Wednesday, March 15, 2000
WILLIAM HILL PRICES CORRECT AT 16.30 15/03/2000
Monsignor earn't himself quotes for the next two Gold Cups after his
victory in the SunAlliance Novices Hurdle on Wednesday. Although
anticipating that the 2002 Gold Cup (post race quote 14-1) is a more
realistic target for the horses Hills have quoted 20-1 for next years race
after a number of enquires from punters. The first three home in the
SunAlliance Chase winner are also quoted at 33-1 for next years renewal.
THURSDAY
2pm ELITE RACING CLUB TRIUMPH HURDLE : 9-2 Snow Drop, 5-1 Mister Bajno, 8-1,Bring Sweets (from 12), 10-1 Architect, 12-1 Topacio, 14-1 Young American, 16-1 Fable, Regal Exit, 18-1 Asador, Valiramix, 22-1 Bangalore, Lord Brex, 25-1 General Cloney, Mixterthetrixster, Kategat, 33-1 Calico Lady, Greyfield, 40-1 Urban Hymn, Wild Arms, 50-1 April Allegro, Caladine, Ghengis Khan, Murjan, 66-1 BAR
2.35pm BONUSPRINT STAYERS HURDLE : 13-8 Lady Rebecca, 10-3 Limestone Lad, 9-2, Bacchanal, 6-1 Behrajan, 14-1 Count Campioni, 12-1 Mister Morose (from 20), 16-1 Galant Moss, 20-1 Effectual, Silver Wedge, 66-1 Brave Tornado,
3.15pm TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP : 13-8 See More Business, 10-3 Gloria Victis, 9-2 Looks Like Trouble, 11-2 Florida Pearl, 11-1 Ever Blessed, 12-1 Go Ballistic, 14-1 The Last Fling, 33-1 Rinci Ri, 40/1 Dorans Pride, Strong Promise, 100-1 Tullymurry Toff, Lake Kariba,
4.30pm GRAND ANNUAL HCP CHASE : 10-3 Samakhan, 7-1 Irbee, 8-1 Aghawadda Gold, 10-1 Amberliegh House, Go Roger Go, Hill Society, 11-1 Amancio, Green Green Desert, 12-1 Carandrew, 14-1 Dante's Cavalier, 16-1 Chief's Song, 20-1 Clifton Beat, Klairon Davis, 22-1 Cumbrian Challenge, 25-1 Wave Rock, 40-1 Arctic Kinsman, 66-1 Morstock
5.40pm COUNTY HURDLE : 6-1 Master Tern, 13-2 Copeland, 8-1 Moving On Up, Spokesman, 9-1 Afarad, 10-1 Out On A Promise (from 16), 12-1 Ross Moff, 14-1 Hit And Run, La Landiere, Redemption, 16-1 Auetaler, Deep Water, Vanilla Man, 20-1 River Pilot, 28-1 Rainbow Frontier, 33-1 Renzo, The French Furze, 40-1 BAR
AINTREE
MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL: 12-1 Gloria Victis, 14-1 Bobbyjo, Young Kenny, 16-1 Edmond, Fiddling The Facts, Star Traveller, The Last Fling, 20-1 Escartefigue, Micko's Dream, 25-1 Betty's Boy, Niki Dee, Red Marauder, Strong Tel, 33-1 BAR
TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP PREVIEW
See More Business will have 11 opponents tomorrow as he tries to end the hoodoo on Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winners trying to defend their crowns, as no horse has won the race for two years in succession since L'Escargot in 1970 and 1971. In all realism, not every winner has tried to repeat his success and in any case the fact that none has succeeded should not in any way detract from See More Business' outstanding claims.
Since he was fitted with blinkers for the first time in last year's Gold Cup and ground out a hard- earned victory over Go Ballistic, See More Business has gone from strength to strength and he has put up three top class displays this season.
First time out he gave weight and a comprehensive beating to Simply Dashing and Looks Like Trouble in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, and he followed that with a 17 lengths and 19 victory over Go Ballistic and Dr Leunt at level weights in the Pertemps King George V1 Chase at Kempton over Christmas.
On his most recent appearance, he won in the expected style at Newbury from Macgeorge and his trainer Paul Nicholls reports that the horse's preparation has gone very smoothly to plan.
Go Ballistic, who ran so well when runner-up last year, has found See More Business very much harder to get near this season and it seems unlikely that he will be able to reverse the Kempton and Wetherby defeats, and though Looks Like Trouble was extremely impressive when he won at Cheltenham last time, he has to find ten lengths and 5lb against the winner on their Wetherby run.
Florida Pearl started favourite and finished third last year when not everyone was convinced that he stayed the trip, though the point was made that a number of his trainer's horses ran rather below par at the meeting.
This season Florida Pearl has been beaten only once in four starts in Ireland, in somewhat controversial circumstances by Rince Ri at Leopardstown over Christmas. He readily reversed that form with a stylish defeat of Dorans Pride last time, when Rince Ri was a distant third, but he has yet to prove himself over the extra quarter mile.
The six-year-old Gloria Victis has come up from the novice ranks just this season and his defeat of Marlborough in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton last time was well franked when the runner-up won the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase here yesterday. Though there have been worries expressed, that he may be better going right handed, he remains a very exciting prospect.
Ever Blessed has to be trained with kid gloves and this will be his first appearance since he won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury in November. In view of how well his stablemate Ashley Park ran in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on Tuesday after a 13 months absence, that may not be a problem, but the hard fact remains that taking on these horses at level weights is different from winning a major handicap with 10st.
The Last Fling, who was fourth in the Hennessy also with 10st on his back, has really blossomed in the last couple of months and was hugely impressive when he beat Niki Dee and Tullymurry Toff by 24 lengths and nine at Haydock. His jumping problems seem to have been resolved but his best form has been on softer ground.
Strong Promise was runner-up to Cool Dawn two years ago and will appreciate the faster ground. He has, though, had a struggle to re-find his best form, and Dorans Pride has had lots of chances and does not seem to be getting any better at the age of 11.
THE ELITE RACING CLUB TRIUMPH HURDLE (CLASS A)
Grade 1, 2pm, Thursday, March 16, 2000, total prize fund £80,000, two miles about one furlong, for novice four years old only Weights 11st each, fillies allowance 5lb Entries closed January 26, 2000 (89 entries), entries released, Monday, January 31, forfeit stage February 22 (65 entries) Five-day declarations Saturday, March 11, 2000 (39 entries). Overnight declaration stage (?? Runners).
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1) P231 APRIL ALLEGRO (FR) 4-11-00 Tom Doran Ferdy Murphy Adrian Maguire
2) 2 ARCHITECT (IRE) 4-11-00 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd Nicky Henderson Norman Williamson
3) 11 ASADOR (FR) 4-11-00 Darren Mercer Francois Rohaut FR Conor O'Dwyer
4) 21 BANGALORE 4-11-00 Mike Dawson Amanda Perrett Joe Tizzard
5) 1111 BRING SWEETS 4-11-00 Bill Gredley Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
6) 1F6 CALLADINE (IRE) 4-11-00 S J Murphy Stephen Mahon IRE Tommy Treacy
7) 2224 DONATUS (IRE) 4-11-00 Michael Hall & Miss M Shields Simon Dow Mr Paul Flynn
8) 11114 FABLE (USA) 4-11-00 Des Sharkey Noel Meade IRE Paul Carberry
9) 1 GENERAL CLONEY (IRE)4-11-00 John J Brennan Willie Mullins IRE Ruby Walsh
10) 40 GENGHIS KHAN (IRE) 4-11-00 Luke Comer Luke Comer IRE Philip Carberry
11) 531GREYFIELD (IRE) 4-11-00 Paulton Bloodstock Mick Channon Andrew Thornton
12) 124425 JAGUAR 4-11-00 Adrian Fitzpatrick Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn
13) 22 KATTEGAT 4-11-00 Wally Sturt Jim Old Timmy Murphy
14) 232 LEDHAM (USA) 4-11-00 Macajak Charlie Mann Noel Fehily
15) 314 LORD BREX (FR)4-11-00 (b) Terry Warner Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
16) 631 MIRJAN (IRE) 4-11-00 Miss S Blumberg Len Lungo Tony Dobbin
17) 111 MISTER BANJO (FR) 4-11-00 Million In Mind Partnership (9) Nicky Henderson
18) U121321 MIXSTERTHETRIXSTER (USA)4-11-00 Martyn Burke Tim Easterby
19) 131 REGAL EXIT (FR) 4-11-00 Brian Buckley Nicky Henderson
20) 2112 TOPACIO 4-11-00 Pearse Racing Club Pat Hughes IRE
21) 14 URBAN HYMN (IRE) 4-11-00 (b) David Johnson Martin Pipe
22) 1 VALIRAMIX (FR) 4-11-00 Jim Weeden Martin Pipe
23) 1036 WILD ARMS (FR) 4-11-00 (v) P McLoughney Edward O'Grady IRE
24) 514 YOUNG AMERICAN (IRE) 4-11-00 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE
25) 031320341 CALICO LADY 4-10-09 Shattered Racegoers Syndicate Michael Hourigan IRE
26) 10112202 ESTACADO (IRE) 4-11-00 (v) Woodford Valley Racing Seamus Mullins A Bates
27) 122144 FACE THE CLASS (IRE)4-10-09 S Helaissi & A Love Martin Pipe Seamus Durack
28) 421141SNOW DROP (FR) 4-10-09 J D Martin Francois Doumen FR
28 Entries
8 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
THE BONUSPRINT STAYERS' HURDLE RACE (CLASS A)
Grade 1, 2.35pm,Thursday, March 16, 2000, total value £115,000, three miles and about half a furlong, for four-year-olds and upwards.Weights: 4-y-o: 11st 1lb, 5-y-o and up: 11st 10lb: fillies and mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed January 12, 2000 (36 entries), entries released, Monday, January 17, forfeit stage February 22 (25 entries). Five-day declarations Saturday, March 11, 2000 (18entries) . Overnight declaration stage (10 Runners).
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1) 2115-12 BACCHANAL (IRE) 6-11-10 Lady Lloyd-Webber Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald
2) 215-5211 BEHRAJAN (IRE) 5-11-10 The Behrajan Partnership Henry Daly Richard Johnson
3) 101//411-4 BRAVE TORNADO 9-11-10 Bridget Swire Toby Balding Barry Fenton
4) 132-12333 COUNT CAMPIONI (IRE) 6-11-10 (b) Garrett - Gibbon Mark Pitman Timmy Murphy
5) 64-2012553 EFFECTUAL 7-11-10 B C Dice Venetia Williams Brian Crowley
6) 33116-P24 GALANT MOSS (FR) 6-11-10 Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
7) 211111411 LIMESTONE LAD (IRE) 8-11-10 James Bowe James Bowe IRE Seamus McGovern
8) U443-1F MISTER MOROSE (IRE) 10-11-10 Jenny Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn
9) 022-1P111 SILVER WEDGE (USA) 9-11-10 Bill, Mark & Shirley Robins Nicky Henderson Adrian Maguire
10) 141113-1 LADY REBECCA 8-11-08 Kinnersley Optimists Venetia Williams Norman Williamson
10 Entries
1 Irish-trained
THE TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
Grade 1, 3.15pm,Thursday, March 16, 2000, total value £280,000, three miles about two and a half furlongs, for five year olds and upwards. Weights: 5-y-o: 11st 4lb, 6-y-o and up: 12st: mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed January 5, 2000 (44 entries), entries released, Monday, January 10, forfeit stage February 22 (28 entries). Five-day declarations Saturday, March 11, 2000 (15 entries). Overnight declaration stage (12 Runners).
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer Jockey
1) 1P1223 DORANS PRIDE (IRE) 11-12-00 Tom Doran Michael Hourigan IRE Paul Hourigan
2) 111F-11 EVER BLESSED (IRE) 8-12-00 Ever Blessed P'ship Mark Pitman Timmy Murphy
3) F132-1211 FLORIDA PEARL (IRE) 8-12-00 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE Paul Carberry
4) 23-31311 GLORIA VICTIS (FR) 6-12-00 Terry Neill Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
5) P224-222 GO BALLISTIC 11-12-00 Sheila Lockhart Alan King Tony Dobbin
6) 545U0-5 LAKE KARIBA 9-12-00 The Winning Line Venetia Williams
7) 111-31P1 LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE (IRE) 8-12-00 Universal Conference & Incentive Trv Noel Chance Richard Johnson
8) 121-3213 RINCE RI (IRE) 7-12-00 (t) F Moriarty Ted Walsh IRE Ruby Walsh
9) 1P31-111 SEE MORE BUSINESS (IRE) 10-12-00 (b) Robert Ogden & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls Mick Fitzgerald
10) 23/-5423 STRONG PROMISE (IRE) 9-12-00 Exors of the late Geoff Hubbard Chris Kinane Robert Thornton
11) -U14211 THE LAST FLING (IRE) 10-12-00 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith Seamus Durack
12) 2F1F33 TULLYMURRY TOFF (IRE) 9-12-00 John Wilson and J Riley Malcolm Jefferson Graham Lee
12 Runners
3 Irish-Trained
THE CHRISTIE'S FOXHUNTER CHASE CHALLENGE CUP
Class A, 3,55pm, Thursday, March 16, 2000, total prize fund £30,000, three miles about two and a half furlongs, for five-year-olds and upwards which, since December 31, 1997, and before February 28, 2000, have ben placed first or second on two occasions in a hunters' chase in Great Britain or Ireland or have won two open chases at Point-to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemens, Ladies or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland. Weights: 5-y-o: 11st 4lb, 6-y-o and up: 12st: mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed March 1, 2000 (34 entries), entries released, Monday, March 6. Five-day declarations, Saturday, March 11, 2000 (28 entries). Overnight declarations (24 Runners).
Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer
1) 2350P-21 CAVALERO 11-12-00 John Manners John Manners Mr A Charles-Jones
2) 5///P2UP1- CHARDEN 14-12-00 (v) Col R Webb-Bowen Seamus Mullins Col R Webb-Bowen
3) 0/200//4-1 DAN'S YOUR MAN (IRE) 8-12-00 Catherine Cashman Paul Cashman IRE Mr P Cashman
4) P//P3-5 FOREST FOUNTAIN (IRE) 9-12-00 Jim Callow Helen Needham Mr J M Pritchard
5) 1/14FPP- GILLAN COVE (IRE) 11-12-00 Mike Lockyer Susie Old Mr R Young
6) 00P4//-1 IT'S HIMSELF 8-12-00 (t) P Barrett Tony Martin IRE Mr Tony Martin
7) 13-F2 KNIGHT OF PASSION 8-12-00 R Crabb Pauline Tizzard Miss P Jones
8) F0000/- LAKEFIELD RAMBLER (IRE)8-12-00 A Powell F Bonsal J Schlesinger Richard Barber Miss P Cundry
9) 25/20/-11 LITTLE BUCK (IRE) 12-12-00 Carrie Zetter-Wells Lawrence Wells Mr K Culligan
10) 0/P50-33 MAKIN' DOO (IRE) 10-12-00 R G Makin R G Makin Mr C Mulhall
11) 405P-12 MANHATTAN RAINBOW (IRE)9-12-00 Mrs C Kerr Joan Hollands Mr M Bradburne
12) 2134/-11 MIGHTY MOSS (IRE) 9-12-00 Ken Hutsby Alan King Mr F Hutsby
13) 0/F1-2P3 MR DOW JONES (IRE) 8-12-00 Linda Goldsworthy Linda Goldsworthy Mr D O'Meara
14) 1410P/-P2 OPERA FAN (IRE) 8-12-00 Viv Hughes & Lisa Llewellyn Lisa Llewellyn Mr Christian Williams
15) 1 REAL VALUE (IRE) 9-12-00 Cockerell Cowing Racing Di Grissell Mr B Hitchcott
16) 121-131 SHELTERING (IRE) 8-12-00 (t) Mrs Stewart Catherwood Edward O'Grady IRE Mr P Fenton
17) 3/112-2 SKIP'N'TIME 10-12-00 M Rose Richard Miller Mr M G Miller
18) 412640//- SOLBA (USA) 11-12-00 Alan Brazier Andrew Dalton Mr R Burton
19) 311U-1F TRADE DISPUTE (IRE) 8-12-00 Grant Tuer Edwin Tuer Mr G Tuer
20) 2- WHATAFELLOW (IRE) 10-12-00 (b) Gareth Samuel Sheila Crow Mr A H Crow
21) 1/-13 BRAMBLEDOWN (IRE) 9-11-09 Belinda Sillars Belinda Sillars Mrs Belinda Sillars
22) 340-P0P COOLVAWN LADY (IRE) 11-11-09 David Brace David Brace Mr J Jukee
23) 2/1111-0 GRIMLEY GALE (IRE) 11-11-09 R Phillips Mark Jackson Miss S Vickery
24) 1- MISS O'GRADY (IRE) 8-11-09 Jill Miller Louise Alner Mr R Walford
24 Runners
THE 128TH YEAR OF THE CHELTENHAM GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
Class B, 4.30pm, Thursday, March 16, 2000, five-year-olds and upwards, 2m 0.5f, £50,000 total prize fund. Penalties: after February 27, a winner of a Class C chase 3lb, of a class A or B chase 6lb. Entries closed Wednesday, February 16, 2000 (47 entries), entries released Monday, February 21. Weights released Wednesday, March 1. Five-day declarations, Saturday, March 11, 2000 (26 entries). Overnight declaration stage (17 Runners).
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1) 1110-2F1 AGHAWADDA GOLD (IRE) 8-10-00 The Ivy Syndicate Tom Tate Russ Garrity
2) 1-24452 KLAIRON DAVIS (FR) 11-9-12 Chris Jones Arthur Moore IRE Conor O'Dwyer
3) 3-223311 IRBEE8-9-11 (b) Paul Barber, John Keighley Paul Nicholls Mick Fitzgerald
4) 126614 CUMBRIAN CHALLENGE (IRE)11-9-10 (t) Cumbrian Industrials Ltd Tim Easterby Lorcan Wyer
5) 41-3143 HILL SOCIETY (IRE) 8-9-07 (b, t) Pat Garvey Noel Meade IRE Paul Carberry
6) 13/2/-5421 AMANCIO (USA) 9-9-03 Paul Locke Amanda Perrett Adrian Maguire
7) P-543022 GREEN GREEN DESERT (FR)9-9-03 Angela Tincknell Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard
8) 36615632 CHIEF'S SONG 10-9-02 Anne Devine Simon Dow Dean Gallagher
9) 0F4121F CARANDREW (FR) 7-9-02 David Johnson Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
10) 1U120-111 SAMAKAAN (IRE) 7-9-01 Lady Harris Venetia Williams Norman Williamson
11) 2F4321 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE)8-9-01 Amber Dikel Michael Hourigan IRE
12) 11121R2 GO ROGER GO (IRE) 8-8-13 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE Barry Geraghty
13) 314221- CLIFTON BEAT (USA) 9-8-13 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
14) 021-223 DANTES CAVALIER (IRE) 10-8-08 M A Dore David Gandolfo Barry Fenton
15) 30/4-423 ARCTIC KINSMAN 12-8-00 Rosie Hambro Jim Old Timmy Murphy
16) 12F3211 WAVE ROCK 5-7-13 (b) Sterling Racing Syndicate Philip Hobbs Mr Paul Flynn (3)
17) 45210634 MORSTOCK 10-7-01 Mrs M Fairbairn Ron Hodges Liam Cummins
17 Entries
3 Irish-trained
THE CATHCART CHALLENGE CUP CHASE
Class A, 5.05pm, Thursday, March 16, 2000, total value £60,000, two miles about five furlongs, for five-year-olds and upwards which, before May 1, 1998, had not won steeplechase. Weights: 5-y-o: 10st 9lb, 6-y-o and up: 11st: mares allowance 5lb. Penalties: a winner of a Class A to C chase 3lb, or before May 1, 1999, a winner of a Class B weight-for-age chase 7lb, or before May 1, 1999, a winner of a Class A weight-for-age chase 12lb. Horses qualifying for more than one penalty will incur the higher penalty only. Entries closed March 1, 2000 (46 entries), entries released, Monday, March 6. Five-day declarations, Saturday, March 11, 2000 (26 remain). Overnight declaration stage (10 Runners).
Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer
1) F-32341 HIS SONG (IRE) 7-11-12 (t) David Lloyd Mouse Morris IRE Adrian Maguire
2) 33112-P STORMYFAIRWEATHER (IRE)8-11-12 Bridget Hanbury Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald
3) 1P3-0U1 MAKOUNJI (FR) 6-11-07 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
4) 11-121U CASTLE SWEEP (IRE) 9-11-03 Lord Vestey Alan King Richard Johnson
5) 0-11512 FADALKO (FR) 7-11-03 Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard
6) 15-0143 MAJADOU (FR) 6-11-03 Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
7) 5-4F133 TRESOR DE MAI (FR) 6-11-03 (b) Joe Moran Martin Pipe Norman Williamson
8) 134-332 COMMANCHE COURT (IRE)7-11-00 Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh IRE Ruby Walsh
9) 2-13213 GOOD VIBES 8-11-00 Martin St Quinton Oliver Sherwood David Casey
10) 2-11222 YOUNG SPARTACUS 7-11-00 B G Hellyer Henry Daly Andrew Thornton
10 Runners
2 Irish-trained
THE VINCENT O'BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE
Grade Three, Class A, Showcase Race, 5.40pm, Thursday, March 16, 2000, five-year-olds and upwards which, before February 14, have been placed first, second or third in a hurdle race, 2m 1f, £50,000 total prize fund. Penalties: after February 27, a winner of a Class A to C hurdle race 7lb. Entries closed Wednesday, February 16, 2000 (98 Entries), entries released Monday, February 21, 2000. Weights released Wednesday, March 1. Five-day declarations, Saturday, March 11, 2000 ( 55 entries). Overnight declaration stage (26 Runners).
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1) 3515-23 HIT AND RUN (FR) 5-11-10 (b) Gerry Scanlon & Miss J Kirk Martin Pipe Mr Tom Scudamore (7)
2) 11-03412 AUETALER (GER) 6-11-09 The Anfield Hombres Martin Pipe Rodi Greene
3) 005-316 RAINBOW FRONTIER (IRE) 6-11-08 Clive D Smith Martin Pipe Adrian Maguire
4) 1121/5-41 DEEP WATER (USA) 6-11-03 The County Set Micky Hammond Brian Harding
5) 060-211 THE FRENCH FURZE (IRE) 6-11-02 Jim Ennis Martin Pipe Jacques-Jules Huet (7)
6) 323-161 AFARAD (IRE) 5-11-01 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE Charlie Swan
7) 2112 COPELAND 5-10-13 (b) Dr D B A & Mrs Heather Silk Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
8) 220-111 ROSS MOFF (IRE) 7-10-08 Seamus Ross Tony Martin IRE
9) 1-02222 RIVER PILOT 6-10-07 Clogher Syndicate Noel Meade IRE Paul Carberry
10) 211F413 OUT ON A PROMISE (IRE) 8-10-07 Lynsey Le Cornu Charlie Mann Noel Fehily (5)
11) 240-2322 RENZO (IRE) 7-10-06 Cleartherm Ltd Jimmy Harris Carl Llewellyn
12) 134-15 MOVING ON UP 6-10-04 (v) Michael Hilary Burke Dermot Weld IRE Norman Williamson
13) 3424322 VANILLA MAN (IRE) 7-10-03 Mrs P Duffin Paddy Mullins IRE Tommy Treacy
14) 32-0401 MASTER TERN (USA) 5-9-03 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill Tony Dobbin
15) 3P02-13 SPOKESMAN 6-10-02 Mrs T McCoubrey Christy Roche IRE Paul Moloney
16) 000-600 DANEGOLD (IRE) 8-10-02 Circular Distributors Ltd Mick Channon Andrew Thornton
17) 121130 MISS FARA (FR) 5-10-02 Christine Painting Martin Pipe
18) 24012-30 NEW BIRD (GER) 5-10-00 Peter Clinton Alan King Robert Thornton
19) 421131 LA LANDIERE (FR) 5-10-00 Mrs R J Skan Alan King Richard Johnson
20) F45340 SHANTARINI (IRE) 6-10-00 Lavender Hill Stud L L C David Wintle Warren Marston
21) 0460-311 REDEMPTION 5-10-00 John Duggan, Michael Purtill Paul Webber Dean Gallagher
22) 314522 PIPED ABOARD (IRE) 5-10-00 (v) Mr & Mrs Malcolm B Jones Martin Pipe A Duchene (7)
23) 43553-6 TIME FOR ACTION (IRE) 8-10-00 Bryan & Ann Beacham Charlie Mann J Magee
24) 130F423F LORD OF LOVE 5-10-00 Mouse Racing Dai Williams Mr Christian Williams (7)
25) 0000505 SHALAAL (USA) 6-10-00 Eric Knowles Michael Chapman W Worthington
26) 36654024 LOBUCHE (IRE) 5-10-00 K D Blanch Michael Chapman M H Naughton (3)
26 Runners
6 Irish-trained
THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
Grade 1, 2.35pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2000, total value £185,000, two miles, for five year olds and upwards. Weights: 5-y-o: 11st 9lb, 6-y-o and up: 12st: mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed January 5, 2000 (22 entries), entries released, Monday, January 10, forfeit stage February 22 (15 entries). Five day declaration stage March 10 (12 entries). Overnight declaration (9 Runners).
1) EDREDON BLEU (FR) 8-12-00 (t) Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight Tony McCoy 7-2
2) DIRECT ROUTE (IRE) 9-12-00 Michael Thompson Howard Johnson Norman Williamson 5-1
3) FLAGSHIP UBERALLES (IRE) 6-12-00 Elizabeth Gutner/Michael Krysztofiak Racing Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard 11-10F
4) THE OUTBACK WAY (IRE) 10-12-00 Seasons Holidays Venetia Williams Timmy Murphy
5) SPACE TRUCKER (IRE) 9-12-00 (b)Eileen Queally Jessica Harrington IRE Shay Barry
6) CELIBATE (IRE) 9-12-00 Stamford Bridge P'ship Charlie Mann Mick Fitzgerald
7) SEEK THE FAITH (USA) 11-12-00 R F Matthews Matt Sheppard Brendan Powell
PU) NIPPER REED 10-12-00 Karen George Karen George Andrew Thornton
Fell) NORDANCE PRINCE (IRE) 9-12-00 Pinks Gym & Leisure Wear Ltd Venetia Williams Richard Johnson
9 Ran
Distances: sh, 6, 2, 15, 3.5, Distance
Tote Win £4.10
Places £1.50, £1.70, £1.30
Exacta £22.30
Winning Jockey: Anthony Peter McCoy Date of Birth: 04/05/74 First Winner: Legal Steps, Thurles, 26/03/92 (First winner in Britain: 07/09/94, Exeter, Chickabiddy) Apprenticeship: Four years with Jim Bolger joined Toby Balding at start of 1994/5 campaign.Cheltenham Festival Wins: (12) GRAND ANNUAL CHASE (1996 Kibreet, 1998 Edredon Bleu), ARKLE CHASE (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve), SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE (1997 Make A Stand), TOTE GOLD CUP (1997 Mr Mulligan), CATHCART CHASE (1998 Cyfor Malta), LADBROKE CASINOS FINAL (1998 Unsinkable Boxer), VINCENT O'BRIEN COUNTY HURDLE (1998 Blowing Wind), CAPEL CURE SHARP SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE (1999 Hors La Loi III), MILDMAY OF FLETE CHALLENGE CUP HCAP CHASE (1999 Majadou), QUEEN MOTHER (2000 Edredon Bleu) Other major wins: SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL (1997 Belmont King), REHEARSAL CHASE (1996 Belmont King), MURPHY'S GOLD CUP (1998 Cyfor Malta), PILLAR PROPERTY CHASE (1999 Cyfor Malta), TRIPLEPRINT GOLD CUP CHASE (1998 Northern Starlight) General: Champion conditional 1994/5 with a record breaking 74 winners, Champion jockey 1995/6 (175 winners),1996/97 (189 winners) and 1997/98 (253 winners), 1998/99 (186 winners). His association with champion trainer Martin Pipe saw him break Peter Scudamore's record of 221 wins in a season on March 25, 1998.
Winning trainer: HENRIETTA KNIGHT
Date of birth: 15/12/46 Trains at West Lockinge Farm, Wantage Previous occupation: Ran successful livery yard breaking in horses for Nicky Henderson, Michael Dickinson, Oliver Sherwood and Tim Forster Date of first trainers licence: July 1989 First winner: The Grey Gunner (Bangor, 18/8/89) Cheltenham Festival winners: (3) Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle (1997 Karshi), Grand Annual Chase (1998 Edredon Bleu), Queen Mother Chase (2000 Edredon Bleu) Other major wins: Peterborough Chase (1999 Edredon Bleu), Tote Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (2000 Heart) Wins (1997/98):42 Number of Horses in training (1996-99): 64, 69, 68, 57 Other details: Finished 12th at 1973 Badminton Horse Trials; was judge at 1987 Burghley three-day event; has a Bachelor of Education (Oxford) degree in History & Biology, former teacher
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
WINNING QUOTES
Trainer Henrietta Knight was clearly ecstatic as she patted Edredon Bleu and stroked his neck but she was also speechless!
"I can't tell you anything," said the Wantage trainer. "I didn't watch the race; I didn't see a single fence. I took up a position under the number board. But of course it is a wonderful thrill."
After she had recovered from the immediate excitement, Ms Knight said how she had targeted this race ever since finishing second to Call Equiname last year.
"We gave Edredon Bleu a break in mid-winter because he is always best when he's fresh. We have trained him for this one day. Of course there have been some worries like spots on his back and stupid little things like that. But enough to make you panic and give you sleepless nights."
Even before the race Ms Knight was not doing much talking as Tony McCoy found out. "When Tony came into the parade ring I said ‘I'm not talking to you today!"
McCoy was realising his ambition for 2000. At the start of the year he said that this was the one race he wanted to win because it is the fastest steeplechase of the season and he had finished second twice before, including last year on Edredon Bleu.
After beating his big rival and great friend Norman Williamson on Direct Route by a short head McCoy beamed: "That's the most thrilling ride I have ever had."
Owner Jim Lewis didn't do much better than his trainer and said he only watched the last two fences. "When Tony rode him at Sandown he told me he would win the Queen Mother Chase and what a fantastic ride he has given the horse.
"McCoy is the Messiah, he sets my horse on fire. He has probably never ridden a better. Certainly not for me."
Lewis, whose Nakir also finished third in this race in 1995, has been an Aston Villa fan all his life. "I was nine when I first went to the Villa and never paid because I was lifted over the turnstiles.
"When I got into horses I thought it would be nice to have the Villa colours."
He added: "I've not slept since Sunday but in my thoughts I've won the race 14 times and lost it about 10 times."
Henrietta Knight's husband, former champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe was fulsome in his praise of McCoy. "He saw some long strides today. He kept hold of him longer and didn't fire him off too early in the race.
"The great thrill at Cheltenham is travelling well down the hill but when you get into the dip you wonder if you're going to get up the hill. Halfway up the run in I thought Edredon Bleu was beaten. I was saying to myself ‘You've run a great race' - then he got going again for Tony and got up in the last stride."
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Trainer Henrietta Knight revealed she had been too nervous to watch Edredon Bleu give her the biggest success of her training career when beating Direct Route in a photo for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
"I haven't seen any of it," said Knight. "I sat by the number board where I had been when he won the Grand Annual but I didn't want to hear the commentary so I went out to talk to the ticket man on the gate, he asked me if I was coming back in again - I said I didn't know!
"This is the one race we've had in mind all year. I think when he was beaten by Call Equiname in this race last year he just met a better horse but we had him very, very well today - spot on - and the more the ground dried out the more we were rejoicing.
"I don't know if he will run again this season. We weren't accepted for the new race in Japan because he's a non-thoroughbred. He may go to Punchestown but the ground is the key factor."
Knight's husband Terry Biddlecombe added: "Tony McCoy is about 1lb better than me! He is quite exceptional. Henrietta didn't give any orders because she screwed up at Sandown so she left it up to Tony and I.
"Tony put his head out again on the line and was not unduly hard on him. He is ideal because he really understands the horse."
Owner Jim Lewis added: "Henrietta knows the horses so well - she lives and breathes them - and these two (with Biddlecombe) are an indomitable pair. They may not have as many winners as Martin Pipe but they keep the horses happy and they keep on running year after year.
"I usually a bit negative but I changed tactics today, telling everybody that we were going to win. I never had a negative thought in my head until the photo when I thought we were beaten.
"The Queen Mother said she was so please for Henrietta, her mother and her sister and also for Terry.
"I've been a very lucky guy as I have owned no more than eight horses. My first winner was Dirt Prospect, trained by Henrietta, and the kick start came with Nakir, who won the 1994 Arkle, and then we won the Grand Military on Saturday with Camitrov.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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