THARAWAAT HANDED BETFRED BECHER HANDICAP CHASE OPTION BY IRELAND'S ELLIOTT

Aintree hosts an exciting seven-race card on Saturday, December 8, which is headlined by the £110,000 Listed Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (2.10pm).

The three and a quarter mile contest gives the jockeys and their mounts a rare opportunity to experience the unique Grand National course before the John Smith's Grand National on April 6, 2013.

In recent years the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase has proven to be a future pointer to the world's greatest chase with Amberleigh House taking the prize in 2001 and then giving trainer Ginger McCain a memorable fourth John Smith's Grand National in 2004.

The last horse to complete the double was Gordon Elliott's Silver Birch, who held off the strong challenge of Mckelvey to capture the John Smith's Grand National in 2007, having taken the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase in 2004 when trained by Paul Nicholls.

Elliott could aim for a Betfred Becher Handicap Chase success of his own with Tharawaat. The seven-year-old belied his starting price of 125/1 to come home eighth in last season's John Smith's Grand National and returned with an encouraging sixth in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan last Sunday (November 25).

Elliott, the youngest trainer to win the John Smith's Grand National in modern times, revealed yesterday: "Tharawaat will be given an entry in the Betfred Becher Chase and we will make our mind up nearer the time as he only ran on Sunday.

"He has come out of the Troytown well and everything seems OK. He blew up but came home well so we were very pleased with his performance.

"We thought he would run a good race in last season's Grand National and he was staying on very strongly at the finish.

"We will be looking at the Grand National again with him and if we were lucky enough to get a Grand National on soft ground, it would suit him really well."

The other feature race on the card is the £60,000 Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (3.20pm), run over two miles, five and a half furlongs on the Grand National course. The contest has also had a bearing on the John Smith's Grand National with 2004 victor Forest Gunner going on to finish fifth in the Aintree showpiece later in the same season.

A seven-race card on Betfred Becher Chase Day also includes a pair of Listed races - the £20,000 Betfred "The Bonus King" Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle (12.35pm) and the Betfred Treble Odds On Lucky 15's Chase (1.05pm). The action gets underway at noon.

Nass Saddles First UAE runner of new season on Friday

When Krypton Factor took to the track at Meydan Racecourse at the start of last season, he was a handicapper rated 100.

This season he will embark on the defense of his 2012 US$2m Dubai Golden Shaheen Crown a Group 1 winner rated 123.

Within the span of just four races last term the highly progressive gelding worked his way through the ratings to earn a spot in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup day all-weather sprint alongside the likes of the contest’s 2012 winner, Rocket Man and Bob Baffert’s The Factor.

“I think a lot of people were questioning whether he had the class,” says owner-trainer Nass of his first Group 1 winner. “In a very short span he went from being a handicapper rated 100 to being a Group 1 winner. He wasn’t the favourite and I don’t think anybody expected him to win in the way he did. He looked the winner around 200m out.”

This season the handsome bay won’t get onto the track until the Al Shindagha Sprint rolls around in February.

“There isn’t really a race for Krypton Factor until February,” says Nass. As well as conditioning 11 horses in Dubai, the handler also maintains a 42-strong yard in his native Bahrain and has a small number of horses in training in the UK. Among them is the promising Mujazif, a three-length winner of a nice maiden for Brian Meehan in Newmarket this October.

“I’ll be looking at the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint in mid February and the Mahab Al Shimal on Super Saturday for him,” he says.
Krypton Factor was the popular success story of the Dubai World Cup Carnival last season. His duels with Hitchens captured the imagination of race fans. Hitchens first beat Nass’s charge by a short head in the Al Shindagha Sprint before the fast-improving Krypton Factor turned the tables on David Barron’s sprinter in the Mahab Al Shimal.

Then on World Cup day Krypton Factor, ridden by regular jockey, Kieren Fallon, claimed the biggest sprint prize, dashing the hopes of Pat Shaw’s defending champion, Rocket Man as well as pre-race favourite, The Factor to claim the Golden Shaheen.

Now Nass is looking forward to seeing whether his stable star can defend his Golden Shaheen Crown on March 30, 2013.

“He went to Singapore and Ascot and encountered soft ground and he’d done some travelling so we didn’t see him at his best,” he says. “But he loves the all-weather in Dubai and he is back here now. He’s doing very well but he’s still far away from being ready for his first run, which won’t be until later in the season.”

But Nass has plenty to keep him busy until then. He recently purchased Carnival runners, Lui Rei an old Dubai campaigner and two-year-old Hototo, who finished sixth in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes for former trainer, Kevin Ryan, in October.

“Lui Rei is rated 102 and has run around Meydan a few times,” says Nass. “He’s not a young horse and we are just hoping that he bounces back to his best form. Hototo is rated 104 and he looks like a consistent youngster that I’m hoping can maintain that same form over here.”

With 42 days to go until the Carnival, Nass is set to saddle his first runner of the new season tomorrow (Friday) at Jebel Ali Racecourse.

Critical Moment goes to post in a 1,600m maiden at the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum-owned course under jockey, Pat Cosgrave.

“He ran in the UAE last year having come over from England rated 100,” says Nass, who won’t be in attendance at the races on Friday as he also has runners in Bahrain. “He’s now rated 88, which hopefully should be nice competitive mark. He stayed here in Dubai over the summer and I’m looking forward to seeing how he comes on.”

Also carrying the Nass colours this season will be Forevertheoptimist and Journalistic who will make their seasonal debuts at Meydan on Thursday December 6.

“Forevertheoptimist is in the same boat as Critical Moment,” says Nass. “He came here last year but we could not get him right so he didn’t run. He’s dropped from a mark of 97 to 91. Journalistic is a maiden who had five attempts in England, coming second once and third twice. I’m hoping that the break has helped him come on since his last run.”

Also due to have pre-Carnival runs are Finest Reserve, Shamsheer, Muraweg and Rocks Off.

“I bought them over from Bahrain and they’ve all run there apart from Finest Reserve,” says Nass. “They have good race records and they are just horses that I thought would take to the all-weather.”

Mujaazef Bids To Make It Two For Two In Jebel Ali Conditions Race

Mujaazef will face 14 rivals as he bids to win the featured 1,000m conditions race for the second year running at Jebel Ali on Friday.

Owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose Shadwell breeding organisation sponsor three of the six races in various guises, including this one, Mujaazef won four times at Jebel Ali last season and the owner’s retained jockey Dane O’Neill sounds hopeful.

“He ran well over 1,400m two weeks ago in a race he also won last year and he showed plenty of speed so the return to 1,000m should suit. He has a penalty to carry but I expect a big run,” said the jockey.

Also penalised is Russian Rock, fourth in this race last year and subsequent winner of the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint over the same course and distance. He is trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, as are the Sheikh Hamdan-owned pair, Fityaan who twice chased Russian Rock home last year, with Kanaf a third runner for the yard and owner.

Wayne Smith, Al Muhairi and owner Fathi Esaed Mohd Egziama made Jebel Ali history last season when combining to win the Sprint with Russian Rock, as well as both the Jebel Ali Stakes and Mile with Treble Jig. Russian Rock ran well for a long way at Meydan on his return and Smith explained: “We thought he would need that run three weeks ago and he did tire. These are his optimum conditions at Jebel Ali and our horses are in great form compared to this time last year.

“The penalty makes life tougher but he should go close.”

Champion Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe is also triply represented. Mujaazef is joined in the field by recent course winner Hajoum and the very speedy Happy Dubai, the mount of Harry Bentley. A winner on turf, Tapeta and on the Jebel Ali dirt, Happy Dubai looks a big danger to all.

“I am really looking forward to riding him in a race,” said Bentley. “His last run was in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night and he has a touch of class. He seems in good form and should be thereabouts.”

Kilt Rock carries the silks of the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC) syndicate in the same race. He won his first four course starts last season and finished the season with an excellent third in the Jebel Ali Sprint.

He is trained by Doug Watson and EERC spokesman, Justin Byrne said: “He goes well fresh and loves it at Jebel Ali. His work has been good and we are very excited about him this season with the Jebel Ali Sprint the long term target again.”

Abu Dhabi specialist Jaasoos makes his seasonal return for Dhruba Selvaratnam whose second runner, Alo Pura, looks to hold stronger claims this time. She will be ridden by James Doyle, as will Forjatt in the best of the handicaps, a 1,400m contest, which has attracted a small but select field of seven.

Selvaratnam said: “Alo Pura ran very well at Meydan and is a course and distance winner. She is eight now but retains both ability and speed. She will need to be at her best though as it is a good race.

“Forjatt was the horse I nominated as one to follow pre-season so it will be nice to get him on the track for the first time this season. I am hoping he has a good campaign but he should improve for this run.”

WALKON HEADS 36 ENTRIES IN £100,000 PAUL STEWART IronSpine CHARITY CHALLENGE GOLD CUP AT CHELTENHAM

Meeting: The International

Dates: Friday & Saturday - December 14 & 15

Gates Open: 10am both days

First Race: 12.15pm Friday, 12.10pm Saturday

Admission prices from £9. Go to www.cheltenham.co.uk for further information

Alan King is bidding for Cheltenham compensation with Walkon in the £100,000 Grade Three Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup over two miles and five furlongs on day two of The International, Saturday, December 15.

The seven-year-old was narrowly denied major honours at Cheltenham for the second time in his accomplished career when finishing three lengths behind impressive winner Al Ferof in this month's Paddy Power Gold Cup (and 12 lengths ahead of the third Nadiya De La Vega). He filled the same spot behind Zaynar in the 2009 Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle when beaten three quarters of a length.

King revealed: "Walkon came out of the Paddy Power Gold Cup well and the Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup is the plan.

"He didn't surpass my expectations at all in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. We were very pleased with him beforehand and we were expecting a big run and we got one.

"He has gone up five pounds which seems acceptable but I can't do much about that - it is a bit frustrating but you have to learn to live with it."

King has also entered lightly raced nine-year-old Bakbenscher, who returned from a 609-day absence to come home an eye-catching fifth in the Grade Three Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow in October.

King added: "Bakbenscher is unlikely to run and I have put him in there just in case. He will run this weekend over hurdles but I am still undecided where he will go at the moment."

The race is being sponsored by the Stewart family, headed by well-known businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart, who has enjoyed tremendous success with four-time Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero Big Buck's.

One of Andy's sons, Paul, suffered a severe spinal injury in a snowboarding accident in December, 2008, and was paralysed from the waist down. He was initially told by doctors that he would never walk again but he is embarking on a remarkable challenge next year when participating in an Ironman/Quadathalon-style event.

The Stewart Family is involved with four of the entries which include dual-winner Poquelin, who carried big weights to victory in 2009 and 2010, and classy performers Tataniano and Ghizao, all of whom are overseen by champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls has enjoyed a wonderful start to the season and could also saddle smart French import Unioniste, owned by Al Ferof's owner John Hales, and Down Royal Grade Two scorer Cristal Bonus. Lightly-raced nine-year-old The Knoxs completes his sextet.

Hunt Ball, trained by Keiran Burke, was one of the stories of last season after improving a remarkable 88lb, but he couldn't continue that progress in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when pulling up.

The talented course winner Hell's Bay could have his first start for Burke after leaving Colin Tizzard, while Nicky Henderson could be represented by last season's winner Quantitativeeasing, Nadiya De La Vega and impressive Ascot victor Roberto Goldback.

Trainer David Pipe has also started the season in excellent form, saddling four winners at The Open, and his sole entry is Notus De La Tour, who enjoyed a fine first season over fences last term which included two placed efforts in Grade One events at Leopardstown.

Philip Hobbs won the Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup in 2004 with Monkerhostin and has two high-class entries in Grade One-winning novice chaser Menorah and Wishfull Thinking, who triumphed by 18 lengths in the two-mile Shloer Chase at The Open on November 18.

Other notable entries are Ferdy Murphy's Divers, who won the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival in 2011, and last weekend's stylish Ascot scorer The Rainbow Hunter, trained by Kim Bailey.

The International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15, and also includes the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. One of the most valuable hurdle races of the season, it regularly attracts the leading British and Irish hurdlers with recent scorers including Binocular, Harchibald and Rooster Booster.

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THE PAUL STEWART IronSpine CHARITY CHALLENGE GOLD CUP

Class 1, Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.30pm, Cheltenham, Saturday, December 15, 2012. For 4yo+, 2m 5f. Penalties: after November 2, a winner of a chase 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb). Entries closed November 27, entries revealed November 28 (36 entries), weights revealed December 5. Five-day confirmation stage December 10, final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, December 13. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, November 26.

Form Horse  Age Owner   Trainer

21021-4 ASTRACAD (FR) 6 Raymond Mould  Nigel Twiston-Davies

1/531U/-5 BAKBENSCHER 9 Three Line Whip  Alan King

05110-P CALGARY BAY (IRE) 9 Camilla Radford  Mick Channon

216PP-4 CARRICKBOY (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings  Venetia Williams

0/11P2-1 CRISTAL BONUS (FR) 6 Robin Geffen  Paul Nicholls

03602-3 DE BOITRON (FR) 8 Mrs J Morgan & Lindsey Shaw Ferdy Murphy

3U040-0 DIVERS (FR)  8 Let's Live Racing  Ferdy Murphy

2/460-13 GHIZAO (GER) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls

313-51P GOLDEN CHIEFTAIN (IRE) 7 Brocade Racing  Colin Tizzard

P/12432/- HAVE YOU SEEN ME (IRE) 9 The Maple Hurst Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies

123F2-0 HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO (IRE) 7 D Bishop C Bowkley M Parker M Thornton Martin Keighley

23201-P HECTOR'S CHOICE (FR) 8 James and Jean Potter  Richard Lee

P00P0-2 HELL'S BAY (FR) 10 A G Fear & A J Norman Keiran Burke

11113-P HUNT BALL (IRE) 7 Anthony Knott  Keiran Burke

030533 IMPERIAL SHABRA (IRE) 8 Rita Shah  Oliver Brady IRE

F-211FP KINGSMERE  7 Hamer & Hawkes  Henry Daly

1F314-3 MENORAH (IRE) 7 Diana Whateley  Philip Hobbs

0124-5P MICHEAL FLIPS (IRE) 8 M Tedham  Andy Turnell

03/10-13 NADIYA DE LA VEGA (FR) 6 J P McManus  Nicky Henderson

11323F- NOTUS DE LA TOUR (FR) 6 D Bradshaw, J Dale, P Deal, J Smee, W Walsh David Pipe

5U26-4P POQUELIN (FR) 9 The Stewart Family  Paul Nicholls

02105-P QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 7 J P McManus  Nicky Henderson

P1110-3 QUINCY DES PICTONS (FR) 8 Stephen Spence  Alan Jones

F/4010F- QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) 8 J P McManus  Willie Mullins IRE

51PP-34 RENARD (FR)  7 ROA Arkle Partnership  Venetia Williams

32000-1 ROBERTO GOLDBACK (IRE) 10 Simon Munir  Nicky Henderson

4U1F10 ROMANESCO (FR) 7 Annie Flora Joan Bowles Gordon Elliott IRE

06050-6 TARTAK (FR)  9 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tim Vaughan

21/35/1-5 TATANIANO (FR) 8 The Stewart Family  Paul Nicholls

00/015U- TATENEN (FR) 8 The Stewart Family  Richard Rowe

1/15001- THE KNOXS (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls

204-311 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 8 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership Kim Bailey

1110-2P TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 5 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr  Nicky Henderson

165-113 UNIONISTE (FR) 4 John Hales  Paul Nicholls

1345P-2 WALKON (FR)  7 McNeill Family  Alan King

6F25-21 WISHFULL THINKING 9 Diana Whateley  Philip Hobbs

36 entries

3 Irish-trained 

PLENTY OF JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL CLUES ON BETFRED BECHER CHASE DAY AT AINTREE

BIG FELLA THANKS SET FOR BETFRED BECHER HANDICAP CHASE

Aintree hosts a high-quality card on Betfred Becher Chase Day, Saturday, December 8, with two races over the Grand National fences taking centre stage.

The Listed Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (2.10pm) offers tremendous prize money of £110,000 this year, an increase of £10,000 on 2011, and gives potential John Smith's Grand National contenders a rare opportunity to gain valuable experience of the unique Grand National course.

The three and a quarter-mile contest has proven to be a key trial for the world's greatest chase in recent years. Amberleigh House took the spoils in 2001 before giving his legendary trainer Ginger McCain a fourth victory in the John Smith's Grand National in 2004.

Silver Birch scored in the 2004 Betfred Becher Handicap Chase prior to capturing the John Smith's Grand National in 2007, while Black Apalachi won the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase in 2008 and was runner-up to Don't Push It in the 2010 John Smith's Grand National.

Trainer Tom George is hoping Big Fella Thanks can continue his excellent record over the Grand National fences. The lightly raced 10-year-old has completed the famous course on each of his three starts in the John Smith's Grand National, with a fourth-placed finish in 2010 being his best effort. He was also seventh in 2011 and sixth in 2009.

Following a 567-day absence, he made his debut for George at Aintree on October 27 in the Betfred Mobile Sports Veterans' Handicap Chase, when he was travelling well prior to unseating Paddy Brennan at the eighth fence of the Mildmay course.

George revealed: "The Betfred Becher Handicap Chase is definitely a race we are looking at for Big Fella Thanks. The race has been the plan for him since he came back in and he has been in really good form.

"He is where we want him to be at the moment. It was a bit unfortunate what happened last time at Aintree but it didn't do him any harm and has got a run into him.

"He was showing all the right signs before his run at Aintree. His work has been good and he has been showing plenty of enthusiasm.

"I think the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase will suit him. He has run very well there before and loves the track but the John Smith's Grand National has always looked a bit too far for him - I think the trip in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase will be just about right.

"The only target we have had for him is the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase so after that will just pick and choose as we see right for him."

The Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (3.20pm), run over two miles, five and a half furlongs of the Grand National course, has also received a boost in prize money and this year's renewal is worth £60,000, as against £50,000 in 2011.

The race has also thrown up pointers for the John Smith's Grand National, most notably Forest Gunner, who captured the contest in 2004 and went on to finish fifth in the John Smith's Grand National the same season.

A seven-race card on Betfred Becher Chase Day also features a pair of Listed races - the £20,000 Betfred "The Bonus King" Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle (12.35pm) and the Betfred Treble Odds On Lucky 15's Chase (1.05pm). The first race is at noon. 

NEW EBF CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCED

Kerry Murphy has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the European Breeders' Fund (EBF), with effect from January 1, 2013.  

Murphy has run the Racing Post Yearling Bonus Scheme since 2009, having previously spent 12 years working for Juddmonte Farms and six years as racing secretary to trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

She commented: "I am delighted to join the team at the EBF at such a crucial time. The EBF plays a hugely important role in boosting prize money via the support of the breeding industry which is crucial during the ongoing economic problems we are facing.

"I look forward to working with the current team to build on the success of the EBF, which owes much to the hard work of Sam Sheppard over the last 30 years."

Murphy joins the current EBF staff of Cheryl Caves, Candy Wight and Susan Carroll at Stanstead House in Newmarket. She takes over from Sam Sheppard who retires at the end of the year from his position as Chief Executive since the inception of the EBF some 30 years ago.  

Charles-Henri de Moussac, Chairman of the EBF Co-Ordinating Committee, said: "I, together with Philip Freedman and Harry McCalmont, interviewed several first-class candidates for the job.

"Kerry's experience within the bloodstock business persuaded us that she was the right person to take over from Sam. She will be joining the small, dedicated and tenacious team at Stanstead House, and we look forward to seeing the EBF continue to thrive under her leadership."

Sharjah Provides Sheikh Hamdan With 600th UAE Winner

Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Alfirsaan Helps Prolific Owner To Milestone

Debutant Alfirsaan made a winning start to his career in a 1,200m maiden at Sharjah on Saturday afternoon, in the process providing his owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum with his 600th UAE winner.

The owner’s retained jockey, Dane O’Neill was in the saddle on the winner who is trained by Champion Handler, Ali Rashid Al Raihe and the jockey said: “That is a great start to the horse’s career and it is really nice to bring up such a landmark for HH Sheikh Hamdan.

“Ali’s are running well and this could be a nice youngster to look forward to.”

The only Thoroughbred race was the concluding 1,700m handicap in which Storm Belt routed his 15 rivals under Pat Dobbs, losing his maiden tag in the process.

His trainer, Doug Watson, said: “That is only his seventh career start and we were hoping he would run well but to win like that was a bit unexpected.

“He is improving with his racing and we will have to see what the handicapper does now before making plans.”

Dobbs was completing a double having won the featured 2,000m conditions race on SNF Maher for trainer Julio Peromingo. The pair were always going well and Dobbs committed for home about 400m out. He explained: “I was travelling strongly and the gap appeared so I was happy to go for home and he has held on well.”

Trainer Tony Manuel has a fine record at Sharjah in recent seasons and combined with  Daragh O’Donohoe to win the opening 1,200m maiden with AF Shbas who had finished second on her debut last week.

Manuel said: “Daragh was pleased with that first run seven days ago and we were pretty confident of a big run today and she certainly did not disappoint.”

It had been several years since Irfan Ellahi had saddled a winner but he rectified that when David Smith made all to win the 1700m maiden on JAP Mersa. A delighted Ellahi said: “He actually ran well here last week in a handicap when he found trouble in running so we were happy to keep out of traffic today and it has worked.”

Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea then won a second 1,700m maiden on Benyan for trainer Ernst Oertel who said: “We have made a bright start to the season and the horses are running well. That was Benyan’s first start on dirt and he has handles it well.

“Hopefully he can build on this.

JOHN SMITH'S ENTER FINAL FURLONG OF GRAND NATIONAL TITLE SPONSORSHIP

Aintree Racecourse is in the process of seeking a new title sponsor for the Grand National from 2014 after ale brand John Smith's confirmed that they will not be renewing the sponsorship beyond next year. The 2013 meeting will see the HEINEKEN-owned John Smith's brand backing the Grand National for the ninth consecutive year, after announcing a three-year sponsorship deal in 2004 and three-year extensions to the agreement in both 2006 and 2009. During the term of the sponsorship, John Smith's developed a close working partnership with the Aintree management team which saw the brand leverage the sponsorship to deliver a number of ground-breaking initiatives, which included the innovative John Smith's People's Race, a charity race for members of the public on Grand National day, Grand National legends, Smithy the People's Racehorse and, more recently, the brand has worked closely with the Bob Champion Cancer Trust to stage a successful charity race on Grand National day featuring former Grand National jockeys. HEINEKEN have already expressed a wish to explore other ways in which they can continue to be involved in the race weekend, outside headline sponsorship and talks between the two parties will continue over the coming months. Speaking on behalf of John Smith's, brand manager Karen Crowley said: "The Grand National has been one of the jewels in our UK sponsorship crown and the decision to end the title sponsorship was difficult to make.  "Working closely with the Aintree team, we've developed a number of innovative concepts which have helped return the race to the hearts and minds of the British public. We end our long association in the knowledge we have created a successful and significant sponsorship model that will serve Aintree and its new sponsors well in the future. "We've enjoyed nine exciting years as the title sponsor of jump racing's flagship event, during which time we have seen the John Smith's Grand National achieve record TV viewing figures and attendances. "We've also enjoyed fantastic opportunities to deliver our 'No Nonsense' brand experience to Aintree racegoers and John Smith's drinkers across the UK. However, we felt that now was the right time to move on, reflecting changes in the ale market and the development of the John Smith's brand.  "We will continue to be involved in racing through events such as the John Smith's Cup at York and the Northumberland Plate, both televised on Channel 4, and hope that we can find ways to continue being involved in the Grand National meeting in some capacity after 2013." John Baker, Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses North responsible for running Aintree, paid tribute to John Smith's for their part in the event's current popularity: "The team at Aintree and indeed the whole of racing are indebted for the fantastic support we've received from HEINEKEN and the John Smith's team.  "They have been instrumental in delivering exciting marketing initiatives and bringing the narrative of the Grand National to life. Throughout their time, through their invaluable contributions to the race meeting, we've seen prize money, attendances and viewing figures grow.  "We are in the process of finalising our sponsorship strategy to ensure the event remains one of the 'Crown Jewels' in the worldwide sporting calendar but our focus now is to ensure that in 2013 John Smith's are given a fitting farewell to the sponsorship of the Grand National." The 2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting takes place at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 4, 5 & 6. For further information, please contact: Aintree: Emma Owen, Marketing & PR Manager Tel: 07917 266511 or email: emma.owen@thejockeyclub.co.uk Heineken: David Jones, UK Press & PR Manager, Heineken UK Limited Tel: 07831 141094 or email: david.jones@heineken.co.uk Notes to editors The first John Smith's sponsored Grand National in 2005 was won by Hedgehunter, owned by Trevor Hemmings, then the single biggest shareholder in Scottish & Newcastle plc, which owned the brand John Smith's. Prior to John Smith's, the race meeting was sponsored by Martell Cognac, who enjoyed a 13-year association with one of racing's biggest events. In November, 2006, the sponsorship was extended by three years (2007-2010) and again in October, 2010 to encompass the years 2011-2013 inclusive. John Smith's became synonymous with racing through its continuing support for the John Smith's Cup at York and still boasts the record for the country's longest-running Flat race sponsorships. 154,242 attended the three-day John Smith's Grand National meeting in 2012, which took place at Aintree from Thursday to Saturday, April 12 to 14. 30,340 people attended Liverpool Day, the opening day of the meeting, with 53,461 attending Ladies' Day and 70,441 were present for the 165th running of the Grand National on April 14. John Smith's Grand National day sold out six weeks prior to the event, while Ladies' Day sold out 10 days beforehand. This year's race saw the closest-ever finish and a first Grand National win for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. The nose success by Neptune Collonges over Sunnyhillboy was also the first victory for a grey since Nicolaus Silver's win in the 1961 race, just over 50 years previously. The Grand National itself achieved a peak audience of 11.1 million on the BBC, which was the final year the event was shown on the BBC. In March 2012, Channel 4 Racing signed a five-year deal to broadcast racing, including the three days of the Grand National on Channel 4. END

LONG RUN HEADS BETFAIR CHASE FIELD

   

CANNINGTON BROOK OUT TO MAINTAIN PERFECT HAYDOCK PARK RECORD IN £200,000 CONTEST

A top-class field of six goes forward for the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase (3.05pm) over three miles at Haydock Park this Saturday, November 24, day two of the Betfair Chase Festival.

The field is headed by Nicky Henderson's Long Run, who took the National Hunt sphere by storm two seasons ago with brilliant victories in the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup under his amateur pilot Sam Waley-Cohen.

The seven-year-old failed to scale those heights last season when finding a resurgent Kauto Star too strong in both the Betfair Chase and the King George VI Chase and rounded off his campaign with a third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Giant Bolster is the apple of David Bridgwater's eye and he justified his trainer's belief in him with a 17-length win at Cheltenham in January and a career best effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when finishing second.

 

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has made a flying start to the new season and will saddle exciting six-year-old Silviniaco Conti. A leading novice chaser last season, the son of Dom Alco made a pleasing return to action with an emphatic 11-length win in the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on November 3.

Cannington Brook, trained by Colin Tizzard, is unbeaten around Haydock and his latest outing at the north west track resulted in a 35-length demolition of his rivals in February. He came home sixth on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot on November 3, after encountering trouble in running.

Tizzard said this morning: "I hope it rains at Haydock between now and Saturday and then Cannington Brook will make them all go.

"He came out of his run at Ascot fine. He got knocked over three out and he never had a hard race at all.

"He is 30lb wrong with the others but he loves heavy ground and is unbeaten around Haydock. That is the only reason we are taking these horses on because of the way he can handle that Haydock heavy - we wouldn't take them on anywhere else.

"I hope there is a bit more improvement to come from him as he needs to improve 20lb to place on Saturday, but the ground will help him."

Last year's third Weird Al, who is a dual Grade Two winner over fences,is set to make his seasonal reappearance for Donald McCain, while Hilary Parrott's Charlie Hall Chase runner-up Wayward Prince completes the line up.

To win the Betfair Chase - Betfair bet (Fixed Odds): 5/4 Long Run, 5/2 Silviniaco Conti, 6/1 The Giant Bolster, Weird Al, 16/1 Cannington Brook, 33/1 Wayward Prince

16 FOR BETFAIR. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS "FIXED BRUSH" HANDICAP HURDLE

The £80,000 Betfair. Don't Settle For Less "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle (2.30pm), which takes place over three miles at Haydock Park on Saturday, has attracted 16 runners.

Three horses share top weight of 11st 12lb - recent Wetherby scorer Trustan Times, Cheltenham Festival winner Son Of Flicka and Sunnyhillboy, who was last seen out when the nose runner-up in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in April.

David Pipe has won the past two renewals of the race with Grands Crus (2010) and Dynaste (2011) and this time round has two representatives - Katkeau and Knight Pass.

Katkeau, the current market leader with Betfair, will be making his British debut but is a very useful performer and last ran when scoring by 15 lengths at Auteuil in June. Knight Pass, a promising performer for his previous trainer Warren Greatrex, also makes his first appearance for Pipe.

Tom George tasted victory in a valuable handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last weekend with Olofi and has a leading chance to bag another major success on Saturday with Sivola de Sivola, who shaped promisingly when fourth on his seasonal return at Cheltenham last month.

Saphir River was Grade One-placed in France and caught the eye with an impressive victory at Uttoxeter on November 2 for Scottish handler Lucinda Russell.

To win the Betfair Fixed Brush Hurdle - Betfair bet (Fixed Odds): 9/2 Katkeau, 6/1 Sivola de Sivola, 8/1 Knight Pass, Saphir River, 10/1 Holywell, Mr Moonshine, 11/1 Barafundle, American Spin, 16/1 Trustan Times, 20/1 Katenko, Lackamon, 25/1 Mad Moose, 28/1 Sunnyhillboy, Son Of Flicka, 33/1 Arctic Court, 40/1 Los Nadis

GOING

The going at Haydock Park remains:

SOFT

Kirkland Tellwright, Clerk of the Course at Haydock Park, reported today: "There was two millimetres of rain in the gauge this morning and the forecast is for us to receive up to 12 millimetres today.

"We are taking it one step at a time, with the current forecast indicating three millimetres of rain tomorrow (Friday) and then a largely dry day on Saturday."

The Betfair Chase Festival gets underway tomorrow, Friday, November 23, with a seven-race card beginning at 12.45pm.

Betfair ambassadors Paul Nicholls and Donald McCain will be exclusively detailing the chances of all their runners at the two-day meeting at Haydock on www.betfair.com/paulnicholls and www.betfair.com/donaldmccain  on Friday and Saturday.

THE BETFAIR CHASE

Class 1, Grade 1, £200,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.05pm, Haydock Park, Saturday, November 24, 2012. For five-year-olds & upwards, three miles. Weights: 11st 7lb. Allowances: mares, 7lb. Entries closed November 6, entries revealed November 7 (19 entries). Five-day confirmation & £10,000 supplementary entry stage Monday, November 19 (9 confirmations). Final declaration stage, 10.00am (6 runners), Thursday, November 22. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, November 21.

Form  Horse    Age/Wt Owner    Trainer

1) 15105-6 CANNINGTON BROOK (IRE) 8-11-07 Sara Biggins & Celia Djivanovic Colin Tizzard/Joe Tizzard

2) 11/2213- LONG RUN (FR)  7-11-07 Robert Waley-Cohen    Nicky Henderson/Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

3) 31241-1 SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 6-11-07 Chris Giles & Potensis Limited Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh

4) U02142- THE GIANT BOLSTER  7-11-07 Simon Hunt              David Bridgwater/Tom Scudamore

5) 4/P40P-2 WAYWARD PRINCE  8-11-07 John & Hilary Parrott  Hilary Parrott/Jack Doyle

6) 0P/13PF- WEIRD AL (IRE)  9-11-07 Brannon Dick Holden  Donald McCain/Jason Maguire

6 runners

THE BETFAIR. DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS "FIXED BRUSH" HANDICAP HURDLE

Class 1, Grade 3, £80,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.30pm, Haydock Park, Saturday, November 24, 2012. For four-year-olds & upwards, three miles.: Entries closed November 6, entries revealed November 7 (50 entries), weights revealed November 14. Penalties: after November 11, a winner of a hurdle 5lb. Five-day confirmation stage Monday, November 19 (24 confirmations). Final declaration stage, 10.00am, Thursday, November 22 (16 runners). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, November 21.

Form  Horse  Age/Wgt Owner    Trainer

1) 33236-1 TRUSTAN TIMES (IRE)  6-11-12 Mrs M E & Peter Armitage Tim Easterby/Dougie Costello

2) 0001F-0 SON OF FLICKA 8-11-12 Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Donald McCain/Jason Maguire

3) 30P012- SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) 9-11-12 J P McManus   Jonjo O'Neill/Mr Alan Berry (3)

4) 23P2-10 AMERICAN SPIN 8-11-11 G Collacott & R Gadd  Luke Dace/Jamie Moore

5) 0001-R3 MAD MOOSE (IRE) 8-11-10 Middleham Park Racing XXXV & Partner Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies

6) 32U4-P1 SAPHIR RIVER (FR) 6-11-09 Sandy Seymour  Lucinda Russell/Peter Buchanan

7) 3500-23 MR MOONSHINE (IRE) 8-11-09 Sue Smith   Sue Smith/Ryan Mania

8) 10/2210/- BARAFUNDLE (IRE) 8-11-03 Judith Ratcliff   Jennie Candlish/Sean Quinlan

9) 1316P0- KNIGHT PASS (IRE) 6-11-02 Malcolm Denmark  David Pipe/

10) 15140-4 SIVOLA DE SIVOLA (FR) 6-11-02 D O'Donohoe, S & P Nelson & D Silvester Tom George/Paddy Brennan

11) 31-22 HOLYWELL (IRE) 5-11-00 Gay Smith   Jonjo O'Neill/Richie McLernon

12) 3232-00 LOS NADIS (GER) 8-11-00 Ian Dalgleish   Jim Goldie/Henry Brooke (3)

13) 44620-0 ARCTIC COURT (IRE) 8-11-00 Ray & Anita Anderson Green Jim Goldie/Timmy Murphy

14) P312-33 LACKAMON 7-11-00 Sue Smith   Sue Smith/Jonathan England (7)

15) 2P004-F KATENKO (FR) 6-10-13 A Brooks   Venetia Williams/Aidan Coleman

16) F0-2321 KATKEAU (FR) 5-10-08 Prof C Tisdall, J A Gent, R Wilkin David Pipe/

16 runners