Wednesday, April 9, 2008

13 ADDED TO VODAFONE DERBY FIELD

The additional entries now have a chance to compete for the £1.25 million prize fund at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 7.

The second entries include a quartet from the Maktoum family’s Godolphin operation - Group One Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Rio De La Plata, Group Two Champagne Stakes hero McCartney, Alexandros, a Group Three winner at Deauville last season when trained by Andre Fabre, and Young Pretender.

Owner Khalid Abdulla, successful in the Vodafone Derby with Quest For Fame in 1990 and Commander In Chief in 2003, has two second entries in Confront, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and a promising winner of the Hyperion Conditions Stakes at Ascot in the autumn, and Twice Over, from the Henry Cecil stable and successful on both his starts at Newmarket last year. The master of Warren Place, who has enjoyed four Vodafone Derby wins, has also put in Kandahar Run, victorious in two of his three starts last season.

Trainer Walter Swinburn won the Vodafone Derby three times as jockey aboard Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986) and Lammtarra (1995). The Hertfordshire-based handler has made a second entry for Wintercast, a comfortable winner on his sole start at Nottingham in November.

French handler Andre Fabre, still seeking a first Vodafone Derby success, could be represented by the Sean Mulryan-owned Thewayyouare, a four-time winner in 2007 including in the Group One Gran Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.

John Gosden, who sent out Benny The Dip to victory 11 years ago, has added Centennial to the field while Clive Brittain has put in Mut’ab and Yahrab.

The other second entry is the Brian Meehan-trained City Leader, winner of the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot last season.

The Vodafone Derby - Second Entries

ALEXANDROS (GB)
Kingmambo(USA) - Arlette(IRE) (King Of Kings (IRE))
Form: 21113- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Darley
Alexandros joined Godolphin at the end of last season, having previously raced in Sheikh Mohammed’s famous maroon and white colours when trained in France by Andre Fabre. The son of Kingmambo lost his maiden tag at the second attempt, winning over seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in June by five lengths. Alexandros made the step up to pattern company look easy, scoring by two lengths in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure at Longchamp in July. He made further progress on his next start at Deauville two weeks later, running on strongly to beat Listed winner Stern Opinion in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg. Alexandros returned to the Normandy track in August and lost little in defeat in the seven-furlong Group One Darley Prix Morny. Held up at the rear of the six runners, he put in his best work in the closing stages to finish third behind Myboycharlie and subsequent Group One Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Natagora.

CENTENNIAL (IRE)
Dalakhani(IRE) - Lurina(IRE) (Lure (USA))
Form: 3112- Owner: Michael O’Flynn
Trainer: John Gosden Breeder: W Lazy T Ltd
Having finished third behind stablemate and subsequent Group Three scorer Raven’s Pass in a maiden at Yarmouth in July, Centennial was an impressive winner on his next racecourse appearance at Newmarket a month later, making most of the running to score easily over a mile. Another impressive display followed in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury in September, a race which had been won by Vodafone Derby winner Authorized 12 months earlier. The son of Dalakhani once again ran on well in the closing stages to prevail by a length, despite jockey Jimmy Fortune losing his whip. Stepping up to pattern company for his final start of the season, Centennial ran a sound race in the Group Three Prix Thomas Bryon on soft ground at Saint-Cloud in October, disputing the lead before eventually being passed by subsequent Group One scorer Thewayyouare in the final furlong.

CITY LEADER (IRE)
Fasliyev(USA) - Kanmary(FR) (Kenmare (FR ))
Form: 1212- Owner: Sangster Family
Trainer: Brian Meehan Breeder: Swettenham Stud
City Leader showed a good turn of foot on his racecourse debut, coming home a ready one-and-a-quarter length winner despite hanging badly in a competitive seven furlong Ascot maiden at the end of July. The son of Fasliyev was unlucky to run against Raven’s Pass on his next start in the Group Three Iveco Solario Stakes at the start of September. While the John Gosden-trained colt was a comprehensive seven-length victory, City Leader stayed on well to finish second. Returning to Ascot later that month, City Leader gained a deserved Group Two success in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile, staying on gamely to deny Achill Island by three-quarters of a length. On his final appearance of the season, City Leader found only Ibn Khaldun too good in the Group One Racing Post Trophy.

CONFRONT (GB)
Nayef(USA) - Contiguous(USA) (Danzig (USA))
Form: 21- Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Out of a half-sister to Juddmonte Oaks winner Reams Of Verse, Confront had enjoyed a lofty reputation even before he stepped on a racecourse. The son of Nayef was sent off a warm favourite for his debut in a typically competitive Newbury maiden over seven furlongs near he was always towards the front of the field but could not get on terms with Fool’s Wildcat and finished a clear second behind the Brian Meehan-trained colt. Confront stepped up on his first run and landed the odds on his next appearance in a seven-furlong maiden at Ascot three weeks later. Tracking the leaders, he was soon in command in the final quarter-mile and stayed on well to finish a length ahead of Stimulation.

KANDAHAR RUN (GB)
Rock Of Gibraltar(IRE) - Kenmist (Kenmare (FR))
Form: 211- Owner: Gestut Ammerland
Trainer: Henry Cecil Breeder: Britton House Stud
Kandahar Run made his debut over a mile in a maiden at Sandown in the middle of August. Despite showing signs of greenness, the son of Rock of Gibraltar stayed on well in the closing stages to finish a good second behind the more experienced Jedediah. A month later, Kandahar Run lost his maiden tag in emphatic fashion with a length-and-a-quarter victory in a mile maiden at Doncaster, taking the lead entering the final furlong and staying on well in the closing stages. Further improvement followed with another confident display over a mile, this time in a conditions event at Newmarket in the middle of October. Settled behind the leaders, Khandahar Run was soon in command inside the final quarter mile to come home an emphatic three-and-a-half length victor, despite again running green.

MCCARTNEY (GER)
In The Wings - Messina(GER) (Dashing Blade)
Form: 31117- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof
Trained for Sheikh Mohammed by Mark Johnston last year, McCartney made his debut in a seven furlong maiden at Sandown at the end of July and finished a close third behind two more experienced rivals. Building on his first racecourse appearance, he was an emphatic winner on his next start in an extended one mile maiden at Hamilton in the middle of August, coming home seven lengths clear of his nearest rival. McCartney continued his education with a game victory in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury two weeks later, beating subsequent Italian Group One winner Scintillo by a head. Further progression came with a more authoritative victory on fast ground in the Group Two Urban-I Champagne Stakes the following month, when comfortably accounting for his nine rivals. Unsuited by the softer ground at Newmarket on his final start of the campaign, he could never get competitive in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October and finished seventh.
MUT’AB (USA)
Alhaarth(IRE) - Mistle Song (Nashwan (USA))
Form: 327-7 Owner: Saeed Manana
Trainer: Clive Brittain Breeder: Darley
Mut’Ab made his debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Sandown at the beginning of July, finishing a good third behind subsequent Italian Group One scorer Scintillo, despite running green. The son of Alhaarth returned to the Esher track the following month to contest another seven-furlong maiden, and was again unlucky to be worn down by the useful Campanologist in the shadow of the post, having made most of the running. Mut’Ab again attempted to sit handy in the Group Three Tattersalls Millions Acomb Stakes at York on August 21, but soon paid for his early exertions and weakened in the closing stages, having forced the pace with the hard-pulling Legislation. Stepping down to Listed company on his first run of this season on April 5, Mut’Ab was held up in Heart Of The South Racing International Trial Stakes, run on the Polytrack at Lingfield. Taking a keen hold, Mut’Ab put in his best work in the closing stages, finishing a close seventh.

RIO DE LA PLATA (USA)
Rahy(USA) - Express Way(ARG) (Ahmad (ARG))
Form: 311214- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Jose De Camargo, Robert N Clay et al
Having finished a good third in a six-furlong maiden at Newmarket in June on his debut, Rio De La Plata returned to the Suffolk track the following month to run out a convincing five length winner over a furlong further. The son of Rahy proved himself to be a smart colt on his next start in the Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood at the start of August, finishing two lengths ahead of Lizard Island, despite idling near the line. Stepping up to the highest level, he travelled to Ireland to contest the Group One Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) National Stakes at the Curragh in the middle of September. Settled towards the rear of the field by Frankie Dettori, he came with a strong run but could not get on terms with eventual champion two-year-old New Approach, going down by a length-and-three-quarters. Group One glory followed in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp on Arc Day, with Rio De La Plata running on strongly to prevail by two-and-a-half lengths form Declaration Of War. His participation in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket two weeks later had depended on the going not being too soft. The took his chance but could only finish fourth behind New Approach, having been unsuited by the dead ground.

THEWAYYOUARE (USA)
Kingmambo(USA) - Maryinsky(IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Form: 71111- Owner: Sean Mulryan
Trainer: Andre Fabre FR Breeder: Barnett Enterprises
A half-brother to multiple Group One winner and Juddmonte Oaks runner-up Peeping Fawn, Thewayyouare made a less than spectacular debut when finishing seventh in a seven-furlong maiden at Deauville in July. He returned to the Normandy track the following month and posted a far better display over a slightly longer trip, beating Trincot by half-a-length, with the rest of the field a further five lengths behind. Improving with every start, Thewayyouare easily accounted for eight rivals in a Listed contest over a mile at Lyon Parilly in September before an equally impressive display over the same trip in the Group Three Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud, beating fellow Vodafone Derby entry Centennial by a convincing two-and-a-half lengths. Thewayyouare finished his season with another victory, this time in the Group One Criterium International, also at Saint-Cloud. Held up in the very soft ground conditions, Thewayyouare was produced by Stephane Pasquier entering the final quarter mile, and the colt responded well to fend off the challenge of Hello Morning in the closing stages to prevail by half-a-length.

TWICE OVER (GB)
Observatory(USA) - Double Crossed (Caerleon (USA))
Form: 11- Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Henry Cecil Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Out of a half-sister to the dam of Passage Of Time, the impeccably bred Twice Over only made his racecourse debut on October 4, in a mile maiden at Newmarket. After breaking smartly, the son of Observatory was soon settled towards the front of the 17 strong field and was pushed out in the closing stages by jockey Richard Hughes to record a convincing two-length victory. Twice Over returned to Newmarket at the start of November to contest the Zetland Conditions Stakes over 10 furlongs. Sent off a warm order, he was held up at the rear of the field and found his path blocked entering the final quarter-mile before coming with a strong run to win by an impressive one-and-a-half lengths, despite running green nearing the line.

WINTERCAST (GB)
Spinning World(USA) - Bright Hope(IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Form: 1- Owner: Exors of the late Caryl Harris
Trainer: Walter Swinburn Breeder: Pendley Farm
Having won the Vodafone Derby as a jockey aboard Shergar, Shahrastrani and Lammtarra, Walter Swinburn could have his first runner as a trainer with Wintercast, who runs in the colours of his late mother-in-law. The Spinning World colt has only had one start, but created a good impression with victory in a mile maiden on fast ground at Nottingham at the start of November. Tracking the leaders under jockey Adam Kirby, Wintercast was produced to lead entering the final furlong and was driven out to score by a length from favourite West Is The Wind.

YAHRAB (IRE)
Dalakhani(IRE) - Loire Valley(IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Form: 21363-05 Owner: Saif Ali
Trainer: Clive Brittain Breeder: Swettenham Stud
After a fine second in a seven-furlong novice stakes at Ascot in the middle of July, Yahrab got of the mark at the second time of asking, readily winning another seven-furlong novice event at Newbury at the start of August, beating a couple of previous winners in the process. Stepped up in distance and class, he posted another solid display in the Listed Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes over a mile at Salisbury at the end of the month, staying on to finish third behind subsequent Group Two scorer McCartney and Italian Group One winner Scintillo. Returning to Ascot for the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at the end of September, Yahrab could not live with the late injection of pace and plugged on to finish a creditable sixth behind City Leader. Another solid display at the Berkshire track followed two weeks later, with a good third in the Group Three Deloitte Autumn Stakes, where he came home a clear third, despite having raced on his own for much of the race. This season, Yahrab spoilt his chance when falling out of the stalls in a seven-furlong conditions race on dirt at Nad Al Sheba on January 24, before running well to finish fifth on turf at the same track in the Listed Zabeel Mile, where the three-year-old colt took on older horses for the first time.

YOUNG PRETENDER (FR)
Oasis Dream - Silent Heir(AUS) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Form: 115- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Carl Holt
Transferred to Godolphin for this season having been trained by John Gosden for H R H Princess Haya of Jordan, Young Pretender wasted little time in getting off the mark when winning a six-furlong maiden on Newmarket’s July Course in the middle of August. Having won that contest by an impressive three-length margin, Young Pretender made his next appearance in the Group Three Qatar Prix La Rochette over seven furlongs at Longchamp the following month. Under a perfectly timed late run from jockey Frankie Dettori, the son of Oasis Dream reeled in Shediak inside the final furlong and ran on to score by half-a-length. The pair would reopposed at the Parisian track on October 7 in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), where Young Pretender was kept in the rear and was unable to launch a serious challenge, eventually finishing a staying-on fifth behind Rio De La Plata.

THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY
Class 1, Group 1, £1,250,000 Total Prize Fund, Epsom Downs, Saturday, June 7, 2008. For three-year-olds only, entire colts & fillies, one mile & four furlongs. Entires closed December 6, 2006, (465 entries). First forfeit stage March 4, 2008 (125 remain),£8,000 second entry stage April 8, 2008 (13 second entries), second forfeit stage May 23, 2008, £75,000 supplementary entry stage June 2, 2008.Confirmation stage June 2, 2008, final declaration stage 10am, June 5, 2008. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, April 7, 2008. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer
AATHER (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Kevin Predergast IRE
22122- ACHILL ISLAND (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
361223- ALAN DEVONSHIRE Russell Trew Ltd Mark Tompkins
ALANDI (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
031- ALESSANDRO VOLTA Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
21113- ALEXANDROS Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
3- BARKING WOLF (IRE) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Takayuki Yasuda JPN
34- BASHKIROV Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE
210- BETTER HAND (IRE) Wood Street Syndicate II Mick Channon
00(0)- BLACK TOR FIGARRO (IRE) Miss A C Telling, Ms R E Tupper, T H Fletcher Brendan Duke
00- BLIMEY O'RILEY (IRE) Trevor Benton Mark Tompkins
043-1 BOUGUEREAU Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam
1-5 BRIGHT FALCON Willie McKay Stuart Parr
(0)(1)(1)- BRONZE CANNON (USA) Anthony Oppenheimer John Gosden
45- BY COMMAND Prince A A Faisal John Dunlop
CAPE EXPRESS (IRE) Alan Spence Michael Jarvis
15(4)- CARLIOR (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR
CASINO DRIVE (USA) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
CATS IN BOOTS (IRE) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Yasutoshi Ikee JPN
3112- CENTENNIAL (IRE) Michael O'Flynn John Gosden
CHAMPAGNE SQUALL (IRE) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
CHECKLOW (USA) Susan Roy Jeremy Noseda
1212- CITY LEADER (IRE) Sangster Family Brian Meehan
21- COLLECTION (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Brunel) William Haggas
21- CONFRONT Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
62215- CURTAIN CALL (FR) Mrs Patrick Cooper and Partners Luca Cumani
DAARTH Briton International Brendan Duke
DAASIJ (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Dermot Weld IRE
DANCERS DILEMMA (IRE) Noel Furlong Trainer Unknown
DECREE (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
DELTA BRAVO (FR) Enrico Ciampi Jean-Marie Beguigne FR
40- DIVINE SONG Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
DUNCAN Normandie Stud Ltd John Dunlop
2103- EMMROOZ Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
EQBAAL Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
0- ETOSHA (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
112- FAST COMPANY (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
12- FATEH FIELD (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
13603- FEARED IN FLIGHT (IRE) Jack Hanson, Cavendish Inv Ltd, Sandy Patrick Barry Hills
51- FOOLIN MYSELF Bill Gredley Barry Hills
2- FRENCH RIVIERA Sue Magnier Sir Michael Stoute
10- FROZEN FIRE (GER) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE
5- GAIA PRINCE (USA) John Connolly Amanda Perrett
GALIYAN H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
(6)- GIANT AMONG MEN (USA) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE
0100- GIANT LOVE (USA) Sangster Family Mark Johnston
610- GREAT RUMPUSCAT (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
02- HANOVERIAN BARON Anne Coughlan John Oxx IRE
410- HAWAANA (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
0(6)- HAWK FLIGHT (IRE) David & Gwyn Joseph William Muir
00- HELLZAPOPPIN Bill Gredley David Lanigan
1123- HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
05-4 HINDU KUSH (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
0- HOUGHTON (IRE) Sue Magnier Sir Michael Stoute
41111- IBN KHALDUN (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
200-33 INTERNATIONALDEBUT (IRE) Willie McKay Stuart Parr
23- KADABI (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
KALAN (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR
211- KANDAHAR RUN Gestut Ammerland Henry Cecil
KING O'THE GYPSIES (IRE) Bjorn Nielsen Roger Charlton
010- KING OF ROME (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
525- KING OF WESTPHALIA (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
1- KINGDOM OF NAPLES (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
122- LATIN LAD Noodles Racing Richard Hannon
521200- LUCIFER SAM (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
MAGISTRATE (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing(Petrushka) Michael Jarvis
36(0)- MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR) Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard FR
5- MANYRIVERSTOCROSS (IRE) Mrs M C Sweeney Alan King
MASQOOL (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
116020- MAZE (IRE) Pinnacle Dr Fong Partnership Bryan Smart
31110- MCCARTNEY (GER) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
MEYDAN CITY (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
302(5)- MIKHAIL FOKINE (IRE) Sangster Family Aidan O’Brien IRE
340(1)0(4)- MINNEAPOLIS Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
01-2 MOIQEN (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Kevin Prendergast IRE
(5) MONTEVETRO John Manley Richard Hannon
2 MONTMARTRE (FR) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
351- MOUNTAIN PRIDE (IRE) Ian Cameron John Dunlop
320-(0) MUT'AB (USA) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
23(1)- MYSTERY STAR (IRE) Mark Tompkins Mark Tompkins
NATIONAL HERITAGE Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE
NAWAKHIDA (USA) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
32- NEMO SPIRIT (IRE) Monique V Bruce Copp William Muir
11111- NEW APPROACH (IRE) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan Jim Bolger IRE
NISAAL (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
62- NORTH PARADE E H Jones (Paints) Ltd Brian Meehan
U- OMNICAT (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
OPTIMUS MAXIMUS (IRE) Stephanie Smith Paul Cole
61- PATKAI (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
51- PLAN (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
43-1 POET Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE
41- PRIME EXHIBIT Mountgrange Stud Roger Charlton
QANAWAAT Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
131 RED SHOOTER (IRE) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
0(4)61- RESPLENDENT LIGHT Middleham Park Racing XXI William Muir
601140- RIDGE DANCE George Strawbridge John Gosden
311214- RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2- RIPPLE (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR
4-(4) ROCK PEAK (IRE) Thurloe Finsbury II Hughie Morrison
44- SAVARAIN JMC Breed & Race Limited Luca Cumani
SCHOPENHAUER (USA) Earle I Mack Luca Cumani
0416- SILVER REGENT (USA) Priscilla Graham Amanda Perrett
2- SINDAJAN (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
SLANEY WAVE (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger FR
5(5)- SLIGO Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
(2) SMOOTH SOVEREIGN (IRE) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
SPARK CANDLE (USA) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
0-(3) SPECIAL RESERVE (IRE) Mrs J Wood Richard Hannon
0402-2(3) ST JEAN CAP FERRAT John Pearce Geoff Wragg
10- TAJAAWEED (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
36- TALE OF TWO CITIES (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
11- TAMAYUZ Hamdan Al Maktoum Freddie Head FR
2- TARTAN BEARER (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
TCHAIKOVSKY (JPN) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
610- THE BOGBERRY (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
THE TARTAN ARMY (IRE) Thistle Bloodstock Limited Tracey Collins IRE
01111- THEWAYYOUARE (USA) Sean Mulryan Andre Fabre FR
THREE ROCKS (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
TILABAY (IRE) H H Aga Khan John M Oxx IRE
TIMARI (IRE) H H Aga Khan John M Oxx IRE
11- TWICE OVER Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil
4 VASCO MARENGO Malcolm Parrish David Smaga FR
300- VIA GALILEI (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
01- VIVALDI (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
4-2 WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
4224- WASSILY KANDINSKY Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
WATER BOYS (USA) Hidetoshi Yamamoto Kazuo Fujisawa JPN
64- WILLIAM HOGARTH Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE
1- WINTERCAST Exors of the late Carol Harris Walter Swinburn
1363-(0)5 YAHRAB (IRE) Saif Ali Clive Brittain
000- YATHREB (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
YELLOW THUNDER (IRE) Luke Comer Luke Comer IRE
115- YOUNG PRETENDER (FR) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
22-2 ZAFRANAGAR (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
ZULU CHIEF (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE
135 Entries go forward
40 Irish-trained
12 French-trained
9 Japanese-trained

THE FOLLOWING THREE HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
COFFEE TEA OR ME, KING OF QUEENS (IRE), SAINGLEND

SIZING EUROPE ON COURSE FOR PUNCHESTOWN

- PUNJABI AND SUBLIMITY ALSO HEADING TO ACCBANK CHAMPION HURDLE

- WON IN THE DARK CONFIRMED FOR 4YO HURDLE

- KAZAL HEADING TO LADBROKES.COM WORLD SERIES HURDLE

The six-year-old is one of 21 entries revealed today for the 220,000 euros event ahead of the 2008 Punchestown Festival’s official launch party this evening at Lawlors Hotel in Naas.

Sizing Europe is set to be reopposed by Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle third Punjabi, who has been saved for the Punchestown race by trainer Nicky Henderson.

“Sizing Europe has been entered in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle and we’re certainly aiming at that race,” said de Bromhead. “So far he seems good but I’m just going to take every day as it comes with him.”

Sizing Europe put in a superb performance at Leopardstown to win the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle by eight lengths on January 27 prior to his disappointing run at Cheltenham, where he was sent off 2/1 favourite, and de Bromhead believes it was a back problem that caused his defeat.

“We think it was a muscle problem in his back and he has been getting treatment for it. He was sore immediately after the race at Cheltenham but he has been very good since then,” added the trainer.

“We gave him a couple of weeks’ rest and he is cantering away at the moment. We are going to step up his work this week and see how he is. We would love to go to Punchestown with him and love to run him in the race but he’ll only run if we are happy with him.”

Meanwhile, Punjabi - who won the Eventus Marquees Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown last year - put in an excellent run to come third to Katchit at Cheltenham and his trainer Nicky Henderson is looking forward to another visit to the Irish National Hunt Festival.

“We kept Punjabi out of Aintree on purpose to go for the ACCBank Champion Hurdle. He ran very well to finish third in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and unless anything goes wrong, he’ll be there,” said Henderson.

The 2007 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity, who finished fourth in this year’s Cheltenham race, is another being aimed at the ACCBank Champion Hurdle.

His trainer John Carr will give the eight-year-old a racecourse gallop at Fairyhouse on Saturday ahead of his run at Punchestown.

Also entered are Al Eile, who won his third Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle at Liverpool on Saturday, Noel Meade’s quartet Harchibald, Aitmatov, Jazz Messenger and Definate Spectacle, the Edward O’Grady-trained Catch Me and Straw Bear from Nick Gifford’s Sussex stable.

Although Eoin Griffin’s mare Lounaos is entered in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle she is more likely to head to the 220,000 euros Ballymore 25th Anniversary Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, April 26.

“We’re toying between what to do with Lounaos but, if she goes, it’ll be for the Ballymore 25th Anniversary Hurdle on the Saturday rather than the ACCBank Champion Hurdle,” said Griffin.

ACCBank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.20pm, Friday, April 25, 2008, €220,000, 2m, 5yo+

Accordion Etoile (Paul Nolan)
Afsoun (FR) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Aitmatov (GER) (Noel Meade)
Al Eile (John Queally)
Bobs Pride (Dermot Weld)
Catch Me (GER) (Edward O'Grady)
De Valira (Michael O'Brien)
Definate Spectacle (Noel Meade)
Ebaziyan (Willie Mullins)
Harchibald (FR) (Noel Meade)
Jazz Messenger (FR) (Noel Meade)
Kalderon (GER) (Tom Hogan)
Lounaos (FR) (Eoin Griffin)
Made In Taipan (Tom Mullins)
Penzance (GB) (Alan King GB)
Poquelin (FR) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Punjabi (GB) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Salford City (Gordon Elliott)
Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead)
Straw Bear (USA) (Nick Gifford GB)
Sublimity (FR) (John Carr)
21 entries, 5 British-trained


GRIFFIN HOPING FOR BIG RUN FROM KAZAL

Eoin Griffin’s stable star Kazal, who ran a blinder to be third to Inglis Drever in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham, is set to bid for a first Grade 1 success in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday, April 24.

The seven-year-old is one of 31 entries announced today for the three-mile contest.

“Kazal will go for the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle assuming that the ground is safe enough,” said Griffin. “We were very happy with him at Cheltenham so hopefully he can go to Punchestown and go a bit closer now.

“He picked up a nasty enough gash on his near hind leg but he hasn’t missed any work because of it and it is almost healed. We were delighted with his run at Cheltenham and (the second) Blazing Bailey made the form look good at Aintree.”

Blazing Bailey and Faasel, who finished first and second in the Grade 2 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, are also among a high-class entry for the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle as is last year’s winner Refinement, who ran a great race to be touched off in a photo for the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins has no less than eight entries including the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle winner Fiveforthree, fellow novices Quevega, Shakervilz and Cooldine, who have all been in winning form on their latest runs.

Nicanor, the only horse to have beaten Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman, could make his eagerly-awaited comeback in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle. Noel Meade’s charge has not run since winning the Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in 2006.

Blazing Bailey’s stablemates at Alan King’s yard, My Way De Solzen, Nenuphar Collonges and Junior, are all entered as is the Mouse Morris-trained Venalmar, who was runner-up to Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.

Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.50pm Thursday, April 24, 2008, €200,000, 3m, 4yo+

Aitmatov (GER) (Noel Meade)
Blazing Bailey (GB) (Alan King GB)
Catch Me (GER) (Edward O'Grady)
Chief Dan George (Jimmy Moffatt GB)
Cooldine (Willie Mullins)
Earth Magic (Michael Bowe)
Ebaziyan (Willie Mullins)
Euro Leader (Willie Mullins)
Faasel (Nicky Richards GB)
Fiveforthree (Willie Mullins)
Flight Leader (Colin Tizzard GB)
Footy Facts (Robert Tyner)
Gone To Lunch (Jeremy Scott GB)
Homer Wells (Willie Mullins)
Junior (GB) (Alan King GB)
Kawagino (Seamus Mullins GB)
Kazal (FR) (Eoin Griffin)
Kerryhead Windfarm (Adrian Maguire)
Kicks For Free (Paul Nicholls GB)
My Turn Now (Charlie Mann GB)
My Way De Solzen (FR) (Alan King GB)
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) (Alan King GB)
Nicanor (FR) (Noel Meade)
Quevega (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Refinement (Jonjo O'Neill GB)
Shakervilz (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Sher Beau (Philip Fenton)
Sonnyanjoe (Tom Hogan)
Souffleur (GB) (Peter Bowen GB)
Uncle Junior (Willie Mullins)
Venalmar (GB) (Mouse Morris)
31 entries, 12 British-trained


QUEEN COULD BE REPRESENTED IN BETFAIR.COM NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE

The Queen’s home-bred Barbers Shop, who finished a close second in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, could be heading to Punchestown to run in the 110,000 euros Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase on Friday, April 25.

He is one of four entries trained by Nicky Henderson in the two mile and five furlong handicap and the Lambourn trainer is still finalising running plans.

“Barbers Shop, Classic Fiddle, My Petra and Boomshakalaka are all entered in the betfair.com Novices’ Handicap Chase. I haven’t quite planned it out yet because there are a few races over here as well as at Punchestown for them.

“We’ve just got to keep an eye on the ground - that would be the main thing, but Barbers Shop ran a very good race at Cheltenham and has come out of it okay.”

There is a bumper 69-strong entry for the Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase including high-class performers such as Finger Onthe Pulse, Noland, Pomme Tiepy, Conna Castle, J’Y Vole, Sky’s The Limit, Gold Medallist and Thyne Again.

Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A)
3.45pm, Friday, April 25, 2008, €110,000, 2m 5f, 5yo+

Ambobo (USA) (Martin Brassil)
Arbor Supreme (Willie Mullins)
Badgerlaw (Jessica Harrington)
Ballycullen Boy (Maureen Danagher)
Barbers Shop (GB) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Beautiful Vision (Tom Taaffe)
Beggars Cap (Ferdy Murphy GB)
Blaeberry (GB) (Emma Lavelle GB)
Boomshakalaka (Nicky Henderson GB)
Burren Ben (Charles Byrnes)
Callherwhatulike (Robert Tyner)
Candy Girl (Willie Mullins)
Charlie Yardbird (Noel Meade)
Clarkey (Christy Roche)
Classic Croco (GER) (Tom Hogan)
Classic Fiddle (GB) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Conna Castle (Jimmy Mangan)
Cool Running (Christy Roche)
Dante Hall (Tommy Stack)
De Chirico (Martin Treacy)
Double Dizzy (GB) (Bob Buckler GB)
Drunken Disorderly (Charlie Swan)
Emotional Article (Tom Taaffe)
Finger Onthe Pulse (Tom Taaffe)
Forest Green (FR) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Forest Leaves (Edward O'Grady)
Freds Benefit (Willie Mullins)
Gilligans Hall (Willie Mullins)
Gold Medallist (GB) (Philip Hobbs GB)
Gripit N Tipit (Charlie Swan)
High Fidelitay (Tony Mullins)
Irish Invader (Willie Mullins)
J'y Vole (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Jack From Curragha (Ivor Kingston)
Jawad (Joanna Morgan)
Le Toscan (FR) (Michael O'Brien)
Marhaba Million (Eric McNamara)
Medicinal (Edward O'Grady)
Merry Cowboy (Eamon Sheehy)
Miss Mitch (Robert and Sally Alner GB)
My Petra (GB) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Noland (GB) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Notable D'Estruval (FR) (Arthur Moore)
Notre Pere (FR) (Jim Dreaper)
Offaly (Noel Meade)
Optimus Prime (Adrian Maguire)
Oscar Honey (Jessica Harrington)
Oslot (FR) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Oulart (GB) (Dessie Hughes)
Pomme Tiepy (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Reisk Superman (Tony Martin)
Santa's Son (John O'Shea)
Scotsirish (Willie Mullins)
Secretofshambhala (Tom Mullins)
Show Blessed (Joanna Morgan)
Sizing America (Henry de Bromhead)
Sky's The Limit (FR) (Edward O'Grady)
Strawberry (Seamus Mullins GB)
Summer Seeds (Ted Walsh)
Templer (Philip Hobbs GB)
The Bosses Nephew (John Brassil)
The Entomologist (Charles Egerton GB)
The Hairy Lemon (GB) (Alan King GB)
The Joker (Shane Donohoe)
Thyne Again (Liam Burke)
Wee Forbees (Howard Johnson GB)
Well Run (Noel Meade)
Whataboutya (Noel Meade)
Wheresben (Seamus Fahey)
69 entries, 17 British-trained


WON IN THE DARK FOR EVENTUS MARQUEES CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR-OLD HURDLE

A total of 32 juveniles have been entered in the Grade 1 Eventus Marquees Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle on the final day of the Punchestown Festival, Saturday, April 26, including the first three home from Cheltenham’s JCB Triumph Hurdle - Celestial Halo, Franchoek and Won In The Dark.

The latter is trained by Sabrina Harty who is looking forward to running the Montjeu gelding at Punchestown.

“Won In The Dark is heading for the Eventus Marquees Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle and is in good form at home. I was on him this morning and he was feeling very fresh!,” said Harty.

“We couldn’t have been happier with him at Cheltenham. He took the travelling very well but we were disappointed that the ground came up a bit tacky for him. Hopefully it will be nice ground come Punchestown. He’ll probably just be worked at home. He’s on target at the moment and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

The Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Binocular, Pierrot Lunaire, winner of the Grade 2 Top Novice Hurdle at Aintree, Dansimar, who is unbeaten in three starts for Venetia Williams, Serpentaria, who has won his only hurdle race for Willie Mullins, Beau Michael, Harper Valley and Squadron are among the other high-class entries.

Eventus Marquees Champion 4YO Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.15pm, Saturday, April 26, 2008, €110,000, 2m, 4yo+


Beau Michael (GB) (Adrian McGuinness)
Binocular (FR) (Nicky Henderson GB)
C'est Ca (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Callisto Moon (GB) (Ian Williams GB)
Celestial Halo (Paul Nicholls GB)
Cnoc Moy (Oliver Sherwood GB)
Cru (Willie Mullins)
Dani California (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Dansimar (GB) (Venetia Williams GB)
Doubly Guest (GB) (Nicky Henderson GB)
Franchoek (Alan King GB)
Harper Valley (Gordon Elliott)
Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins)
Indian Spring (Edward O'Grady)
King Of Prussia (Frances Crowley)
Maca Rince (Jarleth Fahey)
Miss Fancy Pants (GB) (Noel Meade)
Mullach Na Si (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Paco Jack (Joe Crowley)
Personal Column (GB) (Jessica Harrington)
Pierrot Lunaire (USA) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Pires (GB) (Tony Martin)
Prince Erik (GB) (Dermot Weld)
Queen Althea (Noel Meade)
Quevega (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Serabad (FR) (Peter Bowen GB)
Serpentaria (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Silverhand (Noel Meade)
Squadron (GB) (Alan King GB)
Temlett (Willie Mullins)
Thousand Stars (FR) (Lar Byrne)
Won In The Dark (Sabrina Harty)
32 entries, 10 British-trained


DON’T BE BITIN FOR KERRYGOLD

Don’t Be Bitin, winner of the Grade 2 Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown in February, will return to the course on Tuesday, April 22, to bid for Grade 1 glory in the Kerrygold Champion Chase.

“We are going to let Don’t Be Bitin take his chance in the two-mile Kerrygold Champion Chase,” said his trainer Eoin Griffin. “I know it is a big ask for him but there’s not a huge amount there for him. He always runs a good race around Punchestown and he seems to like the place. I know that he fell there at last year’s Festival, but for a small enough horse he jumps particularly well.

“We’ll probably have four or five runners over the week. I’ll have a couple of bumper horses to run as well. Bantry Commons, who was second at Leopardstown on his only start, will run in one of the bumpers.”


43 BRITISH TRAINERS TARGET PUNCHESTOWN

There are a total of 122 entries trained in Britain for the 16 early-closing races at the 2008 Punchestown Festival from no less than 43 different trainers.

The 2008 Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown runs from Tuesday, April 22, to Saturday, April 26, and has record prize money of 2,955,000 euros.

‘HELP FOR HEROES’ ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL CHARITY FOR THE 2008 DERBY FESTIVAL

This immensely worthwhile charity is currently raising money for a much needed swimming pool and gym complex at Headley Court in Surrey, the tri-service rehabilitation centre next door to Epsom that provides invaluable support for our injured servicemen and women.

Since the launch of the charity, the raised funds are in excess of £4million.

The Derby Festival is honoured to be supporting such a worthwhile cause.

Nick Blofeld, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to assist ‘Help for Heroes’.

“With the spire of Headley Court visible from the Grandstand at Epsom Downs Racecourse and therefore constantly in our minds, we cannot not think of a better way to support our local community. We are hoping that the Derby crowds will dig deep and give generously to the bucket collectors and therefore raise plenty of funds to help these incredibly brave patients.”

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

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