Following rainfall this afternoon at Cheltenham, the going on the Old Course, which will be used on Tuesday and Wednesday, has changed to Good to Soft.
The going on the Cross-Country Course is now Good to Soft, Soft in Places.
The action at Prestbury Park switches to the New Course on Thursday and Friday, and the going on that course is currently Good to Soft.
Cheltenham Clerk of the Course, Simon Claisse, said: “I have changed the going to good to soft on both the Old and New courses following a total of 13 millimetres of rain since last night.
“Both courses are in fantastic condition and I cannot wait until the tremendous racing starts tomorrow afternoon.”
CULLOTY SEEKS FIRST FESTIVAL SUCCESS
Jim Culloty, the former top jockey who famously landed a hat-trick of victories in the totesport Gold Cup aboard the legendary Best Mate, seeks his first Festival triumph as a trainer with the progressive Western Point in the £75,000 Listed Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5.20pm) tomorrow.
The four-year-old, an impressive seven-length winner of a soft ground maiden hurdle at Gowran Park on February 16, is making his fourth start over hurdles for Culloty, who partnered five Festival winners in a glittering riding career. The gelding carries 10st 4lb.
Western Point is Culloty’s second runner at the Festival as a trainer and the County Cork handler is looking for a better result than his first, Madroos, who was 23rd of 24 in last year’s renewal of this competitive extended two-mile handicap.
Having taken Western Point for a look at the course this morning, Culloty revealed: “I’m hoping for a good run from him. He’s not very well treated by the handicapper but he’s an improver, so if he improves enough he might run a big race.
“The ground seems to be on the soft side of good but this horse might even be better on better ground. He’s only run on soft and heavy ground in Ireland because that’s all there was to run on. His Flat form suggests he might be better on good ground so we’ll see tomorrow.”
Western Point scored twice on the Flat in 2007 for Sir Mark Prescott before joining Culloty, having been picked up by agent Gerry Hogan for 35,000 guineas at Tattersalls in October.
And regarding the question on everyone’s lips this year, Culloty commented: “I’m a huge Denman fan - simple as that.”
HOBBS EYES SECOND SEASONS HOLIDAYS CHAMPION CHASE VICTORY
Philip Hobbs saddled Flagship Uberalles to a tremendous triumph in the 2002 Grade One Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.15pm) and the Minehead trainer bids for a second victory in Wednesday’s two-mile championship with Fair Along.
The six-year-old is one of 11 declared runners for day two’s fantastic feature. The others are the Alan King-trained reigning champion Voy Por Ustedes, the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Master Minded and Twist Magic, the classy David Pipe-trained Tamarinbleu and the 2006 hero Newmill as well as Mansony, Schindler’s Hunt, Lennon, Azulejo and Contraband.
Fair Along, runner-up to My Way De Solzen in last season’s Grade One Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy, was fourth to Kauto Star in the Grade One Commercial First Ascot Chase over an extended two miles, five furlongs on February 16. That was Fair Along’s first outing in over three months.
Hobbs revealed: “I was really pleased with his run at Ascot last time after a winter break and he has come on for that. He has a bit to find with the best of them but we’re hopeful. He hasn’t had a problem, we just decided to give him a rest after Exeter in November.
“He appreciates good ground so he doesn’t want too much rain to come down in the next couple of days - he’s in very good form though.”
Hobbs hopes to kick-off the Festival with a solid effort from Snap Tie in Tuesday’s opener, the Grade One Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2.00pm). The six-year-old has one win and three runner-up finishes from five starts at the course.
Snap Tie’s course and distance triumph came in October when taking the Club 16-24 Maiden Hurdle by 12 lengths. Most recently he was a length runner-up, conceding 8lb to the winner Calgary Bay, in the EBF/Boylesports.com National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 14.
Hobbs reported: “I certainly hope Snap Tie has a big chance. He will possibly be suited by a more competitive type of race and he should get that tomorrow, although he is another that would not want too much rain.”
Hobbs’ challenge on Tuesday also includes Ring The Boss, who notched a five-timer over hurdles earlier in the campaign and heads to the Grade One Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2.35pm), despite only one previous outing over fences, and last season’s totepsort Gold cup fourth Monkerhostin (Grade Three William Hill Trophy Chase - 4.00pm). The latter was last seen when third in the Boylesports.com Cashback Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on December 14.
The Somerset handler commented: “Ring The Boss’s first run over fences was very good, conceding 5lb to a good mare and he actually wouldn’t mind the rain.
“We took a view that if he could run in the Arkle and run well, then that would be better than winning a little novice chase somewhere.
“The only reason Monkerhostin had a break was that he is better in the spring and he likes the better ground. We are looking forward to a good run from him.”
GOING UPDATE AT NOON
A total of 10 millimetres of rain fell at Cheltenham between midnight on Sunday night and noon on Monday ahead of the 2008 Festival.
The going on the Old Course, which will be used on Tuesday, is now Good, Good to Soft in Places.
The going on the New Course is Good to Soft, Good in Places, and the going on the Cross-Country Course is Good.
“We are forecast three to four millimetres of rain on Monday afternoon and a further two to three on Tuesday morning when the wind should be declining. The expectation is that the meeting will start on Good To Soft,” said Cheltenham’s clerk of the course Simon Claisse.
“The winds have caused minimal disruption to the course - we took a lot of precautions and a few bits of rail were blown off but we had them back in place by 8.30am.”
WEDNESDAY’S FEATURE
SEASONS HOLIDAYS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
A top-class field of 11 has been declared for the Grade One Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday at 3.15pm.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls holds the strongest hand with both Master Minded, who carries the Kauto Star colours of Clive Smith, and Twist Magic declared. Ruby Walsh, bidding for a third leading rider title at The Festival (2004 & 2006), has been confirmed to partner the first-named, who lowered the colours of the Alan King-trained 2007 winner Voy Por Ustedes (Robert Thornton) in the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 9.
Twist Magic (Sam Thomas), travelling well when falling two out in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase at The Festival 12 months ago, was a game winner of the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December, beating Voy Por Ustedes by three lengths. He was then handed a 12-length beating by the David Pipe-trained Tamarinbleu (Tom Scudamore) in the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 19.
Irish-trained horses have taken 19 of the 48 runnings including three of the last five (2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer and 2006 Newmill).
The Irish challenge includes the John Murphy-trained Newmill (Robbie Power) who bids to emulate Moscow Flyer in regaining his crown, as well as Victor Chandler Chase third Mansony, trained by Arthur Moore who has taken the prize twice (1981 Drumgora & 1997 Klairon Davis), and the Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt (Paul Carberry).
Philip Hobbs has declared the 2007 Irish Independent Arkle Chase runner-up Fair Along (Richard Johnson) as he bids for a second triumph in the race following Flagship Uberalles in 2002. The Howard Johnson-trained Lennon, the Michael Scudamore-trained French recruit Azulejo and the Paul Murphy-trained Contraband, complete the line-up.
THE RACES AT CHELTENHAM ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008
17 HEAD TO CHAMPION
Tomorrow’s feature Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle is set to feature a 17-strong field, seven more than last year, with no shortage of contenders set to try and continue the excellent recent record of Irish raiders.
Hurdling’s biggest prize has headed across the Irish Sea seven times in the last nine years - most recently with Sublimity 12 months ago - and nine of tomorrow’s 17 runners are trained in Ireland.
Although Sublimity, whose only appearance this season came when fourth in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 15, will bid to defend his title, it is his compatriot Sizing Europe who heads this year’s betting.
The six-year-old, who won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November, went on to win the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in superb fashion at Leopardstown on January 27, when eight lengths clear of Hardy Eustace. Ebaziyan, who finished fifth, is the only one of his rivals that day to reoppose.
Harchibald, who finished second in the 2005 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, scored on the Flat at Dundalk last week as a warm up for tomorrow while Farmer Brown, who has not run since December 29, impressed work watchers with a racecourse gallop at Leopardstown on March 2.
Ruby Walsh - whose intended mount De Valira misses the race - has switched to the Edward O’Grady-trained Catch Me, an easy winner of the Grade Two Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park in February.
No horse has better flat form than Salford City, who finished fifth to North Light in the 2004 Derby and sixth in that year’s 2000 Guineas before going on to race in America. He is now trained by Gordon Elliott for Fergus Galvin, who owns Hunter Valley Farm in Kentucky, and landed a Grade Two hurdle at Tipperary in October. The Dermot Weld-trained Bobs Pride and Kalderon, representing trainer Tom Hogan, complete the Irish challenge.
The David Pipe-trained Osana finished second to Sizing Europe in the Greatwood Hurdle when giving 6lb before going on to beat Katchit by eight lengths when taking the Boylesports.com International in December with a bold front-running performance. Osana will land a £200,000 bonus put up by Boylesports for any horse that wins their race and goes on to take the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
Katchit, who won last season’s Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle, went on to land the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton by eight lengths from Blythe Knight, who reopposes tomorrow.
Last year’s third Afsoun most recently beat the Stan James Christmas Hurdle winner Straw Bear in a Grade Two hurdle at Sandown on February 2 while Punjabi, who finished second in the competitive totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury last time out, gives trainer Nicky Henderson a second string to his bow.
The field is completed by one-time smart chaser Contraband, who will have his first start for owner Fergus Wilson, and the Seamus Mullins-trained Kawagino, who will need to step up on his previous form to figure here.
THE ANGLO IRISH BANK SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
Nicky Henderson is set to have four representatives in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which 23 runners have been declared.
The Cheltenham Festival’s winning most current trainer has the long-time favourite for the race Khyber Kim (Mick Fitzgerald), Grade Two winner Binocular, wide-margin maiden winner Sentry Duty and Zebra Crossing,
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has declared Rippling Ring (Ruby Walsh), fourth in the Grade One Cape Derby (Flat) in South Africa and an easy winner on his only start over hurdles at Doncaster when beating Kalahari King among others, and dual Newbury scorer Pasco (Sam Thomas).
Grade Two winners Pigeon Island, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, and Deep Purple from the Evan Williams stable are also set to take their chance, while Calgary Bay (trainer Henrietta Knight and jockey Timmy Murphy) and Snap Tie (trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Richard Johnson) cross swords again after finishing first and second in a novice hurdle at the Boylesports International meeting at Cheltenham in December.
Andrew Turnell’s high-class Flat recruit Blue Bajan (Tom Scudamore), dual winner Numide, the Carl Llewellyn-trained Quartano, Striking Article from the Howard Johnson stable, and four-year-old Lemon Silk are also declared to run in tomorrow’s curtain raiser.
A powerful Irish raiding party of seven is headed by last year’s Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Cork All Star from the Jessica Harrington yard, who has since finished second in novice hurdles at the highest level, including when a good runner-up behind the unbeaten Muirhead (trained by Noel Meade) at Fairyhouse in December.
Sophocles, who chased home Cork All Star at last season’s Festival, is also set to take his chance along with Captain Cee Bee, who has looked impressive on both his starts over hurdles. Norther Bay, The Gloves Are Off and Tranquil Sea complete the strong Irish challenge.
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
The 2006 Grade One Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Noland (Ruby Walsh) is among the 14 final declarations for the Grade One Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, successful with Flagship Uberalles in 1999 and Azertyuiop in 2003, has also entered smart chaser Marodima (Sam Thomas), who beat the consistent Mahogany Blaze in a Grade Two chase at Sandown in December.
Howard Johnson is set to run last year’s Grade One Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle runner-up Tidal Bay, who has already won at Cheltenham this season in the Boylesports.com Fone-A-Bet Novices’ Chase over five furlongs further.
Philip Hobbs is represented by smart hurdler Ring The Boss (Richard Johnson), who chased home the mare Kruguyova in a Grade Two novice chase at Warwick in February, while Charlie Mann has declared Moon Over Miami, successful in the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase at The Open in November.
A strong Irish challenge of four is headed by Thyne Again, a Grade One scorer at Punchestown in January, and Grade One novice hurdle winner Clopf, trained by the current winning most Irish-based Festival trainer Edward O’Grady (18 wins). Paul Nolan’s smart chaser French Accordion and the Willlie Mullins-trained Scotsirish are also set to take their chance.
Leslingtaylor, who inflicted Tidal Bay with his only defeat over fences in a novice chase at Doncaster, Orpen Wide and Premiership complete the line-up.
WILLIAM HILL HANDICAP CHASE
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Grade One winner Ollie Magern has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb for the William Hill Chase, for which 15 have been declared. The Naunton-based handler, successful in 1992 with Tipping Tim, has also declared 2004 Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle scorer Fundamentalist.
Philip Hobbs is represented by last season’s totesport Gold Cup fourth Monkerhostin, last seen when finishing third in the Listed Boylesports.com Cashback Chase at Cheltenham at the Boylesports International Meeting, while Ferdy Murphy is set to run New Alco, who finished a staying on sixth in last year’s renewal behind stablemate Joes Edge.
David Pipe is seeking a second Festival success and has declared An Accordion, an impressive winner of a Listed Chase at Doncaster in January, and Abragante, while last year’s Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase second Bob Hall lines up for Jonjo O’Neill, who has 14 Festival winners as a trainer.
An Irish challenge of two consists of last year’s Kerry National hero Ponmeoth and Tony Martin’s Patsy Hall (Paul Carberry), who finished ninth in last season’s Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Martin saddled Dun Doire to victory two years ago. The sole French raider is Francois Doumen’s 2006 Grade One totesport Gold Cup fourth L’Ami.
The field is completed by last year’s fourth Mon Mome (trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Sam Thomas) Ofarel d’Airy (trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh), Lankawi, Flying Enterprise and 2005 Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase winner King Harald.
BGC HANDICAP CROSS-COUNTRY STEEPLECHASE
A full field of 16 will go to post for Tuesday's BGC Handicap Cross-Country Steeplechase, for which last year's winner Heads Onthe Ground will carry top-weight of 11st 12lb under course expert J T McNamara.
Trained by cross-country specialist Enda Bolger, who has won this race twice in its three-year history, Heads Onthe Ground will bid to reverse recent Punchestown form with stable-companion Garde Champetre, the mount of last year's winning rider Nina Carberry. Bolger has also declared Freneys Well.
Among the other five Irish-trained declared runners is Tony Martin's market leader, Wonderkid, who had Heads Onthe Ground and Garde Champetre behind him over the course and
distance in the BGC Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Boylesports International meeting in December.
Ted Walsh enjoyed Festival glory with Commanche Court in the 1997 JCB Triumph Hurdle and he saddles Never Compromise, third behind Garde Champetre and Heads Onthe Ground at Punchestown on February 3. Philip Rothwell has declared 2006 winner Native Jack, while the Tom McCourt-trained Casadei and A New Story from the Michael Hourigan yard complete the raiding team.
Paul Nicholls who has 17 Festival winners to his name seeks a first success in this contest with Le Duc (Sam Thomas) and Royal Auclair (Liam Heard), who finished third and sixth respectively 12 months ago, while Ferdy Murphy has declared Pardubice fourth Ivoire De Beaulieu, a winner over the course and distance in December, 2005. Royal Auclair and Ivoire De Beaulieu finished third and fourth to Wonderkid in December, while Le Duc was sixth on that occasion.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Florida Dream, Mange Tout from the Kahlil Burke yard, the Carl Llewellyn-trained Harrycone Lewis and Bosham Mill from Brendan Powell’s stable complete the field.
FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES' HURDLE
The maximum field of 24 has been declared for the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, in which David Pipe will be hoping to land the £75,000 Sunderlands Imperial Cup bonus for a second year, this time with Ashkazar.
The Pond House handler sealed the bonus last term when Gaspara became his first ever Festival winner. His father Martin Pipe trained a record 34 Festival winners.
Ashkazar was a good winner of the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday and will not have to carry a 4lb penalty for that three and a half-length success as he already has top-weight of 11st 12lb. The trainer has also declared Sainte Kadette and Mamlook.
Irish raider River Liane, trained by Tom Cooper, was propelled to the head of the betting after an impressive victory at Leopardstown on March 2, while Tony McCoy is an interesting booking for the Dermot Weld-trained Prince Erik, a Gowran Park maiden hurdle winner.
Emma Lavelle has declared recent Sandown winner Crack Away Jack and has booked Paul Carberry who is seeking a 10th Festival victory, while Derby-winning trainer Michael Bell will saddle his first Cheltenham Festival runner, Metaphoric, in the extended two-mile event.
French raider Grand Schlem, ridden by 15-time French Champion Christophe Pieux, who has yet to win over hurdles, has some good form in defeat, notably second to Pigeon Island in a Grade Two at Kempton Park and third to Ashkazar at Sandown in February.
Other notable runners include Brighton trainer Gary Moore's recent maiden hurdle winner Harry Tricker, the Paul Nicholls-trained Chapoturgeon (Ruby Walsh), the Alan King-trained Squadron and Zanir from the Tom George yard.
Among the other six declared from Ireland is Edward O'Grady's Indian Spring and Eddie Harty's Siege Of Ennis (Barry Geraghty).
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
Archive
