Friday, April 4, 2003
AINTREE CROWD UP 11%
Today’s attendance at Aintree was 47,430, an increase of more than 11 per cent on last year’s record Friday crowd of 42,700.
A crowd of around 65,000 is hoped for tomorrow for Martell Cognac Grand National day. Last year there were 63,500 racegoers at Aintree on the Saturday.
BIG RISE IN TOTE TURNOVER
Today’s on-course Tote cash turnover was £1,465,964, an increase of 24.8% on last year’s Friday turnover figure of £1,174,867.
Thursday’s on-course Tote cash turnover was £892,171, up 27 per cent on the same day in 2002.
GOING REPORT AFTER RACING
The going remains
GOOD
on all three courses.
The expected warm sun and drying winds, predicted for 11am, did not materialise until later in the afternoon, and a dry and sunny day is forecast for tomorrow.
Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: “I will be reviewing the situation overnight in respect of further watering.”
KAREN WINS X-TYPE
Karen Kane, 29 from Freshfield in Formby, has won a new Jaguary X-TYPE for being the most stylish racegoer at Aintree today.
She only heard about this fantastic competition, which saw 320 entries, yesterday from a friend.
Karen, who works in property development, said: “I am absolutely delighted. This my first time at Aintree races and I will definitely be coming back - it has been a fabulous day.”
THE 2003 MARTELL COGNAC GRAND NATIONAL
Class A, Showcase Handicap, Total Prize Fund £600,000, 3.45pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 5, 2003. Four Miles & Four Furlongs (Over the Grand National Course). For six-year-olds and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the Senior BHB NH Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 1. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 22 may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances to February 1 would merit a minimum rating of 110, and that the horse has either won a Steeple Chase or Hurdle Race, or has run at least three times collectively in Steeple Chases or Hurdle Races run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority by February 1. At the Handicapper’s discretion, such horses may be allotted a rating. The decision of the Senior BHB NH Handicapper shall be final. Entries closed Wednesday, January 22, 2003 (149 entries), entries revealed Thursday, January 23, 2003. Weights revealed Tuesday, February 4, 2003. First confirmation stage Tuesday, February 18, 2003 (135 remain); second confirmation stage Tuesday, March 18, 2003 (105 remain). Five-day confirmation stage Monday, March 31, 2003 (81 remain). Final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, April 3, 2003. 40 runners. Confirmation of riders must be made by 1.00pm Thursday, April 3, 2003. Any reserves will be implemented by 9.30am on Friday, April 4, 2003.
Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer/Jockey
1) 212P-6115 BEHRAJAN (IRE) 8-11-12 The Behrajan Partnership Henry Daly/Richard Johnson
see below KINGSMARK (IRE) NON-RUNNER - first reserve will be utilised see bottom
3) 2P41/-323 GINGEMBRE (FR) 9-11-09 Lavinia Taylor Lavinia Taylor/Andrew Thornton
4) 12/32P2-1 SHOTGUN WILLY (IRE) 9-11-09 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh
5) 0314-5257 FADALKO (FR) 10-11-07 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls/Seamus Durack
6) F133-2227 CHIVES (IRE) 8-11-05 Trevor Hemmings Henrietta Knight/Richard Guest
7) 23PF5-1123 IRIS BLEU (FR) 7-11-03 David Johnson Martin Pipe/Tony McCoy
8) B4-51233 AD HOC (IRE) 9-11-01 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls/Paul Carberry
9) PP-P3314 BALLINCLAY KING (IRE) 9-10-12 Ian Guise, Brian Leatherday & Nicola Spence Ferdy Murphy/Davy Russell
10) 1U6-P6P00P CARBURY CROSS (IRE) 9-10-12 Anne Duchess of Westminster Jonjo O'Neill/Liam Cooper
11) 1-0FF248 BINDAREE (IRE) 9-10-11 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies/Carl Llewellyn
12) 320-1311 YOULNEVERWALKALONE (IRE) 9-10-11 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE/Conor O’Dwyer
13) F11-21P00 THE BUNNY BOILER (IRE) 9-10-10 The Usual Suspects Syndicate Noel Meade IRE/John Cullen
14) P513-3609 BLOWING WIND (FR) 10-10-09 Peter Deal Martin Pipe/Tom Scudamore
15) 3540P-1P29 YOU'RE AGOODUN 11-10-09v Jeff Lammiman Martin Pipe/Robert Thornton
16) 00/4/13-255 KATARINO (FR) 8-10-08 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson/Mick Fitzgerald
17) P1PP-5022 RED STRIKER 9-10-08t The Red Revolution Richard Guest/Mr Larry McGrath
18) 4P2-20208 SOUTHERN STAR (IRE) 8-10-08 Trevor Hemmings Henrietta Knight/Dominic Elsworth
19) 3P631364 MONTY'S PASS (IRE) 10-10-07 Dee Racing Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE/Barry Geraghty
20) 1210F0-8 MAJED (FR) 7-10-05v Sandicroft Stud II Martin Pipe/Rodi Greene
21) 01-3632403 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE) 11-10-04 Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain/Graham Lee
22) 1162-4494 MAXIMIZE (IRE) 9-10-04 Lady Vestey Henrietta Knight/Jim Culloty
23) 1/1P1P-P2 MONTIFAULT (FR) 8-10-04 Anne Fulton Paul Nicholls/Joe Tizzard
24) 112142P POLAR CHAMP 10-10-04v The Reims Partnership Martin Pipe/Danny (DJ) Howard
25) 24532P7674 CREGG HOUSE (IRE) 8-10-03 Kathleen Kennedy Paddy Mullins IRE/David Casey
26) P-0543P8 GOOD SHUIL (IRE) 8-10-03 C S G Ltd Charlie Mann/Noel Fehily
27) 21312-2 MANTLES PRINCE 9-10-03 Emlyn Hughes’ Cleobury Golfers Alan Juckes/Ollie McPhail
28) 2P/2131-21 TORDUFF EXPRESS (IRE) 12-10-03bl Two Plus Two Paul Nicholls/Timmy Murphy
29) 41U5131U GOGUENARD (FR) 9-10-02 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith/Warren Marston
30) 5122-1301 GUNNER WELBURN 11-10-02 William Ritson/David Hall Andrew Balding/Barry Fenton
31) 22P500-1 ROYAL PREDICA (FR) 9-10-02t Peter Deal, John Dale, Allan Stennett Martin Pipe/ Mr Jamie Moore
32) 1415-4P57 SUPREME GLORY (IRE) 10-10-02 Chris Moorsom Pat Murphy/Leighton Aspell
33) F/10616-003 TREMALLT (IRE) 12-10-02 Silkword Racing Partnership Tom George/Jason Maguire
34) P5U-4134 WONDER WEASEL (IRE) 10-10-02cp David Halsall Kim Bailey/J P McNamara
35) 3420505 DJEDDAH (FR) 12-10-01bl Haras d'Ecouves Francois Doumen FR/Thierry Doumen
36) 112210-P BURLU (FR) 9-10-00bl Fabien Ouaki Martin Pipe/Gerry Supple
37) 1100F-0606 RED ARK 10-10-00cpt The Red Revolution Richard Guest/Kenny Johnson
38) 6-01331054P ROBBO 9-10-00 (9-13)cp The Scarth Racing Partnership Mary Reveley/Alan Dempsey
39) 21/D111/1 KILLUSTY (IRE) 9-10-00 (9-12) Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton/Norman Williamson
40) F425154 EMPEREUR RIVER (FR) 11-10-00 (9-12) P Matran Jacques Ortet FR/Mr Patrick Pailhes
2) -312877 BRAMBLEHILL DUKE (IRE) 11-10-00 (9-12) South Wales Shower Supplies t/a Faucets Venetia Williams/Brian Crowley
40 declared runners
AINTREE LAUNCHES RACING CLUB
Aintree Racecourse has launched its own Grand National Racing Club with the ambition of having a runner in the Martell Cognac Grand National next year and anyone is welcome to join.
For a fee of just £199 you can become a member of the Grand National Racing Club and have a share in a number of high-class chasers, each of them trained by someone who has sent out a winner of the Martell Cognac Grand National.
The horses will be campaigned throughout the season, but their main objective will be to run in the Martell Cognac Grand National or one of the other races over the National fences during the season.
The Martell Cognac Grand National is the best-known and most exciting race in the world and the 156th running this year carries total prize money of £600,000 and will attract a television audience of 650 million viewers in more than 120 countries.
Membership of the Grand National Racing Club will also bring access to a confidential telephone line with all the latest news about the horses and the club, an ownership certificate and monthly newsletter, regular stable visits and social events, reduced admission to meetings at Aintree and a share of all prize money and of the horses’ sale price/valuation at the end of the 2003-4 season.
Brochures and membership application forms are available from The Grand National Racing Club at Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Liverpool L9 5AS or via e-mail at aintree@rht.net
EIGHT PARADE
The ever-popular ‘Parade of Champions’ will again take place in the paddock at Aintree tomorrow (Saturday) at 11.45am, when past winners of the Martell Cognac Grand National will tug at the old heartstrings as they take racegoers down memory lane.
Eight of our old favourites have vowed to be there - Party Politics, Miinnehoma, Royal Athlete, Rough Quest, Lord Gyllene, Earth Summit, Papillon and Red Marauder, the hero two years ago.
Party Politics, who will dwarf the others in the parade, was an appropriate winner in election year, 1992, but the 19-year-old gentle giant will not be the oldest on show, that distinction being shared by Freddie Starr’s 1994 winner, Miinnehoma, who is a year his senior, and Royal Athlete, who provided Jenny Pitman with her second success in the race 12 months earlier.
They will also parade on the course at 1.20pm, just before the first race.
JOCKEYS GO TO CHILDREN’S CANCER UNIT
Champion jump jockey Tony McCoy was accompanied by Martell Cognac Grand National winning riders Mick Fitzgerald, Carl Llewellyn and Jim Culloty, plus Richard Johnson and Seamus Durack, when he made a return visit to Alder Hey, the largest and busiest children’s hospital in Europe, in Liverpool this morning (Friday, April 4).
Alder Hey’s Rocking Horse Appeal has raised sufficient funds to open a brand new £10-million cancer unit, which will be officially opened on May 23.
Christine Done, fund-raising manager for the appeal, said: “When the jockeys visited us last year as part of the fund-raising effort, building work was only in the early stages and the children were being treated on a cramped out-dated ward that was totally unsuitable for today’s modern medicine.
“We are delighted that the jockeys took time out of their busy schedule to return to the hospital and see the children and this wonderful new facility.”
McCoy, third on Blowing Wind for the last two years, is still searching for that elusive first success in the Grand National, the world’s most famous race, while Fitzgerald won on Rough Quest in 1996, Llewellyn is twice a hero - Party Politics in 1992 and Earth Summit in 1998 - and Culloty was victorious 12 months ago on Bindaree.
The Alder Hey Rocking Horse Appeal was launched at Aintree Racecourse in April, 1998, and has funded the UK’s first-ever integrated cancer unit for children. Alder Hey is responsible for the health of more children than any other hospital in the UK.
FIRST-EVER A4 RACECARD
Aintree Racecourse breaks new ground by publishing the first-ever A4-format racecard in Britain on Martell Cognac Grand National Day, Saturday, April 5, 2003.
The special souvenir racecard has 64 pages and is great value at £3 - the same price as charged for last year’s Grand National day racecard.
As well as detailing all the runners and riders in the seven races, there will be articles and background information.
Dickon White, Aintree’s Marketing Manager, commented: “The world’s most famous horserace deserves a very special racecard and it will provide racegoers with a memento of their day at Aintree.”
GOING NEWS AT 10AM
After a dry night, the going on all three courses is now
GOOD.
Watering has taken place overnight and is continuing this morning on the National course.
Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s Clerk of the Course, said: “We have moved the rail on two bends on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses to provide fresh ground.
“Further rail movements will take place tonight to provide fresh ground tomorrow. With the forecast of a dry day, it is anticipated that watering will take place tonight.”
NICHOLLS TEAM HOPING
FOR NATIONAL GLORY
Paul Nicholls, one of the leading trainers in Britain, will be hoping that one of his five runners in this year’s Martell Cognac Grand National tomorrow is able to better his best previous finisher in the contest, Just So, who managed a sixth behind Party Politics in 1992.
The Somerset handler will saddle Shotgun Willy, Fadalko, Ad Hoc, Montifault and Torduff Express in Saturday’s £600,000 contest. The quintet are coming up from the West Country this afternoon and should arrive at Aintree at around 6pm.
“They have just been ticking over for the last couple of days and there’s not much more than you can do with them now, is there?” explained Neil Bashwill, travelling head lad to Nicholls. “All of them are fine and well as far as I know and there’s no problems.”
Asked which of the five he would like to see win, Bashwill replied: “Ad Hoc. He has had a nice run up to the race. He’s had three or four runs over hurdles and was only beaten a neck by Iris’s Gift over three miles [in the Tripleprint Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December].
“He had a good run at the Cheltenham Festival when third [in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase last month] and that will have just put him right. I think he’s a lot better this year than last year when he was bloody unlucky in the National [brought down four fences from home when still travelling well on the heels of the leaders].
“Of the others Torduff Express won the Foxhunters’ Chase here last year and he’s got the right pilot in Timmy Murphy.
“Shotgun Willy - he’s capable of winning it. It would be nice to have them all in the first five!”
Unlike millions of people all over the country tomorrow, Bashwill will not be investing any of his hard-earned cash on any of the 40 contestants in the feature race.
“I don’t bet - I’ve been in racing 26 years and I haven’t made my fortune yet,” he laughed. “But no, seriously, if any one of the five win the National it will be brilliant. We would love to win the race and we’ve been unlucky.
“As well as Ad Hoc, Deep Bramble [in 1996] broke down as he came to the second last when going well.”
BETTING NEWS
Following their double with Carlovent and Golden Alpha yesterday, Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy have become the punters’ favourites again today and their Don Fernando is in strong demand for the Laurel Pub Company Top Novices’ Hurdle (2.35). He is by far the best backed horse of the day with Hills, though their 9-4 is still available, Paddy Power have cut him from 100-30 to 3-1 and Skybet from 3-1 to 5-2. There is opposition to him, though, with good support for Glenhaven Nugget, who is now at 9-2 from 11-2 with Ladbrokes and at the same price from 5-1 with Powers.
In the opening Martell Cognac VS Thresher Handicap Chase (2.0) there has been good money for Ross Moff, who is at 100-30 from 7-2 with Powers and Hills and at 100-30 from 4-1 with the Tote, while Ladbrokes have had money for Master Tern (8-1 from 9-1) and Powers have brought Shardam in from 14-1 to 12-1. Skybet and the Tote have cut Horus from 7-1 to 6-1 and 5-1 respectively.
Last year’s winner Native Upmanship is all the rage for the Martell Cognac Melling Chase (3.10) and has been brought in from 7-4 to 13-8 by Powers and to the same price from 15-8 by Ladbrokes.There is opposition to him with the Tote, who have brought in Edredon Bleu from 8-1 to 6-1.
In the Martell Cognac Sainsbury’s Topham Chase (3.45) there has been money with Powers, who are offering a quarter the odds over the first five and refund stakes if your fancy falls or unseats at Becher’s, for Exit Swinger from 14-1 to 12-1, Royal Jake from 22-1 to 18-1 and Paxford Jack from 25-1 to 20-1. Ladbrokes have brought in Exit Swinger from 16-1 to 12-1 and Tonoco from 20-1 to 16-1, and Hills’ horse for money is Macs Gildoran, who has come in from 10-1 to 15-2. Royal Jake (25-1 to 16-1) and Tonoco (20-1 to 14-1) have been popular with Skybet, while the Tote’s horses for money are Macs Gildoran, now at 7-1 from 9-1, and Royal Jake who has come in to 16-1 from 25-1. Skybet have cut Royal Jake to the same effect and have brought in Tonoco from 20-1 to 14-1.
The odds on fans have gone in on Iris’s Gift in the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4.20) with Powers where he is now at 4-6 from 8-11 and in the Happy Shopper Mildmay Novices’ Chase (4.55) Joly Bay is in by half a point to 6-1.
There has been a wide range of interest in the closing The Clark’s Brewery Handicap Hurdle (5.30) with Powers shortening In Contrast from 9-2 to 4-1 and Farinel from 14-1 to 12-1, and Dubai Seven Stars is a lively outsider from 33-1 to 20-1 with Hills.
WINNING QUOTES RACE ONE
MARTELL COGNAC VS THRESHER HANDICAP CHASE
O’NEILL ON THE UP AGAIN
It has been very much a roller coaster for Jonjo O’Neill over the last couple of days. Yesterday he won his appeal at Portman Square against a fine imposed on him at Exeter earlier in the season, but then later in the afternoon his Coolagorna had to be put down after breaking a hind leg in the last race of the day.
But the pendulum swung back the right way again when Master Tern, carrying the colours of O’Neill’s landlord JP McManus, survived a mistake at the final fence to get the better of Shardam by a length and a quarter.
“He is a bit of a character, this horse,” said O’Neill, “but when he is in the right mood he can be useful. It took him a long time to take to fences, just like it did when he was first going over hurdles. It took him two years to take to that, really, and it has been very much the same for him over fences.
“He did not like them at all when he began, and he is still a bit of a thinker, but he enjoyed going up to three miles here and he likes a flat, level track like this and his jumping was great.”
O’Neill will have his first runner in the Martell Cognac Grand National with Carbury Cross tomorrow and, while he is the first to admit that the horse has been very disappointing of late, he feels that if he takes to the fences he could run a big race.
“If he runs as well as he did in the Hennessy, he could get himself into the shake-up,” he said. “But you just never know with him.He won this race 12 months ago, but he has been so disappointing recently that you just wouldn’t know with him. He is very, very well and in grand form, though.”
FIRST RACE PLACED QUOTES
MARTELL COGNAC V.S. HANDICAP CHASE
SHARDAM RUN GOOD OMEN FOR BINDAREE
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was delighted by the effort of Shardam to finish runner-up to Master Tern in the opening race and believed the run boded well for Bindaree’s bid to become the first back-to-back Martell Cognac Grand National winner since Red Rum tomorrow.
“I was very pleased with that and it’s all good for Bindaree,” said Twiston-Davies. “The two horses work together and it is a brilliant omen. Bindaree is in every bit as good form, if not better than he was last year so we’ll hope for the best.
“It’s just a shame that Shardam did not win today. He’s not very fast and they went too quick for him, it was a brilliant ride by Carl (Llewellyn).”
The 9/2 favourite Ross Moff also put in a good performance to come third and trainer Tony Martin said: “It was a great performance and he’s very unlucky that hasn’t won - he deserves to have won a big race but his best years are probably behind him now.
“He effectively had two years, firstly he got a leg and then he had problems with his back.
“Hopefully there’s something for him at Punchestown.”
GROUND
After this afternoon’s opening contest, the following jockeys reported that the ground on the Mildmay Course was riding:
Barry Geraghty, rider of Alcapone, said: “Not as bad as yesterday but dead.”
Ruby Walsh, rider of Whitenzo, said: “Same as yesterday.”
Timmy Murphy, rider of Run For Paddy, said: “Good to soft, dead.”
Tony McCoy, rider of Horus, said: “Dead.”
Mick Fitzgerald, rider of Ross Moff, said: “Dead.”
Jim Culloty, rider of Tom’s Prize, said: “Dead.”
Graham Lee, rider of Ballybough Rasher, said: “A little bit dead, lovely ground.”
Sam Stronge, rider of Berlin Blue, said: “Just on the dead side of good I think.”
ROBERT “CHOCOLATE” THORNTON
Jockey Robert “Chocolate” Thornton, who took a tumble at the third obstacle in this afternoon’s opening contest, walked into the weighing room after the race.
Asked if he was okay, he responded: “Yes, fine thanks.”
SECOND RACE WINNING QUOTES
LAUREL PUB COMPANY TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE
DOBBIN DOUBLES UP ON LIMERICK
Tony Dobbin completed a 35/1 double when Limerick Bay landed a convincing success in the Laurel Pub Company Top Novices’ Hurdle with the winner earning a 25/1 quote from Cashmans for next year’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
“Going down the back straight, I thought he had left his race at Cheltenham,” said Dobbin. “He ran very well ast Cheltenham, he ran behind a serious horse and I was up Norman Williamson’s backside for much of the race.
“But he’s gutsy and kept on finding a bit more. He’s very genuine and will keep improving and I wouldn’t rule out the fact he’ll get two and a half miles one day.
“The ground on the hurdle course felt more dead than yesterday, they’ve put a lot of water on but they’ve done an excellent job.”
Dobbin’s intended mount Kingsmark has been withdrawn from the Martell Cognac Grand National and he added: “This is the second year it has happened to me, I was down to ride Gunner Welburn last year when he did not get in.
“I’d love to ride but I’d rather not take part than for a jockey to get injured. It’s a sickener because there is nothing I can do. The one I’d love to ride is Chives.
Winning trainer Venetia Williams added: “Turning down the back straight, I thought it wasn’t going to be our day but he’s won going away.
“He was a lead horse in Germany and he was quite keen when he came to us and it was only in February that we started working him properly.”
SECOND RACE THE LAUREL PUB COMPANY TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE
PLACED QUOTES
MAN O’MYSTERY SECOND
Man O’Mystery found just Limerick Boy too good in this afternoon’s Laurel Pub Company Top Novices’ Hurdle, on only his third start over timber.
Paul Webber, the trainer of Man O’Mystery, said: “It’s a pleasure to have a horse like this with such speed. We didn’t know if he would jump when he came to us but on just his second day jumping tyres he started speeding away from them.”
Webber was responsible for Ulundi’s exploits over both hurdles and on the Flat and the trainer is considering a dual purpose role for Man O’Mystery as well.
“If he stays over hurdles, he’ll go for the Axa Handciap Hurdle over two miles at Haydock. If he goes Flat racing, he’ll run in the Wolverton Stakes at Ascot, which is a 0 to 110 and this fellow is rated 107,” he continued.
“I hope and think that hurdling is helping him, like it did Ulundi, as it’s a bit slower and it gives him confidence.”
Owner David Johnson was far from disillusioned with Lirfox’s third place, a further 12 lengths adrift on only her second outing in Britain.
He said: “She gets a bit nervy and is still a bit green and I was very pleased with her performance. She’s run a good race as she’s not been in England long. We bought her with chasing in mind and Rodi [Greene, jockey] said the ground was a bit dead for her today.”
WINNING QUOTES RACE THREE
MARTELL COGNAC MELLING CHASE
NATIVE UPMANSHIP LANDS THE DOUBLE
Native Upmanship, starting a hot 5-4 favourite and given a hugely confident ride by Conor O’Dwyer, repeated his success of last year in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase, beating Seebald by a very cheeky length.
And afterwards his trainer Arthur Moore repeated the now time-honoured gesture of putting his somewhat battered hat between the horse’s ears during the photo-call, a tradition which goes back to when his father Dan did the same thing after sending out L’Escargot to win the Grand National in 1975.
“It is lovely to have the chance to do that,” he said, “but it was very bad for the heart watching Conor ride like that on the run-in when Tony McCoy was driving Seebald for all he was worth and there was not much ground between them.
“He is a really top class horse and I think that if he had been in the same form last season as he has been this, he would have won that year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. I think he ran the best race of his life when he was second to Moscow Flyer there last time.
“He is a lovely horse to train and this race has been the idea all season. I think when he can go and win in that way that we can look forward to a couple more years with him, and we shall try to bring him back here again next year for the hat-trick.
“Now he will go to Punchestown and it will depend on the ground whether he goes for the two miler or the two and a half mile race there, and next season we shall try to have the some sort of campaign with him as we have done this time.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Moore feels that O’Dwyer has a major chance in the Martell Cognac Grand National on Youlneverwalkalone. “I am sure he is the best of the Irish runners and very much the one they all have to beat,” he said.
THIRD RACE MARTELL COGNAC MELLING CHASE
PLACED QUOTES
SEEBALD DESERVES BIG VICTORY
The connections of the second Seebald, who finished a length behind cheeky winner Native Upmanship, felt that their charge had had the misfortune of coming up against a very good horse today.
Seebald is owned by footballer’s Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman. The latter’s father said: “I’m very pleased. He’s won seven times over fences and been second six times.
“I felt that he’d run a big race at Cheltenham [when falling two fences from home when still in contention] and he’s a terrific horse.
“He’s due for a big win and he deserves it. He’s been second to all these top class horses and the winner won this race last year as well.”
Asked if this contest would be the end of Seebald’s season, bloodstock agent Graham Bradley, responsible for purchasing the eight year old, commented: “I would have said so. There’s Punchestown and Sandown to think about and we’ll see how he comes out of the race.”
Fowler is at Aintree today but was not in the winner’s enclosure as horses affect him, while McManaman was unable to attend as Madrid play at the weekend.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of third placed Kadarann and the fourth Cenkos, said: “It’s soft ground, that’s it basically. They’ve overwatered it and it’s ended the chances of my horses. Cenkos goes to Sandown and Kadarann will go wherever they give us proper ground.”
FOURTH RACE MARTELL SAINSBURY’S TOPHAM CHASE
WIN QUOTES
CLAN ROYAL TAKES TOPHAM
Jonjo O’Neill, who won the Topham on Clear Cut in 1974, was ecstatic after he and owner J P McManus had gained a 77/1 double this afternoon when Clan Royal was successful in the Martell Cognac Sainsbury’s Topham Chase, adding to Master Tern’s victory in the opener.
“That was brilliant to watch,” grinned the trainer. “He didn’t look like he’d win at Newbury last time but it’s a different place here at Aintree and he pricked his ears and kept galloping.
“To be fair I wasn’t convinced that he would get the trip. I couldn’t ride the place but it’s nice to train one here!
“That will keep JP happy and that was magic.”
J P McManus, who has an opportunity to win tomorrow’s Martell Cognac Grand National with Youlneverwalkalone, was delighted with the performance of Clan Royal and his rider Liam Cooper.
“I think that the horse has done us proud and both horse and man rose to the occasion,” he enthused.
“I was amazed and thought that Clan Royal would settle but he loved the place, which lit him up, and it was great that he found a bit on the run in. I’m looking forward to viewing the replay.”
PLACED QUOTES RACE FOUR
MARTELL COGNAC SAINSBURY’S TOPHAM CHASE
MULLINS DELIGHTED
Willie Mullins, who sent out Its Time For A Win to take the prize last year, came very close again in the Martell Cognac Sainsbury’s Topham Chase but this time his Macs Gildoran had to give best to Clan Royal.
Macs Gildoran, who went off favourite at 5-1, was set to concede 20lb to the winner and the big weight difference told in the closing stages.
“It was a lot of weight that he was trying to give, but I expect he has probably earned it somewhere along the way,” said Mullins.
“But I am delighted with that, he adapted to the Aintree fences really well and I am very pleased that he was able to give Ruby (Walsh) such a good ride.
“He was rather coming on and off the bridle through the race and maybe this ground was a bit dead for him.
“He has had a quiet season and we shall keep him going a bit longer. He will run at Fairyhouse in the two miler and then go on to Punchestown. I don’t know at this stage which race he will run in there.”
David Pipe, assistant to his father Martin, was very satisfied with the display by top weight Exit Swinger, who ran on well to be third.
“He jumped very well and ran a super race, especially under all that weight,” he said. “He likes top of the ground so this was probably a bit dead for him, but that was his best run of the season.
“As far as I know all our seven Grand National runners are fine, but I have been up here all week. They will all come up tomorrow morning with the guv’nor.”
FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
MARTELL COGNAC SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE
BARGAIN GIFT CONTINUES UPWARDS SPIRAL
Iris’s Gift, born on the banks of the Mersey just a few miles from Aintree, justified odds-on favouritism in the Grade 1 Martell Cognac Sefton Novices’ Hurdle with a facile success.
The winner was bred by former jockey Reg Crank and his wife Ann in Cheshire and sold privately to his owner Robert Lester for just 3,500gns.
“I haven’t got loads of money but I sent him Jonjo and he told me to keep the horse after he had walked all over a very expensive horse,” said Lester.
“He’s a machine, I’m so proud with all my family here today.”
Crank added: “We couldn’t send him to the sales with the way he walked but I told numerous people to buy him and both Henrietta Knight and Henry Daly turned him down. I ended up selling him to Robert, whose our local coal man.
“His dam never ran but he’s from a good family - the grand-dam is a half-sister to Browne’s Gazette.”
Winning trainer Jonjo O’Neill, completing a 147.9/1 treble, said: “He might go over fences but we’ll make no rash decisions - he wasn’t very good at jumping them before. He’s a big weak horse and the owner has shown a lot of patience and is a brilliant guy.
“The horse is finished for the season, he’s done enough now.”
WILLIAMSON
Norman Williamson, who fell on Pizarro, has given up his remaining ride today but expects to be fit to ride tomorrow and will not need to pass the doctor.
SIXTH RACE HAPPY SHOPPER MILDMAY NOVICES’ CHASE
WIN QUOTES
HENDERSON A HAPPY MAN
A desperate run of sixty four consecutive losers for Nicky Henderson at Aintree was ended in fine style by Irish Hussar when the seven year old got the better of It Takes Time by five lengths.
“Jesus, I can’t get it right here. This is lovely and I’m grateful to have a winner here. This is fabulous,” said the relieved trainer.
“I’ve always thought so much of this horse and he will be lovely. I brought him to Aintree for the bumper in the year that they had the desperate ground. I thought that he was our banker but I just didn’t dare run him as he was a great weak baby. So he didn’t get to test the turf here,” continued the Seven Barrows handler.
“I’ve always been hopeful that he would go the right way but even when he won at Leicester [in February] he didn’t look a world beater. He’s growing up all of the time and he’s learning how to jump now and Mick [Fitzgerald] was great on him.
“I think that Aintree have done a brilliant job here producing this safe ground. I couldn’t run this fellow on fast ground. I wouldn’t have thought this horse will run again this season.”
Asked if his charge might reappear in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, Henderson replied: “I don’t know if he’ll be a handicapper. I hope the handicapper doesn’t take the Cheltenham form [when second to La Landiere in the Cathcart Chase] too literally though.
“I ran him in the Cathcart there rather than the SunAlliance as that is a tough race and it’s been important to look after him as much as possible.”
Henderson has only had one winner before this in the last two weeks. “All trainers go through disappointing patches and Cheltenham wasn’t bad. I just didn’t have a winner.”
PLACED QUOTES RACE FIVE
MARTELL COGNAC SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE
MAYBE NO MORE FOR ROYAL EMPEROR
The admirably consistent Royal Emperor did his best to make a race of it with odds on Iris’s Gift in the three mile Martell Cognac Novices’ Hurdle, but in the end had to give best by eight lengths.
“Just for a moment, when the winner started to hang over to his left, I thought we might have a chance as he stays so well, but it was not to be,” said Harvey Smith, whose wife Sue trains the seven-year-old.
“He is very tough and so consistent, but I don’t know if he will run again this season. He has now had two hard races here and at Cheltenham and we shall have to see how he comes out of this.”
Third-placed Supreme Prince delighted Sarah Hobbs, wife of trainer Philip. “He is a lovely horse and I think he will be a Gold Cup horse one day. He got into all sorts of trouble at Cheltenham, but this time he really tried his heart out, even though he was flat out turning for home.”
WINNING QUOTES RACE SEVEN
CLARK’S BREWERY HANDICAP HURDLE
TREBLE TIME FOR McMANUS
JP McManus, already successful with Master Tern and Clan Royal, completed a 1,325-1 treble when Patriot Games landed the last race of the day.
He was ridden and trained by Charlie Swan, who was sending out his first winner at Liverpool, though he has made the winner’s circle many times as a jockey.
Patriot Games, running for the first time since October, got the better of Gralmano by a length and a half but was very lame at the end of the race and Swan dismounted to lead him into the unsaddling enclosure.
“What a mighty day, they don’t come along like that very often,” said McManus as he went on to give fulsome praise to Swan in view of the jockey’s imminent retirement from the saddle after he has ridden Like-A-Butterfly tomorrow. (See separate story)
SWAN TO RETIRE TOMORROW
Irish jockey Charlie Swan, who rode and trained Patriot Games to win the concluding contest today, is to retire tomorrow after riding Like A Butterfly in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.
He said: “I want to go out on one of JP’s horses. I now want to give training my best shot and it’s a little bit hard when you’re riding as well. When you get good horses you need to give it all you can as there’s so much to do around the yard.”
Asked what was the greatest day of his riding career, he replied: “Istabraq’s third success in the Champion Hurdle. JP has been so good to me and to be associated with a horse like Istabraq and an owner and trainer like JP and Aidan O’Brien is brilliant.
“I have been thinking about this for all of the year and this seems as good a place to stop as any.
“I have 45 horses in training, eight or nine for JP, and it was a real thrill to ride and train a winner for him here, the first winner that I have trained at Liverpool. I hope to get my string up to sixty.
“ A couple of years ago I was riding a horse called Budacus for JP here and he was two lengths clear going to the last when he fell and broke a leg. That was going through my mind this afternoon and I was very happy to get over the last.
“It would be fantastic if Like A Butterfly did well and we’ll give it our best.”
McManus was fulsome in his praise of the 35 year old Swan saying: “He has been a master tactician and of all the jockeys to whom I have ever spoken he is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable. He can tell you so much after a race, he just knows the difference.
“I think of all the great moments we have had together Istabraq’s third Champion
Hurdle has to be the best of them but there are many, many wonderful memories.
“It’s sad in a way that Charlie has decided to stop but equally it’s good that he is going to retire while he is still at the top and he can go out in one piece.”
FIRST RACE RESULT
2.00pm MARTELL COGNAC VS THRESHER HANDICAP CHASE
Class B, £40,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 3m 1f. Miniumum weight 10st. Penalties: after March 22, a winner of a chase 4lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £26,000; 2nd: £8,000; 3rd: £4,000; 4th: £,2,000
1) MASTER TERN (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 8-11-01 Tony Dobbin 5/1
2) SHARDAM (Howard Parker) Nigel Twiston-Davies 6-10-08 Carl Llewellyn 11/1
3) ROSS MOFF (Seamus Ross) Tony Martin IRE t10-11-01 Mick Fitzgerald 9/2F
4) FATEHALKHAIR (R Wagner) Brian Ellison 11-10-09 Vinnie Keane (3)
5) WHITENZO (Malcolm Pearce & Gerry Mizel II) Paul Nicholls 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh
6) ALCAPONE (Ann Daly) Mouse Morris IRE 9-11-12 Barry Geraghty
7) TOM'S PRIZE (Mrs P Joynes) John Spearing 8-11-00 Jim Culloty
F3) WINDROSS (Mrs Peter Prowting) Alan King 11-10-13 Robert Thornton
PU BEF 13) HORUS (Brian Kilpatrick) Martin Pipe 8-11-09 Tony McCoy
PU BEF LAST) THE VILLAGER (Sylvia Tainton) Denis Caro 7-11-01 Tom Scudamore
PU BEF 3 OUT) BALLYBOUGH RASHER (Comtake-Welding Engineering Specialists ) Howard Johnson 8-10-12 Graham Lee
PU BEF LAST) RATHBAWN PRINCE (Tom Culhane) Dessie Hughes IRE 11-11-10 Kieran Kelly
PU BEF LAST) BERLIN BLUE (Peter J Douglas Engineering) Robert Stronge 10-10-10 Sam Stronge
PU BEF 15) RUN FOR PADDY (B Perkins) Heather Dalton 7-11-10 Timmy Murphy
14 ran
Non-Runners: Barton (Vet’s Certificate), Spring Margot (Vet’s Certificate), Zafarabad (Vet’s Certificate)
Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere Breeding: ch g Generous - Young Hostess
Tote Win: £7.80 Places: £2.60; £3.80; £2.40 Exacta: £84.50
Distances: 1 1/4, 7, 4, 1, 3 1/2, 5
Winning trainer: JONJO O’NEILL Born: April 13, 1952 Based: Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire Career: former National Hunt jockey Cheltenham Festival wins: (7) Pertemps Final (1991 Danny Connors, 2003 Inching Closer); National Hunt Chase (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock); Vincent O’Brien County H’cap Hurdle (2000 Master Tern), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope) Aintree Festival wins: Martell cognac V.S. Hcap Chase (2000 Radiation, 2002 Carbury Cross, 2003 Master Tern), Martell Handicap Hurdle (2002 Sudden Shock); Martell XO Anniversary 4YO Hurdle (2002 Quazar), Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon) Horses in Training (1996-2002): 53; 59; 59; 78; 78, 75, 98 Number of Winners (1995/96-2001/02): 18; 17; 32; 38; 44; 58; 113 Other Big Race Wins: Tripleprint Gold Cup (1999 Legal Right), Tote Silver Cup (2000 Legal Right), Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (2002 Native Emperor), Kingwell Hurdle (2003 Rhinestone Cowboy), Challow Hurdle (2002 Coolnagorna), Reynoldstwon Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Welsh National (2002 Mini Sensation) Wins this season: 110
Winning Jockey: Tony Dobbin Date of Birth: 01/05/72 Apprenticeship: served with Jonjo O’Neill First Winner: 19/05/90, Hamilton Park (Stay Awake) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (3) COUNTY HURDLE (1994 Dizzy and 2000 Master Tern), PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE FINAL (2002 Freetown) Aintree Festival Wins: MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL (1997 Lord Gyllene), JOHN HUGHES TROPHY HCAP CHASE (1999 Listen Timmy), ODDBINS HANDICAP HURDLE (2001 Crazy Horse), MARTELL AINTREE HURDLE (2001 Barton), Martell Cognac V.S. Hcap Chase (2003 Master Tern) Other Big Race Wins: HENNESSEY COGNAC GOLD CUP (1994 One Man), PREMIER LONG DISTANCE HURDLE (1996 Better Times Ahead), BECHER CHASE (Into The Red 1996), WENSLEYDALE JUVENILE HURDLE (2000 Spirit Of Park) Number of Wins (1991/92-2001/02): 14; 23; 45; 57; 67; 73; 53; 62; 72; 84; 109 Wins this season: 91
SECOND RACE RESULT
2.35pm LAUREL PUB COMPANY TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE
Class A, Grade Two, £50,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m 1/2f. Weights: 4yo 10st 8lb; 5yo+ 11st. Penalties: a winner of a Class C hurdle 3lb; of a Class B hurdle 5lb; of a Class A hurdle 8lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 5lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £29,000; 2nd: £11,000; 3rd: £5,500; 4th: £2,500; 5th: £1,250; 6th: £750
1) LIMERICK BOY (Favourites Racing) Venetia Williams 5-11-00 Tony Dobbin 5/1
2) MAN O'MYSTERY (Ecurie Pharos) Paul Webber 6-11-00 Tom Doyle 11/2
3) LIRFOX (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 6-11-00 Rodi Greene 12/1
4) ONTOS (Miss Victoria Scott Jnr) Andy Scott 7-11-00 Timmy Murphy
5) GLENHAVEN NUGGET (David Cahill) Edward O'Grady IRE 7-11-03 Norman Williamson
6) THESIS (The 1961 Partnbership) Venetia Williams 5-11-00 Brian Crowley
7) DON FERNANDO (Lucayan Stud) Martin Pipe 4-11-02 Tony McCoy 3/1F
8) LIMITED EDITION (Malcolm Denmark) Mark Pitman 5-11-00 Jim Culloty
9) PRO DANCER (James Duggan) Pat Doyle IRE 5-11-00 Ruby Walsh
10) JABOUNE (Carol Skan) Alan King 6-11-03 Richard Johnson
PU BEF 3 OUT) SPUD ONE (R K Carvill) Oliver Sherwood 6-11-00 Ron Flavin
PU BEF 3 OUT) CARACCIOLA (Piers Pottinger) Nicky Henderson 6-11-03 Mick Fitzgerald
12 ran
Breeder: F Oettingen-Wallerstein Breeding: b h Alwuhush - Limoges
Tote Win: £6.00 Places: £2.20; £1.80; £3.90 Exacta: £45.40
Distances: 4, 12, nk, 5, 13, 18, 6, 10, 25
Winning trainer: VENETIA MARY WILLIAMS Trains at Aramstone, Kings Caple, Hereford Date of birth: May 10, 1960 Riding career: 10 NH winners as an amateur 1986-88 Date of first trainer’s licence: 1995, previously assistant John Edwards (1986-93), Martin Pipe (1993-4), six months with Colin Hayes (Australia), J Fulton (USA) and Barry Hillls Wins (1996/6- 2001/02): 7, 33, 45, 74, 74, 63, 55 Number of horses in training (1998-2002): 52; 73; 71; 73; 89 Cheltenham Festival wins: (1) Grand Annual Challenge Cup H’cap Chase (2000 Samakaan) Aintree Festival Winners: Martell VS Hcap Chase (1999 Edelweis Du Moulin), Martell Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2001 Montalcino), Martell Novices’ Handicap Chase (2002 Spring Margot), Laurel Pub Company Top Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Limerick Boy) Big race wins: Badger Beer Chase (1998 Teeton Mill), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (1998 Teeton Mill), Pertemps King George VI Chase (1998 Teeton Mill), Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase (1999 Teeton Mill), Stakis Casinos Intermediate Hurdle (1998 Lady Rebecca), Cleeve Hurdle (1999, 2000, 2001 Lady Rebecca), Peter Marsh Limited Hcp Chase (1999 General Wolfe), Thomas Pink Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1999 The Outback Way), First National Bank Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1999 Nordance Prince), Unicorn Handicap Chase (2000 The Outback Way), Towton Novice Chase (2000 Arctic Camper), Victor Chandler Handicap Chase (2000 Nordance Prince), PML Lightning Novice Chase (2000 Bellator), Haldon Gold Cup H’cap Chase (2000 Bellator) Other details: Won Group Three Ormonde Stakes (1998 Stretarez) with her first runner on the Flat. Wins This Season: 76
Winning Jockey: Tony Dobbin Date of Birth: 01/05/72 Apprenticeship: served with Jonjo O’Neill First Winner: 19/05/90, Hamilton Park (Stay Awake) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (3) COUNTY HURDLE (1994 Dizzy and 2000 Master Tern), PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE FINAL (2002 Freetown) Aintree Festival Wins: MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL (1997 Lord Gyllene), JOHN HUGHES TROPHY HCAP CHASE (1999 Listen Timmy), ODDBINS HANDICAP HURDLE (2001 Crazy Horse), MARTELL AINTREE HURDLE (2001 Barton), Martell Cognac V.S. Hcap Chase (2003 Master Tern), Laurel Pub Company Top Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Limerick Boy) Other Big Race Wins: HENNESSEY COGNAC GOLD CUP (1994 One Man), PREMIER LONG DISTANCE HURDLE (1996 Better Times Ahead), BECHER CHASE (Into The Red 1996), WENSLEYDALE JUVENILE HURDLE (2000 Spirit Of Park) Number of Wins (1991/92-2001/02): 14; 23; 45; 57; 67; 73; 53; 62; 72; 84; 109 Wins this season: 92 Second win of the 2003 Martell Grand National Meeting for Tony Dobbin
THIIRD RACE RESULT
3.10pm MARTELL COGNAC MELLING CHASE
Class A, Grade One, £150,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 2m 4f. Weights: 5yo 11st 6lb; 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 5lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £87,000; 2nd: £33,000; 3rd: £16,500 4th: £7,500; 5th: £3,750; 6th: £2,250
1) NATIVE UPMANSHIP (Sue Magnier) Arthur Moore IRE 10-11-10 Conor O'Dwyer 5/4F
2) SEEBALD (The Macca & Growler Partnership) Martin Pipe 8-11-10 Tony McCoy 4/1
3) KADARANN (Notalottery) Paul Nicholls 6-11-10 Joe Tizzard 12/1
4) CENKOS (Judy Stewart) Paul Nicholls 9-11-10 Ruby Walsh
5) WAHIBA SANDS (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 10-11-10 Norman Williamson
6) EDREDON BLEU (Jim Lewis) Henrietta Knight t11-11-10 Jim Culloty
6 ran
Breeder:John Noonan Breeding: ch g Be My Native - Hi’ Upham
Tote Win: £2.20 Places: £1.50; £1.50 Exacta: £4.90
Distances: 1, 18, 5, 20, dist
Winning trainer: ARTHUR MOORE Date of Birth: 15/7/1949 Date of First Trainers Licence: 1975 Horses in training (1998-99): 48, 39 Aintree Festival Wins: Martell Maghull Novices’ Chase (1981 Irain, 1989 Feroda), Martell Cup Chase (1984 Royal Bond), Martell Noblige H’cap Hdle (1992 Ninepins), Martell Aintree Chase (1980 Drumgora, 1989 Feroda), Martell Red Rum Limited Chase (1998 Jeffell); Martell Melling Chase (2002 & 2003 Native Upmanship) Cheltenham Festival Wins: (6) Cathcart (1993 Schedual), Queen Mother (1981 Drumgora, 1996 Klairon Davis), Arkle (1982 The Brockshee, 1995 Klairon Davis), Grand Annual (2002 Fadoudal Du Cochet) Other major wins: Denys Gold Medal Chase (1994 Klairon Davis), Irish Grand National (1996 Feathered Gale), BMW H’cap Chase (1996 Klairon Davis), Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle (1998 Graphic Equaliser), Sunderlands Imperial Cup Hcap Hurdle (1999 Regency Rake)
Winning Jockey: Conor O'Dwyer Date of birth: April 8, 1966, County Wexford Cheltenham Festival Winners: (1) TOTE GOLD CUP (1996 Imperial Call) Aintree Festival Wins: Mumm Melling Chase (1998 Opera Hat, 2003 & 2003 Native Upmanship), Martell Red Rum Handicap Chase (1998 Jeffell), Barton and Guestier Top Novices Hurdle (1999 Joe Mac) Other Big Race Wins: LADBROKE HURDLE (1990 Redundant Pal), IRISH HENNESSY GOLD CUP (1996 Imperial Call), MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL (1992 Laura’s Beau)
FOURTH RACE RESULT
3.45pm MARTELL COGNAC SAINSBURY’S TOPHAM CHASE
Class B, Showcase Handicap, £70,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+ rated 0-150, 2m 5 1/2f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties: after March 22, a winner of a chase 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb). Penalty Values: 1st: £40,600; 2nd: £15,400; 3rd: £7,700 4th: £3,500; 5th: £1,750; 6th: £1,050
1) CLAN ROYAL (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 8-10-02 Liam Cooper 12/1
2) MACS GILDORAN (Margaret McManus) Willie Mullins IRE 9-11-08 Ruby Walsh 5/1F
3) EXIT SWINGER (Sandicroft Stud I) Martin Pipe 8-11-12 Tony McCoy 12/1
4) MR BOSSMAN (T N Siviter) Richard Guest p10-10-08 Henry Oliver 12/1
5) FALCON DU COTEAU (Lyreen Syndicate) Tony Martin IRE 10-10-00 Timmy Murphy
6) QUALITY FIRST (Felix Sheridan) Heather Dalton 10-11-00 Davy Russell
7) EXTRA JACK (Sir Robert Ogden) Paul Nicholls b11-10-11 Tony Dobbin
8) JEREMY SPIDER (R G Tizzard) Colin Tizzard 10-10-06 Joe Tizzard
9) ROYAL JAKE (Gerard Callaghan) Noel Meade IRE 9-10-10 Paul Carberry
10) BE MY MANAGER (The Earl Cadogan) Henrietta Knight 8-10-07 Jim Culloty
11) NATIVE BEAT (Daisy Duggan) John Fowler IRE 8-9-07 Miss Daisy Duggan (7)
12) TONOCO (Trevor Hemmings) Sue Smith 10-9-12 Dominic Elsworth (3)
13) SHANNON GALE (J P McManus) Christy Roche IRE 11-10-02 Paul Moloney
14) INDIAN GUNNER (Mrs S P Elphick) Dr Jeremy Naylor 10-10-03 Robert Thornton
15) CASSIA HEIGHTS (B Ridge & VD Hewitt) Steve Brookshaw t8-9-07 James Davies (7)
16) NOSAM (Norman Mason) Richard Guest t13-10-02 Kenny Johnson
17) TOM COSTALOT (Gerard Nock) Susan Nock 8-10-06 Antony Evans (3)
18) CHERGAN (Copland, Hardie & Steel) Sue Bradburne 10-10-01 Mark Bradburne
19) MULKEV PRINCE (David Pearson) David Pearson 12-10-02 Philip Hide
F1) COME IN MOSCOW (John Murphy) John Murphy IRE 7-9-11 Ken Hadnett (3)
F10 Bechers) MODULOR (Fergus Wilson) Martin Pipe v11-10-09 Rodi Greene
PU BEF14) LAMBRINI GOLD (Halewood International Ltd) Ginger McCain t9-10-00 Brian Harding
PU Bef 13 Val) CEANANNAS MOR (Major Christopher Hanbury) Nicky Henderson 9-10-05 Mick Fitzgerald
PU BEF14) PAXFORD JACK (Ruth Nelmes) Milton Harris 7-10-00 Ollie McPhail
REF 13 Val) GOOD LORD MURPHY (The Breakfast Set) Dr Philip Pritchard 11-10-06 Dr Philip Pritchard (5)
UR1) CANADIANE (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 8-9-12 Mr Jamie Moore (5)
UR1) EXIT TO WAVE (Malcolm Pearce & Gerry Mizel II) Paul Nicholls t7-11-09 Andrew Thornton
UR10 Bechers) MR BAXTER BASICS (P Ryan) Venetia Williams 12-10-13 Brian Crowley
UR12 Canal) IFNI DU LUC (Mary-Anne & Sir Eric Parker, P White) Nicky Henderson 7-10-12 John Kavanagh
29 ran
Non-Runner: Pillaging Pict (Vet’s Certificate)
Breeder: Ctsse Bertrand de Tarrogan Breeding: b g Chef de Clann II - Allee Du Roy
Tote Win: £17.30 Places: 34.60; £2.30; £2.90; £2.60 Exacta: £83.20
Distances: 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 2, sh, 2, 9, 6, nk, 4, 5, 8, 2 1/2, 5, 15, 1 1/4, 6, 16
Winning trainer: JONJO O’NEILL Born: April 13, 1952 Based: Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire Career: former National Hunt jockey Cheltenham Festival wins: (7) Pertemps Final (1991 Danny Connors, 2003 Inching Closer); National Hunt Chase (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock); Vincent O’Brien County H’cap Hurdle (2000 Master Tern), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope) Aintree Festival wins: Martell cognac V.S. Hcap Chase (2000 Radiation, 2002 Carbury Cross, 2003 Master Tern), Martell Handicap Hurdle (2002 Sudden Shock); Martell XO Anniversary 4YO Hurdle (2002 Quazar), Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), Topham Chase (2003 Clan Royal) Horses in Training (1996-2002): 53; 59; 59; 78; 78, 75, 98 Number of Winners (1995/96-2001/02): 18; 17; 32; 38; 44; 58; 113 Other Big Race Wins: Tripleprint Gold Cup (1999 Legal Right), Tote Silver Cup (2000 Legal Right), Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (2002 Native Emperor), Kingwell Hurdle (2003 Rhinestone Cowboy), Challow Hurdle (2002 Coolnagorna), Reynoldstwon Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Welsh National (2002 Mini Sensation) Wins this season: 111
Winning Jockey: Liam Philip Cooper Number of Wins in 2001/2002: 42 (Runner-up in conditional jockeys’ championship, 5 behind winner Henry Oliver). Nephew of former jockey David Goulding.Big Race Wins: Martell VS Handicap Chase (2002 Carbury Cross), Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), Tote Bookmakers Hurdle (2002 Native Emperor), Topham Chase (2003 Clan Royal) Wins This Season: 48
FIFTH RACE RESULT
4.20pm MARTELL COGNAC SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE
Class A, Grade One, £80,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 3m 1 1/2f. Weights: 4yo 10st 10lb; 5yo+ 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 5lb. Penalty Values: 1st: £46,600; 2nd: £17,600; 3rd: £8,800 4th: £4,000; 5th: £2,000; 6th: £1,200
1) IRIS'S GIFT (Robert Lester) Jonjo O'Neill 6-11-04 Barry Geraghty 10/11F
2) ROYAL EMPEROR (Widdop Wanderers) Sue Smith 7-11-04 Dominic Elsworth 12/1
3) SUPREME PRINCE (Karola Vann) Philip Hobbs 6-11-04 Paul Flynn 12/1
4) SIMPLY SUPREME (Trevor Hemmings) Sue Smith 6-11-04 Warren Marston
5) HARDY EUSTACE (Laurence Byrne) Dessie Hughes IRE 6-11-04 Kieran Kelly
6) BALLADEER (Scott Hardy Partnership) Henrietta Knight 5-11-04 Jim Culloty
F5) PIZARRO (Edward Wallace) Edward O'Grady IRE 6-11-04 Norman Williamson
HAMPERED & UR BEF 9) MASTER TRIX (Patrick Bancroft) Mark Pitman 6-11-04 Timmy Murphy
PU BEF 3 OUT) BALINAHINCH CASTLE (K J Fehilly) Lucy Normile 6-11-04 Mark Bradburne
9 ran
Breeder:Mrs Reg Crank Breeding: gr g Gunner B - Emerald Flair
Tote Win: £1.80 Places: £1.10; £1.80; £2.70 Exacta: £8.10
Distances: 8, 12, 22, dist, dist
Winning trainer: JONJO O’NEILL Born: April 13, 1952 Based: Jackdaws Castle, Gloucestershire Career: former National Hunt jockey Cheltenham Festival wins: (7) Pertemps Final (1991 Danny Connors, 2003 Inching Closer); National Hunt Chase (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock); Vincent O’Brien County H’cap Hurdle (2000 Master Tern), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope) Aintree Festival wins: Martell cognac V.S. Hcap Chase (2000 Radiation, 2002 Carbury Cross, 2003 Master Tern), Martell Handicap Hurdle (2002 Sudden Shock); Martell XO Anniversary 4YO Hurdle (2002 Quazar), Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle (2002 Intersky Falcon), Topham Chase (2003 Clan Royal), Martell Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Iris’s Gift) Horses in Training (1996-2002): 53; 59; 59; 78; 78, 75, 98 Number of Winners (1995/96-2001/02): 18; 17; 32; 38; 44; 58; 113 Other Big Race Wins: Tripleprint Gold Cup (1999 Legal Right), Tote Silver Cup (2000 Legal Right), Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (2002 Native Emperor), Kingwell Hurdle (2003 Rhinestone Cowboy), Challow Hurdle (2002 Coolnagorna), Reynoldstwon Chase (2003 Keen Leader), Welsh National (2002 Mini Sensation) Wins this season: 112 Treble for Jonjo O’Neill
Winning Jockey: Barry Geraghty Born: September 16, 1979 Background: one of six children from a “horse-mad” family in Drumree. His father Tucker was a useful amateur rider and trains a few horses in addition to his riding school and livery yard while his brothers Ross and Norman are both jockeys. The former won the 2002 Irish Grand National on The Bunny Boiler, while Norman is an amateur who doubles as a farrier. Barry has a background in pony racing, riding his last winner in that arena in September, 1996, before becoming apprenticed to Noel Meade that month and having his first ride the following month. He still rides mainly for Meade, but is also frequently used by Willie Mullins, Frances Crowley and Jessica Harrington. 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 Cheltenham Festival Wins: (6) Irish Independent Arkle Chase (2002 Moscow Flyer), William Hill National Hunt Chase (2003 Youlneverwalkalone), Pertemps Final (2003 Inching Closer), Queen Mother Champion Chase (2003 Moscow Flyer), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2003 Spectroscope), County Hurdle (2003 Spirit Leader) Big Race Wins: MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL (1998 Miss Orchestra), ROYAL BOND NOVICES’ HURDLE (1999 Moscow Flyer), MARTELL SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE (2000 Sackville); EVENING HERALD CHAMPION NOVICES’ HURDLE (2000 Moscow Flyer); STEEL PLATE & SECTIONS NOVICES’ CHASE (2002 Super Fellow), INTERVET TROPHY (2002 Stormez), THOMAS PINK GOLD CUP (2002 Cyfor Malta), Martell Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2003 Iris’s Gift)
SIXTH RACE RESULT
4.55pm HAPPY SHOPPER MILDMAY NOVICES’ CHASE
Class A, Grade Two, £75,000 Guaranteed. For 5yo+, 3m 1f. Weights: 5yo 10st 7lb; 6yo+ 11st 2lb. Penalties: after April 27, 2002, a winner of a Class C chase 3lb, of a Class B chase 5lb; of a Class A chase 7lb. Allowances: mares 5lb.Penalty Values: 1st: £43,500; 2nd: £16,500; 3rd: £8,250 4th: £3,750; 5th: £1,875; 6th: £1,125
1) IRISH HUSSAR (Major Christopher Hanbury) Nicky Henderson 7-11-02 Mick Fitzgerald 3/1
2) IT TAKES TIME (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 9-11-07 Tony McCoy 15/8F
3) JOLY BEY (Million In Mind Partnership (12)) Paul Nicholls 6-11-07 Ruby Walsh 6/1
4) SUPER FELLOW (P M Dwyer) Denis Murphy IRE tb9-11-07 John Cullen
5) SEA DRIFTING (Mrs S Giles & Mrs J Taqvi) Kevin Morgan 6-11-02 Noel Fehily
PU BEF 3 OUT) FAR DAWN (John Marriott) John Gallagher 10-11-02 Jodie Mogford
PU BEF LAST) IBIS ROCHELAIS (Andrew Wates) Albert Ennis 7-11-07 Tony Dobbin
PU BEF 2 OUT) JAKARI (The Earl Cadogan) Henry Daly 6-11-02 Richard Johnson
PU BEF 3 OUT) LUCKY BAY (Executive Racing II) Henrietta Knight 7-11-09 Jim Culloty
9 ran
Breeder: Mrs R H Lalor Breeding: b g Supreme Leader - Shuild Ard
Tote Win: £3.40 Places: £1.60; £1.30; £1.90 Exacta: £7.70
Distances: 5, 7, 6, 29
Winning trainer: NICHOLAS JOHN HENDERSON Based: Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Date of birth:10/12/50 Date of first licence: July (1978) Previous occupation/ apprenticeship: Amateur jockey, assistant to Fred Winter 1975-78 Wins (1982/3-2001/02):40, 43, 40, 46, 67, 40, 43, 41, 49, 52, 53, 48, 45, 47, 58, 54, 73, 67, 81, 93 Number of horses in training (1984-2002): 56, 45, 56, 66, 76, 67, 66, 72, 71, 71, 65, 64, 69, 80, 83, 84, 91, 115, 114 Aintree Festival wins: Mumm Melling Chase (1992 Remittance Man), Martell Mildmay Novices’ Chase (1991 Sparkling Flame, 2003 Irish Hussar), John Hughes Memorial Chase (1990 Wont Be Gone Long) Cheltenham Festival wins: (25) County (1997 Barna Boy, 1993 Thumbs Up), Kim Muir (1990 Master Bob, 2002 The Bushkeeper), Mildmay (1985,1986 The Tsarevich), Stayers (1989 Rustle, 2000 Bacchanal), Cathcart (1994 Raymylette, 1990 Brown Windsor, 1999 and 2000 Stormyfairweather), Supreme H (1986 River Ceiriog, 1992 Flown), Queen Mother (1992 Remittance Man), Arkle (1991 Remittance Man, 1993 Travado, 2000 Tiutchev), Smurfit Champion Hurdle (1985, 1986, 1987 See You Then),Triumph (1985 First Bout, 1987 Alone Success, 1999 Katarino), William Hill National Hunt H’cap Chase (2000 Marlborough) Other major wins include: Desert Orchid South Western Pattern Chase (1992 Remittance Man), Plymouth Gin Haldon Gold Cup Chase (1993/94/95 Travado), First National Bank Gold Cup (1994 Raymylette), Peterborough Chase (1992 Remittance Man, 1993 & 1995 Travado), Long Distance Hurdle (1995 Conquering Leader, 2002 Bachannal), Feltham Novices’ Chase (1991 Mutare, 1997 Fiddling The Facts), Victor Chandler Chase (1996 Big Matt), Agfa Diamond Chase (1996 Amtrak Express), Scottish Champion Hurdle (1986 River Ceiriog), BMW Handicap Chase (1998 Big Matt), Kennel Gate Hurdle (1998 Hidebound), West Yorkshire Hurdle (1999 Silver Wedge), Gerry Feilden Hurdle (1999 Bacchanal), luvbet.com Pendil Novices’ Chase (1999 Makounji, 2000 Serenus), Weekender Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (1999 Premier Generation), Voice Newspaper Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (1999 Katarino), Rossington Main Novice’s Hurdle (2000 Dusk Duel), Tote Gold Trophy Hcap Hurdle (1998 Sharpical, 2000 Geos, 2001 Landing Light), AON Chase (2002 Bacchanal), Tripleprint Gold Cup (2002 Fondmort), Ladbroke Hurdle (2002 Chauvinist) Wins This Season: 65
Winning Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald Date/place of birth: Cork, 10/05/1970 Cheltenham Festival Wins: (11) CATHCART CHASE: (1994 Raymylette, 1999 and 2000 Stormyfairweather), WILLIAM HILL NATIONAL HUNT CHASE (1995 Rough Quest, 2000 Marlborough), JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE (1999 Katarino), QUEEN MOTHER (1999 Call Equiname), TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (1999 See More Business), IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY NOVICES’ CHASE (2000 Tiutchev), BONUSPRINT STAYERS’ HURDLE (2000 Bacchanal), CORAL CUP (2003 Xenophon) Aintree Festival Wins: MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL CHASE (1996 Rough Quest), MARTELL AINTREE HURDLE (Bimsey 1997), CORDON BLEU HANDICAP HURDLE (1995 Thinking Twice), MARTELL CUP CHASE (2000 See More Business), CHIVAS REGAL HANDICAP CHASE (2001 Kingsmark), Martell Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2003 Irish Hussar) Other Big Race Wins: VICTOR CHANDLER CHASE (Big Matt 1996), AGFA DIAMOND CHASE (1996 Amtrak Express), MITIE GROUP KENNEL GATE HURDLE (1998 Hidebound), TOTE LANZAROTE HCAP HURDLE (1999 Tiutchev), MITSUBISHI SHOGUN GAME SPIRIT CHASE (1999 Celibate), MITSUBISHI SHOGUN PENDILNOVICES’ CHASE (1999 Makounji), WEEKENDER DOVECOTE NOVICES’ HURDLE (1999 Premier Generation), VOICE NEWSPAPER ADONIS JUVENILE NOVICES’ HURDLE (1999 Katarino), QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (1999 Call Equiname), TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (1999 See More Business), CHARLIE HALL CHASE (1999 and 2000 See More Business), ROSSINGTON MAIN NOVICES’ HURDLE (2000 Dusk Duel), AON CHASE (2000 See More Business), TOTE GOLD TROPHY HCAP HURDLE (2000 Geos, 2001 Landing Light), DESERT ORCHID H’CAP CHASE (2000 Fadalko), TRIPLEPRINT GOLD CUP (2002 Fondmort) Number of Wins (1995/96-2001/02): 68; 82; 102; 121; 107; 78; 109 Wins This Season: 74
SEVENTH RACE RESULT
5.30pm CLARK’S BREWERY HANDICAP HURDLE
Class A, Listed Race, £40,000 Guaranteed. For 4yo+, 2m 4f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties: after March 22, a winner of a hurdle 4lb.1st: £43,500; 2nd: £16,500; 3rd: £8,250 4th: £3,750; 5th: £1,875; 6th: £1,125
1) PATRIOT GAMES (J P McManus) Charlie Swan IRE 10-04 Charlie Swan 16/1
2) GRALMANO (Coleorton Moor Racing) Kevin Ryan 8-10-06 Graham Lee 10/1
3) CANADA (Bill Gredley) Martin Pipe 5-10-00 Rodi Greene 16/1
4) EMOTIONAL MOMENT (Watercork Syndicate) Tom Taaffe IRE 6-11-01 Barry Geraghty 3/1F
5) SAMON (The Macca & Growler Partnership) Martin Pipe 6-11-04 Tony McCoy
6) COLOURFUL LIFE (Andy Peake & David Jackson) Mary Reveley 7-10-00 Alan Dempsey
7) MONKERHOSTIN (Martin St Quinton) Oliver Sherwood 6-10-06 Jim Culloty
8) FNAN (Des Sharkey) Noel Meade IRE 7-10-08 Paul Carberry
9) MURRAY RIVER (David Johnson) Martin Pipe tv7-9-11 Mr Jamie Moore (5)
10) TIKRAM (Mike Charlton & Rodger Sargent) Gary Moore 6-10-10 Leighton Aspell
11) EXALTED (Elva Maxwell & Tony Thorbum) Tom Cuthbert 10-10-00 Brian Harding
12) DUBAI SEVEN STARS (Alison Farrant) Martin Pipe 5-9-11 Danny Howard (3)
13) FARINEL (J P McManus) Arthur Moore IRE b1 7-10-00 David Casey
14) SONEVAFUSHI (Brian Dice) Venetia Williams b5-9-07 James Davies (7)
PU BEF LAST) ACHILLES WINGS (Exterior Profiles Ltd) Karen George 7-10-00 Seamus Durack
PU BEF 8) TUCACAS (Belinda Harvey) Martin Pipe v1 6-11-01 Tom Scudamore
16 ran
Non-Runner: In Contrast (withdrawn not under starter’s orders - ground)
Breeder: Astock Manor Stud Breeding: b h Polish Patriot - It’s Now Or Never
Tote Win: £14.80 Places: £2.30; £2.30; 33.90; £1.20 Exacta: £195.10
Distances: 1 1/2, 5, 6, hd, 1, 8, 5, 12, 14, 4, 16, 13, 6
Winning trainer/jockey: CHARLIE SWAN Based: The Cobs, Modreeny, Clough Jordan, County Tipperary, Ireland Born: January 20, 1968 Background: Champion jockey in Ireland nine times; won the London Clubs Trophy for riding most winners at Cheltenham Festival in 1993 and 1994. Announced in September, 1998, that he will no longer ride over fences (but will continue to ride in hurdle events) to concentrate on training. Cheltenham Festival Wins (as a jockey): (16) CHAMPION HURDLE (1998,1999 and 2000 Istabraq), ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE HURDLE (1994 Danoli, 1996 Urubande, 1997 Istabraq), CITROEN SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE (1993 Montelado, 2002 Like-A-Butterfly), STAKIS CASINOS FINAL (1993 Fissure Seal), TRIUMPH HURDLE (1993 Shawiya, 2002 Scolardy), CORAL CUP (1994 Time For A Run), BUMPER (1993 Mucklemeg, 2000 Joe Cullen), BONUSPRINT STAYERS HURDLE (1990 Trapper John, 1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh), QUEEN MOTHER CHASE (1995 Viking Flagship). Aintree Festival Wins (as a jockey): MARTELL AINTREE HURDLE (Danoli 1994 & 1995, Urubande 1996, Istabraq 1999), MARTELL MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE (1995 Tervel, 1998 Promalee), BELLE EPOQUE SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE (1989 Boureen Belle), Clark’s Brewery Handicap Hurdle Clark’s Brewery Handicap Hurdle (1992 Ninepins; 1997 Cadougold, 2003 Patriot Games) Majors Wins As A Trainer: Thyestes Chase (2002 This Is Serious), Tote Eider (2002 This Is Serious), Clark’s Brewery Handicap Hurdle (2003 Patriot Games) Announced today that he will retire as a jockey tomorrow
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