Monsignor in 2000. The Warwick race was abandoned last season.

7. The Irish have an excellent record in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle with 12 wins, including six consecutive victories from 1973-78. Aidan O'Brien has won the race twice, with Urubande (1996) and Istabraq (1997).

8. Aidan O'Brien, Martin Pipe, Oliver Sherwood, Mick O'Toole, and Edward O'Grady have each won two Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdles. Oliver Sherwood holds a unique position as the only trainer to have won the race as a jockey also, on Venture To Cognac in 1979. His training wins were with The West Awake (1987) and Rebel Song (1988).

9. The fastest time for the winning horse was 4m 52.0s set by Monsignor in 2000, beating the 4m 56.2s of Regal Ambition in 1990.

THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (CLASS A)

Class A, Grade One, Total Prize Fund £100,000, Cheltenham, Thursday, March 18, 2004. Two Miles, One Furlong. For Novice Four-Year-Olds only. Weights: 11st each. Allowances: fillies & mares 5lb. Entries closed Wednesday, January 28, 2004. Entries revealed Monday, February 2, 2004 (125 entries). Forfeit stage Tuesday, February 24, 2004. Five-day confirmation stage Saturday, March 13, 2004. Final declaration stage 10.15am, Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, January 30, 2004. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
2240 A TOI A MOI (FR) 4 T England Venetia Williams
605 ACCELERATION (IRE) 4 Kim Marshall, Sue Rigby, Susan Warren Dick Allan
3 ADOPTED HERO (IRE) 4 N J Jones, Phil Collins Gary Moore
2142 AFTER EIGHT (GER) 4 Let's Live Racing Milton Harris
112 AL EILE (IRE) 4 M A Ryan John Queally IRE
ALL STAR (GER) 4 Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson
AMBER POINT (IRE) 4 Miss M McWey Jim Gorman IRE
03 AMID THE CHAOS (IRE) 4 Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld IRE
12 ANALOGY (IRE) 4 Hugh Villiers Charlie Mann
31313 ANDREAS (FR) 4 Mark Tincknell Paul Nicholls
1 ARCHITECTE (FR) 4 G Juppe Jean-Pierre Totain FR
4 ARIMERO (GER) 4 Robert Sinclair Charlie Swan IRE
ASTRONOMIC 4 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
BARNEY MCALL (IRE) 4 Mr & Mrs Bob Scott Richard Phillips
3 BERNINI (IRE) 4 Maureen Buckley Nicky Henderson
310054 BLUE CORRIG (IRE) 4 R Forristal Joe Crowley IRE
31PP3 BORDER TALE 4 Chadwick, Dyer & Flynn Colin Weedon
BRUNSTON CASTLE 4 Seasons Holidays Rod Millman
1 CALLOW LAKE (IRE) 4 Coirle Forde David Wachman IRE
CAMILLE PISSARRO (USA) 4 Lavender Hill Stud LLC David Wintle
4 CHERUB (GER) 4 Atlantic Joinery Limited Jonjo O'Neill
1241 CHIEF YEOMAN 4 B Moore & E C Stephens Venetia Williams
CHOCKDEE (FR) 4 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
22331 CORRIB BOY (IRE) 4 R Gardiner Joe Crowley IRE
22 CROIX DE GUERRE (IRE) 4 Jack Joseph Philip Hobbs
623212 CUPLA CAIRDE 4 Ceathrar Le Ceile Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
0 DALARAM (IRE) 4 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
DANNY LEAHY (FR) 4 D Green Micky Hammond
DEFINATE SPECTACLE (IRE) 4 Mrs P Sloan Noel Meade IRE
1 DIAMOND MAXINE (IRE) 4 Diamond Racing Ltd John Berry
301 DICKENS (USA) 4 P Ryan Venetia Williams
4 DIEGO GARCIA (IRE) 4 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
250510 DRIFT AWAY (USA) 4 Jim Lambe Jim Lambe IRE
123 EARLSFIELD RAIDER 4 Mrs R J Doorgachurn Gary Moore
6124 EDMO YEWKAY (IRE) 4 Edmolift UK Ltd Tim Easterby
0310 EIMEAR'S PRIDE (IRE) 4 J Phillip Murphy Pat Fahy IRE
ELECTRIQUE (IRE) 4 Paul J Dixon Jamie Osborne
13 EMANIC (FR) 4 Million in Mind Partnership Alan King
ENGLISHTOWN (FR) 4 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
11 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 4 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
FAMOUS GROUSE 4 Martin Myers Charlie Mann
322 FLAKE 4 Keith Nicholson Sue Smith
FLYING WANDA 4 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
FONTANESI (IRE) 4 David Johnson Martin Pipe
0 FRONT RANK (IRE) 4 Off The Bridle Partnership Kim Bailey
GLENCOYLE (IRE) 4 Raymond Tooth Nicky Henderson
GOLD RING 4 Bridget Swire Toby Balding
F6220 GOLDEN TRIANGLE (IRE) 4 Craft Syndicate Patrick Carey IRE
5 GREAT COMPTON 4 Five Stars Racing Company Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
010 GUILT 4 T C D D Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
1 HASANPOUR (IRE) 4 Mrs Gay Smith Charlie Swan IRE
234 HOPE SOUND (IRE) 4 R Wagner Brian Ellison
1214 HOWLE HILL (IRE) 4 J Brown, R Benton, R Devereux, R A Lucas Alan King
HUMID CLIMATE 4 J E M Hawkins Ltd Richard Fahey
3111 IMAZULUTOO (IRE) 4 Mark Salmon Jessica Harrington IRE
1F KENTUCKY BLUE (IRE) 4 Charlie Stevens Tim Easterby
111 KING REVO (IRE) 4 Dick Renwick & Mrs C Barclay Patrick Haslam
5 KJETIL (USA) 4 Clive D Smith Paul Nicholls
30 KRISTOFFERSEN 4 Sir Clement Freud, Andrew Wright, Charles Wilson Robert Stronge
F5535 LEAP YEAR LASS 4 Dingley Dell Racing Ltd Chris Grant
LESATH (USA) 4 Dermot Cox Robbie Osborne IRE
1441 LOCKSMITH 4 David Johnson Martin Pipe
F423 LORD OF BEAUTY (FR) 4 Warren, Upton & Chenkin & Townson Noel Chance
MA FURIE (FR) 4 The Hon Mrs Peter Tower Henrietta Knight
33 MADE IN JAPAN (JPN) 4 Terry Evans Philip Hobbs
106 MAJOR SPECULATION (IRE) 4 Latona Leisure Limited Martin Pipe
1111FP MANGUIER (FR) 4 R Fougedoire Guillaume Macaire FR
06 MARK OF ZORRO (IRE) 4 The Waney Racing Group Inc. Oliver Sherwood
3F223 MERYL (FR) 4 Claude Cohen Guillaume Macaire FR
3404 MIGWELL (FR) 4 DGM Partership David Wintle
4 MILORD LESCRIBAA (FR) 4 Jimmyz Jokers Martin Pipe
2P MIO CARO (FR) 4 Mike Browne Noel Chance
3 MISTER ARJAY (USA) 4 Keith Middleton Brian Ellison
1121 MONDUL (GER) 4 Let's Live Racing Milton Harris
2 MOULIN RICHE (FR) 4 J C Seroul Francois Doumen FR
11 MY WILL (FR) 4 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
2 NAYODABAYO (IRE) 4 Terry Ramsden Dermot Weld IRE
NUMITAS (GER) 4 Patricia Thompson Philip Hobbs
ONCE SEEN 4 Oliver Sherwood Oliver Sherwood
10 OSCARS VISION (IRE) 4 Brendan W Duke Racing Brendan Duke
022 PAK JACK (FR) 4 Mme G Vuillard Christophe Aubert FR
1 PARKNASILLA 4 Lady Bland Mick Easterby
0 PARSHAWAR (IRE) 4 Rita Shah Oliver Brady IRE
454P PENRIC 4 P G Horrocks Clive Cox
2354 PILGRIMS PROGRESS (IRE) 4 P A Newey Philip Hobbs
31 POP ART (FR) 4 J L Tepper Christophe Aubert FR
3 POWER ELITE (IRE) 4 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
24-312 PREDESTINE (FR) 4 Dream Makers Partnership Kim Bailey
PRINCE HOLING 4 FF Racing Services Partnership X Venetia Williams
PRINCESSE SONIA (FR) 4 Norma Kelly Noel Chance
0 PROMINENT FEATURE (IRE) 4 Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld IRE
QABAS (USA) 4 Paul Webber Paul Webber
QUEEN ASTRID (IRE) 4 Dr R Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
22 QUEL DOUN (FR) 4 Roo Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
234 RAIKKONEN (IRE) 4 Austin Fanning Willie Mullins IRE
RAYSHAN (IRE) 4 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
25205 REDSPIN (IRE) 4 Fitri Hay Stan Moore
4 ROCKET SHIP (IRE) 4 Mrs P Sloan Noel Meade IRE
2 ROYAL KATIDOKI (FR) 4 Anthony Speelman Nicky Henderson
SAMANDARA (FR) 4 Miss J M Bodycote Alan King
5411 SEAFORDE (IRE) 4 Sir Anthony O'Reilly Mouse Morris IRE
SELVAS (GER) 4 Getjar Limited Jonjo O'Neill
SHARP RIGGING (IRE) 4 Alex Hales Alex Hales
SHOUETTE (IRE) 4 O Finetto John Joseph Murphy IRE
SIDONIUS (POL) 4 The Pole to Pole Partnership Pru Townsley
2 SILK SCREEN (IRE) 4 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
6 SPY GAME (IRE) 4 Sean Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE
342P16 SUNRAY 4 Mr Rose Mr Hague Mr Spierling Mr Powell Evan Williams
TACITUS (IRE) 4 Nozzie Boys Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
12 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 4 The Arthur White Partnership Martin Pipe
F2F21 TARQUE (IRE) 4 John Nicholls (Banbury) Ltd Venetia Williams
051 THREE MIRRORS 4 Sean J Murphy Tony Mullins IRE
0212 TOP STRATEGY (IRE) 4 W J Kane Ted Walsh IRE
41111 TROUBLE AT BAY (IRE) 4 Nigel Bunter Alan King
41 TUSK 4 Hogarth Racing Henrietta Knight
54 UNICORN REWARD (IRE) 4 Mrs A Kane & Mrs M Crane Micky Hammond
33132 VAL DU DON (FR) 4 J Detre Guillaume Macaire FR
4331 VERROCCHIO (IRE) 4 J J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE
11123 WEB PERCEPTIONS (USA) 4 Let's Live Racing Milton Harris
WILD PASSION (GER) 4 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE
WIZARD OF EDGE 4 Peter Richardson Toby Balding
032413 YOU NEED LUCK (IRE) 4 Liam Brady Jessica Harrington IRE
0215 YOUNGBLOOD (IRE) 4 T Fitzpatrick Harry Rogers IRE
ZEROBERTO (IRE) 4 Dr R Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
241 ZIMBABWE 4 Sargent Gillespie Gary Moore

125 entries, 38 Irish-trained, 7 French-trained

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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