Tuesday, March 16, 2004

FIRST DAY OF THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, said: “This has been a really great start to the 2004 Festival.

“The new facilities worked well and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying fantastic racing in the spring sunshine.”

totepool RECORDS TUMBLE

Today’s totepool turnover was £2,891,629, up 28 per cent on last year and a record for the first day of the Festival.

There was a record totepool Placepot of £642,000 returning a divided of £2,381.

THIRD RACE WINNING QUOTES
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE

EUSTACE KNOCKS ROOSTER
OFF PERCH

Hardy Eustace, last season’s Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle hero, sprang a 33/1 surprise when beating last year’s winner Rooster Booster by five lengths to take the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Winning trainer Dessie Hughes, who as a jockey won the 1979 Champion Hurdle aboard Monksfield, had been contemplating sending the seven-year-old to the Coral Cup tomorrow and only decided to take the Grade 1 route at the weekend.

“I decided to go for this race on Saturday night when I saw the Coral Cup five-day entries. I thought we had as much chance here,” said Hughes. “He had won three Grade 1 races before so I wasn’t frightened of the opposition - well not too frightened! You need an experience horse to go for this and I believed in him all the time.

“Unless something exceptional comes out of the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle tomorrow I think he’d beat them all back here next year on that performance.

“I told Conor to make use of the horse but not too much. He looked to be going so easily that I knew there was something in the tank. This is nearly as good as riding the winner.”

There was a poignancy to the win as Kieran Kelly, who was killed as the result of a fall in Ireland last summer, had ridden Hardy Eustace to his Cheltenham success 12 months ago.

“This is great for all the people involved but very sad because of Kieran, I think he must have influenced this,” addedd Hughes.

Jockey Conor O’Dwyer, who won the 1996 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Imperial Call, added: “This is right upsides Imperial Call and more poignant because of the situation with Kieran.

“I knew that if something did come at him he would be able to come back a bit but didn’t know how much. I was confident going to the last but didn’t think he would win so easily. The horse has just improved all season.”


PRESS CONFERENCE RACE THREE
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE

Owner Laurence Byrne: “I have known Dessie for 15 or 16 years, maybe more, after some mutual friends introduced us. One of them said to him that if Dessie got a decent horse I might be the sort of man who might get involved with him.

“I have had quite a lot of horses with Dessie over the years and all of them have won at least one race. I am sure that there isn’t a single one of them who has not won.

“When I first had this horse I was wondering what to call him. I come from Co. Carlow and when I was younger there was a landowner in the area called Oliver Hardy Esutace Duckett. I was driving past the area one day and I said to myself ‘Hardy Eustace; why not ?: it sounds OK. So I have called another one Hardy Duckett and now there is Hardy Oliver.

“When we got home last year after Hardy Eustace had won the Royal & SunAlliance there was a card from Mr. Duckett’s daughter saying ‘congratulations’. I was very touched by that.

“I expect he will come back here next year to try to win the race again. Why not ? I don’t think he will be going over fences.

“We decided to run in the Champion rather than the Coral Cup on Saturday evening. Dessie rang me up and said that we had made the right decision. I asked him what decision that was and he told me we would run in the Champion.

“All our thoughts at this time are with Kieran Kelly and his family. Kieran made this horse and I think there were two jockeys out there; Conor (O’Dwyer) was on the horse but Kieran was guiding him.

“I am not a punter, but I was looking about on Betfair and saw that he was being offered at 320-1. So I had a tenner on him, and then I tiddled about a little bit more. I’ve got £62,000 to collect for what was only a fun bet.I am not a serious punter.”


MORE CHAMPION HURDLE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Dessie Hughes: “That was fabulous. We decided on Saturday night to run in the Champion rather than the Coral Cup because the ground looked like it might be coming soft, which would be right for us and the Coral looked as if it might be a rough race with its big field.

“I put blinkers on him because he has been being a bit lazy, and though I cannot say when I got up this morning that I thought he would win, I was certain that he would be thereabouts.

“He has always had plenty of pace, but I don’t think he will be going over fences. He might run at Aintree; when he went there last year after winning here he ran a stinker, but he is a year older this time so maybe we will go there. I remember winning that race three times on Monksfield, including once when he dead heated with Night Nurse.

“It is a long time since I won the Champion on Monksfield, and this horse reminds me a lot of him. He is very much the same horse, though I think you would have to say that Monksfield was better. Certainly I think that training the winner is more exciting than riding one.

“The key to Hardy Eustace’s chance was the race at Gowran Park in which he was beaten a short head by Georges Girl, trying to give her 13lb. When she ran against the other horses in the AIG (Irish Champion Hurdle) they were giving her only 5lb. When he was a bit disappointing earlier in the season he was suffering from sore shins,so we gave him time to get over that.

“I thought that Fota Island would make the running, but I told Conor (O’Dwyer) to make sure that there was a decent pace but he was not to go mad.

“Through the race I never really saw Rooster Booster as I was watching Hardy Eustace all the time, but though I saw him get to our horse’s girths on the final bend, I could see that out fellow was still going comfortably

“Kieran Kelly was a fabulous guy who gave us every confidence in the horse. He made the horse and all our thoughts are with his parents and his family today. I hope they will be able to come and join our celebrations.”


MORE CHAMPION HURDLE QUOTES

Conor O’Dwyer: “I must admit that I thought that big days like this had rather passed me by over the last two or three years. I know it was a spare ride for me in a way and it should have been Kieran’s.

“We went a nice pace through the race and he jumped super. I know that Rooster Booster got to me at the last, but I don’t think he actually headed me and even if he did it was only for a stride as we got away from the last very quickly. I knew he would stay all day. I had thought before the race that he could be placed.”


RACE THREE SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE
PLACED QUOTES

CHAMPION IS DEFEATED

Last year’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle hero Rooster Booster could not repeat the feat today, finishing the five length runner-up to Irish raider Hardy Eustace.

Trainer Philip Hobbs said: “Of course I’m disappointed and as the favourite I hoped that he would win. I’m not looking for any excuses - Hardy Eustace won at the Cheltenham Festival last year and is obviously a very good horse. Possibly the first time blinkers might have sharpened him up and made the difference.

“That was quite possibly as good as Rooster has jumped - he was brilliant throughout, making no mistakes which he can, and he got there but he was just not good enough. I must admit I was a bit worried as they came around the last bend.

“The third [Intersky Falcon] was four lengths back so Rooster Booster ran well but just met a better horse on the day. Richard [Johnson, jockey] thought he was brilliant - just not good enough on the day.”

Ironically Hobbs had been pleased when he saw the winner was running in this event rather than the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle.

“I was pleased as I thought Hardy Eustace would set the pace and that was even more likely as he had the blinkers on.

“We’ll probably take the winner on again in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.

“He’ll only be 11 next year so we’ll come back for this race again and
he is the sort of horse who will keep going. This was his third year on the trot at the Festival.”

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Intersky Falcon, commented: “He ran a blinder and he’ll be back next year.”

Terry McDermott, representing Intersky Falcon’s owner Interskyracingcom, said: “No one lost any money and we’ll have a party - it’s a dream to be third in the Champion Hurdle and he was beaten by a better horse again.”



Mick Fitzgerald (Geos): “He was a bit disappointing, but at one time I thought he had gone lame on me. I pulled him up, but he seems sound again now.”

Ruby Walsh (Rigmarole): “He was never going well enough.”

Tony Dobbin (Hasty Prince): “I think he probably wants a bit further.”

David Casey (Fota Island): “He ran well for a long way, but just flattened out from the third last.”

Paul Carberry (Golden Cross): “The pace was good but he was never travelling.”




SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE ANALYSIS

BRITAIN’S most important hurdles contest produced another victory for the Irish.

Given that championships are rarely won without a battle this one contained no obvious hard-luck stories - run at a true gallop throughout, none of the runners can be said to have hit trouble in running, and only one of the 14 failed to complete the course.

The winner, after making all but a few metres of the running, was Hardy Eustace, who was winning for the first time since this meeting last year, when he was successful in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle over 2m 5f. Clearly his stamina was not in question and, in first-time blinkers, he set the gallop.

Still in front on the home turn, he was narrowly headed just a stride from the final hurdle where last year’s winner, Rooster Booster, took the lead. Yet the champion landed a little flat-footed, and within a few strides Hardy Eustace pulled clear to win going away. His connections say they have no plans to switch their horse to chasing, and the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle next month could be on his agenda. The winner’s time was one second than Brave Inca’s in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Rooster Booster gave his all and remains the best of Britain’s hurdlers but, having collared Hardy Eustace it was surprising to many that he could not settle the matter. Now a 10-year-old, Rooster Booster will struggle to regain his title next year, but a rematch with Hardy Eustace at Aintree is a prospect to savour. Rooster Booster was second in that event last year. Richard Johnson said Rooster stayed on but the winner did so better.

Intersky Falcon, who beat Rooster Booster at Kempton at Christmas, is unlikely to ever beat the grey at this more testing track, but he finished third and improved on his run in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle last year. On that occasion he made the running and tired into fifth place, but he was held up this time and made the places.

Foreman, who won the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in Ireland on his previous outing, plugged on into fourth without threatening the winner, while Westender, who was second last year, finished fifth. He was 11 lengths behind Rooster Booster last year, and was beaten almost the identical distance this time.

Fota Island ran really well, and was on the heels of the winner running down the hill. He grew tired after turning into the home straight, and gradually lost places, eventually finishing sixth. Beaten just over three lengths by Foreman on this occasion, Fota Island ran pretty much to the form he had shown in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle when third.

Golden Cross was held up early, and in last place at half-way, before running on past tiring horses, while Rigmarole ran a curate’s egg of a race. Strongly fancied to win the race, he was never better than midfield, but travelled smoothly down the hill and was plenty close enough at the second-last. He found very little from there – his previous victory at this course had been in a slowly-run Tote Bula Hurdle, and this stiffer gallop may have found him out. An alternative view is that he has been on the go since early last summer and may appreciate a break.

Specular, the former Australian hurdler, looked big and well. He held a good place early, but was struggling as they headed to the second-last and lost further places in the home straight. Self Defense was fourth in this event last year, but he has regressed since that effort and finished further behind on this occasion. Hasty Prince looks like a horse who is just below top class, and ran like it, while Limerick Boy is a handicapper who found the pace too hot when the gas was turned up.

Davenport Milenium has failed to build on a couple of Grade1 victories at the 2002 Punchestown Festival and ran poorly here, finishing last. Geos was not at his best – this grand horse won the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury recently but was not expected to beat Rooster Booster again. Nonetheless, he was fourth in this race two years ago and it was disappointing to see him under pressure at half-way and pulled up at the top of the hill with three to jump.

DAILY TELEGRAPH AWARD FOR LEADING TRAINER AFTER DAY ONE


Trainer1st2nd3rd
Martin Pipe2--
Jonjo O’Neill1-1
Dessie Hughes IRE1--
Alan King1--
Colm Murphy IRE1--
Francis Flood IRE-1-
Philip Hobbs-1-
Charlie Mann-1-
Mouse Morris IRE-1-
Tom Taaffe IRE-1-
Nigel Twiston-Davies-1-
Paul Nicholls--3
Albert Ennis--1
Nicky Henderson--1

In the event of a tie, prize money will be taken into account

Dessie Hughes, trainer of Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, received the Guinness/Daily Telegraph Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Festival on Tuesday


DAILY TELEGRAPH AWARD FOR LEADING JOCKEY AFTER DAY ONE


Trainer1st2nd3rd
Conor O’Dwyer11-
Barry Cash1--
Mr Darren Edwards1--
Tony McCoy1--
Timmy Murphy1--
Robert Thornton1--
Mr Paul Cashman-1-
Fran Flood-1-
Barry Geraghty-1-
Richard Johnson-1-
Carl Llewellyn-1-
Ruby Walsh--2
Liam Cooper--1
Mr Tom Greenall--1
Andrew Tinkler--1
Joe Tizzard--1

Latest totesport Betting:

5/2 Tony McCoy
7/2 Barry Geraghty
4/1 Ruby Walsh
9/2 Jim Culloty
12/1 Richard Johnson
12/1 Robert Thornton
16/1 Bar


FIRST RACE WINNING QUOTES
LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE


FIRST BLOOD TO IRELAND

The 2004 Festival began on a high when Irish raider Brave Inca prevailed in a brilliant finish with War Of Attrition to take the opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to give trainer Colm Murphy and jockey Barry Cash first Festival successes.

“This is unbelievable, you hope for this but can’t really dream about it,” said 29-year-old Murphy, who was enjoying a victory with his first Festival runner. Murphy spent six years with Aidan O’Brien and another season with Charlie Swan before taking out a licence himself.

“He is an unbelievable horse and his work at home would frighten you, he is also improving all the time.

“We were thinking about going for tomorrow’s Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle as the ground was drying out but we were worried that it might get a bit fast. Dad was saying for the last fortnight that we should go for this one.

“Everything is in the air about where he will go now, I won’t rule anything out but we’ll see how he is before taking any decisions.

“There are seven people in the syndicate (made up of Goatsown-based neighbours Tony Crean and Fergus O’Tierney and their sons) and this is their first horse.

”This is is what it is all about - I cannot describe it.”

Jockey Barry Cash was also celebrating his first Festival success on only his second ride at the meeting. “The first time I rode here was as an amateur in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase when finishing last on Steel Mirror and this is my first professional ride here - it’s a bit better this time around! I’ve never experienced anything like this before.

“It was a super training performance, Colm is a young man who I think will be many more times in the future.

“We travelled well all the way through, he made a mistake at the second last and without that it would have been even easier. He galloped all the way to the line and it was a great finish. He just does enough, he;s tough and was never going to be passed.”

The Irish have a great record in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, winning the last four runnings.

PLACED QUOTES RACE ONE
LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

“HE HAS RUN A CRACKER”

There was no doom and gloom from Mouse Morris even though his horse War of Attrition was just beaten by the heavily backed favourite Brave Inca in a thrilling finish to the day’s opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“He has run a cracker and I am absolutely delighted with him,” said Morris after War of Attrition had been beaten just a neck after making the winner go all the way to the line.

“He fought back brilliantly up the hill and almost got in front again,” Morris went on. “He is still only a baby and he really is a horse to look forward to for next year. It shows how good he and the winner are when it was seven lengths back to the third.

“War of Attrition will not run again this season and he will go chasing next time; he is a really exciting prospect. I am lucky enough to have some really good horses at the moment and he is one of them.”

Henry Ponsonby, who runs the syndicate which owns third placed Fleet Street, declared their horse’s effort to be “fantastic. I think he will go to Liverpool now and he will get weight from the winner there if he runs again.

“There are 12 registered partners in him and some of them have backed him at 100-1. I have backed him at 70-1 and 65-1 on the exchanges and laid some of that off this morning.

“He had some decent form over six and seven furlongs when he was trained in Germany, and I think his half brother Tusk will win the (JCB) Triumph Hurdle on Thursday. I know Tusk well from his days with Mick Channon and I tried to buy him. So did Nicky Henderson (Fleet Street’s trainer), but in the end Henrietta (Knight) beat us both to get him.”



RACE ONE LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

GROUND

After today’s opening contest, the following jockeys described the ground as:

Mick Fitzgerald, rider of Perle De Puce, said: “Good.”

Rodi Greene, rider of Simoun, said: “Tacky dead ground - it will take a bit of getting and will make the horses tired.”

Robert Thornton, rider of Bourbon Manhattan, said: “Good ground on the slow side, a little bit dead - lovely ground.”

Warren Marston, rider of Island Stream, said: “Very dead.”

Richard Johnson, rider of Lacdoudal, said: “Lovely ground on the slow side of good.”

Tony McCoy, rider of Locksmith, said: “Dead.”

Paul Carberry, rider of Zum See, said: “Slow side.”

Graham Lee, rider of Zibeline, said: “Dead ground - I promise you.”

Jimmy McCarthy, rider of Cardenas, said: “Dead.”


WINNING QUOTES RACE TWO
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY

ALL DOWN TO THE BACKROOM BOY

There was no doubt in Martin Pipe’s mind as to where the praise should go after Well Chief, running over fences for just the second time, had got the better of a driving finish with Kicking King by a length in The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

Only half the field got round and favourite Thisthatandtother came down at the second fence.

Well Chief was going very well in front between the last two fences, but Kicking King put in a very serious challenge so that Tony McCoy had to get the best out of the winner for him to get home by a length.

“It’s always brilliant to have a winner at Cheltenham, it is the Olympics of racing and Well Chief has done really well. We had wanted to give him another run before we came here with him, but we just ran out of time and had to come straight here,” said Pipe.

“He jumped really well and all that is down to Jonothan Lower, who has done all his schooling at home and said from the moment he first jumped a hurdle that chasing would be his game.”

Lower, who retired from race riding five years ago after a battle with his weight and problems with diabetes, has worked for Pipe for many years and enjoyed Festival winners on Sondrio in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Kissair in the JCB Triumph.

“From the day I first schooled him over hurdles he has been a natural,” Lower said. “He really attacks his jumps and enjoys it so much. I would think that for almost every day in the last fortnight, until yesterday, he has jumped up to 30 fences, so he has had plenty of practice.

“Running in a race is very different, but he has always been so good a jumper. I know he wasn’t particularly impressive when he won first time over fences at Taunton, but that is a tricky track and there was no pace for him. The only thing he actually got wrong, though, was when he hit the last.

“It is very good of the boss to say that I have helped with the horse, but if it wasn’t for him we would not have the horses or the brilliant facilities which I can use. Basically, I suppose I am assistant trainer in charge of schooling. When I think a horse needs to be schooled I discuss it with the guv’nor and the head lad and if they agree then it is all left to me.”

There are no immediate plans for the winner, but in anticipation of next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ladbrokes who laid the winner at 33-1 for today’s race, put him in at 16-1. Cashmans and Paddy Power offer 10-1.

RACE TWO IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
PLACED QUOTES

KICKING KING SECOND AGAIN

Kicking King was runner-up at the National Hunt Festival for the second year running when he finished the length second to Well Chief in the Irish Independent Arkle. Last year he was runner-up in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Trainer Tom Taaffe said: “I’m thrilled to come back one year after another and finish second again. The winner would have won further if he had jumped the last right and that mistake let us get back in it.

“He’ll probably go for the Powers Irish Whiskey Gold Cup at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles, then go out to grass and come back here over a longer trip for the Gold Cup next year if he’s up to that standard.

“I’ve always thought that he is a stayer but I thought we’d go for this this year rather than the Royal & SunAlliance Chase as that is a very hard race for horses with the future in mind and he had a chance in this. I’ll probably start him over two and a half miles next year and then work our way up to three.

“I spoke to Martin Pipe the other day and he said that Therealbandit and Our Vic were his only chances this year!

“Barry [Geraghty, jockey] gave him a ride second to none - Kicking King jumped very well bar one, when he made a mistake at the ditch and Barry used his head, stayed on him and arrived back in the race full of steam. I loved the way our horse put his head down and kept going.

“The winner jumped well on the day and had much more pace than our fellow - that’s what an Arkle horse is meant to be.”

Third-placed Le Duc was a further seven lengths adrift. Owner Andy Stewart said: “He ran a blinder and his win last time at Kelso sharpened him up. He’s got an entry in the Cathcart but we’ll take him home and see how he is but I wouldn’t rule it out.

“I don’t know if Joe [Tizzard, jockey] will ride again but I expect so.

“I always thought that he was a better hurdler than chaser and he’ll get further in time.

“He was staying on well and considering his attitude problem, which a lot of these French horses have, I’m delighted.”



O’DWYER BANNED

Conor O’Dwyer was given a three-day whip ban for hitting the runner-up, War Of Attrition, in the wrong place. O’Dwyer, who admitted the offence, will be suspended from March 27-29.

SECOND RACE
CONTESTANTS ALL FINE

All the jockeys and horses competing in the incident-packed second race, The Irish Independent Arkle Chase, returned back uninjured.

RACE FOUR WILLIAM HILL NATIONAL HUNT HANDICAP CHASE
WIN QUOTES

KING BREAKS FESTIVAL DUCK

Alan King, David ‘The Duke’ Nicholson’s long-time former assistant gained his first winner in his own right at the National Hunt Festival when Fork Lightning won the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase by two lengths from Shardam.

King said: “I’m thrilled and it’s a wonderful feeling - any winner at Cheltenham is great and this is amazing - it will sink in later. I’ll probably have a few drinks at home, if we get home!

“I thought this was our worst day strength wise but I hoped that he would run well. I wondered if his jumping would hold up but he jumped super.

“This horse takes a lot of getting to know and Robert [Thornton, jockey] has done all the schooling but missed out last time when he won at Wincanton [with Richard Johnson in the saddle].

“I took this fellow out of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the forfeit stage so I didn’t have the option of running him in that. Did I make a mistake - no I’m happy. He’s a lovely young horse and he’s just not ready for the SunAlliance. This is a lot easier than taking those boys on at level weights.

“I’m on the scoreboard and I’m out of the cold list in the Racing Post, which I’ve been in for the last two days!”

“I found this horse in Northern Ireland,” added Nicholson. “Charter Party won this for me in 1986 and he went on to win the Gold Cup two years later.”




FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP CHASE

EDWARDS FINISHES WITH MAXIMUM EFFECT

Darren Edwards, a 19-year-old student at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, came with a perfectly-timed finish to get up 40/1 chance Maximize on the line to defeat long-time leader Merchant’s Friend in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

“I hadn’t been going anywhere down the back but kept plugging away and once he hit the straight he came with a wet sail,” said Edwards, who hails from Wheddon Cross on Exmoor in Devon where his father Gordon - who gave Tony McCoy his first British winner - trains.

“My sister Gemma works in Martin Pipe’s office and I have been pestering him for the last three weeks to see if he had any spare rides. I have won about 30 point-to-points and ridden four or five times before at Cheltenham in hunter chases and over hurdles for my father.”

Pipe was delighted with the rider’s efforts and said: “It was his first ever ride for me and did as he was told - I just wish he wouldn’t leave it so late!

“He stayed on well and at the top of the hill I thought he might get fourth, then third, then second and then he got up. I can’t say he was the one of ours that we fancied but he ended up number one. It’s taken me a while to find out about the horse.”

GUINNESS/THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AWARD

Dessie Hughes, trainer of Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, is the winner of today’s Guinness/The Daily Telegraph Award honouring the individual thought to have made the most significant contribution to each day of the Festival.

RACE FIVE FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP CHASE
PLACED QUOTES

HEARTBREAK FOR MANN

Charlie Mann missed out on his first Cheltenham winner when Merchants Friend was caught in the closing stages by the Martin Pipe-trained Maximize, having looked the winner for a long time.

Mann said: “I thought that I had my first Cheltenham winner there but he just didn’t stay up the hill. If the race had been 50 yards shorter he would have won.

“He ran a blinder and it’s just one of those hard luck stories up the Cheltenham hill. We need it a bit more than Martin Pipe as well!

“Paul [Cashman, jockey] gave him a super ride and the horse jumped like a buck. He’s a good-looking horse him.

“He wants soft ground - he was in the William Hill but he was 6lb out of the handicap.”

DUNSDON UNDER OBSERVATION

David Dunsdon, rider of Innox, who fell at the third obstacle, is under observation in the doctor’s room although any injuries sustained are not serious.

WINNING QUOTES RACE SIX
PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE FINAL

“I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TEMPTED BY 500-1"

On a day when shock followed shock the day’s biggest surprise came in the last race of the day, the final of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, as 50-1 shot Creon got the better of GVA Ireland after at least a dozen horses had had a chance starting down the hill.

Creon belongs to JP McManus, but even those big odds did not persuade him to have a bet on his unpredictable nine-year-old. “I would not have been tempted if someone had offered me 500-1 and certainly did not expect to be here with him after the race; there must have been a bit more juice in the ground than we thought for him to win like that,” he said as he stood in the unsaddling enclosure.

“He has ability, but it is just a question of him using it,” said Creon’s trainer Jonjo O’Neill. “The race was run just to suit him and Timmy (Murphy) did everything right. He has really won without knowing that he has done so, and that is how it has to be with him.

“But you could plan the race a hundred times for him and you would know that it would be a complete waste of time. It all depends on how he feels,” O’Neill added before going off to talk about Creon to the stewards, who were interested in the winner’s dramatic improvement in form.

Francis Flood, trainer of second-placed GVA Ireland, said: “He ran a cracking race, everything went perfectly and was just run out of it in the last 100 yards. A little softer ground might have helped him.

“You’ll be seeing him chasing next season and whether he runs again over hurdles this season will depend on the ground and whether I can find a suitable race.”




RACE SIX PERTEMPS FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE

ELLIOTT COOPER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

Jockey Elliott Cooper is on his way to hospital having sustained some facial injuries after Tardar’s fall three fences from home.

The fall resulted in Tardar breaking his right leg just above the knee. Nothing could be done to save him and he was humanely put down.

MCCOY KEEN ON OUR VIC

Champion jockey Tony McCoy is under no illlusions as to how hard it is to ride even one winner at the National Hunt Festival, but despite his reservations he is still extremely enthusiastic about the chances of Our Vic in tomorrow’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Our Vic is unbeaten over the bigger obstacles in two starts including the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot last month, when he proved six lengths too powerful for Rosslea.

McCoy said: “It’s tough for me [this year] and the only one that stands out is Our Vic - it will be tough from then on.”


MULLINS HAS POWERFUL SQUAD THIS YEAR

Irish trainer Willie Mullins has a team of around 20 horses for the 2004 National Hunt Festival, depending on whether a couple of his possibles get into Thursday’s JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Asked about their hopes for Wednesday’s programme, Mullins’ travelling manager Tracey Gilmore said: “There’s obviously Sadlers Wings in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle.”

Sadlers Wings is unbeaten in two starts over timber including a 13-length success over Zum See on his last start in a hurdle at Navan on February 16.

Gilmore went on to nominate the six-year-old as her best bet of the week. “I know the English one [Inglis Drever] is very good but I’m quite sweet on Sadlers Wings. He’s done nothing wrong over hurdles and he was classy on the Flat. A little bit of ease in the ground would suit him,” she enthused.

“Mossy Green and Rule Supreme in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase definitely deserve to be there,” she continued. “Rule Supreme with a clear round should be involved while Mossy Green is a very good jumper.”

Mossy Green was beaten a head by Pizarro on his last outing in a Grade One novices’ chase at Leopardstown last month, while Rule Supreme was the three-quarter length runner-up to Coq Hardi Diamond last time in a handicap chase at Punchestown on the first day of February.

She said: “In the National Hunt Chase, we have Boneyarrow, but he would probably prefer a bit more rain.”
Four of his five career successes have come in races with the word ‘soft’ in the going description and on his last start he was two lengths adrift of Jim in a Grade Two novices’ chase at Naas in February, when the ground was yielding.

“We run five [Gayle Abated, Granny Kellys Tart, Knocknabooly, Major Vernon and Our Ben] in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper,” she commented.

“There’s not a whole lot between them and the betting is much more varied than the horses.

“Knocknabooly is a very good horse and a chaser in the making so anything he does now is a bonus. Ruby [Walsh, jockey] either chose to ride him or Mr Mullins told him to ride him! I love this horse - he’s lovely.

“The other horses are very nice and progressive and have all been impressing us enough to bring them here. Perhaps the best bet is 3/1 for us to win the bumper and we’ll hope for the best.

“Today I’m very sweet on the chances of Davenport Milenium in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

“I’m just sorry we couldn’t bring Florida Pearl over this year. His fourth win in the Irish Hennessy was just brilliant.”


GOING NEWS AT 10 AM

Following a dry night the going remains

GOOD

on all parts of the track. Racing takes place today on the Old Course.

“It measures 7.5 on the going stick where 1 is heavy and 15 is hard, with good being between 7 and 9,” said clerk of the course Simon Claisse.

“We had virtually no rain yesterday, just one-fifth of a millimetre and throughout last week we had 14.5 millIimetres, which is just over half an inch. Before the rain came we had put on about one million gallons on the Old and New Courses.

“The forecast suggests that there might be a bit of rain today, but then it will become dry and cloudy and there may be some sunshine on Thursday.

“I am very much loooking forward to three magnificent days of racing, especially with four champions coming back to defend their crowns. The battle for the Queen Mother Champion Chase should be wonderful, but the entire three days promise some brilliant races.”


BETTING NEWS

The vast contingent of Irish visitors to Cheltenham like nothing better than to start off the day with a winner, though the home team is not actually averse to that either, and it looks as if there will be a specially loud cheer if Brave Inca wins the opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2.0). Described by Charles Lee of Paddy Power as “the Irish banker for the first day,” Brave Inca is unbeaten in his last five starts and has been backed from 9-2 to 4-1 with Power and Coral and to the same price from 5-1 by Cashmans. In the same race Powers report interest in Perle de Puce, who is in by a point from 9-1, and Cardenas, the ex-German trained horse now with Charles Egerton, is a big loser for Ladbrokes who have one punter due to pick up £333,000 if the five-year-old is successful.

In contrast to Brave Inca there is no sign of any confidence behind Albuhera, with both Power and Coral reporting him very much on the slide. Power and Cashman offer money back if, with Powers, you back Brave Inca and he is second to Paul Nicholls’ horse, and with Cashmans whatever horse you back is second to Albuhera.

In The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy (2.40) Cashmans report good support for Caracciola from 8-1 to 7-1, Coral have had steady interest in Kicking King at 4-1 and Hills report strong business over Thisthatandtother who has come in from 3-1 to 5-2. A regular team of five punters in their local shop put away a sum of money each week for a year for their giant bet of the season, and this time they have put their pooled £5,000 on Thisthatandtother.

Rooster Booster will be another big loser for Ladbrokes if he repeats
his 2003 victory in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle (3.20), and Coral have tightened up Terry Warner’s grey from 13-8 to 6-4. They report no interest in second favourite Rigmarole, but in contrast there has been support for the Kingwell Hurdle winner with Cashmans, who have him at 7-2 from 4-1.

Among the outsiders, French challenger Foreman has been popular with Paddy Power, who have trimmed him from 20-1 to 16-1.

In the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase (4.0), Cashmans have had enough interest in Master Tern to bring him in from 12-1 to 10-1 and in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Memorial Chase (4.40) Powers have cut Horus from 12-1 to 10-1 and Cashmans have cut Ibis Rochelais by a point to 6-1. The latter have also trimmed Stormez from 12-1 to 8-1, including one bet of £3,000 each way at 10-1, in the closing Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (5.20) where Hidden Bounty is trading well with Coral at 11-1.


TOP JOCKEY BETTING

There are a number of discrepancies in the betting over who will be top jockey at the Festival and thus win the prize put up by the Daily Telegraph.

Although both Cashmans and Ladbrokes agree that Ruby Walsh will top the list on Thursday evening, the former offer 9-4 about his chances, having laid a bet of 4,000euros at 5-2, and Ladbrokes are half a point shorter at 7-4 after a bet of £10,000 at 9-4.

Barry Geraghty is second favourite at 5-2 (Cashmans) and 11-4 (Ladbrokes), with Tony McCoy on 9-2 with the Irish firm and 5-1 with Ladbrokes.

Richard Johnson is two points longer at Cashmans (8-1) than at Ladbrokes and you can back Jim (Best Mate) Culloty at 12-1 with Cashmans as the Rayners Lane firm offers four points less.



HARRINGTON AND GERAGHTY DELIGHTED WITH FLYER AHEAD OF QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE TILT

Trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Barry Geraghty are delighted with Moscow Flyer ahead of his bid to win a second successive Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival tomorrow. The 10-year-old, winner of the 2002 Irish Independent Arkle Chase, is aiming for his third Festival success.

“It must be 10/1 just to get a horse here three years running so I’m very happy he’s made it,” said Harrington. “I hadn’t seen him since he left home until this morning and I’m delighted with him - Barry just rode him out on the track today.

“From the time he won last year, everything has been geared until tomorrow. In a way it has been easier this time, there has been a lot less pressure because he was everyone’s banker of the meeting - I just don’t think about the race. But he’s done everything I’ve wanted this season and I think he’s a bit stronger this year.”

But Harrington will not be saddling her two entries, Macs Joy and Green Belt Flyer, in Thursday’s Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle because top-weight Rigmarole is being declared under the new 48-hour declaration system.

“I think someone has made a serious error with the handicaps because the big getting- out stakes, the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle, is going to be a very top-heavy affair with a lot of horses running from out of the handicap,” said Harrington .”I wasn’t going to run my two from out of the weights because there are a lot of other opportunities for them in Ireland.”

Barry Geraghty, winner of The Daily Telegraph Award for leading rider at last year’s Festival, is hopeful of another good meeting this time around with his book of mounts headed by Moscow Flyer.

“In the Queen Mother, you’d find it hard to see beyond the first two and I’m more than happy that my fellow has the guns.

“I ride Refinement in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and he seems a lovely sort but you don’t know what will happen in the race. They are all running with reputations and an outsider could come in.

“Keen Leader is one of the few horses in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with the class to give Best Mate a race. I watched the video of the AON Chase last night and it was a slowly run race and he jumped badly as a result. He will do much better with a good pace on Thursday.

“I’m on Iris’s Gift in the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle and I don’t see any reason as a seven-year-old why he shouldn’t overturn the form with Baracouda. I think he is great value.”


MEADE AND O’GRADY LOOK AHEAD

Noel Meade will saddle a select team including last year’s third, Harbour Pilot, in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Rosaker in tomorrow’s Coral Cup, Wild Passion in the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Thursday and Strong Run in the same day’s Grand Annual Chase.

“I’d be very happy if Harbour Pilot was as well as he was at Leopardstown but he has lost a bit of weight since travelling over and I hope he puts it back on in the next couple of days,” said Meade. “If he ever gets it right and jumps a clear round he would have a great chance but in all his races he has made stupid mistakes and thrown it away. I think Paul is just going to have to sit and suffer and let the horse do his bit on Thursday.

“Now that Power Elite is not going for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, we are relying on Wild Passion. He was beaten half a length by Power Elite at Fairyhouse and the pair were 12 lengths clear in a race that had most of the top Irish four-year-olds running. He finished third in the German St Leger on the Flat and I think he is a very good horse.

“Strong Run has gone up a bit in the weights but he is a two-time Grade 1 winner. He may be a bit long in the tooth now but the better the ground the better the chance he has.

“All along we intended to run Rosaker in the Stayers’, even if it meant meeting Baracouda, but when it became apparent Rhinestone Cowboy would be declared for the Coral Cup we switched and he has a nice weight on 10st 9lb. He’s a bit of a worrier but he has settled in well here and I think he has a great chance of being in the first three.”

Edward O’Grady will field a select team this week, spear-headed by Pizarro in tomorrow’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

“You don’t get medals for runners here, you get them for winners,” said O’Grady. “I’m very happy with Pizarro’s preparation and he’s shown he likes the course, he’s been here twice before and run really well.

Jockey Barry Geraghty added: “I’ve never seen Pizarro look better, he jumped well on his last two runs and will definitely run a big race.”

O’Grady continued: “I’m hoping John Oliver will run a very big race in today’s Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Like Goldilocks, when he’s good, he’s very good.

“Overbury Affair will miss the Weatherbys Champion Bumper tomorrow - JP (McManus) can only win with one horse!”

GOING UPDATE

The latest Going Stick reading is 7.8, a change from 7.5 this morning

FIRST RACE RESULT

2.00pm LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

Class A, Grade One, £100,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m .5f. Weights: 4yo 11st, 5yo+ 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £58,000; 2nd: £22,000; 3rd: £11,000; 4th: £5,000; 5th: £2,500; 6th: £1,500

1)BRAVE INCA (Novices Syndicate) Colm Murphy IRE 6-11-07 Barry Cash 7/2 Fav
2)WAR OF ATTRITION (Gigginstown House Stud) Mouse Morris IRE 5-11-07 Conor O'Dwyer 33/1
3)FLEET STREET (Henry Ponsonby)Nicky Henderson 5-11-07 Andrew Tinkler 20/1
4)CARDENAS (Dr G Mada Mohan) Charles Egerton 5-11-07 Jimmy McCarthy
5)GARDE CHAMPETRE (Million In Mind Partnership) Paul Nicholls 5-11-07 Timmy Murphy
6)ARCH STANTON (J J Brennan) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-07 Shay Barry
7)LOCKSMITH (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 4-11-00 Tony McCoy
8)BOURBON MANHATTAN (A Longman, Terry Warner, R Devereux & Partners) Alan King 6-11-07 Robert Thornton
9)ZIBELINE (Ashley Carr) Brian Ellison b7-11-07 Graham Lee
10)ALBUHERA (David & F A Jackson) Paul Nicholls t6-11-07 Ruby Walsh
11)LACDOUDAL (Carol Skan) Philip Hobbs 5-11-07 Richard Johnson
12)ZUM SEE (Alex Syndicate) Noel Meade IRE 5-11-07 Paul Carberry
13)EURO LEADER (John Cox) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-07 Davy Russell
14)SIMOUN (The Macca & Growler Partnership) Martin Pipe t6-11-07 Rodi Greene
15)JOHN OLIVER (P F Lehane) Edward O'Grady IRE 6-11-07 Barry Geraghty
PU)ISLAND STREAM (Mark Apps) John Jenkins 5-11-07 Warren Marston
PU)DICTUM (Gerard Nock) Susan Nock 6-11-07 Jim Culloty
PU)PERLE DE PUCE (Robert Waley-Cohen) Nicky Henderson 5-11-00 Mick Fitzgerald
UR LAST) MARIAH ROLLINS (Gone West Racing Syndicate) Pat Fahy IRE 6-11-00 David Casey

19 ran
Breeder: D W MacauleyBreeding: b g Good Thyne (USA) - Wigwam Mam (IRE)
Distances: nk, 7, 1.25, .5, 3.5, 1.25, 1, .75, 2, 22, 6, 1.75, 21, 5
ToteWin: £3.50Places: £2.40; £9.70; £5.90Exacta: £299.10

Winning trainer: Murphy, Colm A Age: 29 Based: Ballinadrummin, Killena, Gorey, Co Wexford Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Brave Inca) Other Details: Former amateur rider, has a degree in accountancy. First started training in 2000, having previously spent six years with Aidan O’Brien (at both Piltown and Ballydoyle).

Winning Jockey: Barry M Cash Age: 29 Based: Springfield House, Mooretown, Rathcoffey, County Kildare Big Race Wins: Irish Field Novices’ Chase (2000 Limestone Lad); Craddockstown Novices’ Chase (2000 Limestone Lad); Troytown Handicap Chase (2000 Lyreen Wonder) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Brave Inca)


SECOND RACE RESULT
2.40pm IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE

Class A, Grade One, £140,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 2m. Weights: 5yo 11st 3lb, 6yo+ 11st 7lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £81,200; 2nd: £30,800; 3rd: £15,400; 4th: £7,000; 5th: £3,500; 6th: £2,100

1)WELL CHIEF (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 5-11-03 Tony McCoy 9/1
2)KICKING KING (Conor Clarkson) Tom Taaffe IRE 6-11-07 Barry Geraghty 7/2
3)LE DUC (Judy Stewart) Paul Nicholls 5-11-03 Joe Tizzard 25/1
4)JAHASH (J Hawkins) Alan King 6-11-07 Robert Thornton
5)COLCA CANYON (Philip Myerscough) Jessica Harrington 7-11-07 Robbie Power
6)JOHN JAMES (Monica Cogan) Homer Scott IRE 8-11-07 Ken Whelan
7)KELTIC BARD (M Rowland, M Collins & P Cox) Charlie Mann 7-11-07 Noel Fehily
8)CARACCIOLA (Piers Pottinger) Nicky Henderson 7-11-07 Mick Fitzgerald
BD 2 OUT) PUNTAL (Terry Neill) Martin Pipe t8-11-07 Timmy Murphy
F 2 OUT) TIDOUR (Mrs M Fisher) Paul Webber 8-11-07 Tommy Doyle
F 2)THISTHATANDTOTHER (Graham Roach) Paul Nicholls 8-11-07 Ruby Walsh 5/2 Fav
PU)PALUA (Mark Barrett & Parters) Emma Lavelle t8-11-07 Barry Fenton
PU)OUR ARMAGEDDON (Leslie Garrett) Richard Guest 7-11-07 Larry McGrath
PU)MISTER MCGOLDRICK (Richard Longley) Sue Smith 7-11-07 Dominic Elsworth
PU)ROYALEETY (Mr & Mrs John Poynton) Ian Williams 5-11-03 Paul Moloney
UR 9)CENTRAL HOUSE (John Kenny)Dessie Hughes IRE 7-11-07 Paul Carberry

16 ran
Breeder: Gestut NorinaBreeding: ch g Night Shift (USA) - Wellesiena (GER)
Distances: 1, 7, 10, 6, 4, 8, 14
ToteWin: £10.00Places: £2.90; £2.10; £6.80Exacta: £34.80

Winning trainer: MARTIN CHARLES PIPE Date of birth: 29/5/45 Date of first licence: 1977 Previous occupation: Amateur rider, shop manager for father, bookmaker David Pipe. Cheltenham Festival wins: (31) JCB Triumph Hurdle (1981 Baron Blakeney, 1995 Kissair), Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle (1994 Balasani, 1996 Cyborgo), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (1997 Make A Stand, 1993 Granville Again), Coral Eurobet Cup (2002 Ilnamar, 1997 Big Strand, 1993 Olympian), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1991 Rolling Ball, 1992 Miinnehoma), Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase (1991 Omerta, 2003 Royal Predica), Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (1989 Sayfar's Lad, 1990 Regal Ambition), Gerrard Supreme Hurdle (1989 Sondrio, 1999 Hors La Loi III), Cathcart (1991 Chatam, 1996 Challenger Du Luc, 1998 Cyfor Malta, 2002 Royal Auclair), Irish Independent Arkle (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve, 2004 Well Chief), Mildmay of Flete (1997 Terao, 1999 Majadou, 2000 Dark Stranger, 2002 Blowing Wind), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (1998 Blowing Wind), Pertemps Final (1998 Unsinkable Boxer), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2003 Liberman) Other major wins: Martell Cognac Grand Nationaal (1994 Miinnehoma), Welsh National (1993 Riverside Boy, 1992 Run For Free, 1991 Carvill's Hill, 1988 & 1989 Bonanza Boy), Scottish Grand National (1993 Run For Free), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1987 Beau Ranger, 1996 Challenger Du Luc, 1998 Cyfor Malta, 2000 Lady Cricket, 2001 Shooting Light, 2002 Cyfor Malta), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (1991 Chatam, 1988 Strands Of Gold), Whitbread Gold Cup (1995 Cache Fleur), Tote Gold Trophy (1997 Make A Stand), Tripleprint Gold Cup (1993 Fragrant Dawn, 1998 Northern Starlight), Long Walk Hurdle (1992 Vagog, 2002 Deano’s Beeno), cantorsport.co.uk Silver Cup (2001 Shooting Light, 2003 Horus), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (2004 Our Vic) Wins (1974/75-2002/03): 1, 5, 5, 2, 6, 12, 14, 20 23, 32, 51, 79, 106, 129, 208, 224, 230, 224, 194, 126, 137, 176, 212, 208, 187, 243, 168, 235, 190 Number of horses in training (1984-2003): 28, 38, 65, 60, 62, 108, 107, 131, 120, 81, 122, 66, 91, 94, 106, 136, 146, 103, 140, 165 Wins This Season: 151

Winning Jockey: Anthony Peter McCoy Date of Birth: 04/05/74 First Winner: Thurles, 26/03/92 (First winner in Britain: 07/09/94, Exeter, Chickabiddy) Apprenticeship: Four years with Jim Bolger.Cheltenham Festival Wins: (15) GRAND ANNUAL CHASE (1996 Kibreet, 1998 Edredon Bleu), IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve, 2004 Well Chief), SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE (1997 Make A Stand), TOTE GOLD CUP (1997 Mr Mulligan), CATHCART CHASE (1998 Cyfor Malta, 2002 Royal Auclair) Pertemps Final (1998 Unsinkable Boxer), VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HURDLE (1998 Blowing Wind), GERRARD SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE (1999 Hors La Loi III), THE MILDMAY OF FLETE CHALLENGE CUP HCAP CHASE (1999 Majadou), QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (2000 Edredon Bleu), WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER (2003 Liberman) Other major wins: KING GEORGE VI CHASE (2002 Best Mate), SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL (1997 Belmont King), REHEARSAL CHASE (1996 Belmont King), PADDY POWER GOLD CUP (1998 Cyfor Malta, 2000 Lady Cricket, 2001Shooting Light), PILLAR PROPERTY CHASE (1999 Cyfor Malta), TRIPLEPRINT GOLD CUP CHASE (1998 Northern Starlight), EXTRAMAN HENRY VIII NOVICES’ CHASE (1998 Dines), MILDMAY & CAZALET HCAP CHASE (1999 Eudipe), GROSVENOR CASINOS LONG DISTANCE HURDLE (1999 Galant Moss), SCILLY ISLES NOVICES’ CHASE (2000 Upgrade), FIRST NATIONAL GOLD CUP H’CAP CHASE (2000 Upgrade), LONG WALK HURDLE (2002 Deano’s Beeno), MELLING CHASE (Viking Flagship 1996), MARTELL AINTREE HURDLE (1998 Pridwell) Winners 1994/5-2002/03:74,175, 189,253,186,245,191, 289, 257 Wins this season: 187


3.20pm SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class A, Grade One, £300,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m .5f. Weights: 4yo 11st 3lb, 5yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £174,000; 2nd: £66,000; 3rd: £33,000; 4th: £15,000; 5th: £7,500; 6th: £4,500

1)HARDY EUSTACE (Laurence Byrne) Dessie Hughes IRE b1 7-11-10 Conor O'Dwyer 33/1
2)ROOSTER BOOSTER (Terry Warner) Philip Hobbs 10-11-10 Richard Johnson 11/8 Fav
3)INTERSKY FALCON (Interskyracing.com & Jacqui O’Neill) Jonjo O'Neill tb7-11-10 Liam Cooper 8/1
4)FOREMAN (J P McManus) Thierry Doumen FR 6-11-10 Thierry Doumen
5)WESTENDER (Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst) Martin Pipe b8-11-10 Tony McCoy
6)FOTA ISLAND (J P McManus) Mouse Morris IRE b6-11-10 David Casey
7)GOLDEN CROSS (Exors of the late Mrs H Johnson) Mick Halford IRE p5-11-10 Paul Carberry
8)RIGMAROLE (Mark & Tessa Woodhouse) Paul Nicholls t6-11-10 Ruby Walsh
9)SPECULAR (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 8-11-10 Barry Geraghty
10)SELF DEFENSE (Fraser Miller Racing) Emma Lavelle 7-11-10 Barry Keniry
11)HASTY PRINCE (F F Racing Services Partnership III) Jonjo O'Neill 6-11-10 Tony Dobbin
12)LIMERICK BOY (Favourites Racing) Venetia Williams 6-11-10 Sam Thomas
13)DAVENPORT MILENIUM (Miriam O’Callaghan) Willie Mullins IRE 8-11-10 Timmy Murphy
PU)GEOS (Thurloe Finsbury) Nicky Henderson 9-11-10 Mick Fitzgerald

14 ran
Breeder: Patrick JoyceBreeding: b g Archway (IRE) - Sterna Star
Distances: 5, 4, 1.25, nk, 3, 6, 2.5, 4, sh, .75, 1, 1.5
ToteWin: £39.90Places: £5.90; £1.60; £3.20Exacta: £112.70

Winning Trainer: Dessie Hughes Born: October 10, 1943 Based: Osborne Lodge, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland Horses in Training (1996-2003): 32; 26; 41; 31; 41; 46; 52; 62 Cheltenham Festival Wins: (3) Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1982 Miller Hill), Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (2003 Hardy Eustace), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (2003 Hardy Eustace) Date of First Trainer’s Licence: 1979. Previously assistant to Mick O’Toole 1966-79. Former jockey, won 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Davy Lad and 1979 Champion Hurdle on Monksfield. Father of leading Flat jockey Richard Hughes.

Winning Jockey: Conor O'Dwyer Date of birth: April 8, 1966, County Wexford Cheltenham Festival Winners: (2) totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1996 Imperial Call), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (2003 Hardy Eustace) Other Big Race Wins: LADBROKE HURDLE (1990 Redundant Pal), IRISH HENNESSY GOLD CUP (1996 Imperial Call), MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL (1992 Laura’s Beau), Martell Cognac Melling Chase (1998 Opera Hat, 2002 and 2003 Native Upmanship), Martell Red Rum Handicap Chase (1998 Jeffell), Barton and Guestier Top Novices Hurdle (1999 Joe Mac)


FOURTH RACE RESULT

4.00pm WILLIAM HILL NATIONAL HUNT HANDICAP CHASE
Class A, Grade Three, £80,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 3m .5f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a Class C chase 3lb; of a Class A or B chase 6lb (no penalty incurred by horses originally handicapped above 11st 10lb, any horse rated above 155 shall initially be treated as having that rating and the highest weight alloted shall be 11st 10lb; subsequently the excess over 1555 in any rating shall be added to the weight allotted. Penalty Values: 1st: £46,400; 2nd: £17,600; 3rd: £8,800; 4th: £4,000; 5th: £2,000; 6th: £1,200

1)FORK LIGHTNING (Fred & Sue Welch) Alan King 8-10-05 Robert Thornton 7/1
2)SHARDAM (Howard Parker) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-10-7 Carl Llewellyn 11/2
3)ROYAL AUCLAIR (Clive Smith) Paul Nicholls t7-10-09 Ruby Walsh 7/1
4)KELAMI (Halewood International Ltd) Francois Doumen FR 6-10-05 Francois Doumen
5)CHICUELO (Belinda Harvey) Martin Pipe v8-10-07 Tony McCoy
6)YOU'RE AGOODUN (Jeff Lammiman) Martin Pipe v12-9-11 Mr Tom Malone (7)
7)MASTER TERN (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 9-10-00 Tony Dobbin
8)HAUT CERCY (The Wiggin Partnership) Henry Daly 9-10-09 Richard Johnson 100/30 Fav
9)DARK STRANGER (Terry Neill) Martin Pipe b13-10-00 Paul Carberry
PU)TYNEANDTHYNEAGAIN (Norman Mason) Richard Guest p9-11-01 Henry Oliver
PU)MARLBOROUGH (Sir Robert Ogden) Nicky Henderson 12-11-12 Mick Fitzgerald

11 ran
Breeder: Daniel & Patrick KeatingBreeding: gr g Roselier (FR) - Park Breeze (IRE)
Distances: 2, 9, 1.75, 5, 6, 3.5, 12, dist
ToteWin: £6.90Places: £2.00; £2.30; £2.60Exacta: £35.90

Winning Trainer: Alan King Born: December 13, 1966 Based: Barbury Castle Stables, Wroughton, Wiltshire Big Race Wins: Bula Hurdle (1999 Relkeel), Long Walk Hurdle (1999 Anzum), Jim Ford Challenge Cup (2000 Spendid), Cleeve Hurdle (2004 Crystal d’Ainay) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase (2004 Fork Lightning) Number of horses in training (2000-2003): 65; 51; 56; 74 Number of Winners (1999/2000-2002/03): 27; 18; 34; 40 Wins this season: 45

Winning Jockey: Robert Thornton Date of birth: 14/7/78 Wins (1995/96-2002/03): 3; 30; 71; 37; 23; 40; 56; 50 Cheltenham Festival wins: (3) FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP CHASE (King Lucifer 1997), PERTEMPS FINAL (Pharanear 1997), William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase (2004 Fork Lightning) Big Race Wins: MICHAEL PAGE GROUP KINGMAKER NOVICES’ CHASE (Flagship Uberalles 1999), MONEY STORE RENDLESHAM HCAP HURDLE (1999 Pharanear), SPORTING INDEX CHASE (2002 Famfoni), TOTE BULA HURDLE (2003 Rigmarole), MARTELL FOXHUNTERS’ CHASE (Blue Cheek 1997), CORDON BLEU HANDICAP HURDLE (Shankar 1997) Wins this Season: 66



FIFTH RACE RESULT
4.40pm FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP CHASE (AMATEUR RIDERS)

Class B, £50,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+ Rated 0-140, 3m .5f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a Class A to C chase 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse;s weight above 11st 12lb). Penalty Values: 1st: £29,000; 2nd: £11,000; 3rd: £5,500; 4th: £2,500; 5th: £1,250; 6th: £750

1)MAXIMIZE (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 10-10-06 Mr Darren Edwards (7) 40/1
2)MERCHANTS FRIEND (Magic Moments) Charlie Mann p9-10-11 Mr Paul Cashman 20/1
3)IBIS ROCHELAIS (Andrew Wates) Albert Ennis 8-10-04 Mr Tom Greenall (3) 7/1 Fav
4)DOMINIKUS (The Aarons Archer Partnership) Ferdy Murphy 7-10-01 Mr Keith Mercer (5) 20/1
5)JASMIN GUICHOIS (Seasons Holidays) Venetia Williams 7-9-12 Mr Nick Williams (5)
6)WAGNER (Ossian Construction Ltd) Jonjo O'Neill 7-10-08 Mr R Harding (3)
7)SUPER FELLOW (R & P Syndicate) Denis Murphy IRE tp10-9-09 Mr Colin Motherway (5)
8)PROMINENT PROFILE (The Son Partnership) Nigel Twiston-Davies 11-10-07 Mr Robert Widger
9)MONTIFAULT (Anne Fulton) Paul Nicholls 9-11-02 Mr Derek O'Connor
10)BALLYCONNELL (Gallant Denco Wallace Whittle) Venetia Williams 8-10-07 Mr Brian Hamilton
F 3)INNOX (Marquesa de Moratalla) Francois Doumen FR b8-11-08 Mr David Dunsdon
F 3)ROYAL PREDICA (Pet Deal, J Dale, Allan Stennett) Martin Pipe t10-11-02 Mr Gordon Elliott
PU)JASMIN D'OUDAIRIES (Decies & Dubs Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 7-10-07 Mr Jamie Codd
PU)TOTO TOSCATO (Lady Hilda Clarke) Martin Pipe 10-10-09 Mr Guy Weatherley (7)
PU)JARDIN DE BEAULIEU (Mr & Mrs John Poynton) Ian Williams p7-10-09 Mr Alistair Crowe
PU)LANMIRE TOWER (Mrs D Dukes) Steve Gollings b10-10-04 Mr Adam FitzGerald
PU)MONTREAL (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 7-10-04 Mr Les Jefford
PU)ROYAL BELUGA (M R C Opperman) Tom George 7-10-04 Mr Niall Madden
PU)SULPHUR SPRINGS (P A D Scouller) Martin Pipe t12-9-07 Mr Ben King (7)
PU)MONDIAL JACK (Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II) Martin Pipe 5-9-10 Mr Tom Malone (5)
PU)HORUS (Brian Kilpatrick) Martin Pipe 9-12-00 Mr Ashley Farrant
PU)GIELGUD (Jenny Powell) Paul Webber t7-9-11 Mr Stuart Morris (3)

22 ran Non-Runner: Red Striker (Vet’s Certificate), Wild Knight (Vet’s Certificate)
Breeder: Roberta BellBreeding: b g Mandalus - Lone Run
Distances: 1, 9, 10, 3, 20, 6, 1.25, .75, 28
ToteWin: £50.60Places: £8.70; £6.10; £2.40; £7.40Exacta: £577.30

Winning trainer: MARTIN CHARLES PIPE Date of birth: 29/5/45 Date of first licence: 1977 Previous occupation: Amateur rider, shop manager for father, bookmaker David Pipe. Cheltenham Festival wins: (32) JCB Triumph Hurdle (1981 Baron Blakeney, 1995 Kissair), Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle (1994 Balasani, 1996 Cyborgo), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (1997 Make A Stand, 1993 Granville Again), Coral Eurobet Cup (2002 Ilnamar, 1997 Big Strand, 1993 Olympian), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1991 Rolling Ball, 1992 Miinnehoma), Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase (1991 Omerta, 2003 Royal Predica, 2004 Maximize), Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (1989 Sayfar's Lad, 1990 Regal Ambition), Letheby & Christopher Supreme Hurdle (1989 Sondrio, 1999 Hors La Loi III), Cathcart (1991 Chatam, 1996 Challenger Du Luc, 1998 Cyfor Malta, 2002 Royal Auclair), Irish Independent Arkle (1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve, 2004 Well Chief), Mildmay of Flete (1997 Terao, 1999 Majadou, 2000 Dark Stranger, 2002 Blowing Wind), Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (1998 Blowing Wind), Pertemps Final (1998 Unsinkable Boxer), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2003 Liberman) Other major wins: Martell Cognac Grand Nationaal (1994 Miinnehoma), Welsh National (1993 Riverside Boy, 1992 Run For Free, 1991 Carvill's Hill, 1988 & 1989 Bonanza Boy), Scottish Grand National (1993 Run For Free), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1987 Beau Ranger, 1996 Challenger Du Luc, 1998 Cyfor Malta, 2000 Lady Cricket, 2001 Shooting Light, 2002 Cyfor Malta), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (1991 Chatam, 1988 Strands Of Gold), Whitbread Gold Cup (1995 Cache Fleur), Tote Gold Trophy (1997 Make A Stand), Tripleprint Gold Cup (1993 Fragrant Dawn, 1998 Northern Starlight), Long Walk Hurdle (1992 Vagog, 2002 Deano’s Beeno), cantorsport.co.uk Silver Cup (2001 Shooting Light, 2003 Horus), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (2004 Our Vic) Wins (1974/75-2002/03): 1, 5, 5, 2, 6, 12, 14, 20 23, 32, 51, 79, 106, 129, 208, 224, 230, 224, 194, 126, 137, 176, 212, 208, 187, 243, 168, 235, 190 Number of horses in training (1984-2003): 28, 38, 65, 60, 62, 108, 107, 131, 120, 81, 122, 66, 91, 94, 106, 136, 146, 103, 140, 165 Wins This Season: 152

Winning Jockey: Edwards, Mr Darren Martyn Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase (2004 Maximize) Based: Summering, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, Somerset. Born: September 5, 1984, son of former trainer and blacksmith Gordon Edwards (trainer of Tony McCoy’s first British winner). First Winner: Eileen Alanna, Market Rasen November 21 2000.

SIXTH RACE RESULT
5.20pm PERTEMPS FINAL (HANDICAP HURDLE)

Class A, Listed Race, £60,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+ which hace either started in a Pertemps Hurdle race (Qualifier) since the start of the current season or any horses which were eliminated from a qualifier, having declared to run at the overnight stage, 3m 1 .5f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a hurdle 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse;s weight above 11st 12lb). Penalty Values: 1st: £34,800; 2nd: £13,200; 3rd: £6,600; 4th: £3,000; 5th: £1,500; 6th: £900

1)CREON (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill p9-10-00 Timmy Murphy 50/1
2)G V A IRELAND (Donal O’Buachalla) Francis Flood IRE 6-10-05 Fran Flood 14/1
3)ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (The Irish Connection) Paul Nicholls 6-11-06 Ruby Walsh 25/1
4)HIS NIBS (John Galvanoni) Venetia Williams 7-10-08 Richard Johnson 25/1
5)AR MUIN NA MUICE (Gay Smith) Jonjo O'Neill 8-11-06 Barry Geraghty
6)MUTINEER (Seven To Eleven Syndicate) Dessie Hughes IRE tb5-10-11 Paul Carberry
7)KEEPATEM (J P McManus) Mouse Morris IRE 8-10-7 David Casey 4/1 Fav
8)PERSONAL ASSURANCE (Christopher Johnston) Jonjo O'Neill 7-10-04 Liam Cooper
9)BACK ON TOP (Sue Magnier) John Hassett IRE 10-10-07 Conor O'Dwyer
10)MISTANOORA (A M J Duggan) Nigel Twiston-Davies b5-11-08 Carl Llewellyn
11)BREWSTER (Mr & Mrs John Poynton) Ian Williams 7-11-00 James Davies (3)
12)IMPERIAL DE THAIX (Jeff Lammiman) Martin Pipe t8-9-07 Mr Tom Malone (7)
13)STROMNESS (Lady Harris) Alan King 7-11-04 Robert Thornton
14)INCHING CLOSER (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 7-11-06 Graham Lee
15)ROSTROPOVICH (M A Kilduff) Mouse Morris IRE tp7-11-05 Paul Flynn
16)DERIVATIVE (P Ryan) Venetia Williams 6-10-04 Sam Thomas (3)
17)COLUMBUS (Racing For You Limited) Jenny Candlish v7-10-00 Seamus Durack
18)HOMELEIGH MOONCOIN (Miss S Wilson) Lucy Wadham 9-10-00 Leighton Aspell
19)FREETOWN (Miss S Blumberg & R Nairn) Len Lungo 8-11-11 Mick Fitzgerald
20)STORMEZ (David Johnson) Martin Pipe t7-11-06 Tony McCoy
F 3 OUT) TARDAR (Ray & Sue Dodd Partnership) Jonjo O'Neill 8-11-05 Elliott Cooper (7)
PU)HIDDEN BOUNTY (M E Foxton) Mary Reveley 8-10-02 Alan Dempsey
PU)CARLOVENT (Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II) Martin Pipe v9-10-09 Tom Scudamore
PU)THE BAJAN BANDIT (Ashleybank Investments Limited) Len Lungo 9-11-06 Tony Dobbin

24 ran
Breeder: Kirtlington Stud LtdBreeding: b g Saddler’s Hall (IRE) - Creake
Distances: .5, 1, .5, 1.25, 1.5, 1, 2, 2.5, nk, 11, sh, 1, .5, 10, 1.25, 15, 29, 2.5, dist
ToteWin: £91.10Places: £14.40; £2.70; £4.30; £4.90Exacta: £1398.40

Winning trainer: JONJO O’NEILL Born: April 13, 1952 Based: Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire Career: former National Hunt jockey Cheltenham Festival wins: (8) Pertemps Final (1991 Danny Connors, 2003 Inching Closer, 2004 Creon); National Hunt Chase (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock); Vincent O’Brien County H’cap Hurdle (2000 Master Tern), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope) Horses in Training (1996-2003): 53; 59; 59; 78; 78, 75, 98, 90 Number of Winners (1995/96--2002/03): 18; 17; 32; 38; 44; 58; 113; 114 Other Big Race Wins: Tripleprint Gold Cup (1999 Legal Right), Tote Silver Cup (2000 Legal Right), Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (2002 Native Emperor), Kingwell Hurdle (2003 Rhinestone Cowboy), Challow Hurdle (2002 Coolnagorna), Reynoldstown Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Welsh National (2002 Mini Sensation), Tote Becher Chase (2003 Clan Royal), Edward Hanmer Chase (2003 Keen Leader) Wins this season: 91

Winning Jockey: Timothy James Murphy Date of birth: August 20, 1974 First winner: Gayloire, Kilmuckridge point to point (Co Wexford) General: Rode the last ever winner over jumps at Nottingham - Dominie (29/2/96) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (3) MILDMAY OF FLETE CHASE (1997 Terao), VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HCAP HURDLE (1999 Sir Talbot), PERTEMPS FINAL (2004 Creon) Aintree Festival Wins: CORDON BLEU HCAP HURDLE (1999 Kinnescash) Other major wins: REHEARSAL CHASE (1998 See More Business), PILLAR PROPERTY CHASE (1998 See More Business), PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ASCOT HURDLE (1998 Juyush), AGFA DIAMOND HCAP CHASE (1999 Clever Remark); REYNOLDSTOWN NOVICES’ CHASE (2004 Our Vic), Irish Hennessy Gold Cup (2003 Beef OR Salmon), Ericsson Chase (2002 Beef Or Salmon) Number of Wins (1995/96-2002/2003): 26; 28; 60; 73; 64; 54; 98; 42 Wins this season: 49

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

©Racenews 2002
designed and produced by Racenews Internet Services