Thursday, April 20, 2006

MURPHY UNVEILS STRONG RAIDING PARTY AMONG PUNCHESTOWN ENTRIES

The Yorkshire-based handler is no stranger to success at the prestigious Irish National Hunt Festival, which this year carries record prize money of 2.289 million euros.

"We had a Grade One winner last year and Joes Edge was second in the Grade One Betfair.com Novices Handicap Chase after winning the Scottish National. The rest of the horses we took there ran really well.

"Our horses train on and are running well at the end of the season so it suits us to go to Punchestown, and obviously it's really good prize money.

"Postage Stamp was the first Punchestown Festival winner we had and then we've had two other Grade One winners so it's been lucky for us."

Murphy sent Postage Stamp to collect a Grade Three handicap chase in 1995 and Paddy's Return carried off the Grade One Champion Stayers' Hurdle two years later, while Carlys Quest captured the same prize last season.

At Cheltenham in March, Murphy saddled Hot Weld to victory in the National Hunt Chase and the progressive seven-year-old may yet bid for a Festival double in the four-mile 50,000 euros Ellen Construction Conyngham Cup on Friday, April, 28.

Murphy revealed today: "Hot Weld is in the Scottish National, but we'll keep his Punchestown entry at the moment.

"The forecast is for heavy rain at Ayr on Saturday and if the ground went soft he wouldn't run, he'd go for the race at Punchestown where we also have Dolmur entered. We'll definitely have a runner in the Conyngham Cup one way or another.

"If Hot Weld goes for the Conyngham Cup, then Richard Harding will ride. The horse is absolutely bouncing and did a brilliant piece of work this morning.

"We'll have about 12 entered for the Festival, and at the moment the ground will have a bearing on whether they go. Most of them would handle soft, but a couple would want good ground so they won't go unless it dries up."

Last year's Punchestwon hero, Carlys Quest, is reported in great form ahead of a repeat bid in the 200,000 euros Grade One Whitewater Champion Stayers' Hurdle.

The 12-year-old defeated Kadoun by nine lengths in the three-mile contest last term and returns after a useful effort in the Liverpool Hurdle behind Mighty Man at Aintree last time, with his trainer confident of another bold show.

Murphy said: "Carlys Quest will run in the stayers' hurdle he won last year.

"He is bouncing and ran a blinder at Liverpool on a track that doesn't suit him. He finished sixth in a Grade Two there and we were delighted with him as there were some very good horses behind him. The course was too fast for him.

"He was flying at the finish so if we get a bit of soft ground at Punchestown and a good gallop, he'll run a big race again."

Murphy is also looking forward to running his exciting French import New Alco in the 55,000 euros Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase on Thursday.

The five-year-old has never been out of the first two in six starts for Murphy, winning twice. His last outing saw him finish second to Mon Mome in a two and a half mile novices' handicap chase at Aintree, but he steps up to three miles and one furlong at the Punchestown Festival, a move which his trainer believes will be to his benefit.

The trainer commented: "The step up in trip will suit New Alco. We've played around with him at two, and two and a half miles, but he wants three miles. The ground would make no difference with him over that trip. Soft is probably better but he handles anything."

Murphy's challenge on the Thursday could also include the in-form mare Ile Maurice who has won three starts this term, including a three-mile handicap hurdle at Bangor on March 25. She is entered in the 27,000 euros Chronicle Bookmakers at the Sporting Emporium Handicap Hurdle, along with stablemate Aces Four who has secured wins at Ludlow and Ayr this term.

The trainer reported: "Both are in good form. If the ground is good then Aces Four will run and if it is soft Ile Maurice will take her chance, depending on how they come out of their respective races at Ayr and Cheltenham this week."

Also that day, the 18,000 euros Kildare Traders/Clairefontaine Racecourse (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race could see the unraced pair Magnolia Drive and Supreme Builder line up, although the latter could contest the 100,000 euros Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race on Wednesday.

Murphy revealed: "Magnolia Drive definitely runs, then he goes home to his owners, Mr and Mrs O'Rourke, for the summer. They live in Naas and we stay with them for the meeting.

"Supreme Builder is in at Ayr on Saturday but he's unlikely to run there. He'll go to Punchestown providing he gets in."

Murphy's Punchestown Challenge could kick-off with Spring Breeze in Tuesday's 75,000 euros Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle.

Murphy said: "Spring Breeze will run in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle. We ran him over three miles when he was sixth behind Ile Maurice at Bangor last time, and he's won over two at Haydock, but two and a half in good ground would be ideal for him."

He continued: "Green Ideal will run in the two and a half mile S M Morris Handicap Chase on Wednesday.

"High Day will run in the Blue Square 1800 905050 Handicap Hurdle that day providing it doesn't come up soft. Good to soft would be alright and good to yielding would be fine.

"He was travelling very easily when he made a mistake three from home in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. He seems to be in real good order and I couldn't be happier with him."

Punchestown's famous pre-Festival track walk will take place at 4pm on Friday (April 21) when many trainers with runners and jockeys riding in next week's big races are likely to be at the course.

They will be joined on the walk by Clerk of the Course Joe Collins, Racecourse Manager Dick O'Sullivan, Racing Manager Richie Galway and Track Manager Sean Ryan. The track walk will be followed by dinner in the nearby Killashee House Hotel in Naas at approximately 7pm.

Janet Williamson, Punchestown's PR Manager, said today: "The annual pre-Festival track walk will give trainers and jockeys the opportunity to see that the ground is in peak condition at Punchestown. It also gives us the opportunity to tweak any minor glitch that may come to our attention on the afternoon. We have found this to be a very helpful exercise in the past and hope that many trainers and jockeys can make it. All are welcome to join us for dinner afterwards in the Killashee House Hotel."

The ground at Punchestown is currently YIELDING. There is an unsettled forecast for the next few days with six to eight millimetres of rain forecast for Saturday night.

This year's Irish National Hunt Festival boasts record prize money of 2.289 million euros and runs from Tuesday to Friday next week, April 25 to 28.

MONDAY EVENINGS ARE HERE AGAIN AT ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE

Royal Windsor is delighted to welcome VCcasino.com, the gaming division of the Victor Chandler Group, as major sponsors to the Monday evenings for the 2006 season.

VCcasino.com has teamed up with the racecourse as official Monday evening gaming partners. This is the first time Windsor has had a seasonal headline sponsor, and the backing takes in the Monday evening fixtures, a large number of races, and the 2006 Royal Windsor jockeys' and trainers' championships.

Royal Windsor Jockeys' Championship
Latest Prices from VCbet
Richard Hughes 8/11
Ryan Moore 5/2
Jamie Spencer 8
Jimmy Fortune 14
Steve Drowne 14
Martin Dwyer 20
Eddie Ahern 20
25/1 Bar

Starting from Monday, April 24 for 16 fixtures, VCcasino.com will be part of the hugely successful Monday Nights at Royal Windsor Racecourse. This is all part of the celebrations during the year for the 60th anniversary of the Victor Chandler Group

Chairman Victor Chandler commented: "VCcasino.com is proud to be associated with Royal Windsor Racecourse and to be involved with the highly successful Monday Night Meetings. We hope to bring something special to the party throughout the summer and to make sure that everyone has a night to remember at Royal Windsor."

Last summer, the Monday evenings broke all records and saw a 20% rise in attendance. The balmy atmosphere of the summer evenings, with champagne, Pimms and live entertainment on the beautiful paddock lawns, has become the trademark of the Thames side course.

David Mackinnon, in his first year as Managing Director at the course, said:"I am delighted to welcome VCcasino.com to our Monday evenings, their support is greatly appreciated and I look forward to a highly successful season with them. The course is in great order, and I would like to thank all the team at Windsor for their efforts throughout the winter preparing for the busy summer ahead. We had our best year ever in 2005, and I am again very happy with pre-season sales and enquiries this time around. We have a fabulous location here and, as well as attracting huge crowds, it is very popular with trainers and jockeys as the racing is always good quality and highly competitive.

"Customer service is of utmost importance to us here at Windsor - we have focused much of our out of season activity on improvements which will enhance the customer experience. It is, after all, their valuable leisure time."

A number of improvements have taken place over the last year, including landscaping on the paddock lawn giving direct access and views across the River Thames to Windsor Castle. There is a new raised viewing area in the Grandstand Enclosure with seating for 100, plus a new raised area for disabled racegoers. A new enlarged facility with dedicated lawn areas has enabled the separation of the Owners and Trainers Bar from that of the Annual Members Bar.

Several queue-busting initiatives are in place for the anticipated busy season, including additional toilets in the Club Enclosure and three more cash machines. Customer service has been improved throughout the course with more fully staffed information sites and racecard sales points.

The two giant screens in front of the Grandstand will again give Royal Windsor clientele the most close up view of all the racing action, and new cameras have been fitted in the winner's enclosure and paddock areas to ensure the best of the action from around the course can be shown live on the big screens and the closed circuit televisions.

Three Doncaster Racecourse fixtures have been transferred to Windsor this year during the Town Moor refurbishment - Monday, May 1, Bank Holiday (afternoon racing) is the first, with Saturday, August 5, and Saturday, November 4 being the other two, giving Windsor the added bonus of Channel 4 TV coverage.

Seven charity evenings have been organised for this year, with each set to attract over 250 special guests including many well known personalities from the worlds of racing and show business.

The guests enjoy an evening of full hospitality in the Riverside Marquee with racing, including a champagne reception, dinner, celebrity speeches, auctions and raffles. Last season the Royal Windsor Charity evenings raised over £500,000 for their various causes.

There will be no end to the fun this season at Royal Windsor. Many of the race meetings are themed and include family fun days, rock n' roll night, Irish night, Cirque De Windsor night, a ladies night with fabulous prizes for the best dressed ladies, and a Caribbean carnival in August. There will also be live bands playing after racing on many occasions throughout the summer.

EPSOM APPOINTS RTA PUBLICITY AS SIGNAGE CONTRACTORS FOR 2006 VODAFONE DERBY

Epsom Downs Racecourse Managing Director Stephen Wallis said: "RTA have a long and well established track record in racing and the quality of their work and, in particular, their level of personal service is precisely what we are looking for.

"Their standards were no better advertised than at the recent Grand National meeting at Aintree, plus at Goodwood where they are also the official contractors.

"Like Aintree, Epsom's signage at The Derby is particularly dominant in favour of the main meeting sponsor, in our case Vodafone. Branding is a vital part of Vodafone's marketing effort and they rightly demand the very highest standards."

Lynn Wall, founder and managing director of RTA Publicity, commented: "To be awarded this contract by Epsom is marvellous news and all the staff are delighted. Our experience at Aintree and Goodwood and our excellent working relationship with BBC Television Sport, who also broadcast from Epsom, will I am sure be of great advantage as we work on this exciting challenge"

For further information, please contact Lynn Wall on 01895 237362 or Stephen Wallis on 01372 726311.

Notes for editors

THE DERBY
The Vodafone Derby meeting will be staged at Epsom Racecourse on Friday and Saturday June 2nd and 3rd.

The two-day meeting will be broadcast on BBC TV and Racing UK (RUK)

RTA PUBLICITY
RTA are the UK's leading signage and branding company.

Outside of racing, clients include Stella Artois (Tennis), Volvo (Ocean Racing), RBS (Six Nations Rugby)

SALISBURY SEASON COMMENCES WITH TELEVISED RACE

It remains to be seen whether racegoers will witness a future Group One winner this time around, but they are assured another great day of entertainment at Salisbury's traditional family-centred curtain-raiser.

Gates open at 11.00am and children can enjoy an array of activities including face painting, bouncy castle, penalty shoot-out and creche, while clowns will be on hand to amuse the crowd.

There will also be a lurcher display on the course at 1.00pm, prior to the main action commencing at 2.25pm with the £21,500 totesport.com Handicap which will be shown live on Channel 4.

The six races on the card will be broadcast on a giant screen, and spectators can make their selections and follow the action with the aid of a full-colour racecard.

Salisbury is always looking to improve facilities and this year will see a brand new rubberized surface for the parade ring walkway which will improve the experience for horses, lads and jockeys.

With 14 racedays ahead this term, there is plenty to look forward to, including the "Salisbury Splendour" Summer Festival on Wednesday, August 16, and Thursday, August 17, which features the highlight of the season, the £70,000 Group Three Sovereign Stakes, boasting a prize-money increase of £10,000.

Layman, owned by Godolphin, won the race last season from Jack Sullivan, who went on to collect back-to-back wins in a Group Three at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, in February. The festival also saw La Persiana score a hugely popular first Listed race success in the £40,000 EBF Upavon Fillies' Stakes, following several near misses in Group class.

The great Brigadier Gerard tasted victory at Salisbury as a juvenile in 1970 before going on to achieve legendary status, and the course has a fine tradition of launching horses on the road to big-race glory.

The 2005 season brought many high-class horses to Wiltshire, notably the top-rated British two-year-old Sir Percy who won his second start at the track before ending his unbeaten campaign in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

With Ascot closed for redevelopment, Salisbury successfully staged the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes and Group Three Autumn Stakes in October, won by Hunter Street and Blitzkrieg respectively.

Clerk of the Course Jeremy Martin said: "We're looking forward to another good year which hopefully will see some nice two-year-olds as we do each season.

"We were privileged to see Sir Percy who was the best two-year-old we had here last season, while Nidhaal, who won the Listed Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes, was probably the best juvenile filly to race here.

"The joint-staging of the Cornwallis Stakes and Autumn Stakes for Ascot was a great highlight as was having our first Aidan O'Brien runners, Arabian Prince and Dylan Thomas.”

Following the opening totepool.com HANDICAP, the second race on Sunday, May 7, is the £8,500 totecourse to course MAIDEN STAKES (3pm) over six furlongs. Race three, the £11,000 totequadpot CONDITIONAL FILLIES' STAKES (3.35pm), is a five-furlong contest for juvenile fillies. Another competitive handicap is staged in the form of the 10-furlong totesport 0800 221 221 HANDICAP (4.10pm) which carries prize money of £11,000.

The fifth race, the £8,500 toteexacta MAIDEN STAKES over 12 furlongs was won in 2004 by Day Flight who notched up a hat-trick of Group Three wins last season. The £18,000 totepool A BETTER WAY TO BET HANDICAP (5.20pm) is the last race on the card and was won in 2005 by Balkan Knight who captured the historic Old Borough Cup at Haydock later that term.

Admission prices on Sunday, May 7 are Members' Enclosure £18, Tattersalls Enclosure £11 and Course Enclosure £6. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free and all car parking is free.

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