Tuesday, March 11, 2008

THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS COURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11

The winner, Captain Cee Bee (17/2) , trained by Eddie Harty, was McManus’s 28th Cheltenham success, but it was Binocular (8/1), from the Jonjo O’Neill stable, who was predicted to be the more likely McManus winner and was the choice of the owner’s retained jockey Tony McCoy.

“From what I was hearing he [Tony McCoy] was very happy with his choice, but both trainers were expecting their horses to run well. With Binocular, if there was a worry, it was if he was experienced enough having only two runs. I did not know which to fancy,” said McManus, who added that he couldn’t ask for more than see both his horses coming up the hill clear.

“At the last I was looking to see how the rest of field was getting on. It was a shame that one of my horses had to lose. It was a great race - very exciting.”


For trainer Eddie Harty, son of the jockey of the same name, it was an astonishing success for Captain Cee Bee was his first ever runner at the Festival. Moreover, a jubilant trainer felt the horse didn’t how it full ability. “We knew he was pretty special.

"We'll have our 40 minutes of fame and see what happens after that! We've always loved the horse, he won a Flat race last year over a mile and three by nine lengths and that vindicated to me how good the horse was and he's just proven it now. We've always felt that he was Cheltenham material.

"To be honest, he didn't like the ground today. Choc was saying that he never travelled that well early on in the race because of the ground. I was slightly worried about my fella at the top of the hill - he was slightly niggling at him. I watched it on the big screen across the track at that point and I was slightly worried that he was dropping away. But then, when he jumped it, he was in contention. Binocular seemed to be cruising but my fella jumped it well.

"It's unbelievable - you dream about things like this and you think it will never happen. It's a strange feeling to be honest. It's not the euphoria; it's the release of the pressure of the last four months. You train the horse for the one day; you have certain things go wrong, not been able to get a run into the horse. You come here after a hundred and something days with no run hoping you're not going to leave Cheltenham with egg on your face. It's a relief more than anything else.

"My grandfather, my father's father, was Captain C B Harty and he was one of the members of the first Irish team to jump when Ireland had independence. He was a trainer in his own right, a trainer of trainers, a trainer of horses, a trainer of jockeys.

"My father rode successfully but never actually got to ride a winner at The Festival even though he rode many winners at Cheltenham. When he bought this fella, he named him Captain Cee Bee, which was a brave thing to do because horses named after people or places that mean something to you usually end up no good, but this fella is here today in the right spot. It's a family triumph in every sense of the word."


Robert Thornton, the winning jockey, said: “I wasn’t liking the ground early ground and, to be honest with you, I was off grinding behind the bridle from the first down the back straight.

“He’s picked up and held his position and the one thing he can do is jump which is a great attribute round here. Off the bend A P looked as though he was probably going better than me but I was half confident that Captain Cee Bee would pick up and he did. He missed the last and still got away with it. He’s gone well in ground he probably doesn’t like.

“The ground is described as good to soft and it has ridden soft for Captain Cee Bee, but he doesn’t like the ground and it depends on what you are sat on.


“If you were on a horse that loved that kind off ground then it would probably ride good to soft. You wait and see a couple of race before taking a view on what the ground is like.

“Its great to ride an Irish-trained winner, although I wouldn’t want to come in here carrying the Cross of St George!”



HENDERSON’S PLAN TO AVOID FRANCHOEK SCUPPERED BY ANOTHER MCMANUS RUNNER



Nicky Henderson, trainer of second-placed Binocular, said: “He did nothing wrong, he jumped well, he travelled well and did everything right. Ironically the whole point of running here was to avoid (J P McManus’s) Franchoek (in the JCB Triumph Hurdle) and we were beaten by his horse here! I don’t know what the plan will be now, it probably depends where Franchoek and all the others go.”


Diana Whateley, owner of Snap Tie, who finished third, said: “We lost The Grey Berry recently so to be placed at Cheltenham is wonderful when everyone is trying so hard and in such a big field. The ground was not quite what we wanted for him but I’m just thrilled.”


The horse’s trainer Philip Hobbs said: “We’re very pleased. We’d have liked the ground to be better and it would have been nice to be in the shake-up a little bit closer but we’re very proud of him.”


Outsider Kalahari King claimed fourth at 40/1 to the delight of trainer Ferdy Murphy, who said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with him. It’s probably gone a little bit soft for him but it’s been a great experience and he’s a horse that can play at the big table. Tony (Dobbin) had a great spin round on him and this will do wonders for the horse’s confidence.”


PLENTY OF ‘SOFT’ IN JOCKEYS’ GOING ASSESSMENT


Jockeys who rode in the first race tended to describe the ground as ‘good to soft’ or ‘soft’.

Robert Thornton, who rode the winner, Captain Cee Bee, said: “It rode soft on him, but he’s a horse that likes better ground.”


Tom Doyle: “I rode a good ground horse, and it was soft for him, but it’s probably good to soft, bordering on soft.”


Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty: “It’s good to soft.”


Mick Fitzgerald, Davy Russell and Andrew McNamara: “Soft.”


Tony Dobbin: “It’s pretty soft.”


Timmy Murphy: “It’s good to soft or close to soft.”


Tom Scudamore: “I’d agree with Timmy [Murphy]. It’s riding on the soft side.”


Jamie Moore: “It’s soft. It was hard work.”


Noel Fehily: “It was soft.”


A P McCoy: “It was good to soft, but dead down the hill.”


Richard Johnson: “It is good to soft, soft in places, and generally on the soft side.”




THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11


SECOND RACE
WINNER’S QUOTES


TIDAL GIVES A SURGE TO JOHNSON AND WYLIE


Trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie were back in the number one spot at the Festival following Tidal Bay’s victory in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

The seven-year-old skipped clear of his rivals on the home turn, giving Johnson every indication that a longer trip would suit Tidal Bay - it also heralded a turning point in his yard’s fortunes, following a lean spell when a number of runners performed poorly.

Johnson said: “They have been a little bit out of form, but some of the horses just weren’t good enough. When a horse isn’t good enough it can’t win - I’ve been getting a bit of stick in the media, but this horse has silenced the critics.

“It’s also good for Drever [Inglis Drever, his candidate for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on Thursday]. He seems healthy enough and did his last piece of work this morning. It was just a little canter, but he seems great and will travel down tomorrow. When you’ve got two good horses you’ve got a chance.”


Asked for the thoughts of jockey Denis O’Regan - his first Cheltenham Festival winner - following the victory, Johnson said: “He said it was great and the horse gave him a lovely feel. He said he could have gone round again.”


Tidal Bay was declared for tomorrow’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase, but Johnson said he was very doubtful to line up. He added: “He’s won a race and tomorrow was just a safety net in case he fell at the first..

“I’ve had some good horses. Direct Route fell in this race with Tony Dobbin, but he was an out-and-out two-miler, and this horse will stay three miles. I’ll keep him going for Aintree, but if I’m not happy he’ll go out in a field.”


For Wylie it was a fifth Festival winner. He said: “People have been saying the horse can’t jump, the trip was wrong, the stable is under a cloud, but he’s silenced them today. I can’t believe we’ve had five Festival winners - it’s such a thrill.

“We bought this horse at Doncaster, after watching him come second in the Aintree bumper. He was trained near us at Stocksfield by Alistair Charlton, who will be as pleased as we are. It’s a great local story.”


Tidal Bay was quoted at 10/1 for next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase by Cashmans following his win.

NOLAND NEEDS MORE


Although Noland could not justify his position as 7/4 favourite of The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy,owner John Hales was "delighted" with the performance of his fledgling chaser, who took a fast-finishing third up the Cheltenham hill.

Hales was anxious about his horse’s jumping and refused to look as he took the second-last, where his talented chaser Granit d’Estruval had fallen and died at the Paddy Power Chase at Cheltenham in November.

Hales need not have worried for Noland’s jumping was faultless. If he lacked in any department, it was having the speed to go with the leader and connections confirmed that the horse’s future will be over longer. "This is the last time you’ll see him over two miles, we’ll definitely step him up know," said Hales. Trainer Paul Nicholls, too, was convinced the horse’s future lay over three miles.

The ultra-consistent Kruguyrova took second place which heartened trainer Charlie Egerton.


"We’re very pleased with that. No complaints about the ground a all," he said.


For AP McCoy, Kruguyrova’s rider, it was his second runner-up spot in succession. "She’s very tough, I thought that was the sort of race she would run and be there or thereabouts. She’s a good, sound jumper who stays well and always runs to a very good consistent level," said McCoy.

THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11


THIRD RACE WINNING QUOTES


SMURFIT KAPPA CHAMPION HURDLE


NO KATCHING KING STABLE STAR


No five-year-old had won the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle since See You Then in 1985 but Katchit - winner of last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle - defied that statistic to win this year's renewal in scintillating fashion to score by a length from the front-running Osana.

Trainer Alan King admitted the victory came as a pleasant surprise.

"I'm totally shocked, I've been so relaxed all day because I thought we couldn't win," admitted King. "I thought the ground was against him and the stats were against me - five-year-olds don't win the race so I told the owners to be delighted if we were in the first four.

"It shows how good the four-year-olds were last year with Punjabi coming third, I think they are a vintage generation. My gut feeling today was that the older horses might power away up the hill from him.

"There was always going to be a strong pace and the one thing I did say beforehand was that we'd get closer to Osana than at the December meeting. He's just amazingly tough - he doesn't let you down.

“See You Then went on to win the next two Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdles but asked about that, King added: "I'm not going to worry about that. When we bought him off Mick Channon I thought he might be an ideal sort for the juvenile handicap hurdle at Market Rasen, this sure as hell wasn't his target! He didn't cost a fortune and it just shows that good horses can come from anywhere.

"I don't think he'll go to Aintree, that's two and a half miles and he could possibly go to Punchestown but I think that's probably it for the season. I always said we wouldn't over race him this season as a five-year-old."


Winning rider Robert Thornton added: "They went a real good gallop, it ended up a bit of a slog, and I was worried we'd given Osana a soft lead ust like in the Boylesports. Normally mine's a good traveller but I was flat out all the way, I think it was a combination of the ground and the gallop. It was only at the second last that I thought we might win.

"He's a little legend, he's as tough as a box of nails and doesn't owe anyone anything. When jumping comes into play, that's what helps him. He's a little terrier


"This is what everyone has worked for including Christoph (Dallaporta), his lad. This is what it's all about. He was flat out most of the way and I was cautious not to give Osana too much rope down the hill.

“The gallop felt quick enough early on and he's picked up Osana fairly well and he's probably got there soon enough. The one thing I knew he would do is battle and he has. Sizing Europe got a little close at the second last and he's lent on me so I've lent back, which is the kind of thing Katchit needs. He needs to grab hold of the bit and battle. I felt Osana coming back at us coming up the hill but I was hopeful that Katchit would fight win, lose or draw and he did."


David Bellamy, who heads the ownership syndicate, added: "We've had three or four horses since we were introduced to racing by William Harrison-Alan, a good friend of mine, and had some great experiences but nothing to match this. This is dream time, we're so proud of Katchit and have family and friends all over the country cheering him on."


Groom Christoph Dallaporta said: "I'm so happy, I ride him every day and he's a wonderful horse to sit, he's a natural and very laidback at home."


Katchit was the first JCB Triumph Hurdle winner to win the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle the following season since Persian War in 1968.

THORNTON DOUBLE


Robert Thornton, celebrating a 103.5/1 double on Katchit and Captain Cee Bee.

He said after the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle victory of the former. “I don’t know what to say - it’s unbelievable. He’s a little terrier. I was flat out all the way to be honest, I didn’t want to let Osana get away down the hill. Katchit is just tough - unreal.


“You have to believe you are going to win otherwise there’s not point doing it. I believed he could but whether he actually did it was another story. I’m delighted.”


After Captain Cee Bee’s win in the Anglo Irish Bank, Thornton - last year’s leading rider at The Festival with four winners - commented: “ “I wasn’t liking the ground early ground and, to be honest with you, I was off grinding behind the bridle from the first down the back straight.

“He’s picked up and held his position and the one thing he can do is jump which is a great attribute round here. Off the bend A P looked as though he was probably going better than me but I was half confident that Captain Cee Bee would pick up and he did. He missed the last and still got away with it. He’s gone well in ground he probably doesn’t like.

“The ground is described as good to soft and it has ridden soft for Captain Cee Bee, but he doesn’t like the ground and it depends on what you are sat on. If you were on a horse that loved that kind off ground then it would probably ride good to soft. You wait and see a couple of race before taking a view on what the ground is like.

“Its great to ride an Irish-trained winner, although I wouldn’t want to come in here carrying the Cross of St George!”


BANNED SEVEN DAYS


Thornton was banned for three days - March 22, 23 & 24 - for his use of whip on Captain Cee Bee. The stewards found that he had used his whip in an incorrect place. He was banned for another four days - March 25 to 28 - for his use of the whip on Katchit.

SCUDAMORE BANNED


Jockey Tom Scudamore picked up a two-day ban after finishing second aboard Osana in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Scudamore was found to have used his whip with excessive frequency and was suspended on March 22 and 23.

KATCHIT 5-1 FOR 2009 CHAMPION


Katchit, a game winner of the Champion Hurdle, has been installed 5-1 favourite with totesport to repeat the feat in next year’s race.

Spokesman Damian Walker said: “Katchit has defied the five-year-old bogey in the Champion Hurdle and we expect him to improve again next season, so we are only 5-1.

“He is the first five-year-old to land the Champion Hurdle since three-time winner See You Then and just like that horse Katchit could easily run up a sequence.

“Punjabi, another five-year-old, has run a blinder in third and is 16-1 for next year’s race.”


Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee is 16-1 for the next year’s Champion Hurdle.

Tidal Bay is 7-1 for the Champion Chase after his easy Arkle win.

2009 Champion Hurdle - 5 Katchit, 7 Osana, 16 Captain Cee Bee, Punjabi - others on request


PIPE PRAISES BRAVE FRONT-RUNNER OSANA & HENDERSON PLEASED WITH PUNJABI


David Pipe declared himself thrilled with Osana, the 9/2 shot who set a strong early pace when making the running and locked in a duel with eventual winner Katchit up the hill to grab second.


The second-season trainer said: “He’s run a really great race. Tom (Scudamore) gave him a brilliant ride. To be honest, I thought he was going to get swallowed up turning for home but he just battled and battled.”


25/1 chance Punjabi ran third for trainer Nicky Henderson, who said: “He’s run really well. It’s interesting as the two five-year-olds (winner Katchit and Punjabi) have come out and virtually run to their Triumph Hurdle form from last year which is great.


“Yes, he’s done well, I’m really pleased.”



FORMER CHAMPION SUBLIMITY NOT DISGRACED


Sublimity, who won last year’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, made a brave bid to defend his title and was close up behind winner Katchit at the final jump.

From there he faded as Katchit and Osana pulled clear, and when Punjabi finished well from off the pace Sublimity and jockey Philip Carberry had to settle for fourth.

Owner Bill Hennessy said: "I thought he ran a smashing race, but the difference was that normally he’s wonderful over the hurdles and he didn’t jump well today.

"I don’t know the reason, maybe it was the ground. He wasn’t as fluent as normal. Having said that we’re happy with the run. Any one of nine of ten could have won so to come fourth is not bad. I’ve been in this spot before, when Dunlea was fourth in a handicap hurdle, so I’m getting used to it."


Sublimity was bleeding slightly from a cut by his front hoof, but Hennessy said: "The vet has looked at it and it isn’t serious. We certainly can’t use it as an excuse."


Trainer John Carr said of Sublimity: "He ran his heart out, but if the rain hadn’t come it may have made a difference. He would have stayed on a bit better. He travelled going like the winner, but just couldn’t carry it through in the last half furlong or so. It’s a good bit softer than last year.

"He’ll go to Punchestown now, all being well."


Following the running of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, bookmakers Paddy Power priced up next year’s race and made today’s winner, Katchit, 3-1 favourite, half the price offered by Cashmans, who go 6-1. Paddy Power make today’s runner-up Osana a 6-1 chance for next year and Captain Cee Bee, who won the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle earlier in the afternoon, a 14-1 shot.

DE BROMHEAD PERPLEXED


Trainer Henry de Bromhead could offer no explanation for the performance of Sizing Europe, who set off as 2/1 favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, but finished 14th of the 15 runners.

"One minute we were flying, Andrew [McNamara] gave him the perfect ride and the horse was in control. Coming to the last, Andrew said he lost his action. I just don’t know why.


“We’ll have a look tomorrow, some times these things come to light in the morning. When it happens, your heart sinks... but life goes on," said de Bromhead.

The horse trotted up sound after the race.

There was disappointment too for Noel Meade, trainer of Harchibald who finished 10th. But Meade, unlike de Bromhead, was not surprised.

"We knew after the first race when Roby [Walsh] reported back that the ground was soft, that it wasn’t his day. He needs good ground and it wasn’t. It was a desperate slog from the last," said Meade.

RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL, FIRST DAY
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle press conference with Alan King and Robert Thornton


Champion Hurdler Katchit proved that his lack of size is no barrier to brilliance despite his trainer being teased after purchasing him off the flat from Mick Channon’s stable.

“I was in the bar at Salisbury with Nigel Bunter who has horses with Mick Channon,” recalled Alan King. “Katchit was due to run and Mick said ‘I think you ought to look at mine in the last - he’d do your job.’


“Katchit won and I had a look at him in the winner’s enclosure and bought him that night for £30,000. I got a bit of a ribbing when he got back to the yard and they saw how small he was.”


Asked whether he had ever measured the Champion Hurdler, King said: “No, I’m too frightened to!”


Katchit runs in the green-and-pink colours of the DSJP Syndicate which is comprised of friends David Bellamy, Stephen Williams, June Collins and Peter Harding and takes its name from their initials.

King said: “The day I went to Salisbury, David Bellamy had rung me and said he and a few friends wanted to buy a hurdler. Five hours later I rang him back and said ‘I’ve found you a horse’. I don’t think he expected it to be that soon.”


Asked about Katchit’s affinity with Cheltenham, where he has won five out of the six times he has raced at the track, including last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival, the trainer commented: “I don’t think it’s a Cheltenham thing - I think he could win anywhere. He certainly does handle Cheltenham but he doesn’t need it.”


Jockey Robert Thornton was full of praise for the Kalanisi gelding, who is one of a select band of five-year-olds to have won the Champion Hurdle.


He said: “The more I get stuck into him the more he gives, I haven’t found the bottom of him yet. The first time I trotted him I thought ‘what’s this?’. But put him over a hurdle and he’s different class. He hasn’t put a foot wrong.”


THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS COURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11


The William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase


4th Race - Winner’s Quotes


AN ACCORDION HITS A PERFECT NOTE


On Tuesday morning, one bookmaker described An Accordion as friendless in the betting market for the William Hill Trophy Handicap, but after a driving victory, at a generous 7/1, the seven-year-old gelding had friends everywhere.


For trainer David Pipe and jockey Tom Scudamore, the victory was a swift compensation for just missing out on Osana in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, when Scudamore suffered a two-day ban for his excessive use of the whip.

It was also the Scudamore’s first success at the Festival. His father Peter had 13 winners, so there is still some way to go to be the best in the family.

The jockey said: "He’s done it well and it’s a great credit to the team because he has had his problems jumping. To come out and win another big race like this, David and everyone has done such a wonderful job.

"I was just the lucky man steering him in the right direction, and David has such a great team at the moment. I always knew he would keep battling and trying and he’s done that. It’s just a tremendous thrill.


"We’ve had, touch wood, such a good day so far and long may it continue. I’m not normally delighted about finishing second but Osana has run a really tremendous race in the Champion Hurdle and I couldn’t fault him. He’s jumped from hurdle to hurdle and to be beaten by a horse like Katchit, we were probably up against it today.


"The team has done a great job to get him here fit and well and he’s just a pleasure to ride. It’s a relief to get a first Festival winner. It’s the first year in a big job and I’ve had plenty of shots at the target without hitting the bullseye


"But this is the first year I’ve come here with a handful of decent rides. I’ve come here before with one or two chances, and I suppose Heltornic was probably my best chance in this race last year. It’s so important and now things are going really well. My whole family are here and that’s very special too. It’s a wonderful place."


Pipe paid credit to both horse and jockey: "Tom had a superb ride, they kept coming at him up the hill and he kept repelling them. The horse is very fit, they have to be at this level. They are elite athletes.

"Osana ran his heart out in the last race – he was just beaten by a better horse on the day. An Accordion’s win is great for Mr Kilpatrick, he’s been a supporter at Pond House for a long, long time. He’s had a lot of good horses and this is a good horse. It’s great for the yard and everyone involved."


An Accordion’s win continued an extraordinary record for the owner Brian Kilpatrick. "I get a Cheltenham winner about every ten years and this is my fourth," he said.

Kilpatrick, who also bred An Accordion, had his first winner with Sabin du Loir in the Royal and Sun Alliance in 1983 and his most recent success came with Terao, in the Mildmay, in 1997. In between, Aquilifier won the Ritz Club Chase in 1988, which is now the William Hill Trophy.

NATIONAL NEXT FOR LAZY L’AMI


The Francois Doumen-trained L’Ami will run in the John Smith’s Grand National following
his third-place finish in today’s William Hill Trophy Chase.

However, Doumen hopes Aintree’s National fences will act as a wake-up to the nine-year-old, who finished tenth behind Silver Birch last year.

Doumen said: "He’s getting a little bit lazy and Tony [McCoy] complained that he was being too cold during the race. He had to ask him to keep up, and I hope he will be keener in the National.

"The pace was a bit too slow today, and that allied to the horse being too lazy was the reason we were beaten - simple. The horse is well and that is the principle, and the whole plan is to get to the National.

"I only wish this horse had won today like his brother, Kelami, did a few years ago."
L’Ami wore cheekpieces today, and when asked if he might put blinkers on the horse at Aintree, Doumen said: "We’ll see. We have plenty of time to think about that."
Paddy Power make L’Ami a 25-1 chance (from 50-1) for the John Smith’s Grand National, while today’s fourth, Patsy Hall is 25-1 from 40-1.

Sean Murphy, who owns runner-up New Alco with Danny McGowan, was delighted with his horse, who is trained by Ferdy Murphy (no relation).

New Alco could run at Aintree, said Sean Murphy, who added: "That’s three seconds and a third for him at Cheltenham [including non-Festival races] and he was sixth in this race last year. He’s been a bit unlucky today and nearly came to a stop at one fence, but he got back into contention and Davy Russell gave him a great ride.

"Ferdy reckoned we were too close to the pace last year and burnt him out, so we held him back today. He’s only seven, but he comes up that hill and loves it."









THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11


FIFTH RACE - WINNER’S QUOTES



CARBERRY NOW LEADING FESTIVAL WOMAN RIDER THANKS TO GARDE


Nina Carberry became the most successful woman rider at the Cheltenham Festival when scoring on Garde Champetre in the BGC Cross-Country Handicap Chase.

Carberry was recording her third Festival success - one more than Gee Armytage - following victories on Dabiroun in the 2005 Fred Winter Novices’ Hurdle and Heads Onthe Ground in the 2007 BGC Cross-Country Chase.

Carberry said: "I was on the best horse on the day - he’s a very classy horse. It was great to be able to sit up there and just enjoy yourself."


"It all went very well. There were a few little mishaps round. Enda did a great job with him and he seems to be going a little bit slower in his racing now and seems to be loving it again. His old sparkle is back.

"I think horses either enjoy the course or they don’t. He shown the horse he is today. I got to the front way too soon on him, but he did it well. I though he might pull up in front, but he did it well and kept going.


"Enda’s unbelievable. He shows us every year and I don’t think anyone could copy him now. A lot of work goes into the horses at home and he has a great set and I’m delighted for everyone at home.

"The first time I entered the winners enclosure here was good, but I’ll never tire of coming in here."


Garde Champetre, who became a third winner of the race for trainer Enda Bolger, has taken to cross-country racing with enthusiasm, although he is equally famous for his 530,000gns sale tag, which was the sum owner J P McManus gave for him at Doncaster in May 2004. The price remains the highest for a male horse sold while in training.

Bolger said: "He’s just starting to enjoy himself, but I didn’t expect him to win that easily."
Asked whether, after three victories, it was getting routine to win this event, Bolger, who saddled three runners, said: "Far from it. It certainly doesn’t seem so standing in these shoes.


"Freney’s Well [fourth] ran well too, while top-weight anchored Heads Onthe Ground. Please God, they will all go to Punchestown, where there’s a new cross-country race over 3m1f. Garde Champetre could go for that and Heads Onthe Ground will tackle the La Touche Cup. Then hopefully Garde Champetre will come back here in the autumn.

"The minute we introduced him to this type of racing he was a duck to water. The boss [McManus] just said to me, ‘Give him a try, but if he doesn’t take to it we’ll go back to chasing’. It’s no credit to me, because he’s a high-class horse and they go a different gear in these type of races. It suits him, and with one of the best [amateur] riders in the world on his back away you go."




FORMER WINNER NATIVE JACK BACK WITH SUPERB RUN AFTER A YEAR OFF


Fourteen-year-old Native Jack, winner of the race two years ago, had not run since a disappointing performance at The Festival last year but delighted connections with a staying-on second.

Trainer Philip Rothwell said: "We're ecstatic. He's been off the racecourse since this day last year and I asked the owners to give me a chance to bring him back once more. This is super, he wouldn't have liked the ground out there at all. He's way better on good ground but he finished well and it's great."


Niall O'Farrell, one of Native Jack's four owners, said: "He's been fantastic. We won two years ago. Last year we brought him back for a lap of honour. He was really well during the summer but we didn't know if we were going to retire him so we're just delighted he's in such top form today."


Michael Hourigan, trainer of third-placed A New Story, said: "I'm very, very pleased. He's a bit of a character of a horse but he loves it round here. He wings fences and he's only jumped about 15 banks in his life so I'm delighted with how he's taken to it today. We'll be back in November."






RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
THE FESTIVAL, FIRST DAY
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007



GOING UPDATE AT THE END OF THE FIRST DAY



The description of the going on Cheltenham’s Old Course remains as good to soft after the first day of racing, according to clerk of the course Simon Claisse.

He said: “I’m expecting a few showers overnight and more showers tomorrow with blustery winds throughout the day.”


THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS COURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY, MARCH 11

The Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
6th Race - Winner’s Quotes

JACK MAKES EMMA’S DAY



Emma Lavelle had eyes for only one horse in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle. “I was just watching my horse [Crack Away Jack] for the whole race. I didn’t dare look at anything else at all,” she said.

Small wonder that Lavelle was only focused on Crack Away Jack for while the punters had put their faith in Ashkazan and River Liane, Lavelle suggested that her horse, which started at a healthy 14/1, was nevetheless the most fancied horse she had ever had at the Festival.

Crack Away Jack belied his odds coming up the hill strongly to overtake the long-time leader and race favourite Ashkazar to give the 34-year-old trainer her first-ever Cheltenham success. “I think the moment I knew we could win was when Paul [Carberry] was coming to the second-last and he took a bit of a pull on him,” said Lavelle.

Lavelle had thought the softened ground could militate against Crack Away Jack, but felt that Carberry, for whom this was a 10th Cheltenham Festival winner, made the difference. “I thought maybe he would struggle, but Paul gave him such an amazing ride. He got him so relaxed that he didn’t even know he’d been in a race until after the second-last fence,” she said.

Crack Away Jack has long been the apple of Lavelle’s eye. “I went to France to buy him as a two-year-old and I couldn’t believe how developed he was even then. He just looked like a three-year-old,” she said.

The horse is owned by the GDM Partnership of Gregory and Daniel Charlesworth and Michael Smith. They also own the prolific mare Labelthou, who is entered in the David Nicholson Mare’s Hurdle on Friday.

The winning rider commented: “Barry Fenton is a very good friend of mine and he told me to walk him out of the gate and just find your way from there. He’s got plenty of pace and jumped very well. He was always travelling well and even down the hill when they came back. He jumped the last well and went on to the line.

“I was always confident that we would catch Timmy even turning in when there were three or four in front of me. I took a pull back because I thought he was going well enough and didn’t want to hit the front too soon.

“He winged the last and galloped on about his business to the line. I had to pick one up after Nina won just because I’d never let her get all of the attention.”


ASHKAZAR JUST MISSES OUT ON BONUS

The David Pipe-trained Ashkazar, winner of the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday, just missed out on a £75,000 bonus after finishing second in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Sunderlands put up the bonus, won by the Pipe-trained Gaspara 12 months ago, for any horse that scored on Saturday and went on to win at The Festival but Ashkazar missed out by two and a half lengths.

“I thought we were going to win then Emma Lavelle’s came there too strongly,” said Pipe. “But he’s run a blinder and perhaps the ground may have just gone against him. It was a great run and I don’t know where he’ll go now, we’ll get Cheltenham out of the way first.”

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

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