Friday, March 19, 2010

THE FESTIVAL, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
totesport GOLD CUP DAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010

The Hollow Bottom pub is located in
Guiting Power
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL54 5UX
Telephone: 01451 850392

For more information, go to www.hollowbottom.com


BUMPER CROWD

The attendance today came to 67,716, compared to 64,908 in 2009, while there were 66,437 at Cheltenham on totesport Gold Cup day in 2008.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: “This is the biggest crowd for years on totesport Gold Cup day and we are absolutely thrilled that so many people have enjoyed such a tremendous day’s racing.”


ATTENDANCE OF 65,000 + EXPECTED TODAY

Rebecca Morgan, Commercial & Operations Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, warned people without tickets to beware of buying from touts.

She said this morning: “We would say to anyone coming to Cheltenham today without a ticket that we strongly advise they don’t purchase from ticket touts because there are an awful lot of fraudulent badges in circulation.

“There is a limited supply of Club badges for sale today at the Hall Of Fame entrance for £80 - the Tattersalls and Best Mate Enclosures are sold out.

“We are expecting between 65,000 and 67,000 today, up from just over 50,000 for each of the first three days.”

CROWDS UP SO FAR THIS WEEK

The crowd for day three of The Festival, Thursday, March 18, came to 50,119 - an increase of 1,262 (3 per cent) on the 2009 figure of 48,857.

The attendance on the second day of The Festival, Wednesday, March 17, was 50,504, up from 47,135 in 2009. This was an increase of 3,369 or 7.1 per cent.

The opening day of the 2010 Festival, Tuesday, March 16, saw a crowd of 50,945 come through the gates. This was 3 per cent up on the attendance of 49,450 on the same day last year.

TWISTON-DAVIES PROVIDES THRILLING FINAL DAY FOR A FESTIVAL TO REMEMBER


In the build-up to the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, the focus was firmly on Kauto Star and Denman and the battle for the totesport Gold Cup. The leading players did not stick to the script but Cheltenham’s managing director Edward Gillespie hailed the emergence of a new star in the shape of Imperial Commander from Nigel Twiston-Davies’s nearby Naunton stable.

Gillespie said: “Today was exactly what Cheltenham is all about. You can’t write scripts and the most important thing is that the Gold Cup runners all came home safely.

“The Gold Cup was a fantastic horse race. You could watch it again for hours. Every fence was so dramatic.

“I was standing on the lawn behind a lady wearing a Kauto Star scarf and shouting for Denman and AP the whole way round. That’s exactly what you’d expect from Cheltenham.”

Paying tribute to the Gold Cup-winning team, he added: “I’m also thrilled for Nigel (Twiston-Davies) and Carl (Llewellyn) and the team there. They’re our neighbours here in Gloucestershire and suddenly there’s a new superstar just when we think we’ve got two already.

“People just so adore the Festival and are always reluctant to leave. We’ll have to push them out of the door at the end of today.”






totepool records crumble as Festival hailed huge success

The Cheltenham Festival was hailed a huge success by totepool after turnover soared on three consecutive days and broke the £10 million barrier for the meeting.

After a steady start to the Festival, total turnover on Wednesday was 12% up on last year whilst
Thursday's was 9.5% up on 2009.

However, the best was saved for last as turnover on the final day of the Festival was up a phenomenal 22% on last year at £3,371,321 compared to £2,761,909 in 2009. This gave a total turnover for the Festival of £10,013,877.

All totepool products performed extremely well at this year's Festival, with totewin beating the official SP in 21 of the 26 races. There was a record toteplacepot pool for both the Thursday and the Friday of the meeting, with the dividend on the final day of £41,288.40 the biggest ever at the Cheltenham Festival and the sixth highest in the bet's history.

The totequadpot also smashed records, with a record pool for the bet on Thursday of £48,797 being surpassed on the Friday with £54,177 being wagered into the pool.

The totejackpot rolled over on all four days so there is now a bumper pool of £387,501 which is carried over to tomorrow's John Smith's Midlands Grand National meeting at Uttoxeter.

There was some consolation for every totepool customer who had backed Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup as the horse qualified for the Festival Freefall promotion. This meant everyone who had placed a bet on the favourite received a £2 free bet on production of their losing betting
slip.

All the totepool Price Promise races paid more than the official SP but had the winner paid returned less, then totepool would have matched the SP.



totepool facts and figures – 2010 Cheltenham Festival

Daily Turnover
Tuesday - £2,042,062 versus £2,066,003 in 2009 (down by 1.1%)
Wednesday - £2,459,037 versus £2,196,272 in 2009 (up by 12%)
Tursday - £2,141,457 versus £1,954,383 in 2009 (up by 9.5%)
Friday - £3,371,321 versus £2,761,909 in 2009 (up by 22%)
Total = £10,013,877

totejackpot
Tuesday pool - £109,908
Wednesday pool - £184,940
Thursday pool - £269,605
Friday pool - £387,501

toteplacepot
Tuesday pool - £895,597
Wednesday pool - £877,742
Thursday pool - £892,567 (Record Thursday pool)
Friday pool - £938,889 (Record Friday pool)
Paid £2,756.80 to £1 on Wednesday
Paid £1,180.70 to £1 on Thursday
Paid £41,288.40 to £1 on Friday (record Festival payout; sixth highest in history)

totewin - Beat the Starting Price in 21 out of 26 races

toteexacta - Beat the Computer Straight Forecast in 21 out of 26 races

totepool Rollovers – 20/03/2010
totejackpot - £387,501 (Uttoxeter)


HENDERSON DELIGHTED TO TAKE TRAINERS’ AWARD

After three successes, Nicky Henderson won the Thomas Pink Award for leading trainer at this year’s Festival. Nigel Twiston-Davies also had three wins, but only one second compared to Henderson’s four.

Binocular’s success in Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle was nominated by Henderson as his highlight of the week.

“It’s been a long old week and there have been lots of ups and downs,” said Henderson. “We lost a horse, Fairyland, this afternoon which puts things in perspective.

“Yesterday wasn’t great but the rest of the week has been very good and you’d have to be thrilled with Binocular’s win for A P (McCoy) and J P (McManus).

“We always thought the horse was very special and at long last he has shown what he is capable of.”


WALSH LEADS JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Ruby Walsh took the Thomas Pink Award for leading jockey at The Festival for a third successive year (and a fifth in total) after three victories this week. Barry Geraghty also had three wins but had no seconds compared to Walsh’s two.

It was an historic week for Walsh, who became the leading Cheltenham Festival rider of all time with 27 career successes, two more than Pat Taaffe.

THOMAS PINK LEADING RIDER AWARD

FINAL STANDINGS

Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Ruby Walsh 3 2 -
Barry Geraghty 3 - 2
Tony McCoy 2 4 -
Paddy Brennan 2 2 -
Richard Johnson 2 - 1
Andrew Lynch 2 - -
Ms Katie Walsh 2 - -
Johnny Farrelly 1 1 -
Jason Maguire 1 - 1
Paddy Aspell 1 - -
Danny Cook 1 - -
Hadden Frost 1 - -
Mr Richard Harding 1 - -
Adrian Heskin 1 - -
Davy Russell 1 - -
Joe Tizzard 1 - -
Mr Sam Twiston-Davies 1 - -
Timmy Murphy - 2 -
Daryl Jacob - 1 1
Andrew Tinkler - 1 1
Miss Nina Carberry - 1 1
Liam Treadwell - 1 1
David Bass - 1 -
Mr Josh Guerriero - 1 -
William Kennedy - 1 -
Richie McLernon - 1 -
Mr J T McNamara - 1 -
Tom O’Brien - 1 -
Denis O’Regan - 1 -
Robbie Power - 1 -
Mr Declan Queally - 1 -
Harry Skelton - 1 -
Robert Thornton - 1 -
Andrew McNamara - - 3
Davy Condon - - 2
Aidan Coleman - - 1
Rhys Flint - - 1
Giles Hawkins - - 1
Wayne Hutchinson - - 1
Graham Lee - - 1
Jimmy McCarthy - - 1
Robbie McNamara - - 1
Mr Brian O’Connell - - 1
Michael O’Connor - - 1
Tom Scudamore - - 1
Paul Townend - - 1
Mr Ben Tuckey - - 1
Mr Sam Waley-Cohen - - 1


THOMAS PINK LEADING TRAINER AWARD

FINAL STANDINGS

Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Nicky Henderson 3 4 2
Nigel Twiston-Davies 3 1 -
Paul Nicholls 2 4 -
David Pipe 2 3 1
Philip Hobbs 2 - 3
Willie Mullins IRE 2 - 2
Donald McCain jnr 2 - -
Jonjo O’Neill 1 2 -
Ferdy Murphy 1 - 2
Henry de Bromhead IRE 1 - -
Charles Byrnes IRE 1 - -
Paul Gilligan IRE 1 - -
Michael Hourigan IRE 1 - -
Emma Lavelle 1 - -
Jimmy Moffatt 1 - -
Colm Murphy IRE 1 - -
Colin Tizzard 1 - -
Tom Cooper IRE - 1 1
Nick Gifford - 1 1
Dermot Weld IRE - 1 1
Nick Williams - 1 1
Enda Bolger IRE - 1 -
Tom George - 1 -
Noel Glynn IRE - 1 -
Howard Johnson - 1 -
Henrietta Knight - 1 -
Roger McGrath IRE - 1 -
Paul Webber - 1 -
Evan Williams - 1 -
Edward O’Grady IRE - - 2
Philip Fenton IRE - - 1
Keith Goldsworthy - - 1
John Kiely IRE - - 1
Alan King - - 1
Colm Murphy IRE - - 1
Eamon O’Connell IRE - - 1
Renee Robeson - - 1
Michael Smith - - 1
Mike Tuckey - - 1
Venetia Williams - - 1



2010 FESTIVAL WINNERS

TUESDAY
1.30pm Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One)
MENORAH (Diana Whateley) Philip Hobbs 5-11-07 Richard Johnson 12/1
2.05pm Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade One)
SIZING EUROPE (Ann & Alan Potts Partnership) Henry de Bromhead IRE 8-11-07 Andrew Lynch 6/1
2.40pm William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade Three)
CHIEF DAN GEORGE (Maurice Chapman) James Moffatt 10-10-10 Paddy Aspell 33/1
3.20pm Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (Grade One)
BINOCULAR (J P McManus) Nicky Henderson 6-11-10 Tony McCoy 9/1
4.00pm Glenfarclas Handicap Cross-Country Steeple Chase
A NEW STORY (Storey’s Over Syndicate) Michael Hourigan 12-9-07 Adrian Heskin (7) 25/1
4.40pm David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (Grade Two)
QUEVEGA (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-5 Ruby Walsh 6/4f


WEDNESDAY
1.30pm 140th Year Of The National Hunt Chase
POKER DE SIVOLA (David Johnson) Ferdy Murphy 7-11-06 Ms Katie Walsh 14/1
2.05pm Neptune Investment Management Novice
PEDDLERS CROSS (Tim Leslie) Donald McCain Jnr 5-11-7 Jason Maguire 7/1
2.40pm RSA Chase (Grade One)
WEAPON'S AMNESTY (Gigginstown House Stud) Charles Byrnes IRE 7-11-4 Davy Russell 10/1
3.20pm Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade One)
BIG ZEB (Patrick Redmond) Colm Murphy IRE 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty 10/1
4.00pm Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade Three)
SPIRIT RIVER (Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson 5-11-2 Barry Geraghty 14/1
4.40pm Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three)
SANCTUAIRE (Jared Sullivan) Paul Nicholls 4-11-2 Ruby Walsh 4/1F
5.15pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade One)
CUE CARD (Jean Bishop) Colin Tizzard 4-10-12 Joe Tizzard 40/1


THURSDAY
1.30pm Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)
COPPER BLEU (Alan Peterson) Philip Hobbs 8-11-1t Richard Johnson12/1
2.05pm Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Listed)
1 BUENA VISTA (Matt Archer & The Late Jean Broadhurst) David Pipe 9-10-1b Hadden Frost (3) 16/1
2.40pm Ryanair Chase (Registered As the Festival Trophy Chase) (Grade One)
ALBERTAS RUN (Trevor Hemmings) Jonjo O'Neill 9-11-10 Tony McCoy 14/1
3.20pm Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade One)
BIG BUCK'S (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh 5/6F
4.00pm Byrne Group Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade Three)
GREAT ENDEAVOUR (David Johnson) David Pipe 6-10-1 Danny Cook (3) 18/1
4.40pm Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Amateur Riders)
BALLABRIGGS (Trevor Hemmings) Donald McCain Jnr 9-11-12 Mr Richard Harding 9/1



FRIDAY
1.30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade One)
SOLDATINO (Simon Munir) Nicky Henderson 4-11-0 Barry Geraghty 6/1
2.05pm Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three)
THOUSAND STARS (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 6-10-5 Ms Katie Walsh (3) 20/1
2.40pm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade One)
BERTIES DREAM (Half A Keg Syndicate) Paul Gilligan IRE 7-11-7 Andrew Lynch 33/1
3.20pm totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade One)
IMPERIAL COMMANDER (Our Friends In The North) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-10 Paddy Brennan 7/1
4.00pm Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
BABY RUN (John Goodman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-12-0 Mr Sam Twiston-Davies 9/2 jf
4.40pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
PAUSE AND CLAUSE (Emma Lavelle) Emma Lavelle 6-11-10 Johnny Farrelly 14/1
5.15pm Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup Handicap (Grade Three)
PIGEON ISLAND (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-10-1 Paddy Brennan 16/1


INITIAL QUOTES FROM THE TOTESPORT CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

Paddy Brennan, the winning rider on Imperial Commander, said: “It’s by far the best day of my life. I will never, never forget this. I am speechless - whatever I talk now could be absolute bull! It was just a dream the whole way. That Denman, he never goes away, does he? I just want to take time to thank my boss. He is by far the best boss in racing. He has produced two horses this week to the second. I just want to say thank you. I am absolutely shocked and it hasn’t sunk it yet. Paul Nicholls just came and said well done and I hope that Kauto Star is all right - he’s up and OK and that is the main thing. I always believed in this fellow - he’s very good and he is still very young - and he could be around for a while. I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. When you are born as a child and you grow up and look at the very best jockeys riding - Richard Dunwoody, Tony McCoy - you never dream of this. It’s absolutely unbelievable. This will never be repeated. I am sure winning the Grand National would be special but this is the main race at the main meeting, this is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I have won it now and it’s a tremendous achievement for me. I am so happy to have that got me there. He is some ride over that trip and he was travelling so well. You have to give a lot of credit to Denman - he wouldn’t go away turning in and I just wanted to get the rail. After the last he has picked up and won like a good horse. He’s special and he doesn’t need to improve on this. I just went by the line and put the quiet sign up because he was probably a little bit forgotten coming into the race. What Kauto Star and Denman do for racing is superb but this lad is right there now.”


Nigel Twiston-Davies:, the winning trainer, said: “I saw Kauto was in trouble a long way out and I was feeling quite confident. All you hacks say that he doesn’t stay so we will go for the Ryanair Chase next year! It has been very difficult sitting with the third favourite, especially with all of that about Kauto Star and Denman - we always knew that we were going to bloody win, or at least we hoped that we would! It’s lovely! We are at home, the pub will go mad this evening, we are where we belong! I thought that it was all of our Christmases coming together and I am delighted. This is the Olympics of jump racing and we have won it and thank goodness. You can’t beat the Grand National but this is good for the CV. We were second in the Champion Hurdle, which was a disaster, but this is brilliant. I was getting sick of everyone saying that he couldn’t stay. Why, why, why couldn’t he stay? Every time he has come to Cheltenham he has powered up the hill and he has always stayed. Paddy gave him a beautiful ride - very cool, very sensible. He got him jumping with plenty of room at his fences and that is all a horse needs. Denman was brilliant - I saw him Newbury and I thought that perhaps he wasn’t the horse he was but he certainly was today.”


TWO BEATEN JOCKEYS

Tony McCoy (second on Denman) said: “Second is better than third and better than Ruby ended up with. I am still disappointed. At times he travelled well - coming down the hill he got hold of the bit but when he went by the water he wanted to drop the whole lot. He ran bit in snatches but he ran his heart out. He did not do anything wrong but was beaten by a better horse on the day. I really enjoyed riding him - it is a shame he got beat. When you go out, you think that Kauto Star is the only horse what will beat you but when something else does it is disappointing. He jumps better when you can get him on the bridle. He can sulk for a little bit but you just have to pick him up. Then you feel you are riding a completely different horse and he will do anything for you. He is a very tough horse - I don’t see why he cannot come back. He would be a good ride in the Grand National but I am not sure I will be able to get Ruby (Walsh) off.”


Ruby Walsh, whose mount Kauto Star, the 8/11 favourite, fell four out said about the first mistake the horse made at the eighth fence: “It was a bad mistake and obviously had an effect on him - after that I could not get a position or on an even keel. You cannot make a mistake like that with horses of the calibre of Imperial Commander and Denman in front of you. You are always struggling then and fighting a lost cause. You make mistakes, you pay the price. It is not as simple as turning up and collecting the prize money. Kauto Star was up after the fall before I was. He was going by me and I caught him. It is always a relief when a good horse like him gets up and is OK. There is not a bother on him. It would have been the worst day if he wasn’t all right. He’s all right, I’m all right - there will be another day - It is disappointing but it is not the end of the world.”


IMPERIAL TAKES COMMAND

It had been billed as a match between Paul Nicholls’ two stable stars, but after Kauto Star fell four out and Denman finished only second, a new Cheltenham hero was welcomed in after today’s totesport Gold Cup.

Imperial Commander, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies a dozen miles from the racecourse at Naunton, always travelled smoothly under Paddy Brennan to take the race by seven lengths.

“I loved all the Kauto Star/Denman thing, I always thought we could beat them. Everybody was talking them up and and wearing their green scarves, nobody looked at us with our black and white scarves and reading the press you’d think he didn’t get three miles,” said Twiston-Davies.

“Paul Nicholls has done a wonderful job with his two horses but we need new horses coming through and ours is the best now.

“Kauto Star was in trouble a long way out, he wasn’t the horse he normally is. Denman didn’t run well the time before and as soon as Kauto Star was beat I thought it was ours.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win two Grand Nationals and now this, so my CV is nearly full now, it’s just a shame Khyber Kim came up against Binocular in the Champion Hurdle.

“This is obviously the dream, it’s the Olympics of racing but you can’t beat the Grand Nationals although this is great for the CV.”

Carl Llewlleyn, assistant to Twiston-Davies, said: “The way the papers spoke this morning, it was a two-horse race and every other horse was ignored which I thought was strange.

“The only two we have really fancied this week have been this fellow and Khyber Kim. Nigel doesn’t have the rich owners who can buy readymade horses so it was a great effort.

“Paddy gave him a great ride and was always in the right place. He’s a great traveller and didn’t make a mistake all the way through.”


BRENNAN AND IMPERIAL OWNERS CELEBRATE

Jockey Paddy Brennan described this as the best day of his life after winning the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Imperial Commander.

“It’s every jockey’s dream to win a Gold Cup and you know it might never happen again,” said Brennan. “The good thing was that he didn’t have a gruelling race and he pulled up a fresh horse. He settled in the race and made it easy for me.

“He’s a superb horse trained by a brilliant man and with a great owner. I just turn up in my suit at the races to ride him, it’s the team at home who do all the work. A lot of hard work has gone into this.

“This is the best day of my life. There are lots of dark moments in racing but today I will remember for the rest of my life, it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. To be up there with some of the great jockeys who have won the Gold Cup is a great feeling.

“I’ll always be grateful to Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie for my time riding for them, they took my career to another level and gave me a World Hurdle win.”

Asked if he would have a couple of Coca Colas tonight, Brennan added “Yes with lots of vodka!”

Imperial Commander is syndicated into eight shares split between six owners (two have two shares each), headed by Carlisle-based Ian Robinson.

“We prepared our horse for the day. He was a ball of muscle and we knew that was as good as he could be,” said Robinson. “It was an amazing training performance, Nigel and his team do not get the recognition they deserve, and this was our dream.

“I came here with my father as an 11-year-old when The Dikler won and I said one day I’d win the Gold Cup. He laughed at me and that spurred me on, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, I was too big to be a jockey so this is just a dream. There’s never been a happier bunch of owners.”

According to Nigel Twiston-Davies, Imperial Commander was bought for £30,000 by the Our Friends In The North syndicate through bloodstock agent Kevin Ross after winning a point-to-point at Summerhill in County Meath in April, 2005.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES AND PADDY BRENNAN - THE TRAINER & OWNER OF THE 2010 totesport CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP VICTOR IMPERIAL COMMANDER

Nigel Twiston-Davies

“We have won two Grand Nationals, so we needed this for the CV. Khyber Kim was only second in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday so we are not quite there yet.

“Coming into today’s race I didn’t shout my mouth off, but I took the view that we had a serious chance. Denman let himself down last time at Newbury and Kauto Star can’t keep going on forever. I was the forgotten man of the race and I didn’t mind that - I hope you all forget me again!

“We gave Kauto Star a race at Haydock and I think everyone thought we beat him that day except the judge. He proved his class that day. When he ran at Kempton, he made a howler at the second and that cost us all chance.

“I didn’t understand people who had the idea that the horse wouldn’t stay. He is bred to stay. Last year he was entered in the Gold Cup but the Ryanair Chase looked like a penalty kick so we decided to go for that. Next year we can go for the Ryanair Chase and then the Gold Cup the day after!

“In the build-up to the race hardly nobody asked me about the horse. Channel 4 came down and did a feature and John Francome rode him, but that was about it. I like it that way though - we were under no pressure at all.

“We have a quiet life and are a small stable with loyal owners. We have a nice time. None of our horses are expensive and Imperial Commander was only £30,000 and Khyber Kim was £22,000. I like to be the small man.

“Paddy has been brilliant for the stable. When we lost Carl Llewellyn we needed somebody to give us backbone and Paddy has done just that.

“I would hope that Imperial Commander will head to Aintree now. I doubt either Kauto Star or Denman will go there, so it should be a penalty kick for us.”

Paddy Brennan

“I thought he was the best horse I had ever ridden, even when he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup with 10st 7lb. I had never had a feeling like this horse gave me at Haydock earlier this season.

“We knew we had a serious horse today. He actually just hit a flat spot a couple of strides before the last but has then picked up again and sprinted away after he had jumped it.

“I am not an easy person to deal with. When I am not winning, I am not happy. Nigel makes me happy everyday and as well as my boss, he is also a good friend. I couldn’t work for anybody but it makes me proud to be part of the team at Nigel’s. Everything has come together and I have never looked back since I moved there.

“I have played a small part in the horse’s success and I will remember today for the rest of my life. I hope Imperial Commander will be around for some time.

“The whole Kauto Star/Denman build-up ahead of the Gold Cup was good for racing but it was never going to be a two-horse race.”


NICHOLLS PHILOSOPHICAL IN DEFEAT

After the huge build-up to the totesport Chletenham Gold Cup, which had been billed as a battle between stable-mates Kauto Star and Denman, it was only natural for the Paul Nicholls camp to be disappointed not to be taking the trophy back to Ditcheat for the first time in four years but the champion trainer expressed relief that his stable stars had both returned unscathed.

He said: “I was delighted with Denman - he ran his heart out.

“Kauto Star, he was just unfortunate. He made a stupid mistake and it cost him. He was always going to do it one day, I suppose.”

He added: “The important thing is that they’re both okay.”


DENMAN OWNERS SO PROUD

Denman’s joint-owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay were proud of their horse after he finished seven-lengths runner-up to Imperial Commander in the totesport Gold Cup.

Findlay said: “Speaking to Tony afterwards he said the horse was on and off the bridle and I believe he’s a Grand National horse in every single way. He’s shown so much guts there. It was a great race, great for the public. The way Denman runs, if he’s not a National horse then I’m blind. If he’s not in the National next year then there’s something wrong with him.

“Denman’s such a tank you always feel he’ll look after himself. For about three minutes I thought I’d won another Gold Cup but the winner’s won really well, he’s surprised me.

“Tony McCoy’s always such a class professional. I really wish Denman had won for him more than anyone else. It’s not so much just what he does in the saddle but also what he does out of it. If every sportsman showed the same dedication and professionalism as he does we’d all be flying.”

Barber said: “I don’t know whether I’ve seen a more exciting race. At the top of the hill I thought ‘we’ve got a right good chance’ but then I saw something out the corner of my eye and thought ‘we’ve no chance’ - that was the eventual winner.

“As long as Imperial Commander stayed from that point he was going to win, and he did. Our fellow jumped brilliantly, particularly out of the softer ground. That said one wonders whether he would jump round Aintree.

“He’ll be 11 next year and it would be good to bring him back here, especially on soft ground. I’m very proud of the horse - he’s wonderful.

“The crowd have had their money’s worth. I know Kauto Star fell and I’m very sorry about that, but it was a very good race.”

Denman’s jockey AP McCoy said: “I knew when he (Imperial Commander) came down the hill past me that he was going very well but I thought I might get another run at him and that he might stop. Unfortunately he didn’t.”


MON MOME’S NATIONAL WARM-UP

“That’s not a bad prep race for the National,” said Venetia Williams, after 50/1 shot Mon Mome, scooted up the Cheltenham hill to snatch third place in the totesport Gold Cup, taking Carruthers on the line.

“I think I’d say that he finished faster than anything at all today. Who knows, I may be wrong. I obviously hoped he might run a good race and I thought he might have a chance of sneaking into a place, but this was tremendous,” added the trainer, who horse finished 23 lengths adrift of Denman in second place, who in turn was seven lengths behind Imperial Commander.

Before the race, Williams was concerned that the ground might be a little quick for last year’s John Smith’s Grand National winner and she had the course walked to check. That reassured her, but the trainer was very pleased to see the rain before the race. “I think it helped us,” she said.

Williams was worried about the early pace: “I must admit I was slightly concerned in the early part of the race when I didn’t think they were going that quick. I thought this will mean they’ll be quickening somewhat in the last mile. I think AP took the same view so he stepped things up a bit,” she said.

“It did occur to me that it’s a good job they can’t adjust the weights for the National!” Williams added.

Jockey Aidan Coleman said: “I’m absolutely delighted, absolutely thrilled. He couldn’t have done more. Roll on Aintree.

Owner Vida Bingham said: “I actually though he would get up the hill. Every time he’s raced here, he’s come up the hill. It’s terrific isn’t it. I had ten pounds on him, but it’s not
the betting is it.”

Fourth placed quotes

Mark Bradstock, trainer of fourth-placed Carruthers said: “I’m over the moon. He’s run a great race. He’s only just been beaten by a horse [Mon Mome] that was being ridden for a place. Our horse is only seven and will be back next year.”



COMMANDER IS CHIEF AS LAYERS LAND KNOCKOUT BLOW

The final day of the Cheltenham Festival was to provide no respite for punters as both Kauto Star and Denman were beaten by 7/1 shot Imperial Commander, who romped up the hill to take the £475,000 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“This year's Gold Cup was billed as the Decider and it certainly settled the battle between punters and bookmakers at the Festival as Imperial Commander's victory at 7/1 landed the knockout blow,” said totesport spokesman George Primarolo. 'The betting public will be licking their wounds for a long time to come.'

Looking ahead to next year's Festival, Imperial Commander is the 3/1 favourite for next year's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with Kauto Star a 7/2 shot. Denman is next in the market at 5/1. Mon Mome ran a cracker in this year's renewal to finish third and he is now 12/1 (from 25/1) to land back-to-back Grand Nationals in April.

John Smith's Grand National - totesport bet: 10 Big Fella Thanks, 12 (from 25) Mon Mome, Black Apalachi, Niche Market, Tricky Trickster, 16 Backstage, Vic Venturi, 20 Arbor Supreme, 25 Albertas Run, Character Building, Chief Dan George, Comply Or Die, Snowy Morning, State Of Play, 28 Dream Alliance, 33 bar. 1/4 1-2-3-4

2011 Champion Hurdle – totesport bet: 7/2 Binocular, 10 Menorah, Get Me Out Of Here, Dunguib.

2011 Champion Chase – totesport bet: 3 Big Zeb, 8 Sizing Europe

2011 World Hurdle – totesport bet: Evs Big Buck's, 10 Peddlers Cross, Time For Rupert.

2011 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup – sponsors bet: 3 Imperial Commander, 7/2 Kauto Star, 5 Denman, 8 Weapons Amnesty.

COMMANDER SEALS IMPERIAL WEEK FOR BOOKIES

Imperial Commander'’s Cheltenham Gold Cup win helped seal a superb Cheltenham Festival for the bookies, according to Ladbrokes.

The clash between Kauto Star and Denman had been billed as a £40 million betting bonanza but with Kauto Star a big race faller and Denman beaten into second place, the bookies escaped with the cash. Imperial Commander was a 7/1 winner and is already the 4/1 favourite to defend his Gold Cup crown next year.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "It was a result beyond our wildest dreams. The cheers for Imperial Commander came from the bookies and we roared him up the Cheltenham hill.

"The gamble on Kauto Star was colossal. Had he won we'd have handed back all the cash we made earlier in the week. Getting the big two beaten was nothing short of superb.

"God was smiling on the bookies in the Cotswolds this week. It was the best Festival we've had in a generation and we didn't want to go home."


BOOKIES LAND KNOCK-OUT FESTIVAL BLOW WITH GOLD CUP WIN FOR COMMANDER

Bookmakers were left celebrating their most profitable Cheltenham Festival ever today, after the defeat of hot favourite Kauto Star in the Gold Cup completed a miserable week for punters. The big race of the Festival was won by 7-1 shot Imperial Commander, just third favourite behind Kauto Star and Denman.

"All week we've seen hot favourite after hot favourite get beaten, but we knew that punters could still have the last laugh if Kauto Star won the Gold Cup. However, that was not to be, and his defeat proved to be the icing on the cake for the bookies," said Coral's David Stevens.

"It's been the biggest betting week of the year, but punters have had very little to cheer, with losses across the industry running into tens of millions, and we're sorry to see this year's Festival end!" added Stevens.

PADDY POWER CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL REACTION
Paddy Power said: “The whole week has been a Cheltenham to remember with thrills and spills and one to forget for favourite backers.

“The usual gambles have been landed, but unfortunately it’s been proven once again just how hard it is to back a winner at Cheltenham.”


FIRST RACE WINNING QUOTES
JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (GRADE 1)

SOLDATINO TRIUMPHS

Soldatino foiled a bold front-running attempt by Tom O’Brien and Barizan to take the JCB Triumph Hurdle in the closing stages and give trainer Nicky Henderson a fifth success in the four-year-olds’ championship.

The winner was only bought by owner Simon Munir, through bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley, in January after a success at Pau in France.

“I only bought him at the end of January and it was a job to get him entered for the Triumph because I think he was only registered in this country on the day that entries closed,” said Munir, who now has 10 horses in training and was having his first Festival success.

“You never know how horses from France are going to acclimatise and he was only entered in this race as a precaution. After he won the Adonis Hurdle we decided to come here so I’m glad we entered him.”

Henderson added: “One thing that worried me was whether he had enough experience but I’m thrilled for the horse. He may be a baby but he’s tough.

“You would be worried that he was only a baby and it was a long way to have to go and catch the other horse because the gap was huge. But he does stay and Anthony (Bromley) found him down in Pau in January, so he hasn’t been in England for very long and has very little mileage on the clock. He is an exciting horse.

“Fair play to the second and I nearly felt sorry for him. They went such a gallop for such a long way so it was very tough for a baby to go after him. It was a long way to go on your own to catch the other horse.

“He’s not been in England that long but it seemed through the winter that there wasn’t an outstanding one about and we thought we’d put him in the Adonis Hurdle to have a look.

“He was very babyish and came over with a lot of equipment including earplugs, hoods and special bridles. We left them off initially but after two weeks put them back on. He had the ear plugs in today although you can’t take them out mid-race as they do in France.

“We might send Super Kenny to Aintree but I doubt you’ll be seeing this fellow again this year if I have my way.

“After Binocular (in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle) started things well on Tuesday, yesterday was a bit of comedown but this is fantastic.

Winning jockey Barry Geraghty said: “After that bit of rain last night the ground on the hurdle track was very dead and they went very quick.

“The second horse was a mile clear of us at the third last but it was too late to worry about him then, he had to come back to us. He did and I knew jumping the second last that I’d get him. They’re only young but these French horses know the ropes.

“It was a good performance. The second horse went off very quick - I had to drop in and switch off - but he went so quick that he was always going to have to stop. I had the right horse and never panicked and always though I would get him.

“I just had to give him a couple of taps before the last to keep him going forward but I knew that I would get there well enough. It’s a long run down from the second last to home. It’s hard enough to go as quick as he went but it was a good race.“


BRAVE BARIZAN NEARLY NICKS JCB

A front-running display with the hallmark of Festival folklore was snuffed out in the final 100 yards of the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the Festival’s opening race on totesport Gold Cup day.

Barizan, trained near Cardiff in Wales by Evan Williams, was quickly away as the tapes rose, established a big lead and had his rivals under maximum pressure and still more than 15 lengths in arrears turning for home. From there the leader’s stride began to shorten, and as eventual winner Soldatino cut into the deficit a final-flight blunder sealed Barizan’s fate. He was passed on the run-in but plugged on to finish a gallant second.

Jockey Tom O’Brien said: “The horse came into the race off a break so he was fresh and well, but he lost momentum with the mistake at the last hurdle. I can’t say that cost me the race, but it definitely cost me my momentum.”

Williams was left in that awkward no-man’s land between elation at such a fine effort by his horse, and sadness at defeat.

He said: “It’s disappointing to get gunned down in the final 100 yards, but the winner is obviously a very talented horse. They’ve gone a good gallop and he stretched them - I told Tom to be positive and not worry about what was going on behind. I’m delighted with the way he rode him.

“I suppose if we had been more conservative we might have won, but we’ll never know the answer to that.

“The last-flight mistake didn’t help. He needs good ground and so Aintree is an obvious target and the track should suit.”


O’GRADY PLEASED WITH ALAIVAN THIRD

Irish handler Edward O’Grady was very satisfied with the performance of Alaivan, who stayed on to take third in the opening race on the final day of The Festival 2010, the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle.

The Kalanisi gelding was beaten just over eight lengths and kept on well in the closing stages.

O’Grady said: “He ran a great race and has reversed the form with Carlito Brigante (the 7/2 favourite who finished fourth), which we are delighted about.

“I liked the way he stayed on. I thought he was going to drop back to fourth at one point but then he stayed on again. He is something to look forward to.

“It was a slightly strange race and I wonder what the time was, although I agree with Luca Cumani that the only people really worried about time are behind bars!

“Alaivan could possibly now take the same route as Jumbo Rio did last year and go to France, as he stays well and likes soft ground.”


GOING AFTER THE FIRST

Barry Geraghty, rider of the winner Soldatino, described the going as: “Dead.”

Tom O’Brien, partner of the 1`& 1/4 length second placed Barizan, said: “Good.”

Andrew McNamara, jockey of the third Alaivan, said: “Not much quicker than yesterday, It’s on the easy side of good.”

Davy Russell, jockey of Carlito Brigante, described the going as: “Dead.”

Ruby Walsh, rider of Advisor, said: “It is on the easy side of good.”

Lee Edwards, partner of Blazing Buck, said: “Good.”

Robert Thornton, rider of Gilded Age, thought the ground: “Slow.”

Paddy Brennan, rider of Olofi, said: “Good.”

Richard Johnson, jockey of Rupestrian, said: “It is on the slow side with a bit more cut up than yesterday.”



Race 2 - Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle

MULLINS PRAISES KATIE WALSH AS SHE STEERS THOUSAND STARS TO COUNTY HURDLE TRIUMPH

The Walsh family have now won a total of five races between them at The Festival in 2010, with Ruby riding three winners and his sister Katie now up to two successes at the meeting following her victory aboard Thousand Stars in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle.

Katie Walsh’s previous winner this week was Poker De Sivola in Wednesday’s marathon National Hunt Chase, while this was also a second winner of the week for Thousand Star’s owners, the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, who on Tuesday saw Quevega take the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for the second year in succession.

Walsh delivered the 20/1 shot with perfect timing and won going away by three lengths from the 2005 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor Arcalis.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “That was a super ride from Katie. She was very cool and waited with the horse down the back and then delivered her challenge perfectly.

“Her tactics were spot on. She was very well placed on the outside and has kept the horse out of trouble.

“She really is a tip-top rider and I use her at every opportunity that I can. Even though she rides as an amateur, she has the brain of a professional and she is fit and well. I love putting her up and that is her second big handicap hurdle victory on this horse for me. It’s fantastic for me, Katie, Ted (her father) and Helen (her mother).

“Ruby thought that he would be top jockey here but it is great to see Katie doing it as well!

“It has been hard to beat the English handicapper this week but finally we have managed it. We were originally looking at the Coral Cup for Thousand Stars, but decided to come here instead.”

Looking ahead to the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which Mullins saddles last year’s RSA Chase victor Cooldine, the trainer continued: “Everything has gone to plan with Cooldine’s preparation and the rain is now arriving - maybe that’s an omen.”


KATIE WALSH JUBILANT AFTER SECOND WIN OF THE WEEK

Her brother may be going for the honour of being leading jockey at the Festival but Katie Walsh ensured Ruby was not the only star of the Walsh family in action at Cheltenham after driving home Thousand Stars for a rousing win in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle.

The delighted rider said: “To ride one winner here is brilliant but to have two, I wouldn’t have even thought it possible.

“It’s one for Willie (Mullins) - he’s been so good to me and very, very loyal. He’s given me every opportunity. He didn’t have to leave me on this horse but he did. And for the owners too, this is the be-all and end-all and some owners would have wanted a professional on board but they had the faith in me and they’re great people to ride for.

“They also own the little mare Quevega, who won on the first day (the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle), and J’y Vole, who was third yesterday (in the Ryanair Chase ) so they’re having a beano of a week.

Reflecting on her victory aboard Poker de Sivola in the National Hunt Chase on Tuesday, Walsh added: “I haven’t even started to celebrate my first winner so it will be some celebration tonight.

“It hasn’t even sunk in. I’ll be pinching myself when I wake up. Everyone is here that counts - there isn’t one person at home that I’d like to be here and isn’t so it’s brilliant.”


ARCALIS ARRIVES FAST AND LATE FOR SECOND

A former star of the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was back in Cheltenham’s hallowed winner’s enclosure after the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle.

Arcalis was no match for winner Thousand Stars, but his late flourish saw him past four horses on the shortened run-in to gain second.

Trainer Howard Johnson said Arcalis, who he trains for Graham and Andrea Wylie, would be seen to better effect on faster ground. He criticised Cheltenham’s decision to water the track, although clerk of the course Simon Claisse had earlier said that only 1mm of rain fell overnight and he had applied water only to a two-furlong strip on the back straight.

Johnson said: “He’s a grand horse and we’re over the moon, but they put too much water on the track. He wants faster ground. They must have put a lot of water on it and I’m disappointed they did that.

“He loves Cheltenham, but after winning the Supreme Novices’ it’s taken all this time until he is ten for the handicapper to give him a nice weight. There could be a race in him, possibly at Sandown’s final meeting of the season, where he has won before [in April 2007].

“He’s a better horse when he gets brighter weather - like me he doesn’t like the winter. It’s been a cold one up north, and we’re all getting older.”


O’REGAN BANNED FOR THREE DAYS

Denis O’Regan, rider of the second Arcalis in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle, weighed in 3lb heavier than he weighed out. Arcalis was meant to carry 10st 4lb.

The rider was suspended for three days - April 3, 4 & 5.

DEE CEE WILLIAMS REFUSES TO CURL UP

Nick Gifford, put a disappointing year behind him, with his second placed horse at the Festival this week. Following on from Tullamore Dew’s second in the Coral Cup on Wednesday, Dee Cee Williams, owned by the same syndicate, stayed on strongly to take third place in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle behind Thousand Stars.

Gifford said: “I’m delighted, as delighted as you can be when you’ve finished third.

He had every chance to curl up into a little ball and finish tenth, but he hasn’t, has he? He has curled up in one or two races this season and that’s why we’ve put the blinkers on him. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to take them off him. I’d like to take them off him because I don’t think he’s ungenuine. He just needs sharpening up.

“He wants good ground, proper good ground and he wants to grow up a bit this horse. He’s still a little bit soft at heart and that’s why the plan was to go middle to wide to keep him out of the hustle and bustle. But I’m delighted with him. Which goes back to that form at Sandown in February [behind Champion Hurdle winner Binocular]. It wasn’t that bad, was it?” he added.

Commenting on the starting price of 20/1, Gifford said: “If I’d have had half a dozen winners in the last fortnight, he wouldn’t have been that price. Everything’s relative.

“We’ll go to Aintree now and find a race for him. The syndicate [Tullamore Dew] wants to have a bit of fun with him. They’ve had no fun this season. Results have disappointing this season, but to get them right for here, that’s what it’s about,” he added.

IZITA STAR

Izita Star fell two out in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle and was injured. The veterinary team tried to save him but had to humanely put down the seven-year-old.

Third race - The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

BERTIE’S PROVES A DREAM FOR GILLIGAN

An ecstatic Paul Gilligan enjoyed Festival success with his first runner when Bertie’s Dream galloped clear of Najaf on the run-in to take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

The winner was Andrew Lynch’s second winner of the meeting, and rewarded his backers at 33-1 - from the scenes of jubilation it seems likely members of the Half A Keg Syndicate who own him had availed themselves of bookmakers’ cash.

Paddy Power gave Bertie’s Dream a 33-1 quote for next year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but Gilligan was living for the day, and said: “I’m speechless and cannot believe it. We really did think he would run well, but Cheltenham is Cheltenham and you don’t come here thinking you are going to win.

“I did fancy him because the horses are flying at home and we were unlucky not to have a double last Sunday. Things had kicked into gear and to have a winner here - money can’t buy it.

“The rain didn’t matter to him because he goes on any ground. Good horses go on any ground and he’s a good horse. He never runs a bad race and ran a super race here in November [when third to Tell Massini who was pulled up in today’s race] and was just behind Reve De Sivola who ran a good race here earlier this week [second in the Neptune Investment Management Novice’s Hurdle].

“AP rode him that day and he felt that without another 50 yards he would have been second.

“I don’t know whether he’ll run again this season, I just want to enjoy today.”


BERTIES FULFILS ULTIMATE DREAM FOR DUBLIN SYNDICATE

Victory at the Cheltenham Festival was a dream come true for the members of the Half A Keg Syndicate from Dublin, which is run by Conor Broderick, who named the horse after his late father.

The delighted co-owner of Berties Dream said: “This is our first horse with Paul (Gilligan). We bought him the April before last - he didn’t even have a shoe on him, he was straight from the field.

“I named him after my father, Bertie Broderick. He died three days after we bought the horse. When I told him I’d bought him, he said, ‘I always dreamed you’d own a racehorse’.”

For jockey Andrew Lynch, Berties Dream’s victory gave him yet more reason for celebration as the young jockey also won the Irish Independent Arkle Chase on Sizing Europe on Tuesday.

He said: “All he does is stay. He’s won over shorter trips in Ireland but on heavier ground. Coming down the hill I thought we had a chance. We just missed the last a bit. I couldn’t believe it really. I’ve been lucky to be on two really genuine horses.

“I’m delighted for the lads who own him, they’ve all come over from Dublin.”




NICHOLLS LOOKS FORWARD TO CHASING WITH NAJAF

Paul Nicholls was delighted with the effort of Najaf to finish second to Berties Dream in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the seven-year-old will not be seen out again this season.

“He’ll be going chasing in the autumn, that was what he was bought for and he won’t run again this season. I was delighted with his run there,” said Nicholls.

Najaf was bought for 250,000 euros at Arqana’s sale at Saint-Cloud in November by Highflyer Bloodstock and is owned jointly by the families of leading owners David Johnson and Andy Stewart.

Fourth-placed Arvika Ligeonniere is also set for a chasing career.

“He’s still a big raw horse and I was delighted with that run, especially as a five-year-old,” said trainer Willie Mullins. “He’s going to improve a lot and go chasing next year but if the weather breaks at home we might go to Punchestown.”


DOGGED KENNEL HILL TAKES THIRD

Kennel Hill, trained by Keith Goldsworthy, claimed third place in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Though Robin Dickin’s Restless Harry, who fell at the last when he was ahead of Kennel Hill, was clearly unlucky, Goldsworthy thought his horse may have got up anyway.

“He was still galloping all the time. He was closing them down and looked like he was going into a place anyway,” said the trainer.

“He’s an experienced novice, he’s entitled to be galloping on at the end because he’s a bit more mature and he’s kept on to the line. He travelled well but he never looks like he’s doing anything, does he?” he added.

The horse had started at 66/1, but the trainer had taken 200/1 this morning. “His reputation said, ‘Be Careful’, but the price was ridiculous. Bit if it was all about favourites, we wouldn’t bother, would we?” he said.

“If we could get him to win a little maiden now that may put his confidence up,” said Goldsworthy.

Kennel Hill, who has form on both good to firm and heavy ground, was unaffected by the going, but jockey Jason Maguire said he felt that the rain was getting into the ground.

Goldsworthy thought that it was still quick enough though: “But there’s not much grass out there. With the rain on it, there’s a bit of slap in the ground. There’s no cushion.”


Fifth race
Christie’s Foxhunter Chase

‘BABY RUN WIN BETTER THAN TOTESPORT GOLD CUP SUCCESS’ SAYS TWISTON-DAVIES

An incredible 40 minutes for Gloucestershire trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was capped by victory for his son Sam, riding Baby Run, in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase.

Twiston-Davies Snr barely had time to absorb the thrill of a first totesport Gold Cup victory with Imperial Commander, when Sam topped the occasion with success in hunt racing’s most prestigious prize. Baby Run is owned by Nigel, but carried the colours of John Goodman, an owner in the yard who leased the horse for the day.

Asked which victory had given him the greatest pleasure, Twiston-Davies said: “To be dreadfully honest it would have to be the [Christie’s] Foxhunter - I’m hugely proud of Sam who rode a beautiful race. This win takes the biscuit.

“Probably the first Mackeson win with Tipping Tim is the best moment I’ve had in racing because it put us on the road, and the first National win with Earth Summit was very special, but having my son win is brilliant. He’s got another year at school, so there’s no rush to think about whether he’ll go professional one day.

“The horse was given to me by poor old Peter Orton who died two or three years ago. At that time the horse was a write-off. He’s a better horse this year - we had to rush him to get him ready last year because he’s had leg problems, and the recent Warwick victory showed he was on top form.

“It’s been a helluva 40 minutes. We’ll enjoy it. We’ll aim Baby Run for the [John Smith’s] Fox Hunters’ at Aintree and then there’s Punchestown where he won last year. We’lll be going for all the big prizes because I own the horse and need the money!”

Sam said: “He’s a lovely ride - he was sorting himself out at the fences left, right and centre. To be honest he was pricking his ears at the last, and I know it looked very slow but if anything had come to me I’m sure he would have gone on.

“Last year [when Baby Run was third in this race] other horses took me on for the lead, but today we were just going along in front at one speed. I never had to rush him whereas last year I was always going a bit quicker.

“When your goggles steam up and you can’t see anything it’s not easy, but he was looking after me more than me after him. The crowd was amazing. It’s an atmosphere you cannot imagine and an amazing 40 minutes. I watched the [totesport] Gold Cup in the canteen and started getting worried about who would tack Baby Run up.”


KILTY STORM SETS McGRATH UP

Short of actually winning the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, Roger McGrath’s training career could hardly have got off to a better start. Based at west Waterford, close to the Cork border, McGrath has held a licence for just three months and has just three horses in the yard.

Kilty Storm was the first horse in the stable and is now undoubtedly his favourite, having finished second in the Foxhunter, just five lengths behind the classy Baby Run.

“It was a very commendable run, but he just met one that was a bit too good. I’m very proud of him. We were praying for rain and it came. If it had come a day earlier it may have been an even bigger help to us. But the winner is a good horse and we were clear of the rest,” said McGrath.

Reach for The Top, placed third, and the success was very much a family affair with Mike Tuckey training the horse and his son, Ben, aboard.

“We entered both Chilling Place, who ran last year, and Reach For the Top, but we ran this one because we though he was improving - and we were right,” said Mike Tuckey.

“Henrietta Knight had him when he was a baby and when we bought him she always said he would take time and she was absolutely right.

The ground was fine for him today, but he just didn’t get up the hill as well as those in front of him,” he added.

Race 6: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle - Winner’s Quotes

APPLAUSE FOR PAUSE AND CLAUSE

Pause For Clause, third in last year’s Coral Cup, emphasised his liking for the Cheltenham track with a doughty victory in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. For trainer Emma Lavelle, it was a second Festival success, following Crack Away Jack’s victory two years ago.

“He loves it round here. He run such a good race last year as well that I think this track suits him and it not a bad track to suit him,” said Lavelle.

“Ideally he wants good ground and I was gutted when I saw the rain coming because I thought we were going to be in trouble, but because it’s still wet, it hasn’t bogged him down. This real heavy ground he’s run in all winter has just been a bit tough for him.

“He’s run a fantastic race and Johnny’s given a great ride and kept him out of trouble and just kept kicking because he will always answer you. He’s not a speed horse. He’s a real galloper. He’s so gutsy and so genuine.

“He’s just come to himself in his coat and everything. He’s done his job for the season now. Whether we run him again or not this season, he’ll go novice chasing next year,” said the trainer.

Farrelly commented: “Mr Pipe was slagging me this morning. We were on the gallops and he said: “here are all of the Cheltenham winning jockeys, except you Johnny” and I was laughing saying I hope I get one today.

“This is my first ride for Emma and, to be fair, my agent Dave Roberts was very keen for me to ride this horse, so it’s all down to him really. I could have ridden a few in it because Mr Pipe only had Ashkazar in the race and Hadden always rides him, but Dave was very keen on this one.

“The rain hasn’t really got into the ground - it’s probably only in the first couple of inches and it’s probably still good enough underneath. He was hanging marginally to the right so I thought that I was better off taking him wide instead of trying to keep him in.

“We went a long from home but Emma was telling me that I shouldn’t stop once I go for him so I did what she said and he is fit as could be.”

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Radium, who placed second, and Peverill, who placed fourth said: “Mine all ran smashing races. You would have to be delighted with that. And they are all future chasers and will be going over fences next season.”


FAIRYLAND

Fairyland came down in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and was humanely put to sleep after a leg injury.

Race 7 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase

PERFECT END TO PERFECT DAY FOR TWISTON-DAVIES TEAM

If winning the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with Imperial Commander and the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase with Baby Run wasn’t enough, the final day of The Festival in 2010 ended perfectly for the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable when 16/1 shot Pigeon Island bought up a 747/1 treble with victory in the concluding Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase.

Partnered by Paddy Brennan, the seven-year-old grey, who runs in the colours of Raymond Mould, came with a great run from off the pace to overhaul long-time leader French Opera and Consigliere, prevailing by a length and a quarter on the line.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “Pigeon Island won seven races two seasons ago and had a good chance on his best form.

“Paddy Brennan was confident coming into the race and has been proved right. Paddy picked this horse, which everyone seemed to ignore.

“Today has been a very, very special day. It had been a slightly disappointing week before today, although Khyber Kim obviously ran a great race when he was second in the Champion Hurdle.

“I’ve had a double at The Festival before, but never a treble and we will be celebrating tonight.”

Paddy Brennan added: “The Festival is so important to us and to finish today like this is just fantastic.

“Pigeon Island had good form as a novice. Although he doesn’t really want this ground, it made it more of a stamina test which suited him.

“It might be raining at Cheltenham, but today has felt like I am in Barbados.”

Nicky Henderson, who trained the second-placed French Opera, said: "The irony of this was that French Opera won the Jenny Mould [a race named after Raymond Mould’s late wife] earlier in the year, which is why he ended up with all that weight, and now Raymond Mould has come and won this race."


PRESS PULL NO PUNCHES IN FABULOUS TOTESPORT GOLD CUP DAY COVERAGE

Cheltenham’s fabulous Festival climax, gilded by the totesport Gold Cup clash between Kauto Star and Denman, has created terrific press coverage in all today’s national newspapers.

Festival Friday pullouts feature in a number of tabloids, numerous front pages make reference to jumping’s blue riband steeplechase, and racing has gained priceless mention in many news columns.

Pictures and articles conveying Thursday’s Ladies’ Day fashions are also haute couteur, and while photogenic Zara Phillips is a familiar face across the spreads, so too is News International chief Rupert Murdoch. His daughter Elisabeth rode in the ladies’ charity flat race that concluded Thursday’s card, yet a non-Murdoch newspaper, The Guardian, uses the largest photograph of her in action on page 11 of the news pages which is highlights ET versus The Tank.

Of the other quality newspapers The Daily Telegraph features Ladies’ Day contrasts with pictures on page six of two women, one in a cossack hat, the other in a very smart brown racing trilby, while The Times’ columnist Valentine Low interviews the vicar of Ditcheat (the village in which Kauto Star and Denman are trained) on page 25.

Racing pullouts are regular fare in tabloids, but The Independent is a quality paper which also follows that trend. Its eight-page special likens the Kauto Star v Denman clash to past great boxing matches, a familiar theme in several newspapers.

The Sun’s 12-page pullout leads with the headline ‘The Buck’s Tops Here’ a reference to yesterday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle, and bills Kauto versus Denman as ‘War of the Wolds’.

‘Land of Hype and Glory’ headlines The Daily Mirror’s Racing Mania pullout, while The Daily Express leads with ‘Super Star to down Denman’. Former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, lead pundit in The Daily Star’s Festival coverage, says Kauto Star can win his 21st race today, and predicts Denman will not make the frame - Fitzgerald should be noted for yesterday he supplied four Cheltenham winners that became a 3,574-1 accumulator.

When it comes to analysis of the totesport Gold Cup showdown racing’s trade paper, The Racing Post, has words straight from the trainer’s mouth. Paul Nicholls, who supplies a regular column to the Post, says ‘Kauto’s the horse without flaws’ and adds ‘They’ve all got a mountain to climb to stop Kauto’ - that won’t make optimistic reading for Denman fans, nor for Tony McCoy, who rides Denman but found time between triumph and falls to pen an exclusive for The Daily Telegraph. He says: “I’ll make sure the pace is on and may the best man win.”

For once the Irish seem sure to take a back seat in the totesport Gold Cup, and this is reflected in the Irish Independent’s coverage. ‘Gold Fever’ is the paper’s headline above a sub-head that says simply, ‘Kauto Star and Denman ready for showdown’. Also ready and eagerly awaiting the clash will be the 65,000-plus crowd flocking to Cheltenham today, and the millions who will watch on television around the world.

JACK AND JAKE READY FOR FIRST FESTIVAL RIDES

Jack Barber, 18, and Jake Greenall, 17, will long remember totesport Gold Cup day 2010, since it marks their first Festival rides.

In Jack’s case it is an even more auspicious occasion, for he has never ridden under Rules, although he has been successful in point-to-points. He rides Le Duc (trained by his grandfather, Richard Barber) in today’s Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, while Jake is a late call up in the same race for Amicelli following an injury to his brother Tom. Another brother, Oliver, has switched from Amicelli to Trust Fund (Tom’s intended ride) and Jake joins the line up.

At noon today Jack walked the track and said: “It’s a lovely course, the ground is good and the fences are really inviting. Le Duc is a great ride and would take any amateur round - I’m just going to enjoy it. I’ve got lots of family and friends here, including my mum and dad, Jeremy and Sarah, and my sister Camilla.”

As an employee at Paul Nicholls’ stable Jack has a keen interest in today’s totesport Gold Cup, and he admits to clear bias in the race. “I’ll be cheering for Denman,” he says. “He’s partly-owned by my great uncle, Paul Barber, so he’s a family horse.”

Keeping it in the family has been some consolation for Tom Greenall, who is at Cheltenham today, but limping after suffering a knee injury when Heathcliff fell in yesterday’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase.

Tom said: “I may have dislocated my knee and will know more when I go for a scan on Monday. Hopefully I’ll be back for Aintree.” He won last year’s John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase on Trust Fund.

Of his absence from today’s Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, he said: “It would be tougher if some one other than Oliver was riding him, but it’s not so bad sharing the moment with my brother. Trust Fund has the best chance of the pair so Oliver [who is considerably more experienced) rides him and Jake is on Amicelli.”

Jake said: “I’ve had four winners under Rules this season and nine in point-to-points, but I’ve never ridden at Cheltenham. I’ll see how the race goes, but there’s no pressure. Amicelli has won the race once so knows what he’s doing, and although I’ve never ridden him in a race I’ve schooled upsides him. I’m not nervous - if I was riding Trust Fund it might be different.”



GOING NOW SOFT ALL OVER

The going has changed ahead of the final race of The Festival 2010, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, and is now:

SOFT all over (from Good to Soft).

The afternoon started with Good going and changed to Good, Good to Soft in places ahead of the fourth race, the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.20pm), before changing to Good to Soft ahead of the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (4.00pm).


GOING UPDATE AT 10AM

The going ahead of totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup day is

Good on both the Chase and Hurdle courses

The GoingStick reading is 7.1

Simon Claisse, Cheltenham’s Director of Racing, said: “We had a millimetre and a half of rain last night and it has left the course in great shape ahead of today.

“It’s done just the trick and I’m calling it Good, although it’s on the easy side of Good. It’s perfect jumping ground and all the horses should be suited by it. There is some more rain forecast this afternoon.

“We have eight or nine yards of fresh ground on the chase course that has not been used since March last year.”




INITIAL GOING REPORT

The going for the final day of The Festival 2010, Friday, March 19, has changed to:

New Course - Chase and Hurdles: GOOD
(from Good, Good to Soft in places)

The course was watered between fences 12 and 14 last night.

There was one millimetre of rain yesterday evening. The forecast is for it to stay dry until mid/late afternoon, followed by a little light rain.

JOCKEY CHANGES

There are three jockey changes today:

1.30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle

19 Pebble In A Pool is now ridden by DAVY CONDON, who replaces Paddy Flood.

4.00pm Christie’s Foxhunter Chase

1 Amicelli is now ridden by JAKE GREENALL, who replaces his brother Oliver Greenall.

21 Trust Fund is now ridden by OLIVER GREENALL, who replaces his brother Tom.

NON-RUNNERS

1.30pm JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
6 BOB'S LEGEND (IRE) (Vet’s Certificate, Lame)
14 SECANT STAR (FR) (Self Certificate, Lame)

2.40pm ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
18 WAYWARD PRINCE (Vet’s Certificate, Bad Scope)

5.15pm JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL HANDICAP CHASE 9 GREEN BELT ELITE (FR) (Self Certificate, Lame)
17 LEO'S LUCKY STAR (USA) (Self Certificate, Bad Scope)
18 SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) (Self Certificate, Not Eaten Up)






BETTING NEWS

In the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30pm), horses coming in for support are mainly longshots including Barizan (28/1 from 33/1 Sky Bet) and Rupestrian (50/1 from 66/1 Paddy Power, 40/1 from 50/1 Sky Bet). Olofi is 14/1 (from 16/1) with Paddy Power, with the same firm having cut Gilded Age (40/1 from 50/1). The one for money with Stan James is Barwell Bridge (16/1 from 33/1).

The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (2.05pm) is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week and Tito Bustillo is now 8/1 (from 9/1) with totesport. totesport have also cut Secret Dancer (16/1 from 22/1) while Stan James now go 16/1 (from 25/1) about the same horse. Eradicate is now 10/1 (from 11/1) with Sky Bet, who have also cut Dee Ee Williams to 20/1 (from 28/1). The Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson combination have already enjoyed two winners this week and Paddy Power punters have latched on to Oldrik, who is 10/1 from 12/1.

Race three of the afternoon is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.40pm) in which The Betchworth Kid is now 11/1 from 14/1 with Stan James. Tell Massini, twice a winner already at Cheltenham this season, is 4/1 (from 9/2) with Paddy Power, while last year’s Christie’s Foxhunter Chase winner Cappa Bleu is into 16/1 from 20/1 with Sky Bet.

Henrietta Knight famously enjoyed a totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup treble with the great Best Mate and punters have latched on to her runner Calgary Bay in this year’s renewal at 3.20pm, and the seven-year-old is 66/1 (from 80/1) with totesport and 50/1 (from 80/1) with Stan James. There is a difference of opinion between Paddy Power and Sky Bet regarding the 2008 winner Denman, with the former easing out Paul Nicholls charge to 9/2 (from 4/1) while Sky Bet now go 4/1 (from 9/2). Last year’s Grand National victor Mon Mome is 100/1 (from 150/1) with totesport.

In the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (4.00pm), two for money with Sky Bet are Burntoakboy (50/1 from 66/1) and Chesnut Annie (20/1 from 28/1).

David Pipe has already trained two winners this week and in the race named after his father, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (4.40pm), punters have latched on to his Ashkazar, who is now 5/1 (from 6/1) with totesport and 11/2 (from 6/1) with Paddy Power. Fairyland is 12/1 from 18/1 with Stan James in the same contest.

The Festival 2010 draws to a close with the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.15pm), in which the one punters want is Nicky Henderson You’re The Top. The six-year-old is now 7/1 (having been as big as 12/1) with Paddy Power and 8/1 (from 10/1) with totesport.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR KAUTO
CUL DE SAC FOR DENMAN?

Trainer Paul Nicholls has described Kauto Star as a “horse without flaws” and that’s an opinion shared by the racing public on the evidence of the weight of money behind the 10-year-old for today’s totesport Gold Cup. He is currently on offer with the race sponsors at 8/11.

But turn the clock back four months to November last year and there was little to chose between the two stable stars, Kauto Star and Denman. Kauto Star had scraped home from Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 21 and, a week after, Denman had posted an imperious performance in the Hennessy Gold Cup giving 22lb to What A Friend (yet another talented Nicholls chaser) who went on to win the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

“After the Hennessy there was little between Kauto Star and Denman in the totesport Gold Cup market. From memory, it was about 11/8 Kauto Star and 7/4 Denman,” said George Primarolo, PR Manager for the race sponsors, totesport.

But if Kauto Star was not at the top of his game at Haydock, he certainly was at Kempton five weeks later. A peerless display in the William Hill King George VI Chase saw Kauto Star close to 5/4 for the Gold Cup and Denman ease out to 11/4.

If punters thought that 11/4 was started to look generous for the 2008 Gold Cup winner, that was nothing to what was coming. In the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13, A P McCoy, riding the horse for the first time, was ejected from the saddle at the third last. There had been a bad mistake the fence before, too.

“Denman has been pretty much friendless since then. Who would have though he would be at 9/2 on the day. Furthermore, I think that people are latching on to the idea that there might be two places up for grabs rather than one, so there’s plenty of interest in Imperial Commander [7/1 with totesport] and Cooldine [9/1],” said Primarolo.

Is there a straw that Denman supporters can clutch? Well, being favourite has not been a good thing this week and not always for Kauto Star either. In his four Festival outings, the Champion Chase in 2006 and his three Gold Cups 2007-9, Kauto Star has always started favourite, but has been beaten in two of those races.

Moreover Denman drifted before the race two years - which he won - albeit only from 7/4 to 9/4. So it may not be over quite yet.

FESTIVAL HISTORY FOR KAUTO STAR AND DENMAN

Denman

2006 (March 15)
Royal & Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle
(now Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle)
11/10F; 2nd to Nicanor, beaten two and a half lengths, 17 runners

2007 (March 14)
RSA Chase
6/5F; Winner, beat Snowy Morning by 10 lengths, 17 runners

2008 (March 14)
totesport Gold Cup
9/4; Winner, beat Kauto Star by seven lengths, 8 runners

2009 (March 13)
totesport Gold Cup
7/1; 2nd to Kauto Star, beaten 13 lengths, 16 runners


Kauto Star

2006 (March 15)
Queen Mother Champion Chase
2/1F; Fell at third, Newmill won by nine lengths, 12 runners

2007 (March 16)
totesport Gold Cup
5/4F; Winner, beat Exotic Dancer by two and a half lengths, 18 runners

2008 (March 14)
totesport Gold Cup
10/11F; 2nd to Denman, beaten seven lengths, 12 runners

2009 (March 13)
totesport Gold Cup
7/4F; Winner, beat Denman by 13 lengths, 16 runners


IS IT DENMAN DAY OR ANOTHER CHANCE FOR STAR TO SHINE?

Kauto Star may be the clear favourite in the betting market but the opinions of shoppers in the Cheltenham Superstore and racing fans around the course were divided as to which of Paul Nicholls’ star chasers would regain the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at just after 3.20pm today.

“It’s Denman day,” proclaimed the boys from Skegness, wearing hats bearing the mantra and on their first visit to Prestbury Park to watch their hero in action.

“The tank will destroy them, we’ve only come to back one horse,” added Gary Hutchinson, who had made the long journey from Lincolnshire with friends Mark Hamilton, Chris Feast and Nick Martyn, none of whom would entertain the prospect of defeat for Denman.

Craig Parker from Cumbria agrees with them, saying: “It all started for me when he won in 2008. I went to watch him win the Hennessy and I’ve even been dreaming about him winning today. I’ve already backed him antepost and I’ll be backing him again later on.”

If Parker’s dream comes true, it will not be a popular result for his girlfriend Michala Cole, decked out in a Kauto Star scarf and insistent that the champion would retain his crown.

“There’s been quite a bit of banter,” she admitted.

Russell Brooks from Mansfield is wearing his heart not just on his sleeve but also on his hat and coat, which are covered in the green, yellow and purple colours of Clive Smith.

“Kauto will win, no question. I come here every year, I’ve seen both his Gold Cup victories and I’ve been looking forward to today for weeks. I also hope Tricky Trickster can run into a place.”

Despite six of the 11-strong field being Irish-bred, Mary and Margaret Connolly from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, are siding with the French-bred, English-trained favourite.

“We’re sticking to our guns. We’ve always been Kauto Star fans but I think Cooldine has a very good chance of a place,” said Margaret.

Their opinion is shared by Cheltenham Festival debutants Michael Dalkin and Neil Simpson, both from Newcastle and sporting scarves in Kauto Star’s colours.

“I’ve always followed Kauto so I’ve come especially to see him today. There’s only one winner as far as I’m concerned.”


LEWIS’S MATE IS STILL BEST OF MODERN-DAY HEROES


While thousands of racegoers at Prestbury Park on totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup day were sporting scarves of varying shades of green to pledge their allegiance to either Kauto Star or Denman, Jim Lewis was wearing the traditional blue and maroon stripes of his treble Gold Cup winner, Best Mate.

Lewis posed for photographs at the statue erected after Best Mate won three consecutive renewals of the race between 2002 and 2004 and was joined at the photo call by Best Mate’s regular jockey Jim Culloty and novelist and racing fan Jilly Cooper.

“I’m a big Kauto Star fan. It will be wonderful for him to win three Gold Cups like Best Mate and I’m sure he’s going to do it,” said Lewis.

“I know exactly how (Kauto Star’s owner) Clive Smith is feeling: he just wants it all to be over. He’s been there before and that makes it worse. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who wins. What’s most important is the race and Cheltenham - we’re just all players in a theatre and it’s great to be here.”

Asked which horse he’d like to have ridden in the race, Culloty, now a trainer, said: “I suppose it would be Kauto Star but I’m going to say Cooldine for the Irish!”

Voting against the Gold Cup-winning duo was Jilly Cooper, who lives in Gloucestershire and has horses in training with local trainer Tom George. The novelist was proudly wearing an ‘I love Denman’ badge.

BIG BUCK’S WINS GUINNESS AWARD FOR THIRD DAY

The Guinness Festival Award for the third day of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival went to Big Buck’s for his imperious performance in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, his second successive victory in the race.

“I thought Paul [Nicholls, the trainer] was bonkers when he suggested that Big Buck’s should go back over hurdles, but he has seen off the likes of Punchestowns and Kasbah Bliss and I think he could be one of the best staying hurdlers we have seen,” said owner Andy Stewart.

Conditional jockey Hadden Frost, for his winning ride on Buena Vista in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle, and Tony McCoy, who climbed off the deck to partner Albertas Run to victory in the Ryanair Chase, were also on the shortlist of three drawn up by a panel of journalists. The public vote then determined that the prize went to Big Buck’s.

The Guinness Festival Award on the first two days went to Tony McCoy and Kate Walsh.

After the fourth race this afternoon, the shortlist will be announced for today’s Award over the public address system, on racecourse TV screens, on Festival Radio and the racecourse website www.cheltenham.co.uk.

Racegoers can vote by texting ‘Festival’ with the selection ‘a’, ‘b’ or ‘c’ to 80818. There is no limit to the number of texts that can be sent*.

Superb trophies, donated by Waterford Crystal, are presented to the award winners and today’s winner will receive their trophy after the sixth race. Tomorrow, Channel 4's Morning Line team will select the overall 2010 Guinness Festival Award winner.

Everyone texting a vote will be entered into a daily prize draw to win a fabulous trip to Punchestown for the second day of Festival, April 21, to watch the Guinness Gold Cup. The prize includes return flights for two to Dublin, overnight accommodation and reserved enclosure badges to the racecourse. For more information on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com .

* Texts cost £1 plus the normal carrier tariff. Entrants must be over 18.

FIRST RACE RESULT

1.30PM JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (GRADE ONE)
£100,000 guaranteed, 2m 1f. For 4yo Weights 11st Allowances fillies 7lb Entries 77 pay £125 Confirmed 29 pay £125 Penalty value 1st £57,010.00, 2nd £21,390.00, 3rd £10,710.00, 4th £5,340.00, 5th £2,680.00, 6th £1,340.00.

1 SOLDATINO (FR) (Simon Munir) Nicky Henderson 4-11-0 Barry Geraghty 6/1
2 BARIZAN (IRE) (Peter Conway) Evan Williams 4-11-0 Tom O'Brien 14/1
3 ALAIVAN (IRE) (Thomas Barr) Edward O'Grady IRE 4-11-0 Andrew McNamara 9/2
4 CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott IRE 4-11-0 Davy Russell 7/2F
5 BARWELL BRIDGE (Tracey Brown) Warren Greatrex 4-11-0 Timmy Murphy
6 GILDED AGE (Stennett, Sweeney & Bunter) Alan King 4-11-0 Robert Thornton
7 BLAZING BUCK (Mill House Racing Syndicate) Tony Carroll 4-11-0 Lee Edwards
8 PUZZLEMASTER (Mr & Mrs Rory Sweet) Hughie Morrison 4-11-0 Tom Scudamore
9 OLOFI (FR) (R&L Channing/S&F Roberts/McNeill Racing) Tom George 4-11-0 Paddy Brennan
10 PITTONI (IRE) (Patrick Wilmott/M White) Charles Byrnes IRE 4-11-0 Paul Carberry
11 ADVISOR (FR) (The Royal Ascot Racing Club) Paul Nicholls 4-11-0 Ruby Walsh
12 TROUBLETIMESTWO (FR) (Mill House Racing Syndicate) Tony Carroll 4-11-0 Anthony Freeman
13 BLUE NYMPH (Maxilead Ltd) John Quinn 4-10-7 Dougie Costello
14 WESTLIN' WINDS (IRE) (A Allison, J Allison, P Daresbury, W Vestey) Charles Egerton 4-11-0 Mr Oliver Greenall
P INVESTISSEMENT (R Geffen) Evan Williams 4-11-0 Paul Moloney
P RUPESTRIAN (www.select-racing-club.co.uk) Tim Vaughan 4-11-0 Richard Johnson
U PEBBLE IN A POOL (IRE) (Andy Oliver) Andy Oliver IRE 4-10-7 Davy Condon

Non-runners: 6 Bob’s Legend; 14 Secant Star
17 ran
Distances: 1 1/4, 7, 3 1/4, 3 1/4, 3/4, 10, 1 3/4, 8, 4, 3/4, 1/2, 12, 12
Breeder: A Lastrajoli Breeding: gr g Graveron (FR) - Malory Du Chenay (FR)
Tote: Win: £6.70 Place: £1.70, £2.60, £2.40, £1.60 Exacta: £99.10

Winning Trainer: NICHOLAS (NICKY) JOHN HENDERSON Based: Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Date of birth: 10/12/50 Background: The son of financier and amateur jockey John Henderson MBE, Nicky attended Eton before working in the City for stockbrokers Cazenoves. Ended up in their Sydney office and rode out each morning prior to work before deciding to study farming at Cirencester. Also spent six years as an amateur, riding 78 winners including the Imperial Cup and the Foxhunters Chase at Liverpool. He was assistant to the legendary Fred Winter from 1974 to 1978. In July 1978 he first took out a trainer's licence and trained from Windsor House in Lambourn. He moved to Seven Barrows in 1992. Cheltenham Festival wins (37): Coral Cup (2010 Spirit River), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2009 Andytown), County (1997 Barna Boy, 1993 Thumbs Up), Kim Muir (1990 Master Bob, 2002 The Bushkeeper, 2005 Juveigneur), Mildmay (1985,1986 The Tsarevich, 2005 Liberthine), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (1989 Rustle, 2000 Bacchanal), Cathcart (1994 Raymylette, 1990 Brown Windsor, 1999 and 2000 Stormyfairweather), Supreme Novices H (1986 River Ceiriog, 1992 Flown), Queen Mother (1992 Remittance Man), Arkle (1991 Remittance Man, 1993 Travado, 2000 Tiutchev), Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (1985, 1986, 1987 See You Then, 2009 Punjabi, 2010 Binocular),JCB Triumph (1985 First Bout, 1987 Alone Success, 1999 Katarino, 2009 Zaynar, 2010 Soldatino), William Hill National Hunt H’cap Chase (2000 Marlborough), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2005 Trabolgan), Ryanair Chase (2006 Fondmort), Racing Post Plate (2006 Non So), Grand Annual Chase (2006 Greenhope) Number of Winners (1982/83-2008/09): 40, 43, 40, 46, 67, 40, 43, 41, 49, 52, 53, 48, 45, 47, 58, 54, 73, 67, 81, 92, 69, 79; 53; 85; 74; 83; 115; Wins this Season: 115

Winning Jockey: Barry Geraghty Born: September 16, 1979 Background: Geraghty is one of six children from a "horse-mad" family that hails from Drumree in Co Meath. His father ‘Tucker' was a useful amateur and trains a few horses in addition to his riding school and livery yard while his brother Ross, who won the 2002 Irish National on The Bunny Boiler, and sister Jill, an amateur, are both jockeys. Geraghty has a background in pony racing, riding his last winner in that sphere in September, 1996, before becoming apprenticed to Noel Meade that month and having his first ride in October, 1996. He has twice been champion jump jockey in Ireland in the seasons 1999/2000 and 2003/04. Took up the offer of becoming Nicky Henderson’s number one jockey following the retirement of Mick Fitzgerald at the end of the 2007/08 season, and he now divides his time between Britain and Ireland. Based: Drumree, County Meath, Ireland First Winner: Stagalier (EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, Down Royal, January 29, 1997) Achievements: Champion jockey in Ireland in 1999/2000 and 2003/04 Cheltenham Festival Wins (19): Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (2009 Punjabi), Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2008 Finger OnThe Pulse), Irish Independent Arkle Chase (2002 Moscow Flyer, 2009 Forpadydeplasterer), William Hill Trophy Chase (2003 Youlneverwalkalone), Pertemps Final (2003 Inching Closer), Queen Mother Champion Chase (2003, 2005 Moscow Flyer, 2010 Big Zeb), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope, 2009 Zaynar, 2010 Soldatino), County Hurdle (2003 Spirit Leader), bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle (2004 Iris’s Gift), totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2005 Kicking King), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (2006 Star de Mohaison), Coral Cup (2006 Sky’s The Limit, 2010 Spirit River), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2007 Cork All Star) Leading Rider at The Festival: 2003 (5). Wins in Britain (2001/02-2008/09): 4; 26; 13; 10; 8; 1; 1; 65 Wins in Britain this Season: 66


SECOND RACE RESULT

2.05pm Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three)
£75,000 guaranteed, 2m 1f. For 5yo+ Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after February 28th, a winner of a hurdle 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb) Rock Noir's Handicap Mark 152 Entries 109 pay £ 90 Confirmed 71 pay £ 270 Penalty value 1st £42,757.50 2nd £16,042.50 3rd £8,032.50 4th £4,005.00 5th £2,010.00 6th £1,005.00

1 THOUSAND STARS (FR) (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 6-10-5 Ms Katie Walsh (3) 20/12 ARCALIS (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 10-10-4 Denis O'Regan 33/1
3 DEE EE WILLIAMS (IRE) (Tullamore Dew) Nick Gifford 7-10-9b Liam Treadwell 20/1
4 ZANIR (FR) (Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd) Tom George 6-10-6 Paddy Brennan 50/1
5 NOBLE PRINCE (GER) (Des Sharkey) Paul Nolan IRE 6-11-3 Alain Cawley (3)
6 GLOUCESTER (Michael Scudamore) Michael Scudamore 7-10-3 Tom Scudamore
7 SECRET DANCER (IRE) (BPD Ltd) Alan Jones 5-10-8 Christian Williams
8 KEKI BUKU (FR) (Diana Whateley) Philip Hobbs 7-10-1 Giles Hawkins (5)
9 INVENTOR (IRE) (Jon Glews) Donald McCain Jnr 5-10-3 Adrian Lane (3)
10 SONGE (FR) (Alan Halsall) Charlie Longsdon 6-11-0 Tom Siddall
11 TARKARI (IRE) (Cathal McCarthy/E Duignan) Willie Mullins IRE 5-10-3 David Casey
12 PASCHA BERE (FR) (Mark Tracey) Nick Gifford 7-10-3 Paul Moloney
13 OLDRIK (GER) (D Jones) Philip Hobbs 7-10-3 Richard Johnson
14 ANY GIVEN DAY (IRE) (Tim Leslie) Donald McCain Jnr 5-10-12 Jason Maguire
15 FUSHE JO (Shearer Fulton & Johnson) Howard Johnson 6-10-5 Brian Hughes
16 MUTUAL FRIEND (USA) (Pond House Racing) David Pipe 6-11-0b Johnny Farrelly
17 BELLVANO (GER) (J P McManus) Nicky Henderson 6-11-1 Barry Geraghty
18 BAHRAIN STORM (IRE) (Patrick Sweeney) Pat Flynn IRE 7-11-7b Davy Russell
19 MARODIMA (FR) (Mark & Lavinia Sherwood) Rebecca Curtis 7-11-03 Aodhagan Conlon (7)20 PUYOL (IRE) (Exors of the Late John Mulhern) Eimear Mulhern IRE 8-11-1 Robert Thornton
21 ROCK NOIR (FR) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 5-11-12 Tony McCoy
22 ERADICATE (IRE) (Alan Spence) Nicky Henderson 6-10-11 Paul Carberry
23 TITO BUSTILLO (FR) (Mrs A Yeoman/Mrs S Larson) Paul Nicholls 5-10-10 Ruby Walsh 7/1F
24 TAWAAGG (E Duignan) Willie Mullins IRE 6-10-13 Paul Townend
25 SANTA'S SON (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 10-10-3 J P O'Farrell (3)
26 EUROPEAN DREAM (IRE) (You Trotters) Richard Guest 7-10-6p Graham Lee
F 2 out IZITA STAR (Diana Whateley) Annabel King 7-10-6 Tom O'Brien
P STRADBROOK (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 8-10-0 Richie McLernon (3)

28 ran
Distances: 3, 1 1/4, 1 3/4, hd, 2, 2 3/4, nse, nk, 5, 3/4, 1 1/2, sh, 1 1/4, 3 1/2, 1 3/4, 1, 4, 2 3/4, 3, 1,1, 3/4, nk, 1/2, 2
Breeder: Camille & Ophelie Demercastel
Breeding: gr g Grey Risk (FR) - Livaniana (FR)
Tote: Win: £28.10 Place: £5.60, £6.80, £4.00, £23.80 Exacta: £2089.80

Winning Trainer: WILLIE MULLINS Date of Birth: 15/9/56 Based: Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow Background: Born September 15, 1956, Willie Mullins was six-times amateur champion rider in Ireland and his major successes in the saddle included the 1983 John Smith’s Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on Atha Cliath, before taking out a training licence in 1988. He hails from one of Ireland's most famous racing families, being a son of Paddy Mullins, the now retired outstanding all-round trainer, whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later. Willie Mullins rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Mullins, who began training in 1988, has around 100 horses at his Closutton yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow. He was crowned both Champion and Leading Trainer in Ireland for the first time in the 2007/08 season and celebrated a second championship the following campaign. Cheltenham Festival wins (17): Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2010 Thousand Stars), David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (2009 & 2010 Quevega), Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Fiveforthree, 2009 Mikael D’Haguenet), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1995 Tourist Attraction, 2007 Ebaziyan), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1998 Florida Pearl, 2004 Rule Supreme, 2009 Cooldine), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (1996 Wither Or Which, 1997 Florida Pearl, 1998 Alexander Banquet, 2000 Joe Cullen, 2005 Missed That, 2008 Cousin Vinny), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2002 Scolardy) Number of Winners in Britain (2001/02-2008/09): 4; 1; 1; 2; 0; 1; 2; 3; Wins in Britain this season: 2

Winning Jockey: Ms Katie Walsh Born: December 18, 1984 Background: Daughter of trainer and broadcaster Ted Walsh and sister of Ruby. Honed her riding skills three-day eventing First Winner: Hannon, Gowran Park, October 10, 2003. Rides principally for Willie Mullins. Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2010 Thousand Stars); 140th Year Of The National Hunt Chase (2010 Poker De Sivola) Wins In Britain (2004/05-2008/09): 0; 0; 0; 1; 0 Wins This Season In Britain: 2


THIRD RACE RESULT

2.40pm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade One)
£100,000 guaranteed, 3m. For 4yo+ Weights 4yo.10st 12lb; 5yo+ 11st 7lb Allowances fillies and mares 7lb Entries 91 pay £125 Confirmed 36 pay £125 Penalty value 1st £57,010.00, 2nd £21,390.00, 3rd £10,710.00, 4th £5,340.00, 5th £2,680.00, 6th £1,340.00.

1 BERTIES DREAM (IRE) (Half A Keg Syndicate) Paul Gilligan IRE 7-11-7 Andrew Lynch 33/1
2 NAJAF (FR) (The Johnson & Stewart Families) Paul Nicholls 5-11-7 Timmy Murphy 25/1
3 KENNEL HILL (IRE) (Peter & Lisa Hall) Keith Goldsworthy 8-11-7 Jason Maguire 66/1
4 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 5-11-7 Davy Condon
5 POSSOL (FR) (Neville Statham) Henry Daly 7-11-7 Richard Johnson
6 QUEL ESPRIT (FR) (Red Barn Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-7 Ruby Walsh
7 SILVER KATE (IRE) (David Richards) David Richards 7-11-0 Aidan Coleman
8 PREMIER VICTORY (IRE) (Gerard Gavin) Tom Hogan IRE 6-11-0t John Cullen
9 CHARTREUX (FR) (Roger Brookhouse) David Pipe 5-11-7 Tom Scudamore
10 WATAMU BAY (IRE) (Jared Sullivan) Charlie Mann 7-11-7 Daryl Jacob
F last RESTLESS HARRY (R Whitehead) Robin Dickin 6-11-7 Henry Oliver
B last FIONNEGAS (IRE) (E Duignan) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-7 David Casey
P SHINROCK PADDY (IRE) (Barry Connell) Paul Nolan IRE 6-11-7 Alain Cawley
P ENTERPRISE PARK (IRE) (Elizabeth Tumelty/Rose Boyd) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-7 Paul Townend
P THE BETCHWORTH KID (Henry Ponsonby) Alan King 5-11-7 Robert Thornton
P THE HURL (IRE) (J P McManus) Mouse Morris IRE 7-11-7 Tony McCoy
P CAPPA BLEU (IRE) (William & Angela Rucker) Evan Williams 8-11-7 Paul Moloney
P BOSTONS ANGEL (IRE) (E Scouller) Jessica Harrington IRE 6-11-7b Robert Power
P TELL MASSINI (IRE) (Mr & Mrs R Cornock) Tom George 6-11-7 Paddy Brennan 100/30F

19 ran
Non-runner: 18 Wayward Prince
Distances: 6, 8, 13, 7, 4, 5, 18, 22, 5
Breeder: Edward McEvoy
Breeding: b g Golden Tornado (IRE) - Orla’s Pride (IRE)
Tote: Win: £48.30 Place: £9.60, £6.50, £16.10 Exacta: £2116.80

Winning Trainer: Paul Gilligan Based: Athenry, Galway Cheltenham Festival Winner (1): Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2010 Berties Dream) Wins in Britain this season: 5

Winning Jockey: Andrew Lynch Background: Andrew had his first racecourse ride on a horse called Jack Dante in a bumper at Fairyhouse in April 2001. He had to wait over a year to get off the mark, which he did at the 26th time of asking on Tristernagh in a novice hurdle at Downpatrick on May 18th 2002. Amazingly, Lynch only rode three winners in the two years that followed that day at Downpatrick. Won the Amateur Derby at Epsom in late-August 2004 on Tender Falcon. His win on Ballard Lad in a bumper at Wexford on 24th July 2005 proved to be the final winner of his amateur career as he took the brave decision to turn professional days later. Cheltenham Festival Wins (2):) Irish Independent Arkle (2010 Sizing Europe), Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2010 Berties Dream Big Race Wins: Bord na mona With Nature Novice Chase (2009 Sizing Europe), Craddockstown Novice Chase (2006 Blueberry Boy, 2009 Sizing Europe), Dunboyne Castle Novice Hurdle (2007 DeValira) O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle (2006 Emma Jane), paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle (2006 De Valira), Kinloch Brae Chase (2007 Forget The Past), Aramark Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (2007 Duty), Grimes Hurdle (2007 Essex), Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2006 Victram), Freshways Handicap Hurdle (2007 Nintytwo Team), Knight Frank Novice Chase (2007 Notre Pere), Punchestown Gold Cup (2009 Notre Pere), Sharp Novices' Hurdle (2009 Loosen My Load), Thurles Chase (2007 Forget The Past) Coral Welsh National (2008 Notre Pere) Wins in Britain (2005/06-2008/09):1; 0; 0; 1 Wins in Britain this season: 3


FOURTH RACE RESULT

3.20pm totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade One)
£475,000 guaranteed, 3m 2f 110y. For 5yo+ which are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including March 12th; horses which are not qualified a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered - such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including March 12th would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final) Weights 5yo.11st 9lb; 6yo+ 11st 10lb Allowances mares 7lb Entries 27 pay £530 Confirmed 12 pay £530 Penalty value 1st £270,797.50 2nd £101,602.50 3rd £50,872.50 4th £25,365.00 5th £12,730.00 6th £6,365.00

1 IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) (Our Friends In The North) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-10 Paddy Brennan 7/1
2 DENMAN (IRE) (Paul Barber & Margaret Findlay) Paul Nicholls 10-11-10 Tony McCoy 4/1
3 MON MOME (FR) (Vida Bingham) Venetia Williams 10-11-10 Aidan Coleman 50/1
4 CARRUTHERS (The Oaksey Partnership) Mark Bradstock 7-11-10 Mattie Batchelor
5 COOLDINE (IRE) (Violet O’Leary) Willie Mullins IRE 8-11-10 Paul Townend
6 CALGARY BAY (IRE) (Camilla Radford) Henrietta Knight 7-11-10 Graham Lee
7 MY WILL (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 10-11-10 Nick Scholfield
8 CERIUM (FR) (Judith Wilson) Paul Murphy 9-11-10 Davy Russell
9 TRICKY TRICKSTER (IRE) (Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty
10 MR POINTMENT (IRE) (Judith Wilson) Paul Murphy 11-11-10 Ken Whelan
F 4 out KAUTO STAR (FR) (Clive Smith) Paul Nicholls 10-11-10t Ruby Walsh 8/11F

11 ran
Distances: 7, 23, sh, 3/4, 8, 12, 10,dist, dist
Breeder: Laurence J. Flynn
Breeding: b g Flemensfirth (USA) - Ballinlovane
Tote: Win: £8.20 Place: £1.70, £1.60, £7.90 Exacta: £36.60

Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Born on May 16, 1957, as an amateur jockey Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture. Twiston-Davies has adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. An essentially shy man, he momentarily shocked Des Lynam after Earth Summit’s Grand National success in 1998 by telling the BBC presenter in front of millions of viewers “I don’t do interviews”. Trained his 1,000th winner at Stratford in October 2006. Cheltenham Festival wins (11): totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The National Hunt Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Wins (1982/3-2008/09): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; Wins this Season: 58

Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Background: Brennan spent the summer of 1995 working for County Kildare handler Gerry Stack before embarking on a five season apprenticeship with the leading Irish trainer Jim Bolger, for whom he rode eight winners. The first of those came on Ivory Isle at Gowran Park in August, 1998. He became too heavy and tall for the Flat and moved to Paul Nicholls' stable as a conditional jockey in 2001. He stayed there for two and a half years, riding winners for Nicholls and Jeff King, before joining Philip Hobbs in the 2003/4 season as one of that yard's conditionals. Brennan also struck up a good rapport with Ashley Brook, on whom he won the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2005, and enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival success that year aboard Shamayoun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Brennan was appointed as retained rider to owners Andrea and Graham Wylie for the 2006/7season after dropping by trainer Howard Johnson's County Durham yard for a cup of tea and toast. He rewarded those connections when guiding Inglis Drever to victory in the 2007 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham - the gelding's second success in the race. Brennan, who wanted to return to the south of England, left Johnson at the end of the 2006/07 season and joined Naunton-based handler Nigel Twiston-Davies at the start of the 2007/08 campaign Cheltenham Festival Wins (5): totseport Cheletenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Comander), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), Pertemps Final (2008 Ballyfitz), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2006 Shamayoun), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2007 Inglis Drever) First Winner: Ivory Isle (Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, Gowran Park, August 12, 1998)Number of Wins (2000/01-2008/09): 3; 9; 15; 19; 67* (*Champion Conditional Jockey); 60; 80; 104; 84 Wins This Season: 57


FIFTH RACE RESULT

4.00pm Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
£40,000 guaranteed, 3m 2f 110y. For 5yo+ which, since December 1st, 2007, and before March 2nd, 2010, have been placed 1st or 2nd on two occasions in a hunters' chase in Great Britain or Ireland or have won two open chases at point-to-point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemens, Ladies or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland or have won one open chase at a point-to-point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed 1st or 2nd in a hunters' chase Weights 5yo.11st 13lb; 6yo+ 12st Allowances mares 7lb Entries 49 pay £60 Confirmed 39 pay £140 Penalty value 1st £24,008.00 2nd £7,500.00 3rd £3,748.00 4th £1,876.00 5th £936.00 6th £472.00

1 BABY RUN (FR) (John Goodman) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-12-0 Mr Sam Twiston-Davies 9/2 jf
2 KILTY STORM (IRE) (Sean Lucey) Roger McGrath 11-12-0 Mr Declan Queally 16/1
3 REACH FOR THE TOP (IRE) (Michael Tuckey) Michael Tuckey 9-12-0 Mr Ben Tuckey 66/1
4 GENTLE GEORGE (B Mould) Stephen Flook 7-12-0 Mr Richard Burton
5 ON THE NET (IRE) (A O’Grady) Eoghan O'Grady IRE 12-12-0 Mr Derek O'Connor
6 ROBBERS GLEN (IRE) (Val Jackson) Val Jackson 10-12-0 Mrs Val Jackson
7 DUN DOIRE (IRE) (K Brady, K Dowd, Partnership) Louise Curling IRE 11-12-0p Miss Nina Carberry
8 TURTHEN (FR) (Charles St V Fox) Charles Fox 9-12-0 Miss Charlotte Tizzard
9 DRYBROOK BEDOUIN (A Willmington) Peter Shaw 8-12-0 Mr Michael Miller
10 TRUST FUND (IRE) (Lord Daresbury) Richard Barber 12-12-0 Mr Oliver Greenall
11 BURNTOAKBOY (Dr Richard Newland) Dr Richard Newland 12-12-0 Mr Tim Weston
12 COWBOYBOOTS (IRE) (Charlie Cox) Charlie Cox 12-12-0 Mr Shaun Parish
13 MAN FROM HIGHWORTH (Audrey Manners) Audrey Manners 11-12-0 Miss Lucy Barry
14 JAMES PINE (IRE) (Sue Wilson) Sue Wilson 11-12-0 Mr Charlie Sands
15 DUSTY DOOLAN (IRE) (Denis Murphy) Denis Murphy IRE 12-12-0 Mr Shane Byrne
F ROULEZ COOL (Robert Waley-Cohen) Robert Waley-Cohen 7-12-0 Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 9/2jf
F HERE'S JOHNNY (IRE) (Bill Hinge) Victor Dartnall 11-12-0 Mr Joshua Moore
F TAKE THE STAND (IRE) (F Ridge) Peter Bowen 14-12-0 Mr Michael Byrne
F SERICINA (FR) (Chloe Roddick) Chloe Roddick 7-11-7 Miss Chloe Roddick
P SOUTHWESTERN (IRE) (The Exmoor Partners) Camilla Scott 11-12-0 Mr Neil Harris
P BOB HALL (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 9-12-0 Mr Alan Berry
P LE DUC (FR) (The Stewart Family) Richard Barber 11-12-0 Mr Jack Barber
P AMICELLI (GER) (Lord Daresbury) Cherry Coward 11-12-0b1 Mr Jake Greenall
B CHESNUT ANNIE (IRE) (Beth Roberts) Beth Roberts 9-11-7 Miss Isabel Tompsett

24 ran
Distances: 5, 7, hd, 3 3/4, 3/4, nse, 2, 7, 15, 12, 14, 1/2, 2, 21
Breeding: b g Baby Turk - Run For Laborie (FR)
Tote: Win: £5.00 Place: 2.50, £5.30, £23.80 Exacta: £132.10

Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Born on May 16, 1957, as an amateur jockey Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners under Rules and gained a further 17 point-to-point victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture. Twiston-Davies has adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. An essentially shy man, he momentarily shocked Des Lynam after Earth Summit’s Grand National success in 1998 by telling the BBC presenter in front of millions of viewers “I don’t do interviews”. Trained his 1,000th winner at Stratford in October 2006. Cheltenham Festival wins (12): totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The National Hunt Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Wins (1982/3-2008/09): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; Wins this Season: 59

Winning Jockey: Mr Sam Twiston-Davies Background: 18-year-old son of Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run) First Winner under Rules: Baby Run, Magnus All-croft Memorial Hunters’ Chase, Ludow, February 18, 2009 Wins (2008/2009): 2 Wins This Season: 12


SIXTH RACE RESULT

4.40pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
£50,000 guaranteed, 2m 4f 110y. For 4yo+ Rated 0-140 Weight raised 1 Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after February 28th, a winner of a hurdle 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb) Sarando's Handicap Mark 139 Allowances riders who, prior to March 16th, 2010, have not ridden more than 20 winners under any Rules of Racing 3lb; more than 10 such winners 5lb; any such winner 7lb; riders riding for own stable, additional 3lb Entries 178 pay £70 Confirmed 128 pay £180 Penalty value 1st £31,310.00, 2nd £9,250.00, 3rd £4,625.00, 4th £2,315.00, 5th £1,155.00, 6th £580.00.

1 PAUSE AND CLAUSE (IRE) (Emma Lavelle) Emma Lavelle 6-11-10 Johnny Farrelly 14/1
2 RADIUM (FR) (Simon Munir) Nicky Henderson 5-11-4 Harry Skelton 14/1
3 CLOVA ISLAND (Mrs Peter Prowting) Philip Hobbs 7-11-0 Giles Hawkins (3) 14/1
4 PEVERIL (Trevor Hemmings) Nicky Henderson 6-11-3 David Bass (8) 5/1
5 LORD GENEROUS (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Nicky Henderson 6-11-3 Nathan Sweeney (5)
6 QUENTIN COLLONGES (FR) (Neville Statham) Henry Daly 6-11-03 Nick Scholfield
7 ASHKAZAR (FR) (David Johnson) David Pipe 6-11-6 Hadden Frost (3) 9/2F
8 ON BORROWED WINGS (IRE) (Andrew Wates) Alan Fleming 7-11-7 Brian O’Connell
9 SATICON (S Smith & Paul Duffen) Alan King 5-11-6 Gerard Tumelty (3)
10 ALWAYS BOLD (IRE) (Tim Leslie) Donald McCain Jnr 5-11-0 John Kington (3)
11 MEATH ALL STAR (IRE) (Martin Lynch) Gordon Elliott IRE 7-10-9 Keith Donoghue (8)
12 SARANDO (Eight Men & A Hoss) Paul Webber 5-11-12 Sam Jones
13 BORN AGAIN (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 5-11-2 Richie McLernon (3)
14 SIMARIAN (IRE) (Pete Conway) Evan Williams 5-11-5 Donal Fahy (3)
15 MAHONIA (IRE) (Lewis, Deal, Holder, Tincknell, Warner) Paul Nicholls 7-11-0 Ian Popham (3)
16 BALZACCIO (FR) (King, Roberts, Flintham & MCL) Alan King 5-11-0 Charlie Huxley (3)
17 DANSIMAR (Let’s Live Racing) Venetia Williams 6-11-3 William Biddick (3)
18 LOVE OF TARA (North Park Farm Racing) Martin Keighley 8-11-2 Tom Molloy
19 EARTH MAGIC (IRE) (Phil Cuningham) Evan Williams 10-11-7 Tjade Collier
20 LARKWING (IRE) (Margaret Wilmott) Eric McNamara IE 9-11-0 Robert Jones (6)
F 1st C'EST CA (George Creighton/Rose Boyd) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-4 Alain Cawley
F 1st SHORE THING (IRE) (Vineste) Charles Egerton 7-11-5 Peter Toole
F FAIRYLAND (GER) (C Stedman, A Blaxland) Nicky Henderson 7-11-2 Robert Killoran (3)
F BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) (The Brushmakers) Philip Hobbs 6-11-1 Rhys Flint (3)

24 ran
Distances: 3 1/4, 1 1/4, 2 3/4, 1 3/4, 4 1/2, 3/4, 1 1/2, 1, nk, 4, 3 1/2, hd, 3 3/4, 5, 1 1/4, 7, 6, 1/2, 9
Breeder: Pat Tobin
Breeding: b g Saddler’s Hall (IRE) - Silver Glen (IRE)
Tote: Win: £21.30 Place: £5.10, £3.80, £3.60, £2.20 Exacta: £307.10

Winning Trainer: EMMA LAVELLE Born: April 16, 1973 Based: Cottage Stables, Hatherden, Andover, Hampshire Background: father owned horses with Toby Balding. Having spent a couple of school holidays with Henrietta Knight Emma started working for Toby Balding as a racing secretary. From there she went to work for the National Trainer’s Federation in London, before returning to Balding to become his pupil assistant and then assistant for 5 years. Also spent a season in Belmont, New York working for Claude McGaughey, prior to taking out her own licence in 1998. Aintree Festival Wins: John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Bouggler) Cheltenham Festival Wins (2): Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Hurdle (2010 Pause And Clause), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (2008 Crack Away Jack) First Cheltenham Festival Winner: Crack Away Jack, Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle, March 11, 2008 Big Race Wins: Leamington Novices' Hurdle (2007 Labelthou), Rendlesham Hurdle (2007Labelthou), Sharp Novices' Hurdle (2003 Self Defense), Warfield Mares' Hurdle (2008 Labelthou), Winter Novices' Hurdle (2006 Labelthou), Realtime Radio @ williamhill.co.uk Hurdle (2008 Crack Away Jack) Wins (1998/99-2008/09): 2; 3; 11; 10; 17; 13; 19; 30; 28; 20; 29; Wins this Season: 23

Winning jockey: Johnny W Farrelly Born: October 23, 1984 Background: Dublin-born Johnny Farrelly is a conditional jockey attached to David Pipe’s Pond House stable. He is not from a racing background and learnt to ride on ponies. He initially worked in his native Ireland for trainers Gerry Stack, Michael Hourigan and Tony Martin. During his time with Hourigan, he used to ride out the outstanding Beef Or Salmon. He rode four winners in Ireland (his first coming on March 1, 2006, aboard Newbay Prop at Downpatrick) plus a further 30 in point-to-points (making him champion novice point-to-point rider) before making the move to Britain in 2006, when he joined the Jonjo O’Neill stable. He moved to the Pipe yard in 2007 and registered the biggest success of his career on An Accordion in the valuable Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January 2008. Also rides a lot for Alison Thorpe and Nick Mitchell. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2010 Pause And Clause) First Ride in Britain: Oh My Lord (second), Ludlow, October 20, 2005 First Winner in Britain: Bajan Sunshine, worcester-racecourse.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, Worcester, September 22, 2006 Big Race Wins: Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (2009 Mr Thriller), Sky Bet Chase (2008 An Accordion) Wins (2006/07-2008/09): 14; 17; 20 Wins This Season: 21


SEVENTH RACE RESULT

5.15pm Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup Handicap (Grade Three)
£80,000 guaranteed, 2m 110y. For 5yo+ Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after February 28th, a winner of a chase 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb) French Opera's Handicap Mark 154 Entries 58 pay £ 100 Confirmed 46 pay £ 300 Penalty value 1st £45,608.00 2nd £17,112.00 3rd £8,568.00 4th £4,272.00 5th £2,144.00 6th £1,072.00

1 PIGEON ISLAND (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 7-10-1 Paddy Brennan 16/1
2 FRENCH OPERA (Judy Wilson & Martin Landau) Nicky Henderson 7-11-5 David Bass (7) 10/1
3 CONSIGLIERE (FR) (E Scouller) David Pipe 7-11-3 Tom Scudamore 16/1
4 CORNAS (NZ) (The Gascoigne Brooks Partnership III) Nick Williams 8-11-8 Daryl Jacob 16/1
5 TARTAK (FR) (Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd) Tom George 7-11-6 Robert Thornton
6 SAFARI JOURNEY (USA) (Hill, Trembath, Bryan & Outhart) Philip Hobbs 6-10-5 Rhys Flint
7 NIKOLA (FR) (Graham & Alison Jelley) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-9-12 Mr Sam Twiston-Davies (7)
8 NOMECHEKI (FR) (The Stewart Family) Nick Gifford 8-10-12 Liam Treadwell
9 LENNON (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 10-11-0 Denis O'Regan
10 FREE WORLD (FR) (Clive Smith) Paul Nicholls 6-11-11 Ruby Walsh
11 PEPSYROCK (FR) (John & Barbara Cotton) Nicky Henderson 7-10-9 Tony McCoy
12 CALATAGAN (IRE) (Mr & Mrs J Davenport) Malcolm Jefferson 11-10-4 Phil Kinsella
P BEGGARS CAP (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Ferdy Murphy 8-10-7 Graham Lee
P OISEAU DE NUIT (FR) (Terry Warner) Colin Tizzard 8-10-12 Giles Hawkins (5)
P MOON OVER MIAMI (GER) (Anne Fulton & M Lynch ) Charlie Mann 9-10-12tb1 Jason Maguire
P RUSSIAN FLAG (FR) (The Drovers & Drifters) Neil King 7-10-1 Alex Merriam (3)
P TRAMANTANO (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies 11-10-4 Tom Molloy (3)
P FIGHTING CHANCE (IRE) (Peter Bonner) Richard Lee 10-10-5ow3lb Richard Johnson
P YOU'RE THE TOP (FR) (Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson 6-10-11 Barry Geraghty 13/2F

Non-runners: 6 Lord Henry; 8 Tataniano; 9 Green Belt Elite; 17 Leo’s Lucky Star; 18 Sunnyhillboy
19 ran Distances: 1 1/4, 3/4, 3 1/2, 7, 1, 10, 4, 12, 7, 2 1/2, 23
Breeder: Sir Eric Parker Breeding: gr g Daylami (IRE) - Morina (USA)
Tote: Win: £24.10 Place: £4.20, £3.00, £5.10, £5.30 Exacta: £227.60

Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Born on May 16, 1957, as an amateur jockey Twiston-Davies rode 17 winners under Rules and gained a further 17 p-to-p victories, and served as assistant trainer to Richard Head and Fred Rimell. A childhood neighbour and friend of Peter Scudamore, he went into partnership with the former champion jump jockey to set up stables at Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire, although Scudamore is no longer involved in the venture. Twiston-Davies has adopted and developed the pioneering techniques of Martin Pipe, such as interval training and regular blood tests for his string, enabling him to rapidly raise his profile among the training ranks. An essentially shy man, he momentarily shocked Des Lynam after Earth Summit’s Grand National success in 1998 by telling the BBC presenter in front of millions of viewers “I don’t do interviews”. Trained his 1,000th winner at Stratford in October 2006. Cheltenham Festival wins (13): totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander), Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2010 Pigeon Island), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The National Hunt Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H’cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Wins (1982/3-2008/09): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; Wins this Season: 60

Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Background: Brennan spent the summer of 1995 working for County Kildare handler Gerry Stack before embarking on a five season apprenticeship with the leading Irish trainer Jim Bolger, for whom he rode eight winners. The first of those came on Ivory Isle at Gowran Park in August, 1998. He became too heavy and tall for the Flat and moved to Paul Nicholls' stable as a conditional jockey in 2001. He stayed there for two and a half years, riding winners for Nicholls and Jeff King, before joining Philip Hobbs in the 2003/4 season as one of that yard's conditionals. Brennan also struck up a good rapport with Ashley Brook, on whom he won the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2005, and enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival success that year aboard Shamayoun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Brennan was appointed as retained rider to owners Andrea and Graham Wylie for the 2006/7season after dropping by trainer Howard Johnson's County Durham yard for a cup of tea and toast. He rewarded those connections when guiding Inglis Drever to victory in the 2007 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham - the gelding's second success in the race. Brennan, who wanted to return to the south of England, left Johnson at the end of the 2006/07 season and joined Naunton-based handler Nigel Twiston-Davies at the start of the 2007/08 campaign Cheltenham Festival Wins (6): totseport Cheletenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Comander), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2010 Pigeon Island), Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), Pertemps Final (2008 Ballyfitz), Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2006 Shamayoun), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2007 Inglis Drever) First Winner: Ivory Isle (Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, Gowran Park, August 12, 1998)Number of Wins (2000/01-2008/09): 3; 9; 15; 19; 67* (*Champion Conditional Jockey); 60; 80; 104; 84 Wins This Season: 58




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