Tuesday, March 15, 2005
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
FIRST RACE RESULT
2.00pm LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME
NOVICES’ HURDLE
Class A, Grade One, £100,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m .5f. Weights: 4yo 10st 13lb; 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) ARCALIS (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 5-11-07 Graham Lee 20/1
2) WILD PASSION (Des Sharkey) Noel Meade IRE 5-11-07 Paul Carberry 10/1
3) DUSKY WARBLER (Mike Charlton & Rodger Sargent) Gary Moore 6-11-07 Jamie Moore 20/1
4) PRINS WILLEM (Chris Van Hoorn) James Fanshawe t6-11-07 Tony McCoy 20/1
5) ALERON (Grahame Liles) John Quinn 7-11-07 Russ Garritty
6) CHILLING PLACE (Mike Tuckey) Philip Hobbs 6-11-07 Richard Johnson
7) PUBLICAN (Outback Syndicate) Pat Fahy IRE 5-11-07 Ruby Walsh
8) JUSTIFIED (Braybrook Syndicate) Eamon Sheehy IRE 6-11-07 Shay Barry
9) AKSHAR (Dr R Lambe) Dermot Weld IRE 6-11-07 Barry Geraghty
10) MANORSON (Byrne Bros (Formwork Limited)) Oliver Sherwood 6-11-07 Jimmy McCarthy
11) STAN (Paul Beck) Richard Guest 6-11-07 Henry Oliver
12) SHUHOOD (Mr & Mrs M J Dowd) Paul Webber 5-11-07 Tom Doyle
13) MARCEL (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 5-11-07 Timmy Murphy
14) CHERUB (Atlantic Joinery Limited) Jonjo O'Neill t5-11-07 Mick Fitzgerald
15) MY WAY DE SOLZEN (B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton) Alan King 5-11-07 Robert Thornton
16) AKHTARI (Gigginstown House Stud) Dessie Hughes IRE 5-11-07 Conor O'Dwyer
17) VILLON (Ronnie Bartlett) Len Lungo 6-11-07 Tony Dobbin
18) PERFECT STORM (The Newchange Syndicate) Martin Pipe t6-11-07 Tom Scudamore
19) ONLY VINTAGE (Lady & Alice Bamford) Henrietta Knight 5-11-07 Jim Culloty
20) MADIBA (Eastwell Manor Racing Ltd) Paul Howling 6-11-07 Seamus Durack
20 ran Non-Runner: Dalriath (Vet’s Certificate)
Breeder: P E Clinton Breeding: gr g Lear Fan (USA) - Aristocratique (Cadeaux Genereux)
Dist: 6, .5, 4, sh, 1.25, hd, 1.5, 3, 1.75, 10, 3, hd, 10, 8, .5, 9, 13, 6, 3
Tote: Win: £25.10 Places: £5.70; £3.30; £7.50 Exacta: £345.50
Winning Trainer: Howard Johnson Based: White Lea Farm, Crook, County Durham Born: August 11, 1953, Barnard Castle Date of First Licence: 7th July 1986 Previous occupation: worked for Arthur Stephenson, Roy Johnson Wins (1988/9-2003/04): 14,14,10,21,19,32,32,35,23,27,18,19,13,15, 33, 41 Number of horses in training (1990-2004): 40, 32, 33, 55, 63, 70, 47, 53, 56, 51, 46, 48, 40, 36, 78 Cheltenham Festival wins: (2) National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (1993 Ushers Island), Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Arcalis) Other major wins: Lonesome Glory Hurdle (1993 Dance Of Words), Dipper Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli), Tingle Creek Chase (1998 Direct Route), Charlie Hall Chase (2003 Ballybough Rasher, 2004 Grey Abbey), Scottish National (2004 Grey Abbey), Pillar Property Chase (2005 Grey Abbey), Maghull Novices’ Chase (1995 Morceli, 1998 Direct Route), Red Rum Chase (1997 Down The Fell), Topham Chase (1996 Joe White), Melling Chase (1999 and 2000 Direct Route) Wins This Season: 59
Winning Jockey: Graham Lee Born: December 16, 1975 Background: Irish pony-racing circuit, left school at 15 to join handler Noel Meade. Five rides for Meade then joined Dessie McDonogh in County Meath. Ger Lyons then obtained Lee a position with Mary Reveley when he was 17. Began riding out for Bill Haigh, before joining Malcolm Jefferson. He is now stable jockey to Howard Johnson, for whom he rode 35 winners in 2003/4. Number of Wins (1993/94-2003/04): 6; 20; 11; 16; 21; 24; 28; 25; 58; 66; 94 First Winner: Navan, November 7, 1992, Blushing Pearl Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Arcalis) Big Race Wins: Winter Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Inglis Drever); Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Inglis Drever); totesport Classic Chase (2004 Southern Star); Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Royal Rosa); Charlie Hall Chase (2003 Ballybough Rasher; 2004 Grey Abbey); Scottish National (2004 Grey Abbey) John Smith’s Grand National (2004 Amberleigh House) Wins This Season: 83
INITIAL FIRST RACE QUOTES
LETHEBY &CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
Graham Lee: “it is unbelievable, I’ve always loved the horse, though I can’t say too much now. I’m overjoyed.
“I had a great passage through the race and it is beautiful ground.
“Coming into the meeting I was a festival virgin and I am delighted that I have lost my virginity.”
Howard Johnson: “what a great start to the week, long may it last and now I can relax.
“I never lost faith in the horse. The ground was not right for him at Newbury and that was in the spell of a fortnight when some of the horses were not quite right and he was one of them. He is a different horse on good ground.
“It is nice for Graham to have a Cheltenham winner.
“The ground in the Gold Cup may be too fast for Grey Abbey and he may not run.”
Graham Wylie: “A brilliant start to the meeting. I could not see him in the race until the last hurdle but then I could see him and that he was in with a chance, and that was a fantastic feeling.
“Graham gave him a fantastic ride and I can relax now and look forward to the rest of the week. I think my best chance is with Inglis Drever on Thursday.”
FIRST RACE WINNING QUOTES
LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
WYLIE AND LEE LAND FIRST FESTIVAL SUCCESS
Big-spending owner Graham Wylie enjoyed his first Festival success when Arcalis stormed home six lengths clear of Arcalis to land the opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
It was also the first Festival victory for jockey Graham Lee although trainer Howard Johnson has had one previous winner at the meeting, with Ushers Island in the 1993 National Hunt Chase.
“This was the first time I’ve been racing for a month and that wasn’t bad for a sheep farmer! This cold weather has been good, it’s kept the snuffles and colds away,” said Johnson. “Graham rode a great race and this horse can really quicken off a fast pace. He likes the ground quick and this was perfect for him.”
The horse was bought privately from trainer Lynda Ramsden and owner Paul Morrison and also won the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York in July for his new connections.
“I won’t say how much we paid for him but he’s ended up a cheap horse. He’s won his money back, that’s for sure, and not many do that.
“We knew he was very well last week when we schooled him with Astronomic and I didn’t know which of the two to run - lucklily I got it right.
“He’ll probably not run again over hurdles this season, then go out to grass, maybe we’ll go for the Ebor on the Flat and he should get a nice weight.
Wylie added: “I’m more pleased for Graham Lee and for Howard than myself. “Graham hadn’t had a winner here before and Howard has been working so hard with his horses.
“We bought Arcalis as a hurdler and he’ll probably be a two-mile hurdler next season and Howard is talking about running him in the Ebor at York in August - but Howard changes his mind every 10 minutes, that’s why my diary is such a mess!
“I have made a big investment but this is a great thrill and it was stunning to watch the horse at the final fence.”
Lee added: “I’ve only been back five or six days since breaking my left collarbone. Any pain I had going into the race has gone now. The boss has done a great job and all I’ve done is steer him.”
RACE ONE: LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
PLACED QUOTES
DUSKY “ROBBED” OF SECOND
Gary Moore reflected on what might have been after Dusky Warbler was run out of second by half a length by Wild Passion in the opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle won by northern raider Arcalis.
The pair were trounced six lengths, so it was not a case of making excuses, but Moore was convinced that Dusky Warbler was unlucky not to have finished second.
Moore, whose son Jamie rode Dusky Warbler, said: “He got off and told me that he would definitely have finished second had he jumped the last.
“The horse pricked his ears and met it on a perfect stride, but he got stage-fright and put down on Jamie.
“I had been half tempted to put cheek-pieces on him - it is not that he is a dog as you could not find a more genuine horse, but he sometimes lacks concentration and they might just have made the difference.
“Now if he is OK, we will have to think about going on to Aintree. He has only had four races over jumps and is relatively fresh, and, being a six-year-old, you cannot treat him with kid gloves.”
James Fanshawe was justifiably proud of Prins Willem, who finished fourth under Tony McCoy.
He said:”Tony was adamant that this horse wanted two and a half miles, but, unfortunately, the entries had already closed and I didn’t put him in the longer race. He does not have the best of wind, but when it holds out he is a decent horse, and we will certainly think about Aintree.”
FIRST RACE LETHEBY & CHRISTOPHER SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
GROUND
After the first race, the following jockeys reported the ground as:
Graham Lee, rider of Arcalis, said: “Beautiful.”
Robert Thornton, rider of My Way De Solzen, said: “Good, slightly on the quick side.”
Tom Scudamore, rider of Perfect Storm, said: “Quick side of good.”
Timmy Murphy, rider of, said: “Good, quick ground.”
Richard Johnson, rider of Chilling Place, said: “Good ground.”
Tom Doyle, rider of Shuhood, said: “Just a little better than good.”
Seamus Durack, rider of Madiba, said: “Good really.”
Barry Geraghty, rider of Akshar, said: “Ever so slightly on the soft side.”
Jim Culloty, rider of Only Vintage, said: “Quick enough.”
Russ Garrity, rider of Aleron, said: “Good fast ground.”
Tony Dobbin, rider of Villon, said: “Good ground.”
Jimmy McCarthy, rider of Manorson, said: “Good.”
Conor O’Dwyer, rider of Akhtari, said: “On the slow side of good.”
Henry Oliver, rider of Stan, said: “Good ground.”
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
SECOND RACE RESULT
2.35pm IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class A, Grade One, £140,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 2m. Weights: 5yo 11st 2lb; 6yo+ 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £81,200; 2nd: £30,800; 3rd: £15,400; 4th: £7,000; 5th: £3,500; 6th: £2,100
1) CONTRABAND (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 7-11-07 Timmy Murphy 7/1
2) ASHLEY BROOK (Eva Ellis) Kevin Bishop 7-11-07 Paddy Brennan 20/1
3) RIVER CITY (Mrs Rowley-Williams & Partners) Noel Chance 8-11-07 Tom Doyle 10/1
4) WATSON LAKE (John Corr) Noel Meade IRE 7-11-07 Paul Carberry 17/2
5) MY WILL (Judy Stewart) Paul Nicholls 5-11-02 Ruby Walsh
6) MARIAH ROLLINS (Gone West Racing Syndicate) Pat Fahy IRE 7-11-00 David Casey
7) WAR OF ATTRITION (Gigginstown House Stud) Mouse Morris IRE 6-11-07 Conor O'Dwyer 11/4 Fav
8) MADE IN JAPAN (Terry Evans) Philip Hobbs 5-11-02 Richard Johnson
9) NED KELLY (Sue Magnier) Edward O'Grady IRE 9-11-07 Davy Russell
10) ULAAN BAATAR (J O’Flaherty) Sue Harrington 8-11-07 Barry Geraghty
11) SIR OJ (Brian Keenan) Noel Meade IRE b8-11-07 Mick Fitzgerald
12) MONDUL (Partners In Crime) Milton Harris 5-11-02 Seamus Durack
13) TOWN CRIER (Trevor Hemmings) Sue Smith 10-11-07 Dominic Elsworth
14) MAMBO DES MOTTES (John Nicholls/Roy Robbins/David Nash) Venetia Williams 5-11-02 Alan O'Keeffe
15) THE LAST CAST (D P Barrie) Hughie Morrison 6-11-07 Tom Scudamore
16) STEEL BAND (Irish World Partners Syndicate) Paul Roche IRE 7-11-07 Gary Hutchinson
17) SUPREME DEVELOPER (Mrs A N Durkan) Ferdy Murphy p8-11-07 Brian Harding
PU) LIMERICK BOY (Favourites Racing) Venetia Williams 7-11-07 Sam Thomas
UR 9) KADOUNT (Elite Racing Club) Alan King 7-11-07 Robert Thornton
19 ran
Breeder: Peter Player Breeding: Red Ransom (USA) - Shortfall (Last Tycoon)
Dist: 1, 4, 1.5, nk, 4, 3, 6, .5, 11, 1, 4, 5, 5, 9, 1.5, 24
Tote: Win: £7.80 Places: £3.10; £6.80; £3.20 Exacta: £127.50
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: (33) JCB Triumph Hurdle (1981 Baron Blakeney, 1995 Kissair), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (1994 Balasani, 1996 Cyborgo), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (1997 Make A Stand, 1993 Granville Again), Coral 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 Novices’ 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, 2005 Contraband), 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: John Smith’s 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, 2004 Celestial Gold), Hennessy Gold Cup (1991 Chatam, 1988 Strands Of Gold), betfred Gold Cup (1995 Cache Fleur, 2004 Puntal), Totesport Gold Trophy (1997 Make A Stand, 2002 Copeland), 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 (1974/75-2003/04): 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, 175 Number of horses in training (1984-2004): 28, 38, 65, 60, 62, 108, 107, 131, 120, 81, 122, 66, 91, 94, 106, 136, 146, 103, 140, 165, 165 Wins This Season: 164
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: (5) MILDMAY OF FLETE CHASE (1997 Terao, 2004 Tikram), VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HCAP HURDLE (1999 Sir Talbot), PERTEMPS FINAL (2004 Creon), IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE (2005 Contraband) Other major wins: REHEARSAL CHASE (1998 See More Business), PILLAR PROPERTY CHASE (1998 See More Business), 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), Lexus Chase (2002 Beef Or Salmon), Paddy Power Gold Cup (2004 Celestial Gold), Hennessy Gold Cup (2004 Celestial Gold) Number of Wins (1995/96-2003/2004): 26; 28; 60; 73; 64; 54; 98; 42; 57 Wins This Season: 126
INITIAL SECOND RACE QUOTES
IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE
Timmy Murphy, rider of the successful Contraband, said: “it was important for him to get a big jump at the last.
“He’s never been a bad horse and we have been waiting for this ground.
“Up the hill he didn’t stop. He’s a funny old horse and has his quirks, and he changed his lead and went to his left, but I thought he had gone past the other horse.
“It is a long time since there have been 20 runners in the Arkle and it was very competitive from the start; we were flat out all the way and it was important to keep him happy.”
After the stewards’ inquiry the placings remained unaltered.
RACE 2 WIN QUOTES
IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
CONTRABAND PREVAILS
Contraband gave trainer Martin Pipe and owner David Johnson a fourth Irish Independent Arkle success following on from Or Royal in 1997, Champleve the following year and Well Chief last year.
Connections had to endure a nervous stewards’ enquiry before their charge was confirmed the winner.
Before the result of the enquiry was announced, winning rider Timmy Murphy said: “I think so,” after Pipe had asked him: “Do you think we’ll keep it - what happened?”
Johnson said: “That was one of my punts of the week and I don’t want to tempt fate before the result is announced. That’s our fourth win in this and he’s been laid out for it and come here fresh - we did punt it and I hope that we keep the race!
“He needed the good ground and I hope that we have got one under our belts. You can see how much that I’ve had on because I’ve lost my voice! Timmy gave him a brilliant ride. Perhaps we’ll be celebrating in five minutes time.”
Upon being told that Contraband was a 1/50 chance on the exchanges to keep the race, Pipe said: “I hope they’re right - they’ve been 1/300 before now and been beaten! It would be very nice to win as it’s a great race with young chasers in their prime at Cheltenham - he’s a decent horse although I was worried about War Of Attrition.
“He jumped well and Ashley Brook ran well as well - I’m very nervous. This horse was a topical tip as the Irish have come over here for the Contraband!”
After it was announced that the placing remained unaltered, Pipe said: “He jumped and stayed well. It is always a fast race and the ground helped - I thought that it would suit him.
“Timmy gave him a great ride and they jumped the last while the other one didn’t. This was a very decent flat horse for William Haggas.
“I bought him on the same evening that I had to attend the premiere for the Seabiscuit film. Newmarket sales were on the same evening and you can say that I enjoyed both premieres now that this horse has won the Arkle!
“I bought him by telephone [with Jeff Pearce bidding] for 64,000gns and I had offered to buy him for three times more than that before the sale.”
SECOND RACE PLACED QUOTES
IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHASE
ASHLEY BROOK JUST LOSES OUT
Ashley Brook came within a length of giving trainer Kevin Bishop a first Festival success when finishing second to Contraband in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase.
“He pecked on landing at the last and if he hadn’t then I think he might have won,” said Bishop. “The horse just doesn’t give up when pressed, and one of his real assets is his early speed.
“I had doubts going into the race today with the ground and his shins were not 100 per cent but I thought that he only has one novice year and is going to be very high in the handicap next season. We were originally thinking of staying races for him next season as he will get further and he’ll have no problem staying three miles.
“He’ll be sore tomorrow and we’ll see how his shins are before deciding if he’ll run again this season.”
Noel Chance, who saddled River City to finish third, added: “I was delighted with that and he’ll go to Liverpool, where he’ll finish closer to the winner. The flatter track will suit him better and it wouldn’t bother me if the ground was fast.”
Noel Meade, trainer of fourth-placed Watson Lake, said: “He made a mistake at the second but got back into the race and was not good enough on the day. The ground was also a shade too quick for him, he prefers it a bit softer.”
Race Two: Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy
Other Quotes
NO EXCUSES FOR BEATEN ARKLE FAVOURITE
Conor O’Dwyer offered “no excuses” for 11-4 favourite War of Attrition, who trailed in only seventh behind Contraband in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.
O’Dwyer said: “He jumped super and travelled great but, on this ground and in this company, two miles is probably a bit sharp for him.
“He missed the plain fence between the two ditches, but that was not the problem. We were beaten running down the hill, and, though we winged the third last, it was all over by then.”
The drying ground was also considered the reason for My Will failing to make the frame, though Paul Nicholls’s runner, who finished fifth, ran respectably.
Owner Andy Stewart said: “The going was always a worry, and, ironically, My Will has beaten the first two on soft ground. In the circumstances, we have to be pleased, and he never stopped trying.”
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
THIRD RACE RESULT
3.15pm SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE
CHALLENGE TROPHY
Class A, Grade One, £300,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m .5f. Weights: 4yo 11st 2lb; 6yo+ 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 (Lar Byrne) Dessie Hughes IRE b8-11-10 Conor O'Dwyer 7/2 Jt Fav
2) HARCHIBALD (Des Sharkey) Noel Meade IRE 6-11-10 Paul Carberry 7/1
3) BRAVE INCA (Novices Syndicate) Colm Murphy IRE 7-11-10 Barry Cash 10/1
4) ACCORDION ETOILE (Banjo Syndicate) Paul Nolan IRE 6-11-10 John Cullen
5) MACS JOY (Mac’s J Racing Syndicate) Jessica Harrington IRE 6-11-10 Barry Geraghty
6) INTERSKY FALCON (Interskyracing.com & Jacqui O’Neill) Jonjo O'Neill tb8-11-10 Tony Dobbin
7) AL EILE (M A Ryan) John Queally IRE 5-11-10 Timmy Murphy
8) ROOSTER BOOSTER (Terry Warner) Philip Hobbs 11-11-10 Richard Johnson
9) BACK IN FRONT (Dermot Cox) Edward O'Grady IRE 8-11-10 Ruby Walsh 7/2 Jt Fav
10) SELF DEFENSE (Fraser Miller Racing) Patrick Chamings 8-11-10 Robert Thornton
11) ROYAL SHAKESPEARE (J B Webb) Steve Gollings 6-11-10 Jim Culloty
12) ESSEX (B P S Syndicate) Michael O'Brien IRE 5-11-10 Tony McCoy
13) ASTONVILLE (Fergus Wilson) Michael Scudamore 11-11-10 Tom Scudamore
14) TURNIUM (Fergus Wilson) Michael Scudamore 10-11-10 James Davies
14 ran Non-Runner: Present Bleu (Vet’s Certificate)
Breeder: Patrick Joyce Breeding: b g Archway (IRE) - Sterna Star (Corvaro)
Dist: nk ,nk, 3, 1.5, .5, 2, 3, nk, 1.75, 3, 3, 17, 20
Tote: Win: £4.40 Places: £1.90; £3.30; £3.00 Exacta: £34.80
Winning Trainer Dessie Hughes Born: October 10, 1943 Based: Osborne Lodge, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland Horses in Training (1996-2004): 32; 26; 41; 31; 41; 46; 52; 62; 73 Cheltenham Festival Wins: (4) Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1982 Miller Hill), Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (2003 Hardy Eustace), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (2004 & 2005 Hardy Eustace) Other Big Race Wins: Isuzu Chase (2000 Rathbawn Prince), John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Leinster) Date of First Trainer’s Licence: 1979. Previously assistant to Michael O’Toole 1966-79 Background Information: 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: (3) totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (1996 Imperial Call), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (2004 & 2005 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), Melling Chase (1998 Opera Hat, 2002 and 2003 Native Upmanship), Red Rum Handicap Chase (1998 Jeffell), Top Novices Hurdle (1999 Joe Mac)
THIRD RACE INITIAL QUOTES
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE
Winning rider Conor O’Dwyer said: “It is unbelievable. He really pinged the last and then he picked up, I could see Paul’s horse Harchibald on my right and halfway up the hill I wasn’t sure if he was going to pick up. I can’t express what I feel and I am ready for what is going to happen when I get back to the unsaddling enclosure and the reception there will be.”
Dessie Hughes, trainer of the winner, said: “I’ve never lost faith in him and he loves it round here. He’s tough and he fights and I can’t believe we’ve won it again.”
Ruby Walsh, who finished ninth on Back In Front, said: “The pace was not strong enough for me.”
Barry Geraghty, said of fifth-placed Macs Joy: “He ran OK but he missed the second last and then he could never get up there with the leaders.”
Paul Carberry, rider of runner-up Harchibald, said: “He’s a bridle horse – that’s the only way you can ride him. If you hit the front he stops and so I had to ride him like I did.
“Halfway up the hill I felt that I would get Hardy Eustace but unfortunately for me he just kept going too well. I know people will criticise me and say that I should have got on with it but I think I would have been better off if I had waited a bit longer.
“He gave me a super ride all the way round, he’s just like an aeroplane, and there is always next year.”
BOOKMAKER REACTION
Bookmakers make Hardy Eustace favourite to complete a hat trick next year with Ladbrokes quoting him at 5-1 and Cashmans a point longer.
Ladbrokes then go 8 Harchibald, 14 Arcalis and Brave Inca with 20-1 bar, while Cashmans offer Harchibald at 10-1 and Arcalis two points longer.
Race Three: Smurfit Champion Hurdle
Winner’s Quotes:
HARDY IS JUST CHAMPION!
‘Thou Shalt Not Pass’ is clearly the motto of reigning Smurfit Champion hurdler Hardy Eustace, who retained his crown with a brilliant start-to-finish success to hold off fellow Irish challengers Harchibald and Brave Inca by a neck and the same in the opening day showpiece.
Harchibald, who never came off the bridle until the last 50 yards, was still absolutely hacking half-way up the run-in, but when push came to shove and Paul Carberry asked him to win his race he dug his toes in and refused to go past Hardy Eustace, who answered everything that Conor O’Dwyer threw at him.
Ironically, 38-year-old O’Dwyer has only ridden three Festival winners, but he clearly believes in saving himself for the best as, apart from his brace on Hardy Eustace, he also won the Gold Cup on Imperial Call in 1996.
O’Dwyer said: “Hardy Eustace is so full of guts and, and, while I feared the worst when Harchibald ranged alongside pulling double , it was always in the back of my mind that he might not go up the hill, whereas I knew that my fellow would run all the way to the line, so I showed him the stick and he kept on finding for me.
“I did not go as fast as I did last year as I was weighing up the strengths of the opposition and trying to ride two races, but he showed out there today that he is a true champion.
“The blinkers definitely helped, though I was surprised they allowed me such a soft lead in front. We winged the first and he jumped brilliantly and never touched a hurdle all the way round.”
Winning trainer Dessie Hughes, who also won the Champion as a jockey on Monksfield in 1979, shook his head as he was showered with congratulations and admitted “I never thought it could happen again.”
Hughes, who insisted that he was a lot more emotional than he looked, said: “Hardy Eustace is something else, and I have been saying all winter that he was a better horse than last season.
“Conor rode a brilliant race, but he didn’t go that fast and they had every chance to come and beat him.
“I must confess that I thought we were cooked when Harchibald cruised alongside, but my lad does not know when he is beaten and he dug deep for Conor.
“I never lost faith in the horse, even when he was beaten at Leopardstown over Christmas, and you won’t find anything with a better will to win. He is a dual champion, and, while we’ll now go on to Punchestown, he’ll be back next year trying to emulate Istabraq by making it three.”
THIRD RACE QUOTES
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE
HARDY EUSTACE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Conor O’Dwyer, in his 23rd`year as a jockey, landed a second successive Smurfit Champion Hurdle aboard Hardy Eustace when coming home a neck clear of Harchibald, who was traded at 1.24 (around 1/4) in running on Betfair.
“He’s full of guts and never knows when he’s beaten,” said O’Dwyer. “The thing with him was that he was always going to get to the line and he never gives up. There’s no such thing as an easy two miles at Cheltenham, you need a horse that will get every yard. I’d fear probably Harchibald over an easy two miles.
“I know Paul (Carberry on Harchibald) was travelling well but if he had had anything under him he’d have made up half a length. To win like that, when you look beaten, makes it even sweeter this year.
“He was a stronger horse this year than last and there’s no reason why he won’t keep going forward. He’s a livelier horse on this type of ground, it makes him go better.
“He had blinkers on and really only needs them to help concentrate if he is going to make the running, in a true-run race he wouldn’t need them.”
Trainer Dessie Hughes added: “This was both an unbelievable pleasure and a relief, he was getting a huge amount of exposure this year right up to two minutes before the race.
“We didn’t want to overcook him beforehand and I don’t think I’ve ever had him so fit as he was today. I’m sure we’ll go the same sort of route next year.”
“His jumping was something else today, I’ve seen an awful lot of Champion Hurdles in my lifetime but I’ve never seen a horse leap like that.
“Paul Carberry was very gracious in defeat and gave his horse every chance to win.”
Owner Lar Byrne backed the horse at huge odds on Betfair last year and said: “I left Betfair alone this year but there’s a man in Baltinglass and another in Cork I’ll be anxious to see next week, they won’t be so pleased to see me!
“I don’t think there’s ever been a Champion Hurdle like it with seven Irish horses and it’s great to be able to say I had an argument with all of them and won the argument.
“Every fellow who buys a horse dreams of this, I just happen to be the lucky owner. It is all down to Dessie and the team at Osborne Lodge and to Conor.
“We also have to remember Kieran Kelly again today and I’d like to think he played a little part in both these wins.
“The horse didn;t get the credit he deserved last year and the press boys will have to talk about him now - he was the Champion and remains the Champion.
RACE 3 PLACED QUOTES
SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE
MEADE BACKS CARBERRY
Noel Meade defended jockey Paul Carberry who was beaten on Harchibald after cruising up behind winner Hardy Eustace but being unable to go on and win hurdling’s Blue Riband by a neck.
The trainer said: “Harchibald has to be held up - when he gets to the front he eases down as you saw when he beat Rooster Booster at Kempton. I thought that Paul gave him a brilliant ride - were the crowd booing? - I didn’t realise as I thought that he gave him a great ride.
“If Harchibald had got to the front anywhere but the last 50 yards, the other horse would have passed him again and would have got back up. I have no problem at all with that ride and I didn’t realise that Paul got any criticism.
“It’s great to be here and we’re alive, no-one is dead. I watched the race with Dessie [Hughes, trainer of Hardy Eustace] and I thought that our fellow had it won. But Hardy Eustace was the wrong horse to come up against - I would say that there is a good chance of turning the form around at Punchestown. I’m delighted and the winner dug deep.
“I think this race might have been a bit special and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them up against each other again next year - it reminded me a bit of Sea Pigeon and Monksfield.”
The winning distance was a neck with the same distance back to third-placed Brave Inca.
Colm Murphy, Brave Inca’s trainer, said: “We’ll see how he is before we think about Aintree and Punchestown.
“We’ll see what the ground is like - he races like a lazy horse but he’s got a lot of toe. He jumps better with a bit of life in the ground.
“We are spoilt for choice with this horse - I’m absolutely delighted and we’ll let him tell us when to run. He could go chasing next season and we’ll sit down and see - I would say that it is probably more than likely.”
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
FOURTH RACE RESULT
4.00pm WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE
Class A, Grade Three, £80,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 3m .5f. Minimum Weight: 10st. Penalties: after February 27, a winner of a ,Class C chase 3lb; of a Class A or B chase 6lb - no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £46,400; 2nd: £17,600; 3rd: £8,800; 4th: £4,000; 5th: £2,000; 6th: £1,200
1) KELAMI (Halewood International Ltd) Francois Doumen FR t7-10-02 Robert Thornton 8/1
2) KEEN LEADER (Adair Catherwood) Jonjo O'Neill 9-11-12 Barry Geraghty 28/1
3) IRISH HUSSAR (Major Christopher Hanbury) Nicky Henderson 9-11-7 Mick Fitzgerald 33/1
4) CHIVES (Trevor Hemmings) Sue Smith 10-11-03 Dominic Elsworth 50/1
5) JAKARI (The Earl Cadogan) Henry Daly 8-10-08 Richard Johnson
6) TIKRAM (Mike Charlton & Rodger Sargent) Gary Moore 8-10-09 Tony McCoy
7) SPRING GROVE (Exors of the late Harry Perry) Robert Alner 10-10-04 Andrew Thornton
8) KOCK DE LA VESVRE (O P Dakin) Venetia Williams 7-10-03 Sam Thomas
9) IRIS BLEU (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 9-10-09 Timmy Murphy 11/2 Fav
10) SWANSEA BAY (Peter Bowling) Peter Bowen tp9-10-01 Leighton Aspell
11) MARLBOROUGH (Sir Robert Ogden) Nicky Henderson 13-11-05 Marcus Foley
12) HUSSARD COLLONGES (Nick Bannister) Peter Beaumont 1011-00 Russ Garritty
13) FRENCHMAN'S CREEK (Rory Sweet & Panda Christie) Hughie Morrison 11-10-07 Paul Carberry
14) WHEREAREYOUNOW (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 8-10-06 Carl Llewellyn
15) BLAZING BATMAN (Jumping Jokers) Dr Philip Pritchard 12-9-09 Dr Philip Pritchard (5)
F 12) COLOURFUL LIFE (Andy Peake & David Jackson) Paul Nicholls 9-10-08 Ruby Walsh
PU) NATIVE EMPEROR (J C, J R & S R Hitchins) Jonjo O'Neill 9-10-03 Tony Dobbin
PU) BALLYBOUGH RASHER (BDR Partnership) Howard Johnson 10-11-02 Graham Lee
PU) JOLY BEY (David Dunsdon) Nick Gifford t8-10-13 Mr David Dunsdon (3)
PU) HEROS COLLONGES (John Hales) Paul Nicholls 10-10-12 Christian Williams
20 ran
Breeder: Bernard & Marc Trinquet
Breeding: b g Lute Antique (FR) - Voltige De Nievre (FR) (Brezzo)
Dist: 1.25, 2, .75, 2, 1.75, 1.25, 5, .75, 7, .5, 2.5, 15, 5, 29
Tote: Win: £11.70 Places: £2.70; £6.50; £5.80; 12.30 Exacta: £436.80
Winning Trainer: Francois Doumen Date Of Birth: 11/6/40. Date Of First Trainer’s Licence: 1977 Previous Occupation: Served apprenticeship (trainers) with father, Jean, who trained for James Hennessy at Maisons-Lafitte. Riding Career: Amateur 1956-70, rode more than 100 Flat winners including the Prix Georges Courtois, at Deauville in 1969/70. Big Race Wins Include: King George VI Chase (1987 Nupsala, 1991 & 1992 The Fellow, 1994 Algan, 2000 First Gold), Racing Post H’cap Chase (1995 Val d’Alene), Grande Steeplechase de Paris (1991 The Fellow, 1994 Ucello II, 1995 Ubu III), Grande Course De Haies D’Auteuil (1992 & 1993 Ubu III), Prix Heros XII (1992 The Fellow, 1993 Ucello II), Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Feltham Novices’ Chase (1997 Djeddah), Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (1997 Djeddah), Wragge & Co Finesse Four-Year-Old Hurdle (1999 Hors La Loi III), Axminster 100 Kingwell Hurdle (2000 Hors La Loi III), Voice Newspaper Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Snow Drop), Long Walk Hurdle (2000 Baracouda, 2001 Baracouda, 2003 Baracouda), Capel Cure Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (2000 Ben Ewar), The Glenlivet 4-y-o Novices’ Hurdle (2001 Bilboa) Cheltenham Festival wins: (5) totesport Gold Cup (1994 The Fellow), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2000 Snow Drop), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2002, 2003 Baracouda), William Hill Trophy Chase (2005 Kelami) Horses in Training (1999-2004): 83; 104; 102; 119; 124; 93 Number of Winners in Britain (1998/99-2003/04): 3; 5; 9; 9; 4; 7 Wins This Season (In Britain): 8
Winning Jockey: Robert Thornton Date of birth: 14/7/78 Wins (1995/96-2003/04): 3; 30; 71; 37; 23; 40; 56; 50; 73 Cheltenham Festival wins: (4) FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP CHASE (King Lucifer 1997), PERTEMPS FINAL (Pharanear 1997), WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE (2004 Fork Lightning, 2005 Kelami) 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), Premier Convenience Stores Top Novices’ Hurdle (2004 Royal Shalespeare) Wins this Season: 84
RACE 4 WIN QUOTES
WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE
OWNER ENJOYS BARBADOS AS KELAMI LANDS SPOILS
“John Halewood is in Barbados and he’s forgotten about the Cheltenham Festival,” joked Francois Doumen after he had saddled Kelami to win the William Hill Trophy by a length and a quarter from Keen Leader.
“This horse is too low in the weights to get a run in the Grand National and I had to find a replacement race for him - I thought of Uttoxeter on Saturday but he’s been jumping out of his skin so I thought why wait, the Festival is only once a year. To win at Cheltenham, no-one will complain!
“I thought give the owners some fun but they are enjoying it under the sun.
“He’s a half-brother to L’Ami who runs here tomorrow in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. This horse deserved a race and it was given to me by the Queen Mother - it’s now the first horse that the owners have had with me.
“He ran a cracking race at Haydock Park when another horse blinded him - he goes on any ground and is a sound and supple horse.
“The yard is in good form - we won a Group Three on the Flat at Saint-Cloud last week [the Prix Exbury - first French Group race of the season] and it’s great to be surrounded by happy horses.”
Robert Thornton, winning rider, added: “Mr Doumen did not tell me to come as late as I could but he did say that I shouldn’t make my effort until coming around the turn, and in the end Kelami has won very well.
“I think he was idling a bit in front and I’d be pretty confident that if something got to him, he would have picked up again. I think he was rather looking at the crowd.”
“It’s great to have a winner on the first day of the meeting and I am looking forward to riding Crystal D’Ainay against Baracouda on Thursday. He’ll have the blinkers on again and if they improve him two or 3lb, it could be very close between the two of them.”
Race Four Placed Quotes
The William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase
KEEN LEADER BRAVE RUNNER-UP
Kelami might have taken first prize in the William Hill Trophy, but the honours definitely went to runner-up Keen Leader, who was beaten only a length and a quarter, conceding 24lb to the French challenger.
Jonjo O’Neill, who has suffered a wretched winter with the virus forcing him to shut down temporarily after Christmas, said: “I am thrilled to bits, and, while it would be nice to have a winner, some of them are starting to come out of the woods.
“He jumped well and ran all the way to the line, but I have always maintained that he was a good horse and at least this shows that I don’t always tell lies!
“At the end of the day, we have been beaten by a better handicapped horse, but I have no complaints and Keen Leader is in every National you can name - the Midlands at Uttoxeter on Saturday, Aintree, Fairyhouse and the Whitbread.
“Barry (Geraghty) gets on well with Keen Leader. He said that the ground is a bit tacky, and it would have been better if it was heavy.
“We will enter him for the Martell Cup as well at Aintree, but I am not sure whether we should run him in the National. I don’t want to abuse the horse as I still think there might be a Gold Cup in him.”
However, the stewards were not as impressed with Geraghty’s riding as O’Neill and suspended the jockey for two days (March 26-27) for using his whip with excessive force.
O’Neill was also pleased with Intersky Falcon, who finished sixth in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. “He was staying on well at the end and will go to Aintree and then Punchestown,” added the trainer.
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
FIFTH RACE RESULT
4.40pm SPORTING INDEX HANDICAP CHASE
(CROSS COUNTRY COURSE)
Class B, Cross Country Chase, £40,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 3m .5f. Minimum Weight: 10st. Penalties: after February 27, a winner of a Chase 7lb - no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £23,200; 2nd: £8,800; 3rd: £4,400; 4th: £2,000; 5th: £1,000; 6th: £600
1) SPOT THEDIFFERENCE (J P McManus) Enda Bolger IRE 12-11-12 Mr J T McNamara 4/1
2) LUZCADOU (A G Chappell) Ferdy Murphy b12-10-13 Alan O'Keeffe 22/1
3) MRS BE (J H Burbidge) Grant Cann 9-9-12 Miss Polly Gundry (3) 20/1
4) LORD NOELIE (Executive Racing) Bridget Nicholls 12-11-8 Jason Maguire 14/1
5) VILLAGE KING (Capt Bill Edwards-Heathcote) Philip Hobbs 12-10-08 Richard Johnson
6) FRENCH EXECUTIVE (T Chappell, R Eddy, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Solman) Paul Nicholls 10-10-13 Paddy Brennan
7) ANDREWJAMES (Westside Syndicate) Peter McCreery IRE 11-10-00 David Casey
8) SMARTY (Tracy Brown) Mark Pitman 12-10-00 Timmy Murphy
9) UN JOUR A VASSY (Bunty Millard) Paul Nicholls 10-10-09 Christian Williams
10) MAJED (A J Neill) Lucy Normile b9-10-00 Niall Mulholland
F) COMANCHE WAR PAINT (Tony Fear & Tim Hawkins) Paul Nicholls 8-10-03 Ruby Walsh 100/30 Fav
F) JUST MAYBE (W E Prichard) Venetia Williams v11-10-06 Sam Thomas
F) GUN'N ROSES II (Lady Clarke) Paul Keane b11-10-11 Noel Fehily
PU) GALAPIAT DU MESNIL (Mel Fordham) Paul Nicholls 11-10-08 Joe Tizzard
PU) FAMFONI (The Propellers Partnership) Kim Bailey 12-10-00 Jim Culloty
UR) WILD TEMPO (Fergus Wilson) Michael Scudamore 10-11-2 Tom Scudamore
16 ran
Breeder: Fenlon Bros Breeding: b g Lafontaine (USA) - Spotted Choice
Dist: 2.5, 6, .75, 7, 5, 11, 12, 13, 20
Tote: Win: £3.90 Places: £1.90; £5.10; £2.80; £4.00 Exacta: £126.70
Winning Trainer: Enda Bolger Born: April 21, 1963 Based: Howardstown House, Bruree, County Limerick, Ireland Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): Christies Foxhunter (1996 Elegant Lord), Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap Chase (2005 Spot Thedifference) Big Race Wins Include: Sporting Index Cross Country Chase (2004 Spot Thedifference)
Winning Jockey: John Thomas McNamara Other Details: Leading Irish amateur and point-to-point rider. Rode Samual Wilderspin to victory in Thomas Pink Amateur Chase at Cheltenham in November 2001. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): National Hunt Chase (2002 Rith Dubh) Big Race Wins Include: Sporting Index Cross Country Chase (2004 Spot Thedifference)
FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
SPORTING INDEX HANDICAP CHASE (CROSS-COUNTRY)
SPOT THEDIFFERENCE LANDS CROSS-COUNTRY
Spot Thedifference, partnered by leading Irish amateur J T McNamara, came from a long way back to land the inaugural Sporting Index Handicap Chase for owner J P McManus.
The 12-year-old has won all three cross-country races at Cheltenham this season and winning trainer Enda Bolger said: “It’s the story of his life, he never gets going until the party is over. Last year he was last passing the stands in the National and just stayed on and stayed on.
“The one thing he really does is stay and carrying top weight was my biggest worry.
“He is in the National and is also likely to again go for the Blue Square La Touche Cup at Punchestown (for which there is a 50,000 euros bonus if successful after the Sporting Index Handicap Chase). The owner’s stuck for a few quid so we might just go for the bonus!
Winning rider J T McNamara said: “It wasn’t the plan to be as far out at the back as I was but the ground is very soft in the centre of the course, it was a bit tacky and he never really travelled but I knew it would take a fair one to catch him.
“He has great heart, he has to be galloping and jumping like that for six minutes.”
RACE FIVE: SPORTING INDEX HANDICAP CHASE
PLACED QUOTES
LUZCADOU ON HIS TRAVELS
Two old-timers fought out the finish of the Sporting Index Handicap Chase, and, while Luzcadou was forced to play second fiddle to fellow 12-year-old Spot Thedifference, being beaten two and a half lengths, Ferdy Murphy was proud of his performance across the Cross-Country course.
Murphy said: “You need a specialist horse to win this race, but you also need a good one, and Spot Thedifference is both.
“I actually thought he wasn’t travelling early on, but then he came back into vision, and I thought ‘oh no, any colours except the green and yellow’.
“We will take on Spot Thedifference again at Punchestown - and probably get beat again!
“But there is also a new race over banks at Caen in Normandy in September, so we’ll give the old boy a summer break and bring him back for that.”
RACE 5
SPORTING INDEX CROSS COUNTRY HANDICAP CHASE
RUBY WALSH MISSES LAST
Ruby Walsh will miss the ride on Napolitain in the concluding Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle after taking a tumble on Comanche War Paint in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase.
Walsh walked into the weighing room after the cross-country chase. He was stood down for the rest of the day by the doctor after suffering bruising.
Christian Williams takes over on Napolitain.
Other riders who fell in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase - Noel Fehily, Sam Thomas and Tom Scudamore all reported themselves as being fine.
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL 2005
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 15
SIXTH RACE RESULT
5.20pm FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES’
HANDICAP HURDLE
Class A, Listed Race, £75,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo, 2m .5f. Minimum Weight: 10st. Penalties: after February 27, a winner of a hurdle 4lb 7lb - no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £43,500; 2nd: £16,500; 3rd: £8,250; 4th: £3,750; 5th: £1,875; 6th: £1,125
1) DABIROUN (Donal O’Gorman) Paul Nolan IRE 4-11-04 Miss Nina Carberry 20/1
2) AT YOUR REQUEST (Cockbury Court Partnership) Ian Williams 4-11-03 David Dennis 33/1
3) NATION STATE (J D Brownrigg) Gary Moore p4-11-04 Jamie Moore 7/1
4) MISS ACADEMY (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 4-11-12 Timmy Murphy 16/1
5) ARRAYOU (J P Ledwidge) Oliver Sherwood v4-10-12 Conor O'Dwyer
6) ALIKAT (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 4-10-06 Tom Malone (5)
7) ZALDA (Mrs L Field) Philip Hobbs 4-11-01 Richard Johnson
8) AMARULA RIDGE (J P McManus) Philip Hobbs 4-11-03 Tony McCoy
9) NAPOLITAIN (Judy Stewart) Paul Nicholls 4-11-10 Christian Williams
10) ROLLING HOME (M Lydon) Noel Meade IRE b4-11-03 Paul Carberry
11) DALTON (Malm Syndicate) Edward O'Grady IRE 4-11-03 Davy Russell
12) DARYAL (Let’s Live Racing) Alan King 4-11-01 Robert Thornton
13) BEAUCHAMP PRINCE (The Yes - No Wait - Sorries) Michael Scudamore 4-11-00 Tom Scudamore
14) EASE THE WAY (Michael Smurfit) Dermot Weld IRE b4-10-13 David Casey 4/1 Fav
15) MR DINGLAWI (Brightling Folly Partnership) David Feek 4-11-00 James Davies
16) DUBAI ACE (Mucky Duck II PArtnership) Sheena West t4-10-10 Jamie Goldstein
17) LA LAMBERTINE (David Johnson) Martin Pipe v4-11-02 Gerry Supple
18) REDI (Thurloe Thoroughbred XI) Andrew Balding t4-10-13 Barry Geraghty
19) WOODY VALENTINE (Favourites Racing) Venetia Williams 4-11-02 Sam Thomas
20) STROMSTAD (James Gough) Stephen Mahon IRE b1 4-11-07 Joey Elliot (3)
21) REGAL SETTING (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson t4-11-03 Graham Lee
22) FIRE DRAGON (Gay Smith) Jonjo O'Neill tb4-11-04 Tony Dobbin
23) PAPINI (Newbury Racehorse Owners Group) Nicky Henderson 4-11-10 Mick Fitzgerald
24) DUNLEA DANCER (Allan Stennett) Philip Hobbs t4-11-01 Paddy Brennan
24 ran
Breeder: His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs S C
Breeding: b g Desert Prince (IRE) - Dabaya (IRE) (In The Wings)
Dist: 8, 1.5, 1.75, hd, sh, 4, sh, 1.25, 2.5, sh, 1, 1.75, nk, 2.5, 1.75, .5, 1, 2, 14, 15, 3, .5, 8
Tote: Win: £29.00 Places: £4.30; £5.60; £2.70; £4.40 Exacta: £1,233.80
Winning Trainer: Paul Nolan Based: Toberona House, Davidstown, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland Background: father was a sheep farmer; Paul played hurling for Wexford team that beat Cork in 1992 junior all-Ireland final but injuries curtailed this love; he then joined Jim Bolger and subsequently worked for a vet; began training point-to-pointers before taking out a licence under Rules; currently trains 60 horses Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2005 Dabiroun) First Winner at Cheltenham: Accordion Etoile (Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, November 14, 2004) Big Race Wins Include: Bank Of Ireland ‘For Auction’ Novice Hurdle (2003 Accordion Etoile); Galway Hurdle (2004 Cloone River); Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Square Chase (2004 Colnel Rayburn); Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (2004 Say Again)
Winning Jockey: Nina Carberry Age: 20 Background: father Tommy, trainer of John Smith’s Grand National winner Bobbyjo, is a former champion Irish jump jockey. Brothers Paul, one of the biggest names in Ireland, and Philip are also both jockeys. Mother Pamela is the daughter of Dan Moore, trainer of dual totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero and John Smith’s Grand National winner L’Escargot, and sister of former jockey and successful trainer Arthur Moore. She is an amateur jockey who is studying sports therapy. Big Race Wins include: totesportcasino.com Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2005 Karanja) Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2005 Dabiroun)
Race Six: Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle
Winner’s Quotes:
BIG BROTHER - ARE YOU WATCHING!
Nina Carberry became the first woman rider since Gee Armytage 18 years ago to triumph against the professionals at the Cheltenham Festival when steering 20-1 shot Dabiroun to a silky-smooth eight lengths success in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
On a day when elder brother Paul suffered an agonising ride on enigmatic Smurfit Champion Hurdle runner-up Harchibald, 20-year-old Nina, having her very first ride at the Festival, showed just how it should be done on Dabiroun, whose trainer, Paul Nolan, had earlier finished fourth in the big one with Accordion Etoile.
Celebrating in typical Carberry fashion with a flick of the whip as she passed the winning post, Nina was immediately congratulated by her big brother, who could finish only 10th on Rolling Home.
Wiping a tear away as she walked on to the winner’s rostrum, amateur rider Nina, who still claims the 5lb, said: “This is my 22nd winner, but far and away the most important.
“I had plenty of advice from my father (Gold Cup-winning veteran Tommy Carberry), on how to ride the course, and it was all so easy.
“I came here ready to cheer on Paul, whom I thought would win the Champion, and here I am taking the plaudits. It is absolutely brilliant, and all my friends have come along to see me, so it is quite emotional.”
This was Dabiroun’s first success at the fourth attempt, but Nolan was not at all surprised.
He said: “He has started to look a bridle horse at home, but we took him to Tipperary recently and he did a brilliant gallop over a mile and a half with Accordion Etoile.
“He has been running on heavy ground, and the drier going has made all the difference. Now we will have to think about coming back for Aintree, or alternatively we could wait for Punchestown.”
WINNING QUOTES RACE SIX
FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE
CARBERRY WINS AT SECOND ATTEMPT
Nina Carberry described as “a dream come true” her success on Dabiroun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle on her second ride at Cheltenham and first at The Festival.
“It is unbelievable,” she said. “I just came here to enjoy myself and it all has been tremendous fun. In the race itself I was very confident and coming down the hill it looked as if there was only the horse in front to beat.
“Someone behind me called out ‘go on, Nina, you’ll win it and when I had a glance behind I could see that there was no danger coming from there.
“It was very emotional coming back afterwards as all my friends are here.”
RACE 6 PLACED QUOTES
FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE
AT YOUR REQUEST ANSWERS CRITICS
At Your Request came home eight lengths adrift of Dabiroun in the concluding Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle but trainer Ian Williams was extremely happy with his charge.
He said: “I am delighted as this horse has been slandered by the press and he’s put his best foot forward. He’s been knocked all season and deserves a bit of credit.
“He was in front a bit early which was not the intention but David [Dennis, jockey] had made a move and had to kick on.
“I’ll have a look and see now but this is a new race and there are not too many like it.”
Gary Moore saddled his second third of the day courtesy of Nation State, having sent out Dusky Warbler to fill the same position in the opener.
He said: “He’s run a good race and finished well. The ground was lively enough for him. I’ll try and win one small novice hurdle with him now and then put him away for the summer - he’ll then have another season over hurdles.”
GILLESPIE DELIGHTED WITH DAY ONE
Today’s total attendance, including non-paying visitors such as members, owners and trainers, was 55,184. This compares with an equivalent opening day crowd of 64,573 at last year’s three-day Festival.
Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham’s Managing Director, said: “We’re very pleased with the way the day has gone. The racing has been tremendous and there’s been a great atmosphere which sets the meeting up for the next three days.”
GOING UPDATE
The going remains GOOD on both the chase and hurdle courses after the day one of The Festival.
“The forecast remains for a band of rain mid-morning tomorrow, which should clear by the time racing begins,” said Simon Claisse, Cheltenham’s Clerk of the Course.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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