Racenews Newslink Archive - Thursday, April 1, 2004

Thursday, April 1, 2004

MARTELL COGNAC GRAND NATIONAL MEETING
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
AINTREE, THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2004

REVISED 2004 MARTELL COGNAC GRAND NATIONAL CONFIRMED FIELD

Class A, Showcase Handicap, Total Prize Fund Ł600,000, 3.45pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 3, 2004. 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 21 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 21, 2004 (122 entries), entries revealed Thursday, January 22, 2004. Weights revealed Tuesday, February 3, 2004. First confirmation stage Tuesday, February 17, 2004 (100 remained); second confirmation stage Tuesday, March 23, 2004 (77 remained). Five-day confirmation stage Monday, March 29, 2004 (61 remain). Final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, April 1, 2004 (40 declared). Confirmation of riders must be made by 1.00pm Thursday, April 1, 2004. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, March 29, 2004. May not include some overseas form.

No. Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer Probable Jockey
1)11F4-422 LE COUDRAY (FR) 10-11-12 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE Conor O’Dwyer
2)3641-5000 MONTY'S PASS (IRE) 11-11-10 Dee Racing Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE Barry Geraghty
3)14P52/F-4 WHAT'S UP BOYS (IRE) 10-11-09 Jacky Deithrick Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
4)16U3/-660420 ALEXANDER BANQUET (IRE) 11-11-08 Miriam O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE Shay Barry
5)24/13-36 KINGSMARK (IRE) 11-11-07 Sir Robert Ogden Martin Todhunter Mick Fitzgerald
6)PU3/-1313 ARTIC JACK (FR) 8-11-07 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith Dominic Elsworth
7)3-161F20 RISK ACCESSOR (IRE) 9-11-04 J P McManus Christy Roche IRE Seamus Durack
8)404-35626 DAVIDS LAD (IRE) 10-11-04 Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE Timmy Murphy
9)06-F216 BINDAREE (IRE) 10-11-04 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn
10)4-2555P1 ALCAPONE (IRE) 10-11-00 Ann Daly Mouse Morris IRE Noel Fehily
11)P-1211415U PUNTAL (FR) 8-10-13 Terry Neill Martin Pipe Danny Howard
12)000-431 SOUTHERN STAR (IRE) 9-10-13 Trevor Hemmings Henrietta Knight Joe Tizzard
13)310-2431 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 8-10-12 Trevor Hemmings Willie Mullins IRE David Casey
14)12-U11P042 SHARDAM (IRE) 7-10-11 Howard Parker Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Scudamore
15)230-435601 TAKAGI (IRE) 9-10-11 Dermot Cox Edward O'Grady IRE Davy Russell
16)5/1110-2 JOSS NAYLOR (IRE) 9-10-11 Darren Mercer Jonjo O'Neill Paul Carberry
17)033-342P5 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE (IRE) 12-10-10 Halewood International Ltd Ginger McCain Graham Lee
18)P00U0-0P0 THE BUNNY BOILER (IRE) 10-10-08 The Usual Suspects Syndicate Noel Meade IRE Ross Geraghty
19)10/-22P2101P TYNEANDTHYNEAGAIN 9-10-08 Norman Mason Richard Guest Henry Oliver
20)P/5022U- RED STRIKER 10-10-08 Norman Mason Richard Guest Larry McGrath
21)014-P1P1 GUNNER WELBURN 12-10-08 William Ritson/David Hall/R D Ellis Andrew Balding Tony Dobbin
22)15-36514 KELAMI (FR) 6-10-07 Halewood International Ltd Francois Doumen FR Thierry Doumen
23)13-14521 JURANCON II (FR) 7-10-07 David Johnson Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
24)06-0601P ROYAL ATALZA (FR) 7-10-06 Terry Ramsden Conrad Allen Paul Moloney
25)3122035P1 JUST IN DEBT (IRE) 8-10-05 Bill Hazeldean Martin Todhunter Jim Culloty
26)PUP-35336 EXIT TO WAVE (FR) 8-10-05 Malcolm Pearce & Gerry Mizel II Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
27)51411-1 CLAN ROYAL (FR) 9-10-05 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill Liam Cooper
28)6P02-FP AKARUS (FR) 9-10-04 John White Martin Pipe Rodi Greene
29)U0-U04225 SPOT THEDIFFERENCE (IRE) 11-10-04 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE Richard McGrath
30)1/0P6-3P BOUNCE BACK (USA) 8-10-04 Belinda Harvey Martin Pipe Andrew Thornton
31)120-43440 ARDENT SCOUT 12-10-03 Alicia & Warren Skene Sue Smith Warren Marston
32)12-P1112 BEAR ON BOARD (IRE) 9-10-01 Jim Brown Alan King Robert Thornton
33)11-1P LORD ATTERBURY (IRE) 8-10-01 David Johnson Martin Pipe Mark Bardburne
34)312/2U6- MANTLES PRINCE 10-10-01Emlyn Hughes' Cleobury Golfers Alan Juckes Ollie McPhail
35)6000-40R BLOWING WIND (FR) 11-10-01 Peter Deal Martin Pipe Jimmy McCarthy
36)11-30U05 SKYCAB (IRE) 12-10-00 P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd Nick Gifford Leighton Aspell
37)4F-5FPP030 WONDER WEASEL (IRE) 11-10-0 Alan Halsall Kim Bailey J P McNamara
38)35PP/05-40 SMARTY (IRE) 11-10-00 Tracy Brown Mark Pitman Andrew Tinkler
*39)U3-F64S6P MONTREAL (FR) 7-10-00 David Johnson Martin Pipe Joey Elliott
40)0/1-0F514BP LUZCADOU (FR) 11-10-00 A G Chappell Ferdy Murphy Brian Harding

There are three remaining reserves:
R2)0F-P6P3250 BRAMBLEHILL DUKE (IR) 12-10-00 Mel Davies Venetia Williams
R3)22P-P2RP03 KILDORRAGH (IRE) 10-10-00 Carrie Zetter-Wells Lawrence Wells
R4342-4211 SCOTMAIL BOY (IRE) 11-10-00 George Tobitt Howard Johnson

* Montreal was first reserve but will run as number 39 following Silver Streak’s withdrawal on a vet’s certificate today.

NEW RECORD THURSDAY CROWD

Today’s first-day crowd of 26,200 is a new record for the Thursday of the Grand National meeting, being up 3,750 (+17% (per cent) on the 22,450 racegoers seen last year.

Charles Barnett, Aintree’s managing director, commented: “I am naturally thrilled with this new first-day record attendance which reflects the enormous interest in the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting.

“The advance sales have been good for all three days but there will still be Tattersalls tickets available for tomorrow and Saturday on the day, while the Steeplechase Enclosure is also open on Saturday, Martell Cognac Grand National day.”

GOING REMAINS GOOD

The going on all three courses remains GOOD with some rain forecast this evening.

Aintree’s Clerk of the Course, Andrew Tulloch, reported: “We’re going to have a dry evening but there is rain forecast from 9pm onwards with between four and five millimetres expected.

“The rain is due to clear in the early hours with the possibility of the odd shower on Friday afternoon. Tomorrow night is set to be dry with early showers on Saturday morning, clearing up by lunchtime.

“The going remains Good and we have no plans to water.”

FIRST RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC LAUREL PUB COMPANY LIVERPOOL HURDLE WIN QUOTES

GIFT AGAIN

Jumping fences will be nothing new to Iris’s Gift when he goes over the bigger obstacles next season.

For trainer Jonjo O’Neill revealed after the bonusprint.com Stayers Hurdle champion had won the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle, that he never jumps hurdles at home - only fences.

Already, Iris’s Gift has been given a quote by Cashmans of 5-1 for next year’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but O’Neill is already looking further than that - at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Jackdaws Castle handler agreed he was a potential Gold Cup horse. He said: “He jumps well, stays well and seems to go on any ground. He is the most exciting novice chaser I have ever had. Please God, he jumps fences as well as he does hurdles.”

Paddy Power have also taken that view and quote him a 16-1 chance for the 2005 Gold Cup.

O’Neill added: “I thought he had a hard race at Cheltenham when he beat Barracouda and he was a bit quiet for a few days. But then he was back to his old self.”

Barry Geraghty had trouble getting Iris’s Gift to canter down to the start but that is nothing new.

O’Neill said: “He tries to knock the place down at home and he gives his lad a terrible time.”

Of the victory, O’Neill said: “He is a horse who loves a battle. He goes off a fast or slow pace and goes up or downhill. It’s lovely ground.”

Owner Bob Lester said: “This has been a wonderful roller coaster ride. Cheltenham was the dream, this is the icing on a very large cake and now I get to fulfil the ambition of taking a horse to Punchestown.

“It has been a great effort from everyone at Jackdaws Castle to get us this far.”

Jockey Barry Geraghty added: “I knew that there was going to be no pace but I didn’t want to make it because I knew he would run keen and he did.

“He was very good over his hurdles and is going to make a smashing chaser. I was happy that I was on the best horse in the race. He has gone away in the finish, he was always pulling out, he was never going to be headed.”

FIRST RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC LAUREL PUB COMPANY LIVERPOOL HURDLEPLACED QUOTES

CONNECTIONS PROUD
OF ROYAL ROSA

Royal Rosa pushed hotpot Iris’s Gift all the way in the opener, but trainer Howard Johnson will not be tempted to run his exciting youngster again this season.

Johnson said:”That’s it, and he’ll now go on his summer holidays. Royal Rosa is the most lovely horse, and, remember, he is only a five-year-old novice.

“I always stressed that everything that he does this season would be a bonus, and it will be straight over fences next winter.

“He never gave up the chase out there and was beaten by a very special horse, but, who knows, we might take him on again over fences next season.”

Royal Rosa, who fetched a record 340,000gns at the Sales when bought out of Nicky Henderson’s stable, impressed Paddy Power, who quote him at 10-1 for next year’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham. Iris’s Gift is their 8-1 favourite.

Crystal keeps to hurdles

Crystal D’Ainay, who finished fourth to Iris’s Gift in the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle (2.00), will not be going over fences next season.

Trainer Alan King said: “He’s not a novice over fences [having won over them in France] so we’ll be going down the Stayers’ Hurdle route again.”

Crystal D’Ainay was third in this year’s running of the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but, although he could not turn the tables on Iris’s Gift, his trainer was not too disappointed.

“He’s run a decent enough race and beat Sh Boom again, but I just wish my horses were in a bit better form,” said King. “It’s nothing I can put my finger on.”

FIRST RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC LAUREL PUB COMPANY LIVERPOOL HURDLE - PLACED QUOTES

CONNECTIONS PROUD
OF ROYAL ROSA

Royal Rosa pushed hotpot Iris’s Gift all the way in the opener, but trainer Howard Johnson will not be tempted to run his exciting youngster again this season.

Johnson said:”That’s it, and he’ll now go on his summer holidays. Royal Rosa is the most lovely horse, and, remember, he is only a five-year-old novice.

“I always stressed that everything that he does this season would be a bonus, and it will be straight over fences next winter.

FIRST RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC LAUREL PUB COMPANY LIVERPOOL HURDLE

GROUND
After today’s opening contest, the following jockeys reported the ground as being:

Barry Geraghty, rider of winner Iris’s Gift, said: “It’s just on the slow side of good - lovely ground.”

Tony McCoy, rider of Deano’s Beeno, said: “Good.”

Tony Dobbin, rider of Hasty Prince, said: “Beautiful.”

Ruby Walsh, rider of Holy Orders, said: “Beautiful.”

Graham Lee, rider of Royal Rosa, said: “Perfect.”

Jimmy McCarthy, rider Aine Dubh, said: “It’s good ground.”

SECOND RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC CUP CHASE
WIN QUOTES

Tiutchev proves versatility

Martin Pipe went back to the head of the trainers’ championship, ahead of Paul Nicholls, after Tiutchev won the Martell Cognac Cup (2.35), worth Ł87,000 to the winner.

Jockey Tony McCoy stalked the pacemaking First Gold throughout the final circuit of the 3m 1f race, and sent Tiutchev on running to the final fence. First Gold battled bravely on to take second, three and a half lengths behind Tiutchev and the same distance ahead of third-placed Hand Inn Hand.

The winner, who started at 11-2, has been asked to prove his versatility this season, having finished runner-up to Edredon Bleu in the Pertemps King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton, and then third to Azertyuiop in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. A former winner of the Arkle Trophy (when trained by Nicky Henderson), this was Tiutchev’s most valuable victory and his first at a trip in excess of two miles four and a half furlongs.

Pipe was not at Aintree today, preferring to stay at home in Somerset, but his son David, said: “If he was ever going to get three miles one furlong, it would be round here. The ground was perfect for him and the race was run to suit him.

“He’s been a superstar over the years - he hasn’t always been with us. It would be nice to have some more horses like him.”

Asked about his father’s battle with Nicholls for the championship , Pipe said: “It’s been an up and down season, we have been in front sometimes, and behind other times , but it is three big days, and this win is a fantastic bonus for us.

“I think A P McCoy is on the right one in the National, Jurancon II, but I think the horse would be best on good ground so we wouldn’t want any rain. The others have all got squeaks on their best form.”

SECOND RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC CUP CHASE
MORE WIN QUOTES

MCCOY SATISFIED

Winning rider Tony McCoy said: “That victory gave me a lot of satisfaction but as much for the horse.

“He was second to Beef Or Salmon in Ireland, he was second in the King George and he was third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He is a 11 now and the boss has done a fantastic job training him.

“I thought Tiutchev was an absolute certainty at Ascot but he disappointed me on very heavy ground. He likes the good ground.

“If you could ride horses like that every day who can jump, travel and try for you, then you would ride hundreds of winners.

“It was a help today that the race was run at a slow pace. The plan was not to take on First Gold too early. The ground is beautiful, a little bit dead in places.

“I seriously believe Jurancon II has a big chance on Saturday - I know I have ridden horses who have been favourite or thereabouts for the last four or five years - but I genuinely beliwve he has the right sort of credentials - he was won two Grand National trials and was very impressive at Haydock last time.

“He is entitled to be there or thereabouts.”

SECOND RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC CUP CHASE
PLACED QUOTES

FIRST GOLD JUST FAILS TO WIN MARTELL COGNAC CUP CHASE FOR THIRD TIME

First Gold tried valiantly to make all and win this race for the third time but he found Tiutchev three and a half lengths too powerful at the finish.

Francois Doumen, trainer of First Gold, said: “The horse ran a very regular race with no mistakes and I have no excuses. The only thing I would say is that he only had two weeks instead of three [after Cheltenham] but that is the same for every horse.

“He has recovered well from Cheltenham [where he was fifth in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup] and he was doing well anyway to come second - that was no disgrace and he’s come back safe.

“We’ll think about Punchestown and it’s not ruled out. I’ll look at the ground there before any plans are made - if it’s fast ground I don’t want to risk him.

“He’s blowing less than last time and he’s not stressed at all.”

First Gold’s owner, J P McManus, said: “He’s run a cracker,” while his racing manager, Frank Berry, added: “He’s been beaten by a better horse on the day.”

THIRD RACE THE UNWINS WINE GROUP ANNIVERSARY 4-Y-O NOVICES’ HURDLE
WIN QUOTES

AL EILE REVERSES CHELTENHAM FORM

Trainer John Queally celebrated the biggest win of his career when Al Eile out battled JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Made In Japan to win the Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-y-o Novices Hurdle.

But he was at a loss to explain the fact that his horse had only finished 15th of the 23 runners at Cheltenham.

Queally, one of the top amateur riders in Ireland in the past, explained: “When I saw Best Mate nearly getting beat in the Gold Cup, I gave Al Eile the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the ground.

“It was sticky at Cheltenham whereas it had been soft and loose the time before in Ireland.”

He added: “The run in the Triumph Hurdle was the only blip on his career. He just ran so sort of race.”

He is another who will now be making the trip to Punchestown, providing the ground is soft.

Jockey Timmy Murphy made a crucial switch to the rails to challenge Made In Japan but this was not orders from Queally.

The trainer said: “I will have to ask him why he did that but as everyone knows, a young horse needs the rail to run against to keep them straight.

Murphy added: “He got crowded in the Triumph and lost interest so we decided to change things this time.”

THIRD RACE THE UNWINS WINE GROUP ANNIVERSARY 4-Y-O NOVICES’ HURDLE QUOTES

WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY

Paul Nicholls was delighted with My Will, who finished third, six lengths behind the runner-up, Made In Japan.

Nicholls said: “He’s a long-distance stayer in the making, so this is a bonus.

“He’s entered to run at Punchestown, but my gut feeling would be to put him away until next season. It will depend on the ground.”

My Will won twice for Guillaume Macaire’s yard before joining Nicholls earlier this year, and had subsequently run just once, when second to King Revo at Haydock.

Robert Thornton, rider of Howle Hill, who disappointed in 10th after finishing fifth in the JCB Triumph Hurdle last time, said: “It was too quick on him after the last race.”

THIRD RACE THE UNWINS WINE GROUP ANNIVERSARY 4-Y-O NOVICES’ HURDLE
PLACED QUOTES

TRIUMPH WINNER HEADS TO PUNCHESTOWN
JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Made In Japan went down with all guns blazing when beaten by 25-1 shot Al Eile, but Philip Hobbs expressed himself “well satisfied” with the runner-up.

Hobbs said:”Perhaps a faster pace would have suited us better, but Made In Japan has plenty of speed and there are no real excuses.

“He will now go to Punchestown, where the stiff track ought to suit us, but I look upon him as an embryo chaser and he might well go over fences later on this year.

“You have to be realistic - Triumph Hurdle winners are not going to win a Champion Hurdle, and he is a good, strong horse who jumps hurdles well, so why not take advantage of the weight allowance that four-year-olds get in novice chases.

“Who knows, in 11 months time we might be looking at him in terms of the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, but he is only rated 80 on the Flat so we could even consider a Flat race or two in the summer. He is not short of pace.”

FOURTH RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC FOX HUNTERS’ CHASE
WIN QUOTES

FAIRYTALE FOR FORDS

Less than three months after having a baby Carrie Ford conquered the Grand National fences in the Martell Cognac Fox Hunters on Forest Gunner, winning by eight lengths from favourite Sikander A Azam.

Her husband Richard trains the winner and he said: “The baby is not here - she’s back at the yard being looked after by a good friend. She was born on January 18, and her name is Hannah. It’s Carrie’s first ride back over fences and her second overall as she’s won over hurdles.

“She’s done tremendous to get back and I have to admit that I hoped that she wold pack in race riding after the baby. She then rode the horse out and wanted to give it a go - I was not completely happy but she’s worked hard on her fitness.

“I can’t really be too uncomfortable about her riding as I ride motorcycles around the Isle Of Man at 160mph. She did retire last year and I was chuffed and I’m hoping that she says she’s going to retire for the second time after this!

“I rode the winner here in 1996 [Rolling Ball] and there is no comparison - it is far worse watching it. We both went on the outside early for some daylight and we were both frogmarched around the course by Neale Doughty - she’s carried out his instructions perfectly. She’s had two rides in this before and completed both times.

“I always thought that the horse would do it. The plan was to come here 16 months ago and everything has gone to plan.

“I’m delighted for the owner [John Gilsenan] as he went to look at two horses in the field bred by Reg Crank and he chose this one - the other one was Iris’s Gift [winner of today’s opener and the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle].”

The winner did make a bad mistake during the race touching the ground with his nose. Carrie Ford said: “Jumping those fences is easier than childbirth - he did make a mistake early on, at the second, but it probably did us both the world of good because Forest Gunner was very careful after that.

“Richard had this planned for a long time so I was buggered if I was going to fall off the horse there.

“We got just got into a rhythm after that early mistake - I did not think about the other horses. I didn’t ride out for six weeks after having Hannah. I had ridden him five times before and won four and been second once. I have been running and swimming to get fit. “

FOURTH RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC FOX HUNTERS’ CHASE
PLACE QUOTES

GRAND NATIONAL RACING CLUB MEMBERS JUBILANT

At Ł199, The Grand National Racing Club is excellent value, and the 100 members enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when Sikander A Azam ran his heart out in second place in the Martell Cognac Fox Hunters.

Tom Greenall, 19-year-old son of Aintree Chairman Lord Daresbury, had fallen at the first on his only previous ride over the big Liverpool fences, but this time Sikander A Azam gave him an experience that he won’t forget.

He said:”He has run a blinder. I thought I might win turning in, but he did not find as much as I hoped and the other horse kept going.”

Paul Clarkson, spokesman for the Grand National Racing Club, said:”That was super, and we’ve got Hermes carrying our colours in tomorrow’s Martell Cognac Topham Trophy.

“There is still room for more members, and we will be keeping the Club open.”

NATIONAL NEXT YEAR FOR GUN’N ROSES II

Paul Keane vowed to be back at Aintree in 366 days time - “in the winner’s enclosure next time” - after Gun n’ Roses II had plugged on well for third place.

The trainer said:”We will start planning tomorrow morning. The ground beat him.”

Those sentiments were echoed by jockey James Jenkins, who said:”The ground was a bit quick for him - if it had been soft they would never have got near him.

“I thought I might peg them back crossing the Melling Road, but the winner kept going.”

Owner Stan Clarke, who won with Rolling Ball in 1996, said:”This is a very special race, and I always start cheering before the tapes go up. He got a bit close to the water, but he was probably thinking twice after jumping the Chair.”

FINES FOR ALL FOX HUNTERS’ CHASE RIDERS

All 25 riders who took part in today’s Martell Cognac Fox Hunters’ Chase were fined Ł100 by the stewards after being found guilty of disobeying the starter.

There was a delay at the start of the 2m 6f event, because starter Peter Haynes was unhappy that many of the runners were too close to the tape. He repeatedly demanded that they should step back and eventually made them take a turn.

However, after viewing video evidence of the start, the stewards decided the amateur riders had moved towards the tape before Haynes had mounted his rostrum.

The inquiry, which was not finally concluded until after the last race, came to the conclusion that the riders were in breach of Rule 28.

Twenty-four were given fines on the spot, but Tina Jackson, who had left the course immediately after the race, will be notified of her penalty.

FIFTH RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE
WIN QUOTES

TIDOUR BOUNCES BACK

Paul Webber celebrated his third victory in the Martell Cognac Red Run Handicap Chase in six years when Tidour bolted up by nine length for an emotional victory.

Webber, who was relieved to see Tidour get up after he had taken a hard fall at the second last in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, said:”He brought down Puntal and got a heavy kick in the head, but amazingly he escaped with a one-inch cut.

“He is such a tough horse and so brave, and he is owned by a special lady in Susie Fisher. Her husband Mick encouraged me to buy the horse, but sadly he went to heaven two years ago after suffering cancer. Hopefully, he might be having a large brandy up there now !”

Tidour is entered again here on Saturday, but Webber is unsure whether to go for a bold double.

He explained:”The handicapper will probably put us up by more than 7lb, so it would make sense to run under a penalty, but Tom (Doyle) won’t be available as his uncle has died and he is going home to Kilkenny for the funeral.”

FIFTH RACE THE MARTELL COGNAC RED RUM HANDICAP CHASE
PLACED QUOTES

SECOND AND THIRD FOR NICHOLLS

Paul Nicholls saddled Armaturk and St Pirran to finish second and third behind Tidour.

The Shepton Mallet trainer said: “Armaturk is on a handicap mark that is hard to win off and he’s run a great race - we’ve won a few quid anyway. He might go to Ayr as he likes to go left-handed.

“St Pirran has run just two weeks after Cheltenham [when successful in the Grand Annual Chase] and he might have preferred a month and then gone to Sandown or Punchestown. Ruby said that he was not quite so fresh early on in the race although he got into it later on.

“I’m openminded where he might go now - Sandown for the Queen Mother Celebration Chase or Punchestown. I’m pleased with both horses and St Pirran was running off a mark 11lb higher in the handicap.”

St Pirran’s owner Graham Roach agreed with his trainer’s analysis. He added: “It was a bit quick after Cheltenham. He didn’t appear to have a hard race at Cheltenham, but it’s hard to come here and win just two weeks later.”

SIXTH RACE MARTELL COGNAC BEEFEATER RESTAURANTS HANDICAP HURDLE
WIN QUOTES

ZIBELINE PREVAILS LATE

Malton trainer Brian Ellison celebrated his first Aintree victory when useful Flat racer Zibeline outpaced Northumberland Plate winner Unleash and Redemption in the Martell Cognac Beefeater Restaurants Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles, which was run at a furious pace.

Zibeline, who can only operate on left-hand courses, was dropping down a grade, having run behind Brave Inca in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Ellison has no doubt that he is a horse who belongs in the Premier League.

He said:”Zibeline has always been a good horse, but he needs a fast gallop and has been crying out for some decent ground. They never went fast enough for him at Cheltenham, but it all worked a treat today.

“I thought he was gojng to be in the shake-up in the Tote Cesarewitch, but you have to bury him in the pack and when they fanned out turning into the straight he found himself on the heels of the leaders and seeing too much daylight. He probably didn’t get the two and a quarter miles anyway - he is a two-miler on the Flat.”

Ellison may run Zibeline once more at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting, but he is already planning for this summer.

He added:”Zibeline is rated 89 on the level, and there are two races we have in mind - another crack at the Northumberland Plate and a race at Epsom, where he ran well last year. Then we might go novice chasing - he has already been schooled and, though he jumps only OK, he’ll show his true colours when he is at racing pace.”

Sarah Hobbs, wife of Philip Hobbs, who saddled second-placed Unleash, said: “I’m very pleased - he got there at the right time but unfortunately came up against a better horse. He’s very consistent on the Flat and over hurdles.”

This was Hobbs’ second runner-up of the afternoon following Made In Japan in the 4-y-o novices’ hurdle. His wife added: “Yes thank you - that is our second second - thanks for reminding me!”

SEVENTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
MARTELL COGNAC MAKRO MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE

ANOTHER BUMPER PAY DAY AWAITS MILLION IN MIND

The 180-member Million In Mind Partnership is set for a bumper payout at Doncaster’s Spring Sale in May after the syndicate’s Garde Champetre took the concluding Martell Cognac Makro Mersey Novices’ Hurdle by a length and a quarter.

The five-year-old had been a fast-finishing fifth in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and trainer Paul Nicholls admitted he was always hopeful today.

“Looking back he probably should have been in the 2m 5f race at Cheltenham because he was flying at the end but he didn’t have a hard race there,” said Nicholls.

“He had good form with Lingo and Rhinestone Cowboy earlier in the season and he wanted the two and half miles here - this was his race today. Ruby always had him in the right position.

“He might go for the two and a half mile race at Punchestown and is going to make a top-class novice chaser next season, he jumps fences well at home.

“I obviously hope he will come back to me but it’s a matter of who has the deepest pockets at the sale.”

Under the terms of the Million In Mind Partnership, its horses are sold at Doncaster every May and last year’s dispersal included Royal Rosa, who made a record 340,000gns, and Joly Bey, who realised 240,000gns.

SEVENTH RACE MARTELL COGNAC MAKRO MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE

GLUM FACES AS
INGLIS DREVER FLOPS

It was doom and gloom in the space reserved for fourth place as a post-mortem went on into the disappointing run of 11/8 favourite Inglis Drever, who had finished second in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Inglis Driver was flying at the finish but jockey Graham Lee could not hide his disappointment.

He reported:”He was making a bit of a noise and running flat, and I was banging away down the back and getting nowhere. I got hemmed in on the inside, but basically I wasn’t going well enough to get out of a pocket.”

Trainer Howard Johnson offered no excuses for Inglis Drever and reflected:”He has done us proud this winter, but this is the end of a long old season and he has probably had enough. He still hits a flat spot during a race, but, though I am disappointed, these things happen. We’ll put him away and bring him back next season.”

Owner Graham Wylie was in forgiving mood and said:”He had been running all last summer on the Flat and then went straight over hurdles, so he deserves a rest. He was really motoring from
the last but it was asking a lot to expect him to make up that much ground.”

SEVENTH RACE MARTELL COGNAC MAKRO MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE
PLACED QUOTES

MONET’S GARDEN IS IN THE FRAME

Monet’s Garden found just Garde Champetre one and a quarter lengths too powerful in the concluding event.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: “He ran a good race and this is the first time that he’s been off the bridle. He was a little bit green after the second last and it took him a while to get the hang of things.

“Dobbs [Tony Dobbin, jockey] said they went a bit too slow for it to be a proper run race. He’s a super horse and eventually he’ll be a three mile chaser.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this and he might go for a race at Perth or I might run him in a litttle tinpot race so that he can have a nice canter and then put him away.

“Potentially he’s very good - he’s got the breeding and he’s done nothing wrong in his life. I wouldn’t swap him for any of the others in this race and I bet some of those fellows would like him!”

Third-placed Court Shareef was a further head away but trainer Richard Price was not overjoyed.

He said: “He should have won - he was hampered turning for home and that cost him four lengths. He’s an unlucky horse - he was giving 3lb to the first two and he still nearly came back into it. He’s done us proud and he’s good enough and deserves to win one of these races.

“I want to win a big race with him somewhere and he might go to Ireland as he’s one of the best novices around. If there’s a novice race at Punchestown over this sort of trip he might go there.
“He won’t go novice chasing next season as he’s only 15.3 hh.”
Jim Culloty had the pleasure of riding Court Shareef as regular partner Wayne Hutchinson was required at Taunton by his boss Alan King.

“Wayne normally rides him and he’s made this horse, teaching him a lot. His boss made him go to Taunton and he’ll have the ride back next time if his boss lets him!” added Price.

Pipe closes gap on Nicholls

At the conclusion of day one of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting, Martin Pipe halved the gap between himself and Paul Nicholls in the battle for the trainer’s championship.

Pipe started the day Ł58,050 behind his rival, but Tuitchev’s victory took him briefly into the lead.

Nicholls responded with a win for Garde Champetre, but with useful placings (a second and two thirds) he went back to the head of the table.

Overnight Nicholls’ total stands at Ł1,979,404 a lead of Ł29,087 over Pipe, who has won Ł1,950,317.

TIMMY MURPHY BANNED FOR ONE DAY

The stewards banned Timmy Murphy, rider of winner Al Eile in the Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle, for a day - Monday, April 12.

The stewards looked into his use of the whip after the last and decided that Murphy had used it in an incorrect place.

ANDREW THORNTON REPORTED TO JOCKEY CLUB

Jockey Andrew Thornton was spotted using his mobile phone outside the designated phone zone and the Aintree stewards have referred the matter to the Jockey Club’s Portman Square, London, headquarters.

GOOD GROUND ALL COURSES

Andrew Tulloch, clerk of the course at Aintree, walked the Grand National course this morning and declared “everything is perfect - the ground is in super condition.”

The promised morning shower missed Liverpool completely, but Tulloch has no plans to resume watering unless the weathermen have got their forecasts badly wrong.

Tulloch said:”It is GOOD ground on all three courses (National Mildmay and hurdle), but there is a bout of rain, estimated at around four millimetres, predicted to arrive at 9 o’clock tonight, so it would be foolish to contemplate using the sprinklers again at this stage.

“It is forecast to dry out again tomorrow morning, with the possibility of brighter weather around noon.”

PIPE’S NATIONAL LINE-UP COMPLETE

Martin Pipe has completed his riding arrangements for his seven-strong Martell Cognac Grand National contingent.

Mark Bradburne, who will be having his third ride in Saturday’s race but has yet to get past Valentines first time round (ninth), has been booked to ride smart hunter chaser Lord Atterbury,

Nicholashayne stalwart Rodi Greene, who completed on Majed last year, has the mount on Akarus, while Joey Elliott is on stand-by to ride Montreal, who is first reserve. and now runs because Silver Streak has come out.

Pipe has already confirmed Tony McCoy for the much-fancied Jurancon II, Jimmy McCarthy for Blowing Wind, third to Red Marauder in 1991, Andrew Thornton for 2002 attheraces Gold Cup winner Bounce Back and Danny Howard for Puntal.

Andrew Tinkler has been booked by Mark Pitman to have his first ride in the race on veteran Smarty, runner-up three years ago.

SILVER STREAK OUT OF SATURDAY’S MARTELL COGNAC GRAND NATIONAL

Montreal is the replacement

Silver Streak, trained by Nick Gifford, will not now run in Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National after being declared this morning.

The 10-year-old chaser exercised later this morning and, after pulling up, was found to have broken a blood vessel. The horse is fine but is not fit to run.

This means that the first reserve, Montreal, will now get his chance on Saturday, boosting trainer Martin Pipe’s representation to seven - Joey Elliott will ride.

DOUMEN LOOKING FORWARD TO RIDING KELAMI

Thierry Doumen is looking forward to riding Kelami over the big fences in the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday after “his cracking race at Cheltenham”.

Kelami finished fourth behind Fork Lightening in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase, a run that delighted his jockey.

Doumen said: “He is still a young horse but we have always looked well upon him.

“He ran in the Triumph Hurdle as a four-year-old and he is a horse who has a lot of class.

“He has not had many runs and he proved at Cheltenham that he is a good jumper and he stays.”

Kelami arrived in this country on Wednesday and is being kept at a secret location.

Kelami does have experience over the Auteuil fences, which Doumen believes will stand him in good stead for the Martell Cognac Grand National.

He said: “Every fence at Auteuil is different and the horse has to concentrate all the time. It is important at Aintree that you have a horse who is looking in front of himself.”

BETTING NEWS

One Ladbrokes client who won’t be signing off before the finale on the opening day of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting is the customer who missed breakfast this morning to strike a bet of Ł63,000-Ł9,000 about Charles Egerton’s German recruit Cardenas in the closing Martell Cognac Makro Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

Cardenas ran a cracking first race for Egerton to finish fourth behind Brave Inca in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he was not the only one backed for the race with “the magic sign”, Numitas also being a solid order from 20-1 to 14-1.

Ladbrokes report plenty of interest too in Tarque for the Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-y-o Hurdle and have shaved his price from 16-1 to 12-1, while Corals (12-1 from 14-1) also saw money for Venetia Williams’s youngster, as well as Irish raider Nopekan, who is down to 16-1 from an early morning 22-1.

Gun n’ Roses II is proving the popular choice for the Martell Cognac Foxhunters Chase and Corals have shortened him a point to 4-1.

MORE BETTING NEWS

Punters reckon the opening race on day one of the Martell Cognac Grand National meeting could go with a Sh Boom, if not a bang!

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained six-year-old fell at the Cheltenham Festival when running in the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle, won by his stablemate Iris’s Gift, but morning money suggests Sh Boom could gain handsome compensation in the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle (2.00).

Paddy Power have cut the gelding from 13-2 into 5-1, half a point shorter than William Hill, who were as big as 7-1 earlier today.

First Gold, bidding for a third victory in the Martell Cognac Cup Chase (2.35), has been shortened to 13-8 from 15-8 by William Hill (Paddy Power and totesport have also cut the French horse to 13-8), while, in the same race, Valley Henry has been shortened to 11-2 (from 6-1) by Paddy Power and to 5-1 (13-2) by William Hill.

Tarque, a candidate for the Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (3.10), has been supported by several firms today. Ladbrokes are now 12-1 (from 16-1) about the Venetia Williams-trained gelding, William Hill are 11-1 (from 14-1), while Paddy Power are 10-1 (14-1). In the same contest totesport have cut Howle Hill to 11-2 from 8-1.

Numitas has been a market mover with several firms in the closing Martell Cognac Makro Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (5.30), although there has been a significant bet for one of his rivals, Cardenas, who was backed to win Ł63,000 for a Ł9,000 investment with Ladbrokes this morning.

Totesport are now 11-1 (from 14-1) about Numitas, while Paddy Power and William Hill are both 12-1 about the Philip Hobbs-trained four-year-old.

STABLES IN FULL FLOW

Last year’s Grand National Hero Monty’s Pass arrives back
at scene of his greatest victory

Monty’s Pass, the 2003 Martell Cognac Grand National winner, arrived at Aintree at 3am this morning, when he was put in his old stable in the top yard.

The Martell Cognac Grand National Meeting marks a week of frantic activity for Derek Thompson, Aintree’s Stable Manager, and his hard-working team.

Thompson said: “Moscow Flyer [the 2003 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner] arrived at Aintree at 3am on Wednesday morning and he’s also in the top yard.

“In fact all of the Irish horses and horses staying overnight get located in the top yard. That’s apart from the two French horses, First Gold and Valtar, who are in the paddock yard.

“Martin Pipe has brought 14 horses here today, Jonjo O’Neill six, while Paul Nicholls has eight.”

The number of hours that Thompson and his experienced team will work this week does not bear thinking about but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’m working 5.30am until 10pm from Tuesday onwards [until Saturday],” continued Thompson. “There’s a party in the stable yard on Saturday night for the Irish lads and any overnight staff and I’m hoping Mary Mangan, wife of Monty’s Pass’s trainer Jimmy, will be joining us for a drink!”

MULLINS’ TEAM HOPEFUL
OF GLORY ON MERSEYSIDE

Irish trainer Willie Mullins has four representatives at this year’s Martell Cognac Grand National Meeting and the team are hoping to build on Rule Supreme’s recent success in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Prestbury Park hero runs in tomorrow’s Martell Cognac Sainsbury’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Tracey Gilmore, travelling manager to Mullins, said: “Rule Supreme has come out of Cheltenham brilliantly and taken the race there very well. He’s travelled over very well, looks great and seems in very good order.

“His jumping has let him down on the big occasion in the past but he jumped well at Cheltenham and we hope that he does the same tomorrow.

“He’s a horse with loads of ability which he showed at Cheltenham - he’s won over two miles and further and he has a big engine.”
Looking forward to the meeting’s feature race on Saturday, the Martell Cognac Grand National, Gilmore continued: “We’ve got Hedgehunter and Alexander Banquet in the National.

“Hedgehunter [one of the favourites for the world’s most famous chase] has had his chances well written about.

“Alexander is a very good jumper and a reliable sort of horse. He was disappointing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but seems in good form and both our National horses are in good order.

“Holy Orders runs today [in the Martell Cognac Laurel Pub Company Liverpool Hurdle] and he seems very cheerful.”

The seven-year-old was a 31 and a half length fifth to Iris’s Gift when the pair last met in the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - they reoppose today.

“Cheltenham brought Holy Orders on a bit if anything and we hope that he’s in the form to do himself justice today. He ran well at Cheltenham as he had not run for a long time before that.

“If Rule Supreme runs the same as at Cheltenham then we hope he finishes in the same place. It would also be brilliant to see Hedgehunter placed.”

MARTELL COGNAC AINTREE HURDLE

Saturday’s Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle has attracted a quality field of 11 headed by last season’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle hero Rooster Booster.

Philip Hobbs’ stable star found just Hardy Eustace five lengths too good in this year’s renewal of that championship race and filled the same position in this contest last year behind Sacundai after jockey Richard Johnson had the misfortune to drop his whip.

Intersky Falcon, Foreman and Westender were third, fourth and fifth respectively in the 2004 Smurfit Champion Hurdle and this trio all take on Rooster Booster again.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Intersky Falcon has already been successful at the Martell Cognac Meeting, taking the 2002 renewal of the Martell Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle under a brilliant ride from Liam Cooper.

Foreman will be ridden by trainer Thierry Doumen, who was in the plate when he won the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, providing the six-year-old with his first top-class success.

Westender, a charge of champion trainer Martin Pipe, has not entered the winner’s enclosure since November, 2001, when winning a Listed handicap hurdle and could well run into a place.

Monkerhostin is also trained by Hobbs and he is in excellent form having won the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Rhinestone Cowboy was a two and a quarter length third in that heat when giving 11lb (with rider’s claim deducted0 to the winner and this weight reversal could prove decisive.

The French Furze, Quazar and Starzaan also lined up in the Coral Cup, finishing eighth, ninth and 18th respectively.

The former defied odds of 25/1 to win this season’s Pertemps “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle by three-quarters of a length from Geos to give trainer Nicky Richards a big race success.

Quazar has also tasted success at the Martell Cognac Meeting, winning the Unwins Wine Group Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle in 2002.

Starzaan had previously beaten Quazar in a Grade Two hurdle at Fontwell on February 22, and the winner also had Sleep Bal behind him in sixth.

The field is completed by Sporazene, trained by Paul Nicholls, who also got his head in front at the Cheltenham Festival. He landed a massive gamble in the meeting’s traditional ‘getting out stakes,’ the County Hurdle, going off the joint 7/1 favourite and beating Hawadeth by half a length.

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