THE FESTIVAL 2008
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CHELTENHAM, FRIDAY, MARCH 14
FIRST RACE WINNING QUOTES
DAVID NICHOLSON MARES HURDLE
BATTLING WHITEOAK LANDS NEW MARES’ EVENT
The Donald McCain-trained Whiteoak fought back against a determined Refinment and Tony McCoy to prevail in a photo finish for the inaugural David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.
Despite the five-year-old’s 20/1 starting price, McCain admitted that the success was not a complete surprise. “I’ve always thought a lot of her and she probably got there too soon because she just does enough in front, although today she got there and went again,” said McCain.
“I thought Refinement was going to get there and would have been a little disappointed but she was unbelieveable and came again.
“Her form was there, she was just beaten by Tazbar - the best novice in there - and when she won at Ascot everyone said the southern horses hadn’t run to form which was frustrating. If I’d done my job properly she’d be unbeaten this season.”
Winning rider Jason Maguire added: “She’s very tough, we were headed on the run-in and she fought back. She’s not got a straightforward head carriage and the worry beforehand was today’s trip because she has so much speed.”
Race 1 - David Nicholson Mares Hurdle - Placed Quotes
REFINEMENT JUST TOUCHED OFF
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill was in philosophical mood after Refinement went down by a short-head to Whiteoak in the opening Grade Two David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. The two and a half mile race was being run for the first time.
Refinement looked as if she had down enough to win with a great run from the last under Tony McCoy, but appeared to stop when she hit the front and allowed Whiteoak to get back up.
The master of Jackdaws Castle commented: “Refinement is just a bit lazy and just pulled up when she hit the front.
“She has still run a blinder and is a great mare.
“She always puts everything in, it’s just she thinks she’s done enough when she hits the front.”
Tony McCoy was subsequently banned for four days for his excessive use of the whip.
Coming down the hill, the likeliest winner had appeared to be Chomba Womba, with jockey Mick Fitzgerald looking to have plenty in hand before the tank quickly emptied as she came up the hill.
“Possibly she just didn’t get home and the ground may have gone against her,” said trainer Nicky Henderson.
“You have to have so much luck and there was a couple of hurdles that the horse didn’t get right. There was a little interference which changed her rhythm, but that’s what this game is about,” added the owner, Richard Kelvin Hughes.
Gaspara, from the David Pipe stable, had set the early tempo, but stayed on a one pace for fourth. Nevertheless, jockey Tom Scudamore was very positive. “She ran a great race and didn’t go down without a fight,” he said.
JOCKEYS’ VERDICTS ON STATE OF THE GROUND AFTER FIRST RACE
Ruby Walsh, rider of Silver Charmer: “Dead.”
Tom Doyle, rider of Sweet Kiln: “It’s just very slow.”
Robert Thornton, rider of Theatre Girl: “It’s soft, dead.”
Timmy Murphy, rider of Labelthou: “It’s soft.”
Tony Dobbin, rider of Annie’s Answer: “It’s a little bit slow in places but not too bad.”
Sam Waley-Cohen, rider of Shatabdi:”Great condition, lots of grass.”
Liam Treadwell, rider of Helens Vision: “Good to soft.”
THE FESTIVAL 2008
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CHELTENHAM, FRIDAY, MARCH 14
Second race 1.05pm The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle Race
Winners’ quotes
FIVEFORTHREE LEADS HOME IRISH CLEAN SWEEP
The red and white scarves were out in force to cheer home Forpadydeplasterer in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle but it was his compatriot Fiveforthree, also sporting red and white, who came home best of a clutch of strongly-fancied Irish raiders.
Outbattling Grade Two winner Venalmar up the hill, Fiveforthree, who was making his second Cheltenham Festival appearance after finishing fifth in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last year, won by a neck at odds of 7/1.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins, who took his sixth Champion Bumper yesterday with Cousin Vinny, said: “He’s never run over more than two miles before but looking at his pedigree, when we were making the decision between this race and the Supreme Novices’, he’s all stamina and that showed in the last two furlongs. He just had to stay every inch of that which he did so we’re delighted.”
Michael Hillary, who runs The Olde Crowbars Syndicate which owns the horse and is made up of friends from Dublin and Tipperary, said: “This is absolutely fantastic. The Crowbars is a name of a rugby club and he’s running in the colours of the club. Some of our winnings will be going to Camp Hill, which provides sheltered housing just outside Dublin.”
Ruby Walsh, the winning rider, said: “He was a bit novicey. He missed the second last and I had to use a bit to get into the race but by god he battled back from the last.
“It is in his pedigree that he stays, he’s a half brother to Celestial Gold and Escargot is in the pedigree and by god he did stay!
“I thought he might fold on me half way up but he’s stuck his head out. I’m glad he’s won because it was half my call that he ran in this race and not the other (the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’).”
The jockey of the second, Paddy Flood, was given a six-day ban for his use of the whip by the stewards.
HIGH HOPES FOR BALLYMORE SECOND VENALMAR
Trainer Mouse Morris was disappointed that Venalmar failed by a neck to match Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
“He’s as good as any horse I’ve brought to Cheltenham,” said Morris. “He might go to Punchestown but he’s 17 hands and crying out for fences. He is going to be a hell of a horse when he goes chasing next season.”
Trafford Lad could never quite get to grips with the two leaders up the hill and trainer Eamonn Sheedy was particularly disappointed that his horse could not beat Venalmar.
“We were a head behind at Naas and the weights favoured us so I would have hoped we could beat him. The ground may not have favoured us,” said Sheehy.
“It was a hell of a race, though,” he added, “And he’s still a very immature horse, so he can only get better.”
Race 3 - Coral Cup - Winning Quotes
NAIAD DU MISSELOT LANDS THRILLING CORAL CUP
Naiad du Misselot came out on top in one of the most thrilling finishes seen so far this week when just holding on by a nose from the fast-finishing Kicks For Free to land the ultra-competitive Coral Cup.
Winning trainer Ferdy Murphy said: “From where I was standing, I thought he had won.
“He won on heavy ground at Haydock last time so I was happy when I saw it was raining last night.
“Graham Lee has been fantastic, as he told us exactly how to ride him. He told Davy (Russell) to come down the inner and to race in mid division, towards the front. Davy did that and has given him a fantastic ride.
“Graham should hopefully be back in action for Aintree. My son-in-law bought this horse and thinks he is really a chasing type.
“That is what his pedigree certainly suggests and he definitely goes chasing next year.
“I would say that is probably it for this season now and he will most likely be turned out. It was always the plan to give him a relatively light campaign this year.”
“When I was younger when you looked at a horse and people would see he’s a Cheltenham horse, or when you’re buying a horse, everyone would say it’s a Cheltenham horse. It is the big Festival and you try to give your clients a good day out . Every winner at the Cheltenham Festival is fantastic.
“It’s been a good week for the north, with Howard and myself having winners and some placed horses and its nice to see the northern horses coming down and holding their own.
“New Alco was a bit unlucky in the William Hill Trophy on Tuesday but generally the horses have been running well.”
Russell added: “Fair play to Ferdy, he was oozing confidence. Before the race he was a little worried about the ground but, having ridden in the first, I felt Ferdy was speaking about soft ground and I thought it would be soft enough for him and the horse has pulled out all the stops.
“Ferdy was speaking to Graham and he said let the horse take me there and he jumped super when I needed him and he battled when I needed him. I felt that Ruby might have done me right on the line if anywhere but it would have been very unfortunate for my horse to get done after being so tough.”
FREE BEATEN BY NOSE
Kicks For Free, partnered by Ruby Walsh, lost out by a nose in a photo for the Coral Cup to the disappointment of trainer Paul Nicholls.
“It was a brilliant run but I shot myself in the foot winning at Kempton the other day because he went up 10lb for it,” said Nicholls.
Alan King, trainer of third-placed Junior, said: “It was a super run. He’s done nothing wrong and the blinkers have helped. We’re thrilled with him.”
Noel Chance was similarly pleased with the efforts of Mendo, who finished fourth at 14/1. He said: “I’m delighted. When the horse (Whispered Promises) fell, the horse next to him was interfered with and there was a bit of a knock-on effect which didn’t help him but it’s great that he managed to get fourth for all the people who’ve backed him.”
The trainer indicated he could now be on course for Aintree and said: “A three-miler around Liverpool on softer ground and it wil be a different ball game for him.”
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FOURTH RACE WINNER QUOTES
THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (GRADE 1)
FESTIVAL FIRST FOR STEWART
The red, white and black colours of Andy Stewart have been a familiar sight at the Cheltenham Festival for the past eight years, since Cenkos finished second to Tiutchev in the 2000 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.
In those eight years, Stewart has had any number of placed horses (including Gwanako, second, and Turko, third, already this week) but it took yet another Paul Nicholls trained improver, Celestial Halo, to break the duck in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
“We had a tipping competition earlier this week and I tipped Franchoek to win,” said Stewart, who was almost, but not quite, lost for words.
“I’ve always wanted to win any race here, but the Triumph will do very nicely indeed. It’s been absolutely terrific. Alex Ferguson, a good friend of mine, just said well done. It’s been a long time, but well done Francheok too, that’s a gutsy horse. I got champagne and jellybeans all over the place! It’s great for Ruby, for Paul and for the yard.”
It was Alan King, the trainer of the hot favourite and runner-up Franchoek who was among the first to congratulate Stewart. “I’m delighted you have had a Festival winner, but why did you have to pick this one?” he said.
Celestial Halo will not be put away for the season yet and Stewart is keen to take the horse to Liverpool next month. “Today was only his third race since he was gelded and he is a two and a half miler in the making,” the owner said.
Celestial Halo had shown improved form from his last outing at Doncaster, but trainer Paul Nicholls explained why. “We rode him completely wrong that day,” acknowledged the trainer, “It was a complete balls up last time when we ran him at Doncaster. Ruby wasn’t positive enough and I wasn’t positive enough with Ruby and also, the horse hates good ground. But we learnt a lot about how he should be ridden. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Nicholls was confident before the race that with the adjustments they had made and with the ground in his favour, the horse course make a big impact.
The trainer added added: ““I knew we had it right and I knew we could ride him positively. He jumps, he gallops and that’s the way to do it today.
“He’s a big horse and he loves a bit of cut in the ground. He jumping was perfect today. It’s great for Andy; he’s been such a brilliant supporter and that means an awful lot. Absolutely brilliant. He’s put so much in to it and I am just so chuffed for him.”
Ruby Walsh commented: “He’s a tough little horse. This track helped him with not much jumping in the last part of the race but he’s kept on well and he could do it all himself. We (Paul and myself) both thought about a change in tactics. He was a bit cowardly in behind at Doncaster and we wanted a bit of light jumping.”
Race 4 - JCB Triumph Hurdle - runner-up quotes
NO EXCUSES FOR FRANCHOEK
Trainer Alan King offered no excuses after even-money favourite Franchoek went down by two and a quarter lengths to Celestial Halo in the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle.
The Barbury Castle handler said: “Franchoek has run a smashing race and there are no excuses.
“I thought he might win turning for home and he has given his all.
“I don’t know if he will run again this season.
“We just need to re-group and see where we go from here.
“He knows he has had a race today.”
Fourth race 1.40pm The JCB Triumph Hurdle
Placed quotes
YOUNG TRAINERS DELIGHTED WITH EXPLOITS OF THEIR PLACED HORSES
Sabrina Harty, trainer of third-placed Won In The Dark, who was her first Cheltenham Festival runner, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. We’d been hoping for better ground but we knew today it would be too dead for him and I was really worried. But he ran a good race, he’s very genuine and I think he’ll be more of a two-and-a-half mile horse as he stays.”
Sabrina Harty’s cousin Eddie won the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Captain Cee Bee.
The gelding’s owner Gerry Crehan commented: “It was a very good run and we’re very pleased with him. We took on Franchoek before and we’ll beat him on better ground. He was staying on well and ,for a small horse, he’ll probably like a bit of a trip.
“He could go to Punchestown but after that we’ll put him away until October.”
Second-season trainer Charlie Longsdon was thrilled to be in the winner’s enclosure with fourth-placed Songe, who was only his second Festival runner.
He said: “He travelled and really battled. The first two are really serious horses. I’m really happy, this is a really good start and he’s been so consistent. He’s the fourth best juvenile of the season so I can’t complain.
Asked whether the colt will head to Aintree, he replied: “We’ll see. There’s a long way to go with him. We’ll see how he is tomorrow and take it from there.”
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FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE (GRADE 1)
GUTSY NENUPHAR TAKES BARTLETT
Robert Thornton partnered his third winner of the 2008 Festival when pushing Nenuphar Collonges out to take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in the race’s final strides.
"The horse was off the bridle for two and a half miles and it was a wonderful ride," said winning trainer Alan King. "I thought he had a huge each-way horse beforehand and he was one I was looking forward to running all week.
"I’ve said all along that when others cry enough, Nenuphar Collonges will keep going. He’s actually won quite cosily in the end and it’s not bad for an old chaser.
The owners are wonderful. They thought I was totally barking when I said I wanted to go back hurdling with him this season. But he was a maiden and pretty high in the weights over fences and so we thought we would have a bit of fun."
Thornton added: "He’s always been hard work and wears blinkers but you wouldn’t call him ungenuine. He needs a lead and from the bottom of the hill I thought I would get there."
The winner received a quote of 20/1 for next year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Paddy Power.
Race 5 - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - Placed Quotes
PLACED HORSES HAPPY IN BARTLETT
Charles Byrnes, trainer of Liskennett, the two-and-three-quarter length runner-up in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, was happy with the mare’s performance.
The Irish handler said: “To have gone so close, I am obviously a bit disappointed not to have won.
“However, I am delighted with the mare and she gave 100 per cent.
“She could possibly have one more run this year, possibly at Punchestown.
“I would say that it is unlikely that she will go chasing next year.”
Graham Roach, owner of the third-placed horse The Tother One said: “We’re delighted with that.
“He’s certainly answered the question about whether he could stay three miles.
“I thought, for a minute, that he was actually going to win it. We might give him one more outing this season, we might not, but next season he’ll definitely go chasing.
“That’s what he’s bred for.”
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THE WINNER - DENMAN (IRE)
8 ch g Presenting - Polly Puttens (Pollerton)
Form: 11112/11111-1111 Owners: Paul Barber & Margaret Findlay Jockey: Sam Thomas
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: Colman O'Flynn
Denman
Born on April 17, 2000, Denman was bred by haulage contractor Colman O’Flynn at his farm close to Fermoy in Co Cork after a liaison between his mare Polly Puttens - who produced Silverburn a year later - and the stallion Presenting at the neighbouring Rathbarry Stud. Denman was due to be sold at the 2004 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale but was spun for his wind and immediately afterwards had a hobday operation. He went into training with former jockey Adrian Maguire and won his only point-to-point start well at Liscarroll on March, 2005. Paul Barber and trainer Paul Nicholls were suitably impressed and bought the gelding privately and he arrives at Cheltenham as the winner of 12 of his 13 starts under Rules. His debut season in Britain saw him rattle off four straight wins as he scored twice at Wincanton in October and November, 2005, before landing the Grade One stanjamesuk.com Challow Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, 2006, and collecting a minor event at Bangor the following month. His only defeat came when second in the 2006 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, his last outing of the campaign. His novice chasing career began at Exeter in October, 2006, with an easy victory over 2005 JCB Triumph Hurdle victor Penzance and was followed by a three quarters of a length verdict over Don't Push It in the Jim Brown Memorial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham the following month. He comfortably saw off three rivals to land the Grade Two Berkshire Novices' Chase at Newbury later that month and returned to the course for a facile success in a three-runner three-mile event on February 10, 2007. He extended his winning sequence to five with an emphatic success at The Festival in the 2007 Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase. He jumped like a veteran, scarcely putting a foot wrong throughout the extended three-mile race, and travelled supremely well at the head of affairs. He started this season with a foot-perfect display to win the Grade Three Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on December 1, under top-weight, ridden by totesport Gold Cup partner Sam Thomas. He travelled to Ireland for the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, when he proved too good for rivals Mossbank, The Listener and veteran Beef Or Salmon. He returned to Newbury on February 9, when he gave a bold display to easily account for his three rivals in the Grade Two Aon Chase. He won the 2008 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in great style from his stable companions Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges today.
Paul Barber and Margaret Findlay
Paul Barber’s family have farmed near Ditcheat since the 1830s and he oversees a large dairy herd that produces Barbers and Maryland Farmhouse Cheese, run by Paul’s brother Nicholas. Paul - who has been allergic to cheese since the age of five - was born on December 31, 1942, in the house where he still lives, stating “I’ve never thought about living elsewhere” and despite no family involvement with racing, has owned horses for 45 years. His first winner was a horse called Crazy Slave, who scored in 1963, and his main flagbearers before Denman are headed by the 1999 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business. Others to carry his colours include See More Indians, who won eight races out of 14, and the John Thorne-trained Artifice. Barber owns Nicholls’s Manor Farm Stables, initially converted from a cow shed, and many of his best performers have had an initial grounding in point-to-points, either with Liam Burke in Ireland or Barber’s brother Richard - who has trained four Festival winners - at Seaborough in Dorset. Barber’s partner in many of his horses is professional gambler Harry Findlay, whose horses run in the name of his mother Margaret. The London-born Findlay, who now lives near Bath, is a one-time greyhound trainer who is now best known as a fearless high-stakes punter. He is a regular winner of the Tote’s Scoop 6 bet and specialises in long odds-on bets on Betfair. He met Paul Barber at Doncaster sales and the duo have teamed up to own a number of promising performers which - apart from Denman - include this season’s Racing Post Chase winner Gungadu and Desert Quest, who landed the 2006 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle. Desert Quest was bought from Findlay’s winnings when he backed Roger Federer to win the US Open.
Paul Barber’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup win: 1999 SEE MORE BUSINESS, 2008 DENMAN
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston near Bristol, on April 17, 1962, and has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 130 winners between 1980 and 1989, and nominates the best horses he rode as Broadheath, Playschool and Seagram. Between 1989 and 1991, he was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers’ championship in recent years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first title in 2005/06 and took a second championship last season. With huge strength in depth at his yard, he looks long odds-on to win the title again this year, thanks to the likes of last year’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded Twist Magic and a host of other leading contenders at this year’s Festival. Nicholls pulled off the amazing feat of saddling seven winners and three seconds from his 10 runners on Saturday, November 7, 1998, and made history when he became the first trainer to saddle six winners on the same card, at Wincanton, his local track, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Another highpoint in his training career came at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, as he captured the major chase on each of the three days - Flagship Uberalles scored in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following day and, best of all, See More Business took the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls has trained 17 Cheltenham Festival winners in total, and was the most successful trainer at The Festival in 1999, 2004, 2006 and again in 2007. His four successes last year were Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Taranis in the Ryanair Chase and Andreas in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase.
totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup victories: 1999 SEE MORE BUSINESS, 2007 KAUTO STAR, 2008 DENMAN
Sam Thomas
Sam Thomas hails from a family of school teachers, with both his parents and his sister engaged in that profession but bucked the trend by forging a successful career as a jump jockey. Born on June 22, 1984, in Abergavenny, he began riding ponies at the age of four before graduating to the Welsh point-to-point circuit. After training at the British Racing School in Newmarket, he joined Welshpool trainer David Evans. Initially he rode on the Flat, but after 20 winless rides, decided to turn to jump racing and joined the Hereford yard of Venetia Williams. He broke his duck on Indian Sun in a Ludlow selling hurdle in April, 2003. His first professional victory came in November, 2003, when he rode I Tina to glory in a Chepstow selling hurdle. Thomas - who was once shortlisted for the Bachelor of the Year award, organised by woman's magazine, Company - is second rider behind Ruby Walsh at Paul Nicholls’ yard. While Walsh was injured earlier this season, he enjoyed a great spell aboard some of the Nicholls stable stars - landing the Betfair Chase on Kauto Star, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Denman and Tingle Creek Chase on Twist Magic. He had his first winner on Denman at The Festival. Denman- totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner 2008.
SIXTH RACE WINNER QUOTES
totesport CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE 1)
DENMAN DELIGHT
The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup was a glorious race that matched or even exceeded the pre-race the hype. With the best-laid plans of Denman’s owners Harry Findlay and Paul Barber, plus a little help from the weather, coming to spectacular fruition.
“I’ve had you guys [journalists] in my house all week and I told you what would happen. To say it’s gone word-perfect, it’s unbelievable. We’ve had to do everything right to break Kauto Star’s heart and that’s what we did,” said an ecstatic Findlay.
“We discussed the race so many times and we knew what we had to do and it’s just brilliant. Sam was awesome. Just like the Hennessy, a lovely lead, four fences and we knew who was going to win. What a great day for the sport.”
Barber, the quiet man in the partnership, was equally moved. “Awesome, awesome,” he repeated.
Barber, who owned See More Business the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in 1999 and trainer Paul Nicholls’ first success in the race, felt that Denman still had something left after the gruelling three and a quarter miles. “He doesn’t do a tap in front, but we knew that,” he said.
Sam Thomas, the jockey, had also reported to Nicholls that he had “plenty left” though that was not the view of everyone out of the saddle.
For Nicholls, it was a third totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, after See More Business and last year’s winner Kauto Star and not only did he have the first two home, but Neptune Collonges, in third place, made it a sweep.
“When we schooled Denman on Monday, I’ve never seen him look better,” he said.
Nicholls paid a special compliment to Barber, “a brilliant man who just lets us get on with it.”
But it was Findlay who paid credit to the biggest loser of the day. “Ruby [Walsh] I know agonised all year about which one to ride. I know what a tough decision that was for him.”
MORE TOTESPORT CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP QUOTES
Sam Thomas, the winning rider on Denman, said: “I’m absolutely lost for words! What a horse! It’s a job to know with him how quick he’s going sometimes because he travels so well. He’s some horse.”
“I went through the race in my mind a million times over and it went exactly to plan. I’ve got a cracking ride off the horse.
“I didn’t kick at any stage, he’s just such a good horse and travels so well that you could easily go too quick on him because he does everything so easily.
“I just let him do his own thing early on that’s the best way to ride him, I think. It’s the end of a dream at the moment.”
Ruby Walsh, who partnered second Kauto Star, said: “The best horse on the day won. I was struggling passing the stands.
“Sam picked it up on the first down the back straight and I knew I couldn’t get to him at that stage. That’s horseracing, the best horse on the day won.
“Kauto Star felt that he was never travelling. Denman was going a good old gallop but no quicker than the horses in the Tingle Creek two years ago and you’d be hoping that Kauto should have been able to travel but he didn’t and the best horse on the day won.”
Asked whether he should have chosen Denman to ride, Walsh replied: “That’s probably the most ridiculous question I’ve ever been asked. You didn’t have to ask that. It’s racing and sometimes you get it wrong. You can only ride one horse and I picked the wrong one.”
Paul Nicholls, the trainer of the first three home, declared : “It’s a great performance, good for the whole team. Just brilliant!
“I thought going out on the second circuit that Denman was going really well and he’s just good.”
SMITH PHILOSOPHICAL ON KAUTO DEFEAT
Clive Smith, owner of 10/11 favourite Kauto Star, was in philosophical mood after his charge went down by seven lengths to finish runner-up to stable companion Denman in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Smith said of the 2007 totesport Gold Cup winner: “That was a great win for the stable and I extend my congratulations to everyone involved with Denman.
“Denman always just had him at today - he was simply ferocious.
“Ruby (Walsh) said the ground may have just been a bit too tacky for Kauto Star out there today and he did not jump as well as he can out of that ground. He just wasn’t his fluent self today.
“I thought he was beaten at the third last and Ruby also said that he thought the horse was not going to win a mile from home.
“There are no excuses. The only slight concern for me would be the fact that he has only finished a short-head in front of Neptune Collonges.
“We will definitely take on Denman again and will come back again next year. Hopefully we can gain our revenge then! There will be another time.
“Kauto Star was not at his best today but then horses are not machines.
“He did sweat up slightly in the parade, but there is no real reason to think that there was anything wrong with him.
“We had talked about also running him at Aintree this season, but I think we will just leave it now and call it a day for this season.”
NEPTUNE COMPLETES 1-2-3 FOR NICHOLLS
The front-running Neptune Collonges put in what trainer Paul Nicholls called "a career-best performance" to finish third to stablemates Denman and Kauto Star in an epic totesport Cheltenham Gold.
Neptune Collonges’ owner John Hales was full of praise for the ride Mick Fitzgerald gave the horse. "We were totally exonerated in getting Mick to ride, he’s a true professional and got the horse in a perfect rhythm jumping from fence to fence beautifully.
"He’s a very, very good horse and played a wonderful part in the race, he helped make the running.
"Our plan was to come here and win, everybody was going on about the front two and the papers never gave us a mention but we finished a short-head off Kauto Star so that far from splitting the first two. It’s all thanks to Fitzy to do that on a track that is not ideally suitable for him. He’ll once again go to Punchestown now."
Alan King was pleased with the performance of fourth-placed Halcon Genelardais. "He got caught up in the middle of the race when the pace quickened, the class really showed then," said King.
"I’m thrilled to finish fourth in that race. Something like that is great for racing and a wonderful spectacle for the industry."
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TOTESPORT GOLD CUP PRESS CONFERENCE - QUOTES FROM PAUL NICHOLLS
Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “It’s going to take a while to sink in. Denman galloped, jumped and never put a foot wrong. He got Kauto on the back foot really - he didn’t jump as well as he normally does. Neptune Collonges has run a career best.
“I talked to each jockey as an individual about how they could ride their race to win. It was fairly obvious what we were going to do with Denman. Neptune Collonges was going to have to go flat out the whole way to be fast enough for him.
“Kauto didn’t jump as well as he can do. I don’t know whether the ground was a bit tacky for him but we’re not going to make any excuses for him. Today he got beaten by a better horse. He’ll be back here, there will be plenty more races but today wasn’t his day.
“As I’ve said all along with Denman, he has just been progressing. In the Aon Chase he beat nothing. The form wasn’t there in the book, but he’s just taken that extra step today. Nobody knew if he was capable until he went out there.
“There was no point in me putting my head on the block and saying he’ll beat Kauto. There wasn’t enough evidence to say that. All I knew was that when I saw him on Monday I’ve never, ever seen him look better than he did. Paul Barber said to me ‘that’s the best that horse has ever looked’.
“Denman definitely won’t run again this season. I have to discuss it with Clive (Smith) yet about Kauto and Neptune Collonges will probably go to Punchestown for the race he won last season, the Guinness Gold Cup. That suits him and he hasn’t had that long a season so he’ll probably run again.
“Sam got a cussing after The Tother One from me but I said to him ‘just go out there, be chilled, forget about what’s happened and do your best.’ He’s done that he gave him a fantastic ride and all credit to him. He’s a young man, there’s a lot of pressure and he did it very well. I’m very proud of him.
“Kauto’s been beaten and all horses get beaten some time. There’s no reason why they won’t run again each other again and on different tracks you might get a different result.
“I don’t know where we’ll go with Denman next. I can’t see him running in the Grand National myself but let’s hope they’re both fit and healthy next season and back here.
On having won three Gold Cups: “I think the best one is always you first one, when See More Business won for Paul (Barber) but the pressure for this one and getting the one-two-three, it just doesn’t get any better.
TOTESPORT GOLD CUP PRESS CONFERENCE - QUOTES FROM SAM THOMAS, PAUL BARBER AND HARRY FINDLAY
Denman’s co-owner Harry Findlay: “Paul Nicholls has done a brilliant job to get the horse in superb condition on the day. But when you know it’s against his stable star, the way the whole thing has been handled has just been brilliant. There’s no other sport where that rivalry could be played on that sort of level. Racing is a massive benefactor of that.
“The excitement level was so good. We were all buzzing and to watch it unfold. You could feel it in the crowd. They knew Kauto was beaten. It’s unique and I’m really proud to be a part of it.
“I’ve always believed Denman was a left-handed tank. Sam was always going to ride Denman and I was more than happy with that. Sam and Denman get on great. This was a carbon copy of the Hennessy. He was very neat today and that’s what won him the race and that’s exactly what Kauto wasn’t.
“We thought what has happened would happen but I thought we’d break Kauto between the third and second last and if we did win, we’d win by even further. The way it’s worked out it’s probably even more impressive from Denman.
“He’s a serious, serious horse. Who will want to take him on? He’s had a ball today, he probably has got tired but he really is very hard on other horses. If I owned another horse, I wouldn’t go near Denman. I wouldn’t want to take him on over three and a half miles around Newbury on soft ground.
“You can take Kauto on any time, not because of his lack of ability but you can take him on and run again but with Denman, no wonder Ollie Magern came out this morning, say no more. It’s not a lot of fun.
“He’s had no injuries of any note and if he stays sound he looks like a terrorist.”
Asked if Denman will one day eclipse Arkle, Findlay said: “I didn’t see Arkle. I’ve only seen the end of the race when he beat Mill House and that doesn’t look that impressive but poeple say Arkle took a keen hold and that takes a hell of a lot out of horses. Denman doesn’t have that problem. They are obviously different types of horses. Arkle was more of a flashy horse, more of a Kauto Star but I’d have to guesstimate that Denman is the best since Arkle in terms of the Gold Cup.”
Sam Thomas: “He jumped absolutely brilliantly. Once he took it up, he absolutely loves it in front. As soon as he’s landed over one fence, he’s looking for the next.
“He’s one of those horses that you could almost do too much with as he travels and jumps so well. It was great as I was able to settle him for a circuit and he switched off and even when I went on in front he was still nice and relaxed.
“After I’d ridden him a few times to win, I was more than happy to be riding this fellow and I would have chosen him had I had the choice. Second string at Paul’s is like first string in a lot of other yards.
“I’m lost for words at the minute. I’m in my own little world.”
Paul Barber: “Paul Nicholls eats, sleeps and breathes horses. That’s where his greatness comes from: his tremendous enthusiasm. Michael Dickinson said to me yesterday ‘what you must do tomorrow is make sure you get an escort for those horses and we managed to get one and the police kindly brought them in this morning in case anything went wrong.
“My ambition in life was to milk 1,000 cows and win a Gold Cup. Now I milk 2,000 cows and I wanted two Gold Cups to go with them.”
SPONSORS REPORT JUMP IN TURNOVER
The sponsors fielded increased turnover on this year’s totesport Gold Cup as the Denman v Kauto Star clash hit the news pages.
Spokesman Damian Walker said: “Despite two short-priced horses at the front of the market turnover on the totesport Gold Cup was up on last year’s race which had a massive field of 18.
Support for Kauto Star was huge and we fielded each-way money on a whole host of horses.
“Pre-race turnover estimates of between £25-30 million on the race are probably about right if our figures are anything to go by.
“The increased interest in this year’s race has certainly given the whole sport a lift and we can’t wait for the rematch next year.”
Denman has taken over the mantle of the best staying steeplechaser in training and is just evens with the sponsors to repeat his victory in next season's totesport Gold Cup. Runner-up Kauto Star is 7-2 and close third Neptune Collonges is 8-1.
Walker said: "Denman is the new force in staying chases and we expect him to be the one to beat again next season. He seemed to break Kauto Star on the second circuit, although the runner-up probably didn't jump as well as usual on the tacky ground. Neptune Collonges has run a stormer in third and is 8-1 third in next year.
"Denman proved easy to back and all the money was for Kauto Star, so the result was a winning one for the sponsors although Denman was a loser in our ante-post book."
DENMAN - SAVIOUR FOR BOOKIES
Bookies were last night toasting Denman's thrilling victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup - as punters suffered a hammer-blow when hot favourite Kauto Star flopped.
Ladbrokes reckon Denman's victory saved them from their darkest day in Festival history as the nation backed Kauto Star in their masses.
David Williams, spokesman for Ladbrokes said: "Denman was our saviour. We thought the betting and the race would be a lot closer but we were under siege from Kauto Star fans all day.
"In the end, we've come out on top. We were staring down the barrel of a horror result and have dodged the bullet. We're still catching our breath."
Ladbrokes laid one bet of £200,000 to a high-rolling Kauto Star fan and industry predictions of a record-breaking betting race were proved accurate.
"It was a crazy day in betting shops up and down the land. We were packed out and the mega bets we saw made even our stony traders go weak at the knees."
Some lucky punters gained consolation by backing top trainer Paul Nicholls to saddle the first three home in the Gold Cup at odds of 5/1.
"We only offered it as a bit of fun but it's backfired. It's great news for punters on what's been a pretty grim day for them" said Williams.
Denman is the even money favourite to win the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Ladbrokes.
NEWS FROM BETFAIR
Winner: Denman
Betfair SP: 3.25
Highest price matched before the race: 3.35
Lowest price matched before the race: 2.6
Ante-post high: 8
Total matched on the win market: £10,155,968
Total matched on the place market: £1,988, 462
Total matched on the ante-post market: £2,728,457
Comments: In routing the opposition Denman never went above 3.45 in-running; Kauto Star did not even go below the pre-race low of 1.95. A Paul Nicholls 1-2-3 was backed for at a high of 10 on the exchange.
THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, FRIDAY, MARCH 14
JOCKEY BANS
Sam Thomas
Sam Thomas was banned for one day (Tuesday, March 25) following his ride on The Tother One in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
The stewards found him guilty of careless riding in that he allowed his horse to hang right and interfere with fourth-placed Siegemaster.
Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh picked up a five-day ban (Tuesday, March 25 - Saturday, March 29 inclusive) following his winning ride on Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
The stewards held that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and in an incorrect place.
Walsh also picked up a one-day ban (Sunday, March 30) for using his whip with excessive frequency on Kicks For Free in the Coral Cup.
Paddy Flood
Paddy Flood, who finished second in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle on Venalmar, was also found to have have his whip with excessive frequency and in an incorrect place. He was banned for six days (Tuesday, March 25 to Sunday, March 30 inclusive).
Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy received a four-day ban (Tuesday, March 25 to Friday, March 28 inclusive) following his second place on Refinement in the opening David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. The stewards found McCoy guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and in incorrect place.
Robert Thornton
The Cheltenham stewards cautioned Robert Thornton as to his future use of the whip following his ride on fifth-placed Group Captain in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle. The jockey received two bans totalling six days for the same breach of the rules after his winning rides on Captain Cee Bee and Katchit on Tuesday.
David Bass
The stewards’ panel also found David Bass, rider of Man From Highworth in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, guilty of excessive use of the whip and banned him for two days.
THE FESTIVAL 2008
RACENEWS COURSE SERVICE
CHELTENHAM, FRIDAY, MARCH 14
SEVENTH RACE WINNER QUOTES
THE CHRISTIE’S FOXHUNTER CHASE
COWARD DOES IT IN ONE
With her first-ever entry at the Cheltenham Festival, Cherry Coward, daughter of trainer Mick Easterby, opened her account when 33/1 shot Amicelli won The Christie’s Foxhunter Chase.
According to the trainer, her horse “jumped like a young buck ” to earn the victory, an experience that Coward described as just like winning the Gold Cup. “He’s our Denman,” she added.
Coward, whose stables are at Dalby in Yorkshire, bought the horse this winter and had to rush the qualification process of two open wins in point to point.
“He was second in the first one, but we managed wins in the next two races. The plan from the moment we got him was to go to Cheltenham,” she said.
Coward had fullsome praise for her jockey, Oliver Greenall. “He always rides very patiently and that was perfect for our horse,” she said.
Greenall was jubilant; “He was going so well I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think he would like the ground today, but he has jumped and travelled so well.
“He’s won two nice point-to-points up north but we were a bit worried about the ground. He’s a lovely little horse, he jumps and travels. My dad won here and it’s great.
Greenall has now emulated his father Lord Daresbury, who won The Christie’s Foxhunter on Timmie’s Battle in 1978.
Lord Daresbury: commented: “Ol’s had such a fantastic run in point-to-points lately and he’s really strengthened up and gave the horse a most fantastic ride.
“Amicelli has won his points really well and he jumped brilliantly. It’s lovely, really exciting. I won this race a very long time ago and I have some very happy memories and there is nothing like it!”
SEVENTH RACE PLACED QUOTES
CHRISTIE’S FOXHUNTER CHASE CHALLENGE CUP
HILL DELIGHTED WITH SECOND
Trainer Alan Hill had no complaints after Bon Accord finished a gallant second to Amicelli in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase.
Hill won the race as a jockey in 1985 aboard Elmboy when Lord Daresbury - whose son Oliver Greenall rode Amicelli - was second aboard Border Burg.
“It’s taken 23 years for him to get his own back,” joked Hill. “But seriously I have never been so happy to finish second and I thought it would have been great if we had got in the first four.
“He probably just missed out from not having a run beforehand and I mentioned Liverpool to the jockey but he said no, because they would go too quick for him there.
“We bought the horse privately off Alice Plunkett after he had been in an Ascot sales catalogue and didn’t turn up. He actually ran against Denman in his first hurdle race and led until two out so the form has been franked today!”
Race 8 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - Winning Quotes
TIGER CRY TAKES GRAND ANNUAL
Tiger Cry was a smooth winner of the penultimate Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase for owner Chris Jones, trainer Arthur Moore and jockey Davy Russell.
The winner was in command from two out and stayed on well to record a three-length victory over My Petra at 15/2.
Moore said: “That was super.
“The horse has a great record around Cheltenham and has been placed here twice before, including when he was second in this race two years ago.
“It’s great for his owner Chris Jones, who is 84 and also owned Klairon Davis. He is my wife’s godfather and has been a great supporter of the yard since we started.
“It had been the plan all season to come here with Tiger Cry. I was just worried that the ground might have gone, but he is a very brave horse.
“He could go now for a hurdle race on the Saturday of Punchestown over two and a half miles.
“It was a great effort from everyone at Cheltenham to have got every race run.”
Trainer Nicky Henderson, whose father is remembered in the race title, said of the runner-up My Petra: “Nearly!
“She’s run a smashing race and wants faster ground, so we will be keeping her going for a bit longer this season.”
NINTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE
50/1 JARO GIVES HOGAN AND FEHILY FIRST FESTIVAL WIN
The 50/1 chance Silver Jaro belied his odds to hold off the fast-finishing 5/1 favourite Psycho in the concluding Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle to give his trainer Tom Hogan and jockey Noel Fehily a first Festival success.
“It’s fabulous He’s a smashing little horse and Noel gave him a brilliant ride,” said Hogan. “Noel’s an absolutely top-class jockey and he gave the horse a peach of a ride. I was afraid of the sticky ground and I just thought he might not travel well on it, but everything worked out great.
“He drifted in the odds today because we weren’t confident with the sticky ground. He didn’t handle that when he ran on it in Ireland last time. We know he’s a lovely horse and we thought there would be another day for him but we’re delighted it was today. He’s improved a lot and we had to do some flat work with him to build up muscle on his back and various other things and he’s done well.
“It had been a very depressing week because the ground had gone against Kalderon and we didn’t run him in the Champion and Sonnyanjoe struggled in it yesterday. I thought we might be in trouble again today but thankfully we are not! We’re delighted.
“There’s a valuable new two and a half mile hurdle race at Punchestown which he could go for, but he’s a small horse and if the handicapper isn’t kind to us that could be it.”
Psycho’s trainer Tony Martin added: “He ran a blinder but we found another Irishman too good.”
CROWD
Today’s attendance was a sell-out with 66,437 people.
TOTE RECORD DAY
The Tote set a new record for a day’s on-course tootepool cash turnover anywhere today when a total of £3,870,564 was bet into its pools.
The previous record was on totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup day in 2006 when £3.75 million was spent.
A total of £9,808,284 was turned over at the 2008 Festival. Tote spokesman Damian Walker commented: “We are behind where we would be with four days’ racing because there were less people here in total but we have done well to claw back the deficit and been greatly encouraged by the takings today and yesterday.”
NICHOLLS & WALSH TAKE RACING POST AWARDS
The Ditcheat team of trainer Paul Nicholls and his number one stable jockey Ruby Walsh gained further recognition by landing the Racing Post Awards for leading trainer and jockey.
Nicholls ended the meeting with three winners, including Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Master Minded and today’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Denman. His closest rival was Alan King, who also trained three winners but had one less second place.
This was the fifth time Nicholls has been crowned leading trainer at The Festival. He also took the award in 2007, 2006, 2004 and 1999.
Ruby Walsh gained some compensation for his defeat on Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup by taking the Racing Post Leading Jockey Award. Walsh partnered three winners during the course of The Festival. Robert Thornton also rode three winners, but had two less second places. It was the third time Walsh has taken the award following his successes in 2004 and 2006.
RACING POST LEADING TRAINER - FINAL STANDINGS
Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Paul Nicholls 3 3 4
Alan King 3 2 1
David Pipe 2 3 -
Howard Johnson 2 - -
Willie Mullins IRE 2 - -
Ferdy Murphy 1 1 -
Jonjo O’Neill 1 1 -
Nigel Twiston-Davies 1 - 2
Enda Bolger IRE 1 - -
Cherry Coward 1 - -
Edward Harty IRE 1 - -
Tom Hogan IRE 1 - -
Emma Lavelle 1 - -
Donald McCain Jnr 1 - -
Arthur Moore IRE 1 - -
Sue Smith 1 - -
Tom Taaffe IRE 1 - -
Evan Williams 1 - -
Nicky Henderson - 3 2
Francois Doumen FR - 1 2
Michael Hourigan IRE - 1 1
Robert & Sally Alner - 1 -
Charles Byrnes IRE - 1 -
Brendan Duke - 1 -
Charles Egerton - 1 -
Alan Hill - 1 -
Carl Llewellyn - 1 -
Tony Martin IRE - 1 -
Noel Meade IRE - 1 -
Mouse Morris IRE - 1 -
Philip Rothwell IRE - 1 -
Philip Hobbs - - 3
Malcolm Jefferson - - 2
Henry Daly - - 1
Eoin Griffin IRE - - 1
Sabrina Harty IRE - - 1
Colm Murphy IRE - - 1
Dr Richard Newland - - 1
Eugene O’Sullivan IRE - - 1
Eamon Sheehy IRE - - 1
Venetia Williams - - 1
RACING POST LEADING JOCKEY - FINAL STANDINGS
Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Ruby Walsh 3 3 2
Robert Thornton 3 1 1
Davy Russell 2 3 1
Denis O’Regan 2 - -
Tony McCoy 1 4 1
Timmy Murphy 1 2 -
Miss Nina Carberry 1 1 -
Paul Carberry 1 1 -
Tom Scudamore 1 1 -
Mr James Tudor 1 1 -
Paddy Brennan 1 - 2
Barry Geraghty 1 - 2
Sam Thomas 1 - 1
Dominic Elsworth 1 - -
Noel Fehily 1 - -
Mr Oliver Greenall 1 - -
Mr Charlie Huxley 1 - -
Jason Maguire 1 - -
Mr Patrick Mullins 1 - -
Mick Fitzgerald - 2 2
Christophe Pieux - 1 1
Paddy Flood - 1 -
Mr Josh Guerriero - 1 -
Niall Madden - 1 -
Mr Richard O’Sullivan - 1 -
Robert Walford - 1 -
Richard Johnson - - 3
Andrew McNamara - - 2
Mr William Biddick - - 1
Mark Bradburne - - 1
Tom Doyle - - 1
Tom Dreaper - - 1
Fergus King - - 1
Mr Damien Murphy - - 1
Mr Tom Weston - - 1
GUINNESS FESTIVAL AWARDS
The Guinness Festival Awards have, for the past 12 years, honoured the individual or horse who is considered to have made the most outstanding contribution on each day of The Festival.
The winners for the 2008 Cheltenham Festival were determined by a prestigious panel of racing journalists and racegoers who selected a short-list of three for each day. From that short-list, the public voted on the winner by texting.
Tuesday’s winner was Robert (Choc) Thornton.
The short-list for Thursday was:
Master Minded; Tony McCoy; and Timmy Murphy
and the winner was...
Master Minded
The short list for Friday (up to and including the fifth race) was:
Jason Maguire; Ruby Walsh; and Don McCain junior
and the winner was...
Ruby Walsh
Each of the winners receives a Waterford Crystal trophy and on Saturday,
March 15th, Channel Four’s Morning Line team will select the overall Guinness Festival Award winner for the 2008 Cheltenham Festival
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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