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HAYDOCK RACECOURSESaturday, November 20, 2010 - BETFAIR CHASE DAY RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE...BETFAIR CHASE DAY, RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010 A GREAT ADVERT FOR JUMP RACING IN THE NORTH He said: “It was wonderful to see the Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander make a winning seasonal reappearance at Haydock Park and we extend our congratulations to Our Friends In The North, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Paddy Brennan and everyone associated with the horse. They all have great reason to celebrate. “We also saw a great performance from Grands Crus in the 40% Better Off On Betfair SP “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle and there were several eye-catching performances from exciting younger horses on the card. In short, today was a tremendous advertisement for Jump racing in the North.” Race 6 - Betfair Chase (Grade One) - Initial quotes INITIAL WINNING REACTION - THE BETFAIR CHASE Paddy Brennan, the winning jockey on Imperial Commander, said: “I was just trying to warm him up, warm him up and warm him up. “It just took a bit of time getting his confidence back today but it is deep ground. He did get a bit tired but there was no Kauto Star today and he was brilliant. “He was getting high enough over his fences early on in the race but he really turned it on turning into the straight and showed me what he had - I was trying to nurse him home from there. “He is the Gold Cup winner and we can dream about that again now. “ Nigel Twiston-Davies, the winning trainer, said: “I couldn’t be happier with Imperial Commander. I know there were some doubters but he has shown them. “He will definitely come on for the race. There is only so much you can do at home, he was fit but will improve for the run. “We will go to Kempton (for the King George) now, if everything is all right, as there is nothing else for him really and then the plan is to give him a break before going for a second Cheltenham Gold Cup.” Race 6 - Betfair Chase (Grade One) THE COMMANDER RETURNS If Imperial Commander still had anyone doubting that he is one the very finest chasers of recent years, surely he does not now after an imperious victory in the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park today. The nine-year-old was making amends for his narrowest of defeats in this contest last year, when he went down by a nose to Kauto Star. Partnered by Paddy Brennan, Imperial Commander was always in a handy position behind the early pace setters Atouchbetweenacara and Nacarat. Brennan took the decision to commit at an early stage, sending Imperial Commander to the front seven fences from home. With a clear lead entering the straight, he kept on well to record a length and a quarter victory over the fast-finishing A relieved trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, said afterwards: “That was a superb run, just what we wanted. He has jumped really well. It would have been nice to have had something go to him as he has had to make a lot of his own running. “But he is back and that is just what we hoped for. Roll on the King George! “We have felt the pressure in the build-up to today, much more than we did last year. Paul Nicholls must have this all the time. “Denman runs in the Hennessy next week and we will see what he does there but until then you have to say that we still have the best horse around. “With the way he jumped and relaxed today, hopefully there is better to come. I just wish there had been another horse to come to him and give him a race. “I was watching the Morning Line for the first time in a long time this morning and the doubters were very worrying. “I thought that if What A Friend had gone and won after his breathing operation, then Sir Alex Ferguson would be giving breathing operations to all of his Manchester United stars! “He will certainly come on for that race. He hasn’t had a racecourse gallop or anything like that and there is only so much that you can do at home - he was fit, but not hyper-fit and will improve for the run. “We will definitely go to Kempton now, if everything is all right, as there is nothing else for him really. “I’ve no doubt that he can show his best at Kempton - anyone who doesn’t think that can go on to Betfair and lay him.” Paddy Brennan added: “I was just trying to warm him up, warm him up and warm him up. It just took a bit of time getting his confidence back today but it is deep ground. He did get a bit tired but there was no Kauto Star today and he was brilliant. He was getting high enough over his fences early on in the race but he really turned it on turning into the straight and showed me what he had - I was trying to nurse him home from there. “He is the Gold Cup winner and we can dream about that again now. “ “Imperial Commander was a bit rusty early on and was having a look - I think he maybe hadn’t forgotten what happened at Aintree last year - but he got better as the race went on and his confidence grew. “I went to the front early as I wanted him to jump better and use his stride. I think he will improve a lot for today - far more than anybody at home would have thought. He is just a dream to be associated with.” Race 6 - Beaten horses - The Betfair Chase. SECOND TO FIFTH PLEASED WITH BETFAIR CHASE PERFORMANCES Graham Wylie, owner of the fast-finishing second “Brian (Hughes - the jockey) said when Tidal was hanging left at Wetherby he tried to straighten the horse but here he let him do his own thing. “ “Brian said he is a better chaser than hurdler - he is a bit more deliberate and thinks a bit more. So I will see how Howard finds him in the morning. “On that showing, he is a Gold Cup horse - of course he could come last in the race but that would be him. There is a possibility - he has got the ability.” Philip Hobbs, trainer of the third Planet Of Sound, said: “I was very pleased with the performance - we just think better ground will help him so hopefully he will have that in the King George where he goes next. “It was only his second time over three miles and he certainly stays well.” Tom George, trainer of the fourthNacarat, said: “I was thrilled with him - Haydock is not really his track. “He went with Imperial Commander and just for an inkling it looked like we could beat him. “Nacarat has run a very solid race and has not quite got home. Kempton is definitely his track, winging around those bends, and we will go there for the King George.” Paul Nicholls, trainer of 3/1 second favourite What A Friend who finished fifth, commented: “He did not run his race. Sam (Thomas) said What A Friend hated the tacky ground - no excuses bar that. “On that performance, he is not good enough to win a Gold Cup. He goes well on good ground. He needed to improve on his form last year and does not seem to have done so. “If you don’t run, you don’t know.” JOCKEYS’ REACTION AFTER THE BETFAIR CHASE Paddy Brennan, who rode the 10/11 favourite Imperial Commander to win the Betfair Chase by 1 1/4 lengths, said: “I’m very pleased. He’s passed the test. I’d say he was a little bit more rusty than we thought. He will improve a lot for the run. It was deep out there so the ground played a part in why we didn’t go away and win by a few more lengths.” Brian Hughes, partner of the second Richard Johnson, jockey of third Planet of Sound, said: “He ran really well, I’m very pleased with him. It was his first run of the season so hopefully he can improve on that. A bit better ground would help him.” Paul Moloney, on the fourth home Nacarat, said: “He’s ran a blinder an absolute blinder. I thought he was going to be second all the way. I thought for a second or two that we were going to win. That ground is very dead and tacky and that has just cost me. But he was just brilliant.” Sam Thomas, rider of fifth What A Friend, said: “The ground didn’t suit him to be perfectly honest. I wasn’t really happy with him with a circuit to go.” WINNER- IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) FACTFILE 9 b g Flemensfirth ( Form: 146173/114/161/P251U-1 Owner: Our Friends In The North Breeder: Laurence Flynn Imperial Commander The stable star of the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and the reigning king of the steeplechasers following his thrilling totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph in March, Imperial Commander passed cheaply through the sale ring as a young horse. A 4,000 euro Goffs December Sale yearling, the Flemensfirth gelding made 19,000 euros as a three-year-old when selling at Goffs in June, 2004. Imperial Commander was an emphatic eight-length winner on his only start in an Irish point-to-point at Summerhill in April, 2005. He was then bought privately form Colin Mckeever for £30,000 by Kevin Ross for Our Friends In The North Syndicate. Imperial Commander made his debut for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies at Our Friends in the North The eight-strong partnership is fronted by Newcastle-born and Carlisle-based Ian Robinson, 48, who founded Our Friends In The North, named after the BBC series, in 2003. Robinson is CEO of a marine telecommunications company in the northeast and is joined in the syndicate by his wife, Gillian. They are both Newcastle United season ticket holders. Ian first went to Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies initially combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests throughout the 1980s, before the agricultural recession prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He secured his first winner when Last Of The Foxes won at Paddy Brennan Imperial Commander’s victory in the 2010 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup provided Paddy Brennan with what he described as the best day of his life. Brennan was born at Ardrahan in SIXTH RACE RESULT 3.25pm BETFAIR CHASE (GRADE ONE) 3m £200,000 guaranteed. For 5yo+ Weights: 11st 7lb Allowances: mares 7lb Penalty value 1st £112,660.00 2nd £42,440.00 3rd £21,240.00 4th £10,620.00 5th £5,320.00 6th £2,660.00 1) IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) (Our Friends In The North) Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-07 Paddy Brennan 10/11 Fav 2) TIDAL BAY (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 9-11-07 Brian Hughes 16/1 3) PLANET OF SOUND (Charles Llotd-Baker) Philip Hobbs 8-11-07 Richard Johnson 17/2 4) NACARAT (FR) (Simon Clarke) Tom George 9-11-07 Paul Moloney 7/1 5) WHAT A FRIEND (Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson) Paul Nicholls 7-11-07 Sam Thomas 3/1 6) ATOUCHBETWEENACARA (IRE) (Paul Beck) 7) CHIEF DAN GEORGE (IRE) (Maurice Chapman) James Moffatt 10-11-07 Paddy Aspell 7 ran Distances: 1¼, 8, 2¼, 2¾, dist, 27 Breeder: Laurence J Flynn Breeding: b g Flemensfirth ( Totes: Win: £1.90; Places: £1.60, £3.70; Exacta: £15.00; Winning Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton, Winning Jockey: Paddy J Brennan Born: Ardrahan, Galway, April 13, 1981 Background: Brennan spent the summer of 1995 working for Race 1 - Coronation Street 50 Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) SO EASY FOR TOUBAB Betfair Chase Day has been a happy hunting ground for Paul Nicholls over the past few years and the 2010 edition began perfectly for the champion trainer as Toubab was the facile winner of the opening Coronation Street 50th Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle, a Listed contest run over two miles. Partnered by Sam Thomas, the four-year-old grey travelled well throughout and after taking up the running at the final flight, cruised away to win by an effortless eight lengths. He was returned at 7/2. Paul Nicholls said: “He is a real, proper horse now. I have always liked him but he has always just been weak. He ran three really good races last year, including when finishing fourth in the Swinton Hurdle as a baby, and he just wasn’t getting home because he was weak. “I feel that this season we are starting from scratch with him. He has now started to settle and worked well with Master Minded on Wednesday - as well as he has ever worked in fact - but the girl who rides him said that he wanted another week. We were always going to go to Newbury with him but I just felt that it was going to be a small field today, it’s an easy track and it is good prize money, so we let him take his chance. “I thought that he would run well today but I just thought that he might need the run a little bit. He a big, quite lean, four-year-old and he has taken a bit of time to come into himself. “He had some good pieces of form last season, including when he was second to Soldatino (who subsequently won the Triumph Hurdle). He is a horse we have just had to be patient with, as he will be a two-mile chaser in time. We feel he is among our best novice hurdlers and I think the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle could be the aim. As I said, we always thought a lot of him but he was just weak, keen and silly last season. “I don’t know where we go now, but we don’t want to over run him. If we just look after him this year - I am obviously going to run him in better races - what a cracking two-mile chaser he will be this time next year. He has probably never jumped a hurdle at home - all he does is jump is baby fences - but he jumps really well and it has never been an issue with him.” William Hill make Toubab 16/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle while Paddy Power go 12/1. First race - DUNRAVEN STORM DISAPPOINTS IN FOURTH The 1/2 favourite Dunraven Storm disappointed when fourth of the four runners in the opening Richard Johnson, his jockey, commented: “He was a bit disappointing.” Philip Hobbs, Dunraven Storm’s trainer, added: “He was very geed up beforehand - he has been fine at home - and he was bit keen in the race. He appears fine after the race and we will now give him a bit of a break.” Dunraven Storm finished a good second eight days ago to Cue Card at JOCKEYS’ THOUGHTS ON THE GOING AFTER THE FIRST RACE Sam Thomas, rider eight-length winner Toubab, said: “It is slow on the hurdle course.” Jason Maguire, on board the second Drill Sergeant, described the going as: “Good to soft and a bit slow.” Brian Hughes, partner of third home Pure Faith, said: “Good to Soft.” Richard Johnson, rider of the fourth 1 / 2 favourite Dunraven Storm, said: “Good to soft.” Race 2 - Follow Paul Nicholls On Facebook & Twitter Handicap Chase ANOTHER WIN FOR STAGECOACH PEARL Stagecoach The grey led for much of the two-mile contest, but was headed after making a mess of the third last. However, he rallied gamely and soon got back into a challenging position. He looked to have the measure of My Moment, who fell at the last after slipping on landing when jumping boldly at the third last.. The winner was returned at 7/2. Harvey Smith, husband and assistant trainer to Sue Smith, said: “He is a good horse and is developing nicely. We have spent time with him and the jockey has struck up a good partnership with him. Hopefully, he should go on from here. “He jumps well and we have spent a lot of time schooling him. You see now when he runs and people think that he has made a mistake, he hasn’t - he pops out grand because he has had a lot of experience. “He is coming along nicely but I just hope that the handicapper doesn’t murder him and leaves him to develop himself. The horse was taking him on at the final fence but unfortunately he fell, so you just don’t know what the outcome would have been. “He is a little bit harem-scarem and he can be a bit of a handful going out exercising but Shane gets on with him particularly well and he claims 5lb as well, which always helps. Shane is a class horseman but he is one of those jockey who wouldn’t know that he is a class horseman - he is a natural. When he come to a fence, he just ignores them - he lets the horse jump them. “We are used to making novice jumpers. All of our life we have made novice showjumpers and we have always started at the bottom with them and brought them through to the top. We are doing the same with racehorses - we spend a lot of time with them - and most days they have a schooling session. “He has been left in front before when he won (at “This horse is very gutsy and jumps well. He is still a novice, although I think he has now run eight or nine times over fences. As I say he is a horse we have had to spend time with and he has needed his apprenticeship. “We will just take it one race at a time with him. If the handicapper decides to stop him by putting him up with lumps of weight, we will put him away and bring him back in the spring.” Jockey Shane Byrne added: “The ground is a bit dead and I had to ask him more than normal at his fences. “He missed the third last, but he went on again and just kept coming.” Race 3 - Betfair iPhone & Android App Hurdle CARLITO ON THE UP Carlito Brigante, trained by Gordon Elliott, gave the Irish a winner on Betfair Chase day when taking the £40,000 Betfair iPhone & Android App Hurdle, a contest for four-year-olds over two miles, in the hands of Jason Maguire. The 11/4 chance was held up but began to make significant progress as the field turned for home. Moving into a challenging position at the last, he ran on well to register a two-length victory over 66/1 shot Bocamix. Gordon Elliott said: “He has probably improved a lot since last year and we came over in search of better ground - I think that we just got away with it because the ground was a little bit on the soft side for him. “He is a hard horse to keep fit, as he is quite lazy at home and that is why we gave him a run on the Flat at “He is probably a horse who you might see over here a bit this season - we are lucky enough to have good owners who don’t mind coming over here for a bit of good ground. He won’t be abused this year but we will see what happens. We will see what happens now. The better the ground, the better he is. We will now look at either Leopardstown or Kempton over Christmas for him.” “He keeps improving and he is a smashing horse. I think that he is a horse who you might see stepping up in trip - two and a half miles won’t be an issue for him and he could even go up to three miles. I will talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) before making a plan for him. “Jason and myself go back a long way - we were friends at school - and he rides most of what I sent over here. He is riding very well since he came back from injury and it’s great to have him.” Jason Maguire added: “He has done it well. They went a good gallop out in front which set it up for us. “I sat quite close to the leaders, but didn’t want to get there too soon. I knew turning in that we were going well, but he is just a horse that doesn’t want to hit the front too soon. He jumps well.” More quotes - third race - Betfair iphone & Android App Hurdle TACKY GROUND FINDS OUT MARKET LEADER CLERK’S CHOICE Michael Banks, trainer of 10/11 favourite Clerk’s Choice who could only finish fourth in the Betfair iphone & Android App Hurdle, blamed the ground and slow pace for his horse’s first defeat of the season. He said: “The ground was the issue. It was tacky and they went no pace at all. “We had to try this sort of ground - he won on good to soft on the Flat but that is decent jumping ground. “We have proved that we don’t want to run on this sort of ground again. We will see how he comes out of this race before making plans. “The Champion Hurdle dreams have always been something that other people have talked about - I can dream about it. “If you ask me, “He didn’t jump today but you should seen him school on the Links (at THREE-DAY BAN FOR MOLONEY Jockey Paul Moloney picked up a three-day ban following his ride on Barizan, who finished third in the Betfair iPhone and Android App Hurdle. The stewards held that Moloney had used his whip with excessive frequency. The ban takes effect on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, December 5, 6 and 7. Race 4 - betfair.com/paulnicholls Handicap Chase KING FONTAINE COMPLETES FOUR-TIMER Owner Trevor Hemmings is a big supporter of The seven-year-old, who has now won his last four starts of which the last two came at Winning trainer Malcolm Jefferson said: “The fences here are big but he is a pretty safe jumper. “Graham Lee even said the fences look big and he was up on top of the horse! “I don’t know where we will go next, today was the aim. The only plan at the minute is to take him home and see how he is tomorrow, that is all you can do. “He is such a good jumper. He could maybe be a horse for the Grand National one day, who knows.” JOCKEYS TALK ABOUT THE GROUND ON THE CHASE COURSE AFTER THE FOURTH Graham Lee, rider of the winner King Fontaine, said: “It is really hard work to jump out of, though it isn’t really what I would call soft.” Charlie Poste, rider of second Andrew Tinkler, jockey of the third Wogan, described the ground as: “It rides like it is heavy ground. It is like glue. It is really hard work” Paddy Brennan, rider of Rory Boy, said: “Very, very soft.” Andrew Glassonbury, on board Carrickmines, said: “It is very holding and a bit soft.” Race 5 - 40% Better Off On Betfair SP “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) SO EASY FOR GRANDS CRUS The 40% Better Off On Betfair SP “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle, run over three miles and with a field of 18 runners, looked a competitive contest on paper but was turned into a procession by 6/4 favourite Grands Crus, who powered to an impressive 10-length victory in the hands of Tom Scudamore. This was the second major victory in less than a week for the talented five-year-old, who also scored in a competitive handicap hurdle at Always in a handy position, Grands Crus hit the front as the field entered the straight for the final time and was clear from three out. David Pipe, the triumphant trainer, was not in attendance, but Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds, who own the horse in partnership, were both at Haydock for the £75,000 contest. Roger Stanley said: “The plan was to go chasing but I wouldn’t want to get too involved with future plans. He looks like he could also make a top-class hurdler. “The thing he does want is soft ground. My only concern about going to “We have been patient with this horse as we have had him foe two and a half years. We had to pull him out of races a few times last year as the ground turned against him, “I think the progeny of his sire (Dom Alco) tend to want soft ground in their younger days but can maybe handle different types of ground as they get older. “I think we will just bide our tiime with him now. I thought we would win today, although you never want to say you will win. There was much more pressure coming here today than at “It was a very nice prize today and well done to the Pipes. I think they told us this was the plan after he won at “We will keep to conditions when there is soft in the description. With soft ground and wonderful prize money, taking him to Tom Scudamore added: “He has done it nicely, hasn’t he? He jumps well and travels well - they have gone a real good gallop so I was just able to suit on him. They got racing a long way out and I was just able to pick up the pieces. “He is a good horse and the tram has done a great job. He can be very, very keen at home and they have done a really good job of settling him - he was a lot more settled today, even over the three miles, and he has jumped superbly. “His form was there from last season - he was second to Sanctuaire and Wishfull Thinking - and he has improved through the summer. It has been a good week for him. “Whatever he does over hurdles will be a bonus - the way he jumped those you can see that he will jump a fence and it is nice to have such a nice horse to ride.” GOING NEWS The going at Chase Course: Good to Soft, Soft in places Hurdle Course: Good to Soft, Good in places All hurdle races will be run on the inner hurdle course. Bends have been moved out by six metres for the first five races, increasing race distances from innermost rail position by 38 metres per circuit. The false rail will be dropped for final two races, so that bends are out by three metres, increasing race distances from innermost rail position by 18 metres per circuit. Kirkland Tellwright, “Conditions were dry overnight and we are set for a dry day today.” PRESS RELISHING IMPERIAL RETURN BUT TIPSTERS SIDING WITH FRIEND Racing’s scribes are relishing today’s Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, which sees the return of last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander. The nine-year-old went down by a nose to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase of 2009 and Andrew Scutts in the Racing Post notes: “Today, the hunter becomes the hunted” - a point which perfectly encapsulates Imperial Commander’s role today. Greg Wood in The Guardian also notes the reversal of roles for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge: “Imperial Commander was a 9/1 chance for the Betfair Chase last year, with little obvious chance on form against the finest chaser for decades. Brennan’s mount seemed to surpass himself to get as close to Kauto Star as he did, but as time was to show, there was no fluke about it....Today, at Haydock Park, though, Imperial Commander must play the role of defending champion, seemingly sure to start as the odds-on favourite as a gang of up-and-comers led by What A Friend, who is co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, attempts to bridge the gap.” A similar point is taken up by Jim McGrath in The Daily Telegraph: “Flashback a year ago today, and Imperial Commander, the great underdog, gave Kauto Star, the champion, the fright of his life when running him to a nose in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. It became the defining race of the season, yet few fully recognised its relevance at the time....Despite subsequently falling at Aintree, Imperial Commander is the defending champion and he and his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies no longer have the luxury of merrily sailing along under the publicity radar. He is top dog and getting the deserved attention.” A number of tipsters have sided with the Paul Nicholls-trained What A Friend as the value bet to upset Imperial Commander and indeed he is recommended by Tom Segal in his Pricewise column in the Racing Post. He notes: “I am pretty sure that What A Friend is a top-class staying chaser, too, and is going to prove himself a Gold Cup contender at some stage this season....I have a strong feeling he could show that today, because he is deadly fresh, has had a wind operation which might have cured what was holding him back at the end of his races last season, and is a brilliant jumper....A small field like this is perfect, and Paul Nicholls has had this race in mind for him for ages.” Rob Wright of The Times is also a fan: “Ideally suited by a flat, left-handed track, What A Friend has his ideal conditions and, with regular partner Sam Thomas back in the saddle, he can make a winning return.” Mark Winstanley, in his View From The Couch in the Daily Star, also sides with What A Friend: “With Imperial Commander having fallen at Aintree on his last trip to the belt and braces, I reckon the 7/2 about the progressive What A Friend is the value bet in this race, especially as we know that Paul Nicholls will be extra keen to put one over the Gold Cup winner.” Steve Jones, Templegate in The Sun, reminds us that Imperial Commander has not won over fences away from However, over in the Daily Mail, Marcus Townend reminds us that What A Friend is not yet a proven performer at the very top level and makes an appropriate comparison with football, given that the gelding is part-owned by Manchester United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson: “Sir Alex Ferguson knows it’s too early to draw meaningful conclusions on the battle for the Premier League but he should have an idea by half-time of United’s clash with Wigan how realistic the Cheltenham Gold Cup claims are for his chaser What A Friend. Officially, he’s 16lb inferior to reigning champion Imperial Commander - quite a gulf. But, only a seven-year-old, he sat on the subs bench during the biggest matches last year, being nurtured like an Old Trafford rookie for this season. Defeat would not be a disaster but What A Friend must now show he can be a first-team regular.” Bev Swingell in the Daily Express thinks that Imperial Commander is still the one to side with, although he too thinks What A Friend could prove a danger. He opines: “Nigel Twiston-Davies predicts a huge run from Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock....The Gold Cup winner is said to be in better shape than when he was narrowly beaten by Kauto Star in last year’s race. If that is the case today’s race should be a penalty kick for him, but he does have two ways of running....On his last start, Imperial Commander was going knowhere when unseating Paddy Brennan in the totesport Bowl at the Grand National meeting. What A Friend went on to win the race and is the one likely to come out on top today, should the selection not put his best foot forward.” Those looking for a view from the saddle can find such an opinion in the Daily Mirror, where Richard Johnson, partner of Planet Of Sound, says in his column: “If Planet Of Sound can produce the form of his win in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April, he can definitely give Imperial Commander a race....I’ve schooled him for the last four weeks and I said to Philip Hobbs that he feels like he’s ready for a run. He’s from a family that take time to come to themselves, so there is room for improvement, and he has done very little wrong.” NICHOLLS HAS A FRIEND TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS AFTERNOON Trainer Paul Nicholls, who took part in a Betfair Q & A session before racing at Haydock Park today, is looking forward to running What A Friend in the £200,000 Betfair Chase at 3.25pm. Nicholls, who saddled the great Kauto Star to win the Betfair Chase in 2006, 2007 and 2009, said: “The Betfair Chase is a great race for a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to come to, but it is also a great race for an aspiring youngster. “We have won it before so knows what it takes, and I think that What A Friend has every chance. “He ran a blinder first time out last year when he was second to Denman in the Hennessy, so we just hope the track suits him. “Ruby (Walsh) said last year that he had a breathing problem, so he has had a wind op during the summer (soft palate and hobday) and hopefully he will come on from that. “I think other than Imperial Commander the danger horse today would be Planet Of Sound, who is improving.” FIRST RACE RESULT 12.40pm £17,500 guaranteed. For: 4yo+ Weights: 11st Penalties: a winner of a Class 5 hurdle 4lb; of a Class 4 hurdle 6lb; of a Class 1 to 3 hurdle 8lb. Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb. Penalty value 1st £10,412.50 2nd £3,899.00 3rd £1,947.75 4th £973.00 1) TOUBAB (FR) (Hills Of Ledbury (Aga)) Paul Nicholls 4-11-00 Sam Thomas 7/2 2) DRILL SERGEANT (Tim Leslie) Donald McCain Jnr 5-11-06 Jason Maguire 13/2 3) PURE FAITH (IRE) (P Bowling, R Harvey & K Bowen) Peter Bowen 6-11-08 Brian Hughes 4) DUNRAVEN STORM (IRE) (Karola Vann) Philip Hobbs 5-11-08 Richard Johnson 1/2 Fav 4 ran Non Runner: LATERLY (Self cert - off colour) Distances: 8, 9, sh Breeder: Bertran De Balanda & F Hoffet Breeding: gr g Martaline - Tabachines (FR) (Art Francais (USA)) Totes: Win: £4.90; Exacta: £23.20; Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls, the son of a policeman, was born in Olveston, Winning Jockey: Sam Thomas Born: June 22, 1984 Background: Thomas hails from a family of school teachers, with both his parents and his sister engaged in that profession but bucked the trend by forging a successful career as a jump jockey. Born in Abergavenny (father is a maths teacher), he began riding ponies at the age of four before graduating to the Welsh point-to-point circuit. After training at the SECOND RACE RESULT 1.15pm FOLLOW PAUL NICHOLLS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER HANDICAP CHASE 2m £25,000 guaranteed. For 4yo+ Rated 0-140 Minimum weight: 10st. Penalties: after November 13th, each chase won 7lb. Penalty value: 1st £16,262.50 2nd £4,775.00 3rd £2,387.50 4th £1,192.50 1) STAGECOACH 2) 3) SMACK THAT (IRE) (Christopher Shankland & Ruth Nelmes) Milton Harris 8-10-06 Jimmy Derham (3) 20/1 4) PRET A THOU (FR) (C J Tipton) John Groucott 7-11-00 Harry Challoner (7) 5) GRINGO (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 8-11-04 Brian Hughes 6)OCKEY DE NEULLIAC (FR) (Ferdy Murphy) Ferdy Murphy 8-10-11 Graham Lee 7) DOUBLE VODKA (IRE) (Steve Wilson) Chris Grant 9-10-09 James Reveley F last MY MOMENT (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Henry Daly 7-10-12 Richard Johnson 8 ran Distances: 15, 12, 18, 2½, 19, 3¾, Breeder: R F Broad Breeding: gr g Classic Cliche (IRE) - Linwood (Ardross) Totes: Win: £4.60; Places: £1.50, £1.70, £5.20; Exacta: £15.50; Winning Trainer: SUE SMITH Based: Craiglands Farm, Bingley, W Yorkshire Married: to Harvey Smith Background: Born on February 23, 1948, and raised on a Winning Jockey: Shane W Byrne Based: c/o Sue Smith, Craiglands Farm, Bingley, W Yorkshire Background: Former amateur, now a conditional with Sue Smith. First Ride: D J Flippance (second), D & C Mitchell Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle, Carlisle, November 25, 2005 First Winner: Jupiter’s Fancy, Anderson Strathern Hunters’ Chase, Musselburgh, February 15, 2006 Wins (2005/06-2009/10): 1; 5; 6; 6; 5; Wins This Season: 8 THIRD RACE RESULT 1.50pm BETFAIR iPHONE & ANDROID APP HURDLE 2m £40,000 guaranteed. For: 4yo Weights: 10st 12lb Penalties: a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle, or of a Class 1 handicap hurdle 4lb; of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle 8lb Allowances: fillies 7lb Penalty value 1st £25,048.00 2nd £7,400.00 3rd £3,700.00 4th £1,852.00 5th £924.00 6th £464.00 1) CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott IRE 4-11-06 Jason Maguire 11/4 2) BOCAMIX (FR) (Helen Sinclair) Andy Crook 4-10-12 Fearghal Davis 66/1 3) BARIZAN (IRE) (P Conway & John Lee Jones) Evan Williams 4-11-06 Paul Moloney 5/1 4) CLERK’S CHOICE (IRE) (Michael Banks) Michael Banks 4-11-02 Tom Molloy 10/11 Fav 5) ULTIMATE (Dan Gilbert) Brian Ellison 4-10-12 Dougie Costello 7/1 5 ran Non runner: ANDHAAR (Vet’s cert - bruised foot) Distances: 2, 2¼, ½, hd Breeder: Ballylinch Stud Breeding: b g Haafhd - Desert Magic (IRE) ( Totes: Win: £3.50; Places: £1.80, £5.20; Exacta: £171.50; Winning Trainer: GORDON ELLIOTT Based: Capranny, Trim, Co Winning Jockey: Jason Maguire Born: April 13, 1980 Background: Jason is the nephew of former top-jockey-turned-trainer Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and partnered his first British winner, the Tony Martin-trained Search For Peace, at FOURTH RACE RESULT 2.20pm Betfair.com/paulnicholls HANDICAP CHASE 3m £30,000 guaranteed. For: 4yo+ Rated: 0-145 Minimum weight: 10st Penalties: after November 13, each chase won 6lb Penalty value: 1st £18,786.00 2nd £5,550.00 3rd £2,775.00 4th £1,389.00 5th £693.00 6th £348.00 1) KING FONTAINE (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Malcolm Jefferson 7-11-01 Graham Lee 7/2 2) 3) WOGAN (Pater Deal) Nicky 4) ETXALAR (FR) (Elizabeth Ferguson) Lucinda Russell 7-11-02 Peter Buchanan 5) RORY BOY ( 6) F 7 PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) (Alan Halsall) Charlie Longsdon 7-11-10 Richard Johnson 5/2 Fav PU CARRICKMINES (IRE) (Dr Richard & Laura Newland) Dr Richard Newland 8-10-08 Andrew Glassonbury 8 ran Distances: 11, 3½, 14, 24, ½ Breeder: Peter McCarthy Breeding: b g Kingės Theatre (IRE) - Kerfontaine (Lafontaine ( Totes: Win: £3.60; Places: £1.10, £3.70, £2.70; Exacta: £45.00; Winning Trainer: MALCOLM JEFFERSON Based: Newstaed Cottage Stables, Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire Date of birth: 1/12/46 Background: Born into a farming family in Skelton, Malcolm began his working life as a farmhand before joining up with Gordon W Richards at Greystoke aged 20, where he spent 13 years. Date of first licence: 1981 Cheltenham Festival wins (2): Stakis Casinos Final (1994 Tindari), Champion Bumper (1995 Dato Star) Other big wins: Albert Bartlett (River Don) Novices’ Hurdle (2009 Cape Tribulation), Castleford Chase (2006 & 2007 Calatagan), Champion Hurdle Trial (1998 & 2000 Dato Star), Christmas Hurdle (1999 Dato Star), Fighting Fifth Hurdle (1998 & 1999 Dato Star), Heroes Handicap Hurdle (1997 Tullymurry Toff), Long Distance Hurdle (1997 Go-Informal), Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (2005 Roman Ark) Jump Wins (1990/91-2009/10): 5; 3; 14; 11; 16; 14; 24; 29; 15; 26; 12; 26; 20; 12; 21; 28; 31; 17; 30; 19; Wins this Season: 13 Winning Jockey: Graham Lee Born: December 16, 1975 Background: Irish pony-racing circuit, left school at 15 to join handler Noel Meade. Five rides for Meade then joined Dessie McDonogh in FIFTH RACE RESULT 2.50pm 40% BETTER OFF ON BETFAIR SP “FIXED BRUSH” HANDICAP HURDLE (LISTED) £75,000 guaranteed. For: 4yo+ Minimum weight: 10st Penalties: after November 13, each hurdle won 6lb Penalty value 1st £42,757.50 2nd £16,042.50 3rd £8,032.50 4th £4,005.00 5th £2,010.00 6th £1,005.00 1) GRANDS CRUS (FR) (Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III) David Pipe 5-10-10 (6 ex) Tom Scudamore 6/4 Fav 2) BARAFUNDLE (IRE) (Judith Ratcliff) Jennie Candlish 6-10-08 Alan O’Keeffe 16/1 3) PEVERIL (Trevor Hemmings) Nicky 4) BALLYFITZ (F J Mills & W Mills) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-11-12 David England 40/1 5) HILLS OF ARAN (David Hughes, Mike Evans & Partners) Keith Goldsworthy 8-11-11 Rhys Flint 6) THE SHY MAN (IRE) (Sean Graham) George Moore 7-10-07 Barry Keniry 7) 8) CAPTAIN AMERICO (IRE) (M Tedham) James Ewart 8-10-13 Nick Scholfield 9) THELOBSTERCATCHER (G A 10) FRUITY O’ROONEY (Heart Of The South Racing) Gary Moore 7-10-10 Andrew Glassonbury 11) ACCORDING TO PETE (P Nelson) Malcolm Jefferson 9-10-10 Graham Lee 12) BACKBORD (GER) (Mr & Mrs J Timmons) Lucy Wadham 8-10-08 Dougie Costello 13) JAMES DE VASSY (FR) (Jakeman, Barrett, Booth & Ferrand) Nick Williams 5-11-08 Daryl Jacob 14) 15) KHACHATURIAN (IRE) (Brendan Richardson) Donald McCain Jnr 7-10-13 Jason Maguire 16) PU TASHEBA (Terry Benson) Nicky PU LORD GENEROUS (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Nigel Twiston-Davies 6-10-13 Paddy Brennan 18 ran Distances: 10, 14, 2¾, 3, nk, ¾, 7, 7, 1, 2½, 1½, dist, 29, dist, 12 Breeder: Jean-Marie Prost Alamartine Breeding: gr g Dom Alco (FR) - Fee Magic (FR) (Phantom Breeze (8.8f)) Totes: Win: £2.20; Places: £1.10, £4.40, £2.30, £8.50; Exacta: £33.50; Trifecta: £315.20; Winning Trainer: DAVID PIPE Born: February 7, 1973 Based: Pond House, Nicholashayne, Winning Jockey: Tom Scudamore Born: May 22, 1982 Background: Tom Scudamore was appointed stable jockey to David Pipe for the 2006/07 season, marking a return to Pond House in Somerset where he began his career as an amateur for Pipe’s father Martin, and where his own father Peter Scudamore, was also stable jockey. Tom comes from an illustrious line of jockeys. His great-grandfather Geoffrey rode winners as an amateur, grandfather Michael was Oxo’s pilot when winning the 1959 Grand National and his father was eight-times champion jockey, but never won the John Smith’s Grand National. Tom has made a big impression since leaving SEVENTH RACE RESULT 3.55pm TIMEFORM BETFAIR RACING CLUB STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE £7,000 guaranteed. For: 4-6y-o which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing except NH Flat Races, INH Flat Races or French AQPS Flat Races Weights: 11st Penalties: a winner of a race 7lb; of 2 races 10lb; of 3 races 14lb Allowances: fillies and mares 7lb 1st £4,553.50 2nd £1,337.00 3rd £668.50 4th £333.90 1) CHARMINSTER (IRE) (Tony Meehan) Donald McCain Jnr 4-11-00 Jason Maguire 15/8 2) HERDSMAN (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Philip Hobbs 5-11-07 Richard Johnson 8/11 Fav 3) FLAYGRAY (Alison Lee) Chris Grant 6-11-02 Alex Voy (5) 20/1 4) FORCEFIELD (Stuart & Emma Earley, Dan & Michelle Macdonald) Nick Alexander 4-11-00 Miss Lucy Alexander (7) 5) MR ONE TOO (IRE) (The H & H Partnership) Keith Goldsworthy 11-0-00 Daryl Jacob 6) A PATCHY DANCER (IRE) (Alicia Skene & W 6 ran Distances: 6, 4½, 2¾, 17, 6 Breeder: Raymond Cahalane Breeding: b g Broadway Flyer ( Totes: Win: £2.90; Places: £1.50, £1.20; Exacta: £2.80; Winning Trainer: DONALD MCCAIN JNR Born: March 13, 1970 Based: Bankhouse, Cholmondley, Cheshire Background: Donald McCain Jnr is the son of Ginger McCain, trainer of the legendary Red Rum, the only horse to win the John Smith’s Grand National three times (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also Amberleigh House, the 2004 victor. Donald learnt to ride on his sister Joanne’s pony Gambol and rode in his first race on the Flat aged 15 (his father told a few white lies so he could ride) at Haydock Park. He subsequently became a jump jockey, firstly as an amateur and then a professional, riding around 40 winners under Rules. He rode several times over the Grand National fences, finishing fifth aboard Harley in the 1992 Fox Hunters’ Chase and 17th on Sure Metal in the 1996 Grand National. He also spent time working in the stables of Luca Cumani, Sir Michael Stoute and Oliver Sherwood. Donald subsequently became assistant trainer to his father at Bankhouse Stables at Cholmondeley in Winning Jockey: Jason Maguire Born: April 13, 1980 Background: Jason is the nephew of former top-jockey-turned-trainer Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and partnered his first British winner, the Tony Martin-trained Search For Peace, at
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