Tuesday, March 15, 2003

LADBROKES PRICES FOR NEWMARKET TOMORROW

HUGE BRITISH CONTINGENT AMONG STAR-STUDDED PUNCHESTOWN ENTRIES

The British trainers with entries are Martin Pipe, Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs, Henrietta Knight, Jonjo O'Neill, Venetia Williams, Charles Egerton, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Richard Phillips, Kim Bailey, Henry Daly, Sue Smith, Paul Webber, Charlie Mann, Hughie Morrison, Peter Beaumont, Simon Sherwood, Brian Ellison, Dina Smith and George Moore.

There is also an entry from France, the Francois Doumen-trained First Gold, who bounced back to form in spectacular fashion when winning the Martell Cognac Cup at Aintree earlier this month, and is a possible starter in an outstanding Grade 1 Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup, worth 160,000 and run on Wedneday, April 30.

Others entered in the Punchestown Heinkeken Gold Cup include the Peter Beaumont-trained Hussard Collonges, who could bid to bounce back from a disappointing run in last month's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, the 1999 Gold Cup hero See More Business and the Henry Daly-trained Young Spartacus, who returned from a long lay-off to win the Mildmay Of Flete Chase at Cheltenham.

The home defence includes the brilliant novice Beef Or Salmon, an early faller in the Gold Cup, last year's winner Florida Pearl, Harbour Pilot, who was third in the Cheltenham showpiece and last year's Gold Cup runner-up Commanche Court.

Among those who could take on the brilliant Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer in Tuesday's Grade 1 BMW Chase are Native Upmanship, a hugely impressive victor of the Grade 1 Martell Cognac Melling Chase at Aintree, and up to six entries from Britain including the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Flagship Uberalles, Martin Pipe's Tresor De Mai, the Paul Nicholls-trained Cenkos, and his stablemate Le Roi Miguel, a novice who took the Grade 1 Martell Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree by 11 lengths.

Le Roi Miguel is also engaged in the two-mile Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase along with the Henrietta Knight-trained Impek, who finished third at Aintree and second in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Intersky Falcon, who finished third in this year's Smurfit Champion Hurdle, heads the 135,000 Emo Oil Champion Hurdle entries, which also include the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle hero Spirit Leader, last year's Champion Hurdle second Marble Arch and Risky Reef, a Listed handicap winner at Aintree. An intriguing entry is Native Upmanship, who is also in both the BMW Chase and Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup.

Last year Davenport Milenium completed an amazing Grade 1 double when landing both the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle and Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and the Edward O'Grady-trained Back In Front, runaway winner of the Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, could bid for the same double in 2003. Back In Front is one of 36 entries in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

There could be a clash of Aintree winners in the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle with both Leinster and Limerick Boy engaged. Leinster, trained by Dessie Hughes, ran away with the Grade 2 Mersey Novices' Hurdle while the Venetia Williams-trained Limerick Boy, a Group winner on the Flat in Germany, landed the Grade 2 Top Novices' Hurdle on only his third jumping start.

The seven British-trained entries in the Grade 1 IAWS Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle include JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Spectroscope, who was just touched off at Aintree, and Sporazene, a hugely-impressive winner at Ayr on Saturday for Paul Nicholls. Golden Cross, the JCB Triumph Hurdle third, is among the domestic entries.

Ireland's favourite horse Limestone Lad is set to bid for a second Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle, where he could meet the progressive Cheltenham Festival winners Inching Closer and Xenophon as well as Sacundai, who beat the Champion Hurdle victor Rooster Booster to land the Grade 1 Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle last time out.

The ninth early closing race, the 90,000 McEvoy Auctioneers Novice Handicap Chase, promises to be an ultra-competitive affair with 42 entries, including 11 from Britain.

The remainder of the 31 races that make-up the 2003 Irish National Hunt Festival all close at the six-day entry stage.

Dick O'Sullivan, Punchestown's Manager, commented: "Following a substantial increase in prize money combined with generous incentives to overseas connections, we are delighted to see so many entries from Britain at this year's Irish National Hunt Festival to take on a particularly strong home team. There are no less than 14 winners from this year's Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals entered and the stage is set for a great finale to the season at Punchestown."

For further information, please contact Janet Williamson at Punchestown Racecourse on +353 (0) 45 897704

THE B.M.W CHASE (Grade 1)
Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 2m, 120,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 5yo: 11st 7lb; 6yo and upwards: 12st; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (16 entries), forfeit stage April 23, 12,000 supplementary entry stage, April 23.

Horse Owner Trainer
ARCTIC COPPER Grand Alliance Racing Club Noel Meade
CENKOS (FR) Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls GB
COMMANCHE COURT Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh
DARK'N SHARP (GER) Ascot Five Plus One Richard Phillips GB
DAVIDS LAD Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate Tony Martin
FADOUDAL DU COCHET (FR) Sir Anthony O'Reilly Arthur Moore
FLAGSHIP UBERALLES J P McManus Philip Hobbs GB
KILLULTAGH STORM Rose Boyd Willie Mullins
KNIFE EDGE (USA) J P McManus Michael O'Brien
LATALOMNE (USA) Alderclad Roofing/K M Everitt Brian Ellison GB
LE ROI MIGUEL (FR) Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls GB
MACS GILDORAN (GB) Margaret McManus Willie Mullins
MOSCOW FLYER Brian Kearney Jessica Harrington
NATIVE UPMANSHIP Sue Magnier Arthur Moore
RINCE RI Frank Moriarty Ted Walsh
TRESOR DE MAI (FR) Joe Moran Martin Pipe GB
16 entries
6 British-trained

THE EVENING HERALD CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE (Grade 1)
Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 2m, 85,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards that have not won a hurdle race before May 1, 2002. Weights: 5yo: 11st 11lb; 6yo and upwards: 11st 12lb; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (23 entries), forfeit stage April 23, 8,500 supplementary entry stage, April 23.

Horse Owner Trainer
AINE DUBH Kevin O'Donnell Kevin O'Donnell
ARCH STANTON John J Brennan Willie Mullins
BACK IN FRONT D Cox Edward O'Grady
CARLESIMO Mrs P Towey Noel Meade
CENTRAL HOUSE (GB) John F Kenny Dessie Hughes
CITIZEN EDWARD Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger
COLLIER COUNTY Sue Magnier Edward O'Grady
DEMI BEAU (GB) Hugh Villiers Charlie Mann GB
FOTA ISLAND Sue Magnier Mouse Morris
FRIEND'S AMIGO Absent Friends Syndicate Pat Doyle
GLENHAVEN NUGGET David Cahill Edward O'Grady
HASTY PRINCE (GB) FF Racing Services Partnership III Jonjo O'Neill GB
HEALY'S PUB Mrs C McKiernan Oliver McKiernan
JIM (FR) Mrs P J Conway Jim Dreaper
JOUEUR D'ESTRUVAL (FR) Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins
JUST DIFFERENT D Cox Tom Taaffe
KHETAAM Mrs J Hurley Noel Meade
LEINSTER Cathal M Ryan Dessie Hughes
LIMERICK BOY (GER) Favourites Racing Venetia Williams GB
MOSSY GREEN Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins
STACUMNY BRIDGE Cathal M Ryan Michael Halford
SWORDPLAY (GB) Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien
WOODYS DEEP OCEAN Mrs P Sloan Noel Meade
23 entries
3 British-trained

THE PUNCHESTOWN HEINEKEN GOLD CUP (Grade 1)
Wednesday, April 30, 2003, 3m 1f, 160,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 5yo: 11st 7lb; 6yo and upwards: 12st; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (21 entries), forfeit stage April 24, 16,000 supplementary entry stage, April 24.

Horse Owner Trainer
BARROW DRIVE (GB) Mrs B Lenihan Willie Mullins
BEEF OR SALMON Joe Craig Michael Hourigan
COLONEL BRAXTON Sue Magnier Dessie Hughes
COMMANCHE COURT Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh
DAVIDS LAD Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate Tony Martin
FIRST GOLD (FR) J P McManus Francois Doumen FR
FLORIDA PEARL Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins
FOXCHAPEL KING Sir Anthony O'Reilly Mouse Morris
HARBOUR PILOT Kays Syndicate Noel Meade
HUSSARD COLLONGES (FR) Nick Bannister Peter Beaumont GB
KILLUSTY Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton GB
KNIFE EDGE (USA) J P McManus Michael O'Brien
MACS GILDORAN (GB) Margaret McManus Willie Mullins
MORE THAN A STROLL Mrs D Grehan Arthur Moore
MOSCOW EXPRESS John Corr Frances Crowley
NATIVE UPMANSHIP Sue Magnier Arthur Moore
RATHBAWN PRINCE T J Culhane Dessie Hughes
RINCE RI Frank Moriarty Ted Walsh
SEE MORE BUSINESS Paul Barber & Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls GB
TAKAGI D Cox Edward O'Grady
YOUNG SPARTACUS (GB) Bart Hellyer Henry Daly GB
21 entries, 4 British-trained, 1 French-trained

THE IAWS CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR-OLD HURDLE (Grade 1)
Thursday, May 1, 2003, 2m, 110,000 total prize fund, four-year-olds. Weights: 11st; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (24 entries), forfeit stage April 25, 11,000 supplementary entry stage, April 25.

Horse Owner Trainer
BAL DE NUIT (FR) Monica Hackett Paul Nicholls GB
DASHING HOME Mrs P Towey Noel Meade
EAGLE THYME Hazel Syndicate Colm Donoghue
GOLDEN CROSS Mrs H Johnson Michael Halford
HARCHIBALD (FR) Des Sharkey Noel Meade
HARDRADA Patricia Hunt Noel Meade
INDEMNITY (USA) Desmond Whyte Michael O'Brien
KENILWORTH (USA) Rita Shah Oliver Brady
LAOCH NA MARA (USA) Seamus Murphy T G McCourt
LOWLANDER (GB) Robert Sinclair Dermot Weld
MASTER PAPA The Alchemists 2 Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
MIRPOUR A J Mulvey Eoin Griffin
MISTANOORA (GB) A M J Duggan Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
MUTINEER Seven To Eleven Syndicate Dessie Hughes
NAS NA RIOGH Brian Twojohns Partnership Nicky Henderson GB
NEWLANDS GOLD Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien
NOBLE SHIFT N Nelson N Nelson
PARTY AIRS (USA) Kenneth Ramsey Dermot Weld
SPECTROSCOPE Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill GB
SPORAZENE Ged Mason & David Jackson Paul Nicholls GB
STARZAAN Ben Arbib Hughie Morrison GB
STATIM (GB) Sanguine Syndicate Michael O'Brien
TRULY GOLD Ms Eleanor Morris Michael Halford
WINARO (GER) Michael McDonogh Michael McDonogh
24 entries, 7 British-trained
THE McEVOY AUCTIONEERS NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE (Grade A)
Wednesday, April 29, 2003, 3m 1f, 90,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards that have not won a chase before May 1, 2002, other than one Hunters Chase in the previous two National Hunt seasons. Top weight in the original handicap shall not exceed 12st, minimum weight 10st 7lb. Entries closed April 9 (42 entries), handicaps calculated April 14, forfeit stage April 24.

Horse Owner Trainer
BALLYBROPHY Keith Berry Simon Sherwood GB
BARROW DRIVE (GB) Mrs B Lenihan Tony Mullins
BASSETT TIGER Thomas Gilligan Willie Mullins
BE MY BELLE Mrs M Aherne S J Treacy
BEACHCOMBER BAY Lobby Syndicate Noel Meade
BENNIE'S PRIDE T B Conroy Edward O'Grady
BORORA KING KKC Syndicate Noel Meade
CLONMEL'S MINELLA John J Nallen Michael Hourigan
CLUAIN RUA J A O'Connor G A Cusack
DICEMAN John Veith, Graham Allen, Patrick Veitch Sue Smith GB
DRAGON HUNTER J Douglas & T Davis Charles Egerton GB
ESKIMO JACK Mrs B M McKinney Arthur Moore
FINIANS IVY Edward Campbell Tony Martin
FNAN (GB) Des Sharkey Noel Meade
GOOD VINTAGE Kieran McGinn Noel Meade
HEDGEHUNTER Trevor Hemmings Eugene O'Sullivan
HUNTERS TWEED (GB) Trevor Hemmings Peter Beaumont GB
INDALO ROA Arkle Partnership Venetia Williams GB
JASMIN D'OUDAIRIES (FR) Decies and Dubs Syndicate Willie Mullins
JUNGLE JINKS Mrs Mary & Miss Susan Hatfield George Moore GB
JUST IN DEBT Absent Friends Syndicate Pat Doyle
KADOUN Hon. Sarah Lawson Michael O'Brien
KILCASH CASTLE Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien
KILLULTAGH THUNDER Rose Boyd Willie Mullins
KINGS GLEN Bobby Burke Tommy Carberry
KNOCK KNOCK Mrs David Magnier David Wachman
MIGHTY MONTEFALCO (GB) Mr & Mrs Peter S Thompson Jonjo O'Neill GB
MYSTIC LORD John Corr Noel Meade
NATIVE JACK Mrs F Carroll Arthur Moore
NATIVE SESSIONS R D Murphy Noel Meade
ONE NIGHT OUT Roderick Ryan Willie Mullins
PRINCESS SYMPHONY Donal Whelan Eamon Sheehy
RIO DIAMOND Ms Josephine O'Herlihy P R Lenihan
RULE SUPREME John P Lynch Willie Mullins
SHARDAM Howard Parker Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
STAR PERFORMANCE Mrs C McKiernan Oliver McKiernan
THARI (USA) Des Sharkey Noel Meade
THE PREMIER CAT D C Whyte T Cahill
TOP BUCK A N Solomons Kim Bailey GB
TRIBAL DANCER You Can Be Sure Venetia Williams GB
TURN TWO Mrs Anne Foxe Noel Meade
WHEREAREYOUNOW Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
42 entries
11 British-trained

THE SWORDLESTOWN CUP NOVICE CHASE (Grade 1)
Thursday, May 1, 2003, 2m, 85,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards that have not won a chase before May 1, 2002 other than one Hunters' Chase in the previous two seasons. Weights: 5yo: 11st 5lb; 6yo and upwards: 11st 12lb; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (15 entries), forfeit stage April 25, 8,500 supplementary entry stage, April 25.

Horse Owner Trainer
ADAMANT APPROACH Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins
ALBATROS (FR) Mrs C McCabe Edward O'Grady
ALEXANDER MILENIUM Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins
ANSAR Mrs K Devlin Dermot Weld
FAIT LE JOJO (FR) Jay Dee Bloodstock Ltd Philip Hobbs GB
HEEZAPISTOL (FR) Amber Syndicate Willie Mullins
IBAL (FR) Tony Hayward & Barry Fulton Dina Smith GB
IMPEK (FR) Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight GB
JASMIN D'OUDAIRIES (FR) Decies and Dubs Syndicate Willie Mullins
JURADO EXPRESS Miss Susan Traynor Arthur Moore
LE ROI MIGUEL (FR) Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls GB
NATIVE SCOUT Mark F Sheasby Donal Hassett
RATHGAR BEAU One-O-Eight Racing Club Eamon Sheehy
STAGE AFFAIR (USA) Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld
STAR CLIPPER (GB) Des Sharkey Noel Meade
15 entries
4 British-trained

THE BALLYMORE PROPERTIES CHAMPION STAYERS HURDLE (Grade 1)
Thursday, May 1, 2003, 3m, 100,000 total prize fund, four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 4yo: 11st 11lb; 5yo 11st 11lb; 6yo and upwards: 11st 12lb; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (16 entries), forfeit stage April 25, 10,000 supplementary entry stage, April 25.

Horse Owner Trainer
COLONEL MONROE G F Mahony Edward O'Grady
COMMANCHE COURT Dermot Desmond Ted Walsh
EMOTIONAL MOMENT Watercork Syndicate Tom Taaffe
FIND THE KING J S Gutkin Edward O'Grady
FNAN (GB) Des Sharkey Noel Meade
FROSTY CANYON (GB) Mrs P Sherwood Paul Webber GB
HOLY ORDERS Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins
INCHING CLOSER (GB) Nicola Spence Jonjo O'Neill GB
LIMESTONE LAD James Bowe James Bowe
NATIVE SPARKLE Liam O'Regan Tom Hogan
PIZARRO Edward Wallace Edward O'Grady
ROSTROPOVICH Tony Kilduff Mouse Morris
SACUNDAI Malm Syndicate Edward O'Grady
SCOLARDY David Flynn Willie Mullins
TEAATRAL (GB) Bernard Gover Bloodstock Charles Egerton GB
XENOPHON Lane Syndicate Tony Martin
16 entries
3 British-trained

THE EMO OIL CHAMPION HURDLE (Grade 1)
Friday, May 2, 2003, 2m, 135,000 total prize fund, five-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 5yo: 11st 13lb; 6yo and upwards: 12st; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (14 entries), forfeit stage April 26, 13,500 supplementary entry stage, April 26.

Horse Owner Trainer
BACK IN FRONT D Cox Edward O'Grady
BOB JUSTICE Ms Breda Brady Ted Walsh
CAILIN'S PERK E Morrissey James Morrissey
GLENHAVEN NUGGET David Cahill Edward O'Grady
HOLY ORDERS Allan McLuckie Willie Mullins
IN THE FORGE (GB) Mrs Margaret Gannon Michael Halford
INTERSKY FALCON (GB) Interskyracing.com Jonjo O'Neill GB
MARBLE ARCH (GB) M S Wilson, Rory Sweet, Mary Wilson Hughie Morrison GB
NATIVE UPMANSHIP Sue Magnier Arthur Moore GB
QUAZAR David Carr Jonjo O'Neill GB
RISKY REEF (GB) Ergon Syndicate Andrew Lee
SCOLARDY David Flynn Willie Mullins
SCOTTISH MEMORIES Mrs Mary Halligan Noel Meade
SPIRIT LEADER Dil Thompson Jessica Harrington
14 entries, 4 British-trained
THE MENOLLY HOMES CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE (Grade 1)
Friday, May 2, 2003, 2m 4f, 90,000 total prize fund, four-year-olds and upwards that have not won a hurdle race before May 1, 2002. Weights: 4yo: 11st 11lb; 5yo: 11st 11lb; 6yo and upwards: 11st 12lb; mares allowance 5lb. Entries closed April 9 (36 entries), forfeit stage April 26, 9,000 supplementary entry stage, April 26.

Horse Owner Trainer
AINE DUBH Kevin O'Donnell Kevin O'Donnell
ATLNATIC CROSSING Nick Bannister Peter Beaumont GB
BACK IN FRONT D Cox Edward O'Grady
BACK NINE Old Moss Farm Syndicate Arthur Moore
BALLYNATTIN BUCK M D O'Connor Arthur Moore
BANASAN Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien
CITIZEN EDWARD Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger
COLLIER COUNTY Sue Magnier Edward O'Grady
COLONEL MONROE G F Mahony Edward O'Grady
DOUBLE HONOUR (FR) The 4th Middleham Partnership Philip Hobbs GB
EAGLES HIGH Rita Shah Oliver Brady
FOTA ISLAND Sue Magnier Mouse Morris
GLENHAVEN NUGGET David Cahill Edward O'Grady
HEALY'S PUB Mrs C McKiernan Oliver McKiernan
HI CLOY Mrs S McCloy Michael Hourigan
JACK HIGH Miss Brenda Ross Billy Rock
JIM (FR) Mrs P J Conway Jim Dreaper
JOUEUR D'ESTRUVAL (FR) Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins
KHETAAM Mrs J Hurley Noel Meade
KINGS ORCHARD T N T D Syndicate Noel Meade
LEINSTER Cathal M Ryan Dessie Hughes
MOSSY GREEN Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins
MULLACASH Barouche Stud (Ireland) Noel Meade
NATIVE SPARKLE Liam O'Regan Tom Hogan
NIGHT BUSKER Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes
NOBODY TOLD ME Amber Syndicate Willie Mullins
NUMBERSIXVALVERDE O B P Carroll Martin Brassill
PAY IT FORWARD (GB) Paid Thru The Nose Syndicate Jessica Harrington
PIZARRO Edward Wallace Edward O'Grady
ROSAKER (USA) High Street Ceathar Syndicate Noel Meade
SALLY WEBSTER Virginia Lady Petersham Charlie Swan
SH BOOM (GB) T G K Construction Jonjo O'Neill GB
STACUMNY BRIDGE Cathal M Ryan Michael Halford
TRAMANTANO (GB) Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies GB
WOODYS DEEP OCEAN Mrs P Sloan Noel Meade
WOULDN'T YOU AGREE J P McManus Christy Roche
36 entries, 4 British-trained

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