106 GO FORWARD FOR 2007 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
A total of 106 horses remain engaged after the first forfeit stage for the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National, details of which are revealed today, Wednesday, March 7.
Exotic Dancer and 2005 John Smith’s Grand National hero Hedgehunter continue# to head the weights on 11st 12lb for the £700,000 contest, run at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 14, at Aintree.
Hedgehunter is one of 28 Irish-trained horses still in the world’s most famous chase, with the contingent from the Emerald Isle also including the 2006 victor Numbersixvalverde, Far From Trouble, trained by Christy Roche, the 2006 Galway Plate victor and a leading fancy in the ante-post market, the Tony Martin-trained Dun Doire and Silver Birch.
Irish handler Gordon Elliott, who trains at Capranny, County Meath, reveals that Silver Birch is in "top shape" ahead of the Aintree showpiece.
The winner of Aintree’s totesport.com Becher Chase and the Welsh National in 2004 when in the care of Paul Nicholls, Silver Birch is set to carry 10st 6lb in this year’s renewal and was still in touch in the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National until falling at the Chair, after being hampered.
Subsequently sold for 20,000 guineas at Doncaster’s May Sale, the 10-year-old has shown useful form on his last two outings, following a fine second of 23 over the cross country course at Punchestown on February 4 with a solid fourth at the same track over hurdles later that month, keeping on well over the two and a half mile trip.
Elliott said today: "Silver Birch is bang on course for the John Smith’s Grand National, and he goes to Cheltenham for the cross country race next Tuesday first.
"I thought he ran a blinder last time out over hurdles and he was staying on all the way to the line. He also ran really well the time before at Punchestown when he found one too good, but I definitely think that he is better now than he was then.
"He seems to have come out of his last race in grand form and looks to be in top shape."
Despite failing to complete behind Numbersixvalverde in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, Elliott is confident that his charge will get round this year, and is hoping for a bold run come the big day.
He continued: "Silver Birch is a nice moving horse and I think he would handle decent ground fine, although all his wins have come on testing going. He’s been out hunting a lot and seems to be very happy in himself.
"His jumping is great - he’s a classy fencer - he stays well, he has a nice weight and with a bit of luck he could go very well. I think the trip will be no problem and if we can keep him sweet, we could easily reach the frame."
The Venetia Williams-trained Nil Desperandum, sixth behind Hedgehunter in 2005 and fourth to Numbersixvalverde last year when trained in Ireland by Frances Crowley, shot to the head of the ante-post market with a smooth 12-length success in the totesport Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 24. If successful, Williams would become the second female trainer to land the John Smith’s Grand National following on from Jenny Pitman, triumphant with Corbiere (1983) and Royal Athlete (1995).
Kim Bailey saddled Mr Frisk to victory in the 1990 Grand National and the Gloucestershire trainer believes he has another live contender in the 10-year-old Longshanks.
The lightly-raced gelding, who has finished second and fourth in two previous outings over the big Aintree fences in the John Smith’s Topham Trophy (2004 & 2005), has twice missed the cut for the four and a half mile showpiece but having been allotted 10st 7lb, and with 46 horses above him in the list, Bailey is hopeful that Longshanks will make the final 40 at the third time of asking.
The trainer reported today: "I hope he can get in this year. It’s been our plan for three years to run in the John Smith’s Grand National, so I’m very much looking forward to the race.
"I’m very confident that he can go there and run a big race. He stays and it’s a case of whether he gets there in one piece and keeps out of trouble. Plenty of horses have fallen at the first!
"It’s been the owner’s (Alan Halsall) ambition for a long time to have a runner in the John Smith’s Grand National with him and it’s been on the schedule for a long time, so we just need to get there now.
"He’s fine at the moment. We were due to go to Huntingdon on Sunday for a racecourse gallop and that was abandoned, unfortunately. We’re in that situation where we’re five and a half weeks away so we’re on schedule."
Bailey has carefully plotted Longshanks’ route to Aintree this year, giving him just one outing this term in an extended two and three quarter-mile handicap at Newbury on November 26, which he won by 11 lengths from Schuh Shine, under Jason Maguire.
The handler revealed: "It was very much the situation that we wanted to run that day and the most important thing we wanted to do was to get high enough in the ratings to guarantee a run in the John Smith’s Grand National. Having won, we couldn’t run him again in case the ground was not right or something and he finished fourth or fifth in a race and dropped two pounds, which would have been enough for him not to get in the race.
"I wouldn’t want ground on the fast side - he wouldn’t want it bottomless either. The ground at Newbury when he won was sloppy which was the reason why he got through it, but he would go on most types of going."
As for riding arrangements, Bailey revealed: "I’m very much hoping Jason Maguire will ride him but it’s a long way between now and then and I know he’s been touted around for Idle Talk as well."
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has eight entries to choose from including this season’s totesport Becher Chase victor Eurotrek and the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair while David Pipe, who will be bidding to emulate his father Martin’s success with Miinnehoma 13 years ago, has half a dozen hopefuls going forward including Little Brick, who put himself firmly in the picture for Aintree when taking the County Gentlemen’s Association Chase at Wincanton on February 17 when making his British debut.
McCain is a name synonymous with the Grand National and Donald McCain Jnr, in his first full season as a trainer, has had his hand strengthened with the recent acquisition of Idle Talk. Now owned by Hedgehunter’s owner, Trevor Hemmings, the 2006 Royal & SunAlliance Chase runner-up has joined the McCain stable having previously been trained by Tom George. McCain also has Inca Trail and Maurice engaged.
The going at Aintree is currently good, good to soft in places and the next forfeit stage for the John Smith’s Grand National is on Tuesday, March 27.
The latest prices from the Grand National meeting’s official betting partner, Betfair, www.betfair.com
To win the John Smith's Grand National - Betfair bet: 12-1 Nil Desperandum, 14-1 Dun Doire, 16-1 Numbersixvalverde, 18-1 Little Brick, Hedgehunter, 19-1 Far from Trouble, 20-1 Point Barrow, Eurotrek, 27-1 Bothar Na, Liberthine, 28-1 Simon, 29-1 Idle Talk, 31-1 Longshanks, 37-1 Ladalko..............
THE 2007 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL
Class 1, Grade 3, £700,000 total Prize Fund. Aintree, Saturday, April 14. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the Senior BHB Jumps Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 11, 2007. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 31, 2007, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances to February 11, 2007, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 11, 2007. At the Handicapper's discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the Senior BHB NH Handicapper shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Entries closed January 31, entries revealed February 1 (119 entries), weights revealed February 13, first forfeit stage March 6 (106 remain), second forfeit stage March 27. Six-day confirmation stage April 9, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 12. Form figures supplied by Wetherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, March 6, 2007.
Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
F-21121 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 7-11-12 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
1331//1P- FAIR PROSPECT 11-9-10 D G Pryde Lucinda Russell
0F-263P JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 11-9-10 Gill and Bill Hazeldean Martin Todhunter
00-043PP IRIS BLEU (FR) 11-9-09 Martin Pipe David Pipe
40-P40P MODEL SON (IRE) 9-9-06 P J Hughes Developments Ltd Alison Thorpe
51P0/-PP SOLARIUS (FR) 10-9-06 Fergus Wilson David Pipe
3PP-00P5 KORELO (FR) 9-9-05 Phil Dukes Steve Gollings
13/1P6/-P MARK THE MAN (IRE) 10-9-03 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
10/0/UPP-3 EXIT SWINGER (FR) 12-9-02 Sandicroft Stud Richard Ford
R0032P DAUPHIN DES CARRES (FR) 9-9-01 Prof Judith Wilson David Pipe
U00/-16U3 RIDE THE STORM (IRE) 10-9-01 Nelius Hayes Edward O'Grady IRE
220-333P ESPOIR DU BOCAGE (FR) 12-8-11 J E & T E Wilson Michael Scudamore
02124503 SHANNON'S PRIDE (IRE) 11-8-11 JAS Partnership Richard Guest
63-3135 THEATRE KNIGHT (IRE) 9-8-11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
01P-P114P BANG AND BLAME (IRE) 11-8-10 Edward Wilkin Mick Easterby
24U-PPPP HEROS COLLONGES (FR) 12-8-06 Andy Peake Norma Macauley
106 entries remain after March 6 first forfeit stage
28 Irish-trained
6 French-trained
THE FOLLOWING HORSES WERE REMOVED AT THE MARCH 6 FORFEIT STAGE: OLLIE MAGERN, SOUTHERN VIC (IRE), CHURCH ISLAND (IRE), KERSTINO TWO, KERRYHEAD WINDFARM (IRE), PREACHER BOY, KILBEGGAN BLADE, LATIMER'S PLACE, NITRAT (FR), THE PARISHIONER (IRE), RANSBORO (IRE), ABBEYTOWN (IRE) (NQ), IRIS DE BALME (FR) (NQ)
RACECOURSE NURSE HEATHER ATKINSON ANNOUNCED AS INAUGURAL WINNER OF CHELTENHAM LADIES’ AWARD
Cheltenham Racecourse today announces that Heather Atkinson has become the first winner of the Award for ‘The Outstanding Contribution made by a Lady to Jump Racing’.
Heather, the Senior Nurse in the Jockeys’ Hospital at Cheltenham Racecourse for over 30 years, was the clear choice of the judging panel made up of Zara Phillips, Clare Balding and Gee Bradburne.
She emerged victorious from a shortlist that also included Henrietta Knight, Venetia Williams, Dinah Nicholson, Carrie Humble (founder of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre), Nina Carberry and Helen Donnelly (a key member of stable staff in several yards over the past 18 years).
Commenting on the news, Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham, said: “I am thrilled that Heather has been chosen as the first winner of this award. She is one of the few people who work here to pre-date my arrival, and generations of jockeys have benefited from her skill and her cheerful, calm and professional manner.”
Heather Atkinson added: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed to have been chosen as the winner of this award. I was flattered and amazed to have been nominated but when I heard the shortlist I thought there was no chance that the judges would choose me.
“The last 30 years or so has flown by and I’m lucky to have worked with a wonderful bunch of Jump jockeys and the great team of medical staff at the racecourse.”
Heather will receive her award in a ceremony before racing on Ladies Day, Thursday, March 15, in the Winner’s Enclosure.
INFORMATION ON IRISH-BRED HORSES AT CHELTENHAM
RISH BREDS - Some Key Facts
- At the last five Cheltenham Festivals, 58 of the 107 races (54.2%) were won by Irish-bred horses with 32 of the 50 Grade 1 races (64%) falling to Irish-breds in the same period.
- Recent Irish-bred Festival winners include such stars as Best Mate, Kicking King, War Of Attrition, Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace, Moscow Flyer, Newmill, Black Jack Ketchum, Istabraq, Kingscliff, Looks Like Trouble, Florida Pearl, Fundamentalist, Rule Supreme, Back In Front, Total Enjoyment, Like-A-Butterfly, Flagship Uberalles, Monsignor, Pizarro, Spot Thedifference, Hairy Molly and Thisthatandtother.
- As in 2005, the winners of all three of last year’s Festival showpieces - War Of Attrition, Newmill and Brave Inca - were Irish-bred. For good measure there were Irish-trained 1-2-3s in both the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
- All three could have been bought at the sales in Ireland for a combined total of under Ir£27,000. War Of Attrition cost Ir£2,000 as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland, Brave Inca was an Ir1,600gns foal from the same venue while Newmill was an Ir£24,000 four-year-old from the Goffs Land Rover Sale.
- This is a golden era for Irish racing and past winners Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace head a superb team bidding to land the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle for Ireland for a fourth successive year. No less than 12 of the remaining 20 Champion Hurdle entries are trained in Ireland and include 2006 runner-up Macs Joy, John Carr’s stable star Sublimity, Noel Meade’s pair Iktitaf and Harchibald and the great mare Asian Maze, trained by Tom Mullins.
- Hairy Molly last year became the 13th Irish-bred winner in 14 runnings of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. The only exception, Missed That, was a graduate of Irish point-to-points. Winners have included horses who have progressed to perform at the highest level such as Pizarro, Monsignor, Florida Pearl, Alexander Banquet, Montelado and Dato Star.
- Two out of three black-type winners so far during the 2006/2007 jump season in Britain and Ireland have been Irish-bred. These include Grade 1 winners Aran Concerto, Beef Or Salmon, Brave Inca, Cailin Alainn, Hardy Eustace, Hide The Evidence, Iktitaf, In Compliance, Mister Top Notch, Monet’s Garden, Schindlers Hunt, Silverburn, The Listener and Wichita Lineman.
- Irish-bred horses have won nine of the last 10 runnings of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and - with many of the leading contenders for this year’s race - there is every chance that that total can be added to next Friday.
The Festival Dream….
Part of Cheltenham’s magic is that it’s not just the major owners and trainers who dominate the event, the less high-profile players - particularly from Ireland - also get their chance in the limelight. There will be many contenders crossing the Irish Sea next week hoping to be part of The Festival dream and three of those are listed below.
Charles Byrnes
It is 15 years since Charles Byrnes first took out a training licence and victory at Cheltenham would be the culmination of an excellent season for the handler, based at Ballynoe, near Ballingarry in Co Limerick. Byrnes has gained an increasingly high-profile in Ireland in recent years - landing a gamble at Leopardstown in January 2004 when Dromlease Express took the Pierse Hurdle and Cloudy Bays won the Leopardstown Chase in a big-race double. The shrewd Byrnes, 43, has gone from strength to strength and his Cheltenham team is headed by the dual Grade 1-winning chaser Cailin Alainn (meaning beautiful girl), a leading contender for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.
John Murphy
Last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Newmill may be the highest-profile horse to race under Rules for John Murphy, but he has had many smart performers pass through his yard at Highfort Stud near Inishannon, close to the West Cork coast. Classified, who finished fourth at Kildorrery on his only point-to-point outing, King Lucifer, Double Symphony, Take Control and top Flat horse Papal Bull are others to have been sold by Murphy, along with many top showjumpers. Newmill, an Ir£24,000 four-year-old purchase from the Goffs Land Rover Sale, is not the only big hope Murphy has for Cheltenham. Convincing, winner of the Grade 2 Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out, is a live contender for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Michael O’Brien
Training success at the highest level is nothing new to Michael O’Brien, 64, who enjoyed his first Festival victory 14 years ago when Shawiya landed the Triumph Hurdle and had another victory 12 months ago with Kadoun in the Pertemps Final. Co Kildare-based O’Brien first made an impression in Britain in 1980 when sending over Bright Highway to land a rare double in what is now the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Those victories are all the more remarkable given that O’Brien, a former champion jump jockey in America, has been confined to a wheelchair since breaking his back in a fall in the Carolina Cup in March, 1974. O’Brien’s strong Festival team will include last year’s Gold Cup third Forget The Past, an ex point-to-pointer owned by Sean Mulryan, and top novice hurdler De Valira, who carries the colours of his patriotic Co Cork-based owner Donal Mac A’Bhaird and was bred by vet Sean O’Sullivan at his Corrin Stud in Fermoy. In
Compliance, who beat Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition in the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase in December, has been another flagbearer for the stable this year.
IRISH POINT-TO-POINTS
The Best Pointer To The Future
There has been no better system for picking a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in recent years than looking for an ex Irish point-to-pointer. Time and again Ireland’s point-to-points have proved the perfect grounding for top-class staying chasers of the future.
Indeed, victory for War Of Attrition last year meant that seven of the last nine runnings of the Gold Cup have gone to an ex Irish point-to-pointer. For good measure, last year’s third Forget The Past also learnt his trade between the flags in Ireland.
"War Of Attrition ran in one point-to-point, when he fell at the last. It’s a far better preparation for jumping than bumpers. His jumping is very good now and that’s what you need in the best races," said trainer Mouse Morris.
War Of Attrition followed in the steps of the great Best Mate, who won the Gold Cup from 2002 to 2004, Looks Like Trouble (2000), Cool Dawn (1998) and Mr Mulligan (1997), all previous Irish point-to-point runners who progressed to land Cheltenham’s most sought-after prize.
And a string of ex pointers will be on show next week. Ten-time Grade 1 winner Beef Or Salmon will be hoping to finally come good at Cheltenham while Forget The Past and Our Vic will also be going for championship glory.
The younger pretenders include the Paul Nicholls-trained Denman, a red-hot favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, and his stablemate Gungadu, a warm order for the four-mile National Hunt Chase. Indeed such a big fan is Nicholls of the sport that he himself owns two point-to-pointers in training in Ireland.
Kazal, a leading contender for the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle, finished third on his only point-to-point outing, the exciting novice chaser Snowy Morning ran six times between the flags while the highly-touted Mad Fish will bid to continue the outstanding record of ex Irish pointers in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Other notable point-to-point graduates include recent Racing Post Chase winner Simon, the great Florida Pearl, Grand National heroes Monty’s Pass and Bindaree, Royal & SunAlliance Chase victors Hussard Collonges and Lord Noelie, as well as the Irish Grand National winners Davids Lad, The Bunny Boiler and Timbera.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners Don’t Grow on Trees They grow them in point-to-point fields in Ireland!
Recent Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners
2006 *War Of Attrition (Pointed in Tipperary)
2005 Kicking King (IRE) (A non Irish Point-to-Pointer won the Cheltenham Gold Cup!)
2004 *Best Mate (Pointed in Galway & Waterford)
2003 *Best Mate (Pointed in Galway & Waterford)
2002 *Best Mate (Pointed in Galway & Waterford)
2001 No Race
2000 *Looks Like Trouble (Pointed in Cork)
1999 A non Irish Point-to-Pointer won the Cheltenham Gold Cup!
1998 *Cool Dawn (Pointed in Limerick, Waterford, Cork & Sligo)
1997 *Mr Mulligan (Pointed in Tipperary, Meath & Kildare)
*None of the above Gold Cup winners managed to win a maiden first time out!
For Irish point-to-point form since 2000 and a wealth of other information about the sport, please look at www.p2p.ie
IRISH POINT-TO-POINT FORM OF SOME LEADING CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL CONTENDERS
Arrive Sir Clive (IRE) - Philip Fenton
Won only start at Kildorrery on February 19, 2006.
Beef Or Salmon (IRE) - Michael Hourigan
Won by a distance at Clonmel ridden by Davy Russell on February 18, 2001
Classified (IRE) - David Pipe GB
Won at Kildorrery on February 25, 2001.
Denman (IRE) - Paul Nicholls GB
Trained by Adrian Maguire to win by 12 lengths at Liscaroll on March 20, 2005.
Dun Doire (IRE) - Tony Martin
Won one of four starts in 2004, scoring at Oldcastle on March 28 that year.
Forget The Past (GB) - Michael O’Brien
Won at Maralin on May 3, 2003.
Fota Island (IRE) - Mouse Morris
Fell on debut at Kilfeacle in January 20, 2002, before winning by 20 lengths at Nenagh a week later.
Fundamentalist (IRE) - Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
Ran six times in 2003, winning last three starts, finally at Templemore on October 26, 2003.
Glasker Mill (IRE) - Henrietta Knight GB
Won only start by five lengths under Derek O’Connor at Maralin on November 13, 2004.
Gungadu (GB) - Paul Nicholls GB
Ran four times for owner Paul Barber. Finished third first time out at Lemonfield on March 7, 2004, and then went on to score at Athlacca three weeks later. The following season he won by 20 lengths at Dungarvan on January 23, 2005, and by a neck at Kildorrery on February 20, 2005. Colman Sweeney was on board for his three victories.
Hi Cloy (IRE) - Michael Hourigan
Ran three times in 2002, winning at Naas on March 18.
Idle Talk (IRE) - Donald McCain Jnr GB
Ridden by Colman Sweeney to win at Carrigtwohill on February 1, 2004.
Imperial Commander (IRE) - Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
This imposing individual looked a high class prospect when winning a 4yo winners race at Summerhill by eight lengths on his debut in April, 2005.
Joaaci (IRE) - David Pipe GB
Won at Knockanard on February 13, 2005.
Kazal (FR) - Eoin Griffin
Made an eyecatching debut when finishing third to The Luder in a 4yo maiden in Kilmallock on April 3, 2005.
Kill Devil Hill (IRE) - Paul Nolan
Finished second on only start at Cloyne on March 14, 2004.
Knowhere (IRE) - Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
Won only start at Farmaclaffley on February 21, 2004
Lord Of Illusion (IRE) - Tom George GB
Finished second to Therealbandit at Lismore on March 3, 2002.
Mad Fish (IRE) - Willie Mullins
Easily beat Stewarts House on his only run in a 4yo maiden at Punchestown on February 12 last year.
Mister Top Notch (IRE) - Davy Fitzgerald
Finished second at Dungourney on November 6, 2004
Native Jack (IRE) - Philip Rothwell
Most recent success came in Open at Ballindenisk on December 4, 2005.
Our Vic (IRE) - David Pipe GB
Won 4yo maiden at Oldcastle on March 24, 2002
Simon (GB) - John Spearing GB
Won only start by eight lengths at Ballysteen on April 25, 2004.
Scotsirish (IRE) - Willie Mullins
Won only start at Loughbrickland on April 9, 2005.
Snowy Morning (IRE) - Willie Mullins
Three seconds, two wins - at Clonmel (May 8, 2005) and Ballon (January 29, 2006) - and a fall from six outings in point to points
Spot Thedifference (IRE) - Enda Bolger
Point-to-point regular who finished second at Nenagh in January, 2004, and his most recent success came at Lemonfield on March 2, 2003.
Standin Obligation (IRE) - David Pipe GB
Won final three starts, last of them at Tinahely on February 20, 2005.
Whyso Mayo (IRE) - Ray Hurley
Prolific point-to-pointer whose latest pointing success came at Aghabullogue on January 8 last year.
BOUGHT IN THE IRISH SALE RING
Many of this year’s Festival contenders were sold in the sale ring in Ireland, either at Goffs or Tattersalls Ireland. They include expensive purchases such as the veteran Rhinestone Cowboy, who was bought by Paul Shanahan for Ir£82,000 at the 1999 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, but many of those bidding for top honours could have been picked up very cheaply.
Last year’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca cost just Ir1,600gns as a foal while the 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition cost only Ir2,000gns at the same age. He is one of six of the last seven totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winners to have been sold at Irish sales.
