A fantastic entry of 19
has been received for the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase, the highlight of
the two-day Betfair Chase Festival at Haydock Park on Friday and Saturday,
November 23 and 24.
The three-mile contest is
the first big test for the best British and Irish staying chasers and the
entries for this year's renewal are headed by 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long
Run.
Robert Waley-Cohen's
seven-year-old, who is one of three entries for trainer Nicky Henderson, found
life tougher behind a rejuvenated Kauto Star last season, chasing him home in
the Betfair Chase and the King George VI Chase at Kempton over Christmas.
However, Long Run gained a
decisive half-length victory over stablemate Burton Portin the Grade Two
Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury in February before a good third in the
Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His regular rider Sam
Waley-Cohen said: "We are pleased with Long Run. He has developed into a
big, strong racehorse which we are all very excited about. He seems to have had
a good summer and looks great.
"I think you would
have to say he didn't achieve the heights last season that he achieved the year
before. You always set your aspirations by what you have done in the past, but in
many ways you can't be disappointed about being beaten by arguably the greatest
horse of all time.
"We were never out of
the first three, having run in top-class company, and although we did not get
the results we wanted, you can't be too disappointed either.
"It's very hard to
tell the difference in a horse from one year to another until you get to the
sharp end of a race. The results clearly stand for themselves in that he didn't
run to the same mark as he did the year before but, in terms of how Long Run
felt through his races, I thought his jumping was significantly better than the
year before and he was much more mature.
"All these things
bode well for the coming season. I think there is an incredibly exciting group
of horses out there at the moment and every year a new star is born and
everyone will be trying to lay claims for the title of Kauto Star's successor.
"All being well, Long
Run will follow a similar plan to last season as you are a bit limited with
options at this level. I can't wait to race ride him again - riding him in work
is a pleasure and riding him in races is a real joy for me."
As well as Long Run and
Burton Port, Nicky Henderson could saddle Bobs Worth, who remained
unbeaten around left-handed courses following a gutsy success in the Grade One
RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Another exciting entry is
David Pipe's Grands Crus, who disappointed connections in the RSA Chase,
but had previously won the Grade One Feltham Novices' Chase over three miles in
great style. He could be joined by stablemate Dynaste, successful on
Betfair Chase Day 12 months ago in the Betfair Don't Settle For Less
"Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle.
Grade One Arkle Challenge
Trophy runner-up Cue Card is one of two entries for Colin Tizzard and
made an exceptional reappearance in the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter
yesterday (Tuesday, November 6), sauntering home for a 26-length success.
Nigel Twiston-Davies
confirmed last week that 2010 Betfair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup victor
Imperial Commander is on course for the Betfair Chase after being off the
track for 20 months, while last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The
Giant Bolster is a likely starter for David Bridgwater.
Champion trainer Paul
Nicholls will be without Kauto Star this season, who has won four of the seven
renewals, but he has four possible representatives headed recent exciting Grade
Two Charlie Hall Chase scorer Silviniaco Conti.
The Ditcheat-handler may also
saddle Cristal Bonus, who made a fine start to his second season over
fences with a nine-length romp in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Chase at Down Royal
on November 3, the enigmatic but very talented Tidal Bay and Grade One
winning novice chaser and hurdler Al Ferof.
Last season's Grade Two
Argento Chase winner Midnight Chase could represent Neil Mulholland,
while Weird Al may bid to improve on his third last season.
Three-time Cheltenham
Festival winner Albertas Run could attempt three miles for the first
time since the 2011 King George VI Chase, while Wayward Prince returned
to form when second for new handler Hilary Parrott in Wetherby's Charlie Hall
Chase, with Midnight Chase third, at the weekend.
The entries are completed
by course and distance winner Cappa Bleu, Cannington Brook and
the classy Calgary Bay, who could have his first start for Mick Channon.
Kauto Star, whose
retirement was announced last week, will parade at Haydock Park on Betfair
Chase Day, Saturday, November 24. A statue will also be unveiled to commemorate
one of the greatest chases ever, who won 16 Grade One contests including four
Betfair Chases (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011), five King George VI Chases (2006,
2007, 2008, 2009 & 2011) and two Cheltenham Gold Cups (2007 & 2009).
Betfair spokesman Tony
Calvin commented: "We look to have a tremendous line-up in store for the
Betfair Chase once again, with all the best domestic staying chasers entered in
the race.
"There may be no
Kauto Star this year - though the other horses will, no doubt, get apprehensive
if and when they see the four-time winner of the race parading before racing! -
but it is packed full of Gold Cup winners and Grade One quality.
"And it will be great
if Imperial Commander makes this his comeback race from injury. He won the
Betfair Chase in 2010, having been beaten a nose by a certain Kauto Star 12
months earlier. In fact, I remember Imperial Commander trading as the odds-on
favourite in the photo finish betting that year."
BIG
BUCK'S AMONG 50 FOR BETFAIR "FIXED BRUSH" HANDICAP HURDLE
Betfair Chase Day also
features the £80,000 Grade Three Betfair. Don't Settle For Less Handicap Hurdle
over three miles.
First run in 2005, the
contest has been over Fixed Brush hurdles since 2007. Fixed Brush hurdles offer
a unique challenge, as they are more like mini-fences than the traditional
hurdles seen at the majority of British racecourses.
The 50 entries for the 2012
renewal are headed by the mighty Big Buck's, one of five entries for
champion trainer Paul Nicholls. The nine-year-old is the greatest staying
hurdler of all time and has won the last four renewals of the Grade One World
Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. His latest victory came in the Grade One
Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April, when he created a new record of 17
consecutive wins in Jump races.
Paul Nicholls recently
revealed on his Betfair column: "Big Buck's has been given an entry in the
Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle on Betfair Chase Day. It is a very valuable
race, worth more than the Newbury race that is normally his reappearance, but money
isn't everything and we will do what is best for the horse.
"But, at this stage,
Haydock is only a tentative entry for him, so don't get carried away yet."
Also among the entries is
the 2011 John Smith's Grand National hero Ballabriggs, trained by Donald
McCain.
The past two renewals of
the Betfair. Don't Settle For Less Handicap Hurdle have been won by horses
trained by David Pipe - Grands Crus in 2010 and Dynaste in 2011 - and this year
there are eight entries from Pond House - Bakbenscher, Our Father,
Poole Master, The Package, Close House, Knight Pass, Katkeau,
Problema Tic and Goulanes.
For further information,
please contact:
John Baker, Regional
Director North West, Jockey Club Racecourses, on 01942 402609 or 07900 244248,
email - john.baker@thejockeyclub.co.uk
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. Final declaration stage,
10.00am, Thursday, November 22. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are
correct up to and including the racing of Monday, November 5.
Form
Horse Age Owner Trainer
1/11343- AL
FEROF (FR) 7 John Hales Paul Nicholls
P12/123- ALBERTAS
RUN (IRE) 11 Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill
11/1321- BOBS
WORTH (IRE) 7 The Not Afraid Partnership Nicky Henderson
21/2/242-
BURTON PORT (IRE) 8 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson
F/05110- CALGARY
BAY (IRE) 9 Camilla Radford Mick Channon
15105-6 CANNINGTON
BROOK (IRE) 8 Sara Biggins & Celia Djivanovic Colin Tizzard
2P//1334-
CAPPA BLEU (IRE) 10 William & Angela Rucker Evan
Williams
0/11P2-1 CRISTAL
BONUS (FR) 6 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
2/1U212- CUE
CARD 6 Jean Bishop Colin Tizzard
16/1420- DYNASTE
(FR) 6 John White David Pipe
2/61114- GRANDS
CRUS (FR) 7 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III David Pipe
251U/1P/-
IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) 11 Our Friends in the North Nigel
Twiston-Davies
11/2213- LONG
RUN (FR) 7 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
5/F310-3 MIDNIGHT
CHASE 10 Lady Clarke Neil Mulholland
31241-1 SILVINIACO
CONTI (FR) 6 Chris Giles & Potensis Limited Paul Nicholls
U02142- THE
GIANT BOLSTER 7 Simon Hunt David Bridgwater
32541-1 TIDAL
BAY (IRE) 11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
4/P40P-2 WAYWARD
PRINCE 8 John & Hilary Parrott Hilary Parrott
0P/13PF- WEIRD
AL (IRE) 9 Brannon Dick Holden Donald McCain
19
entries
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. Final declaration stage, 10.00am,
Thursday, November 22. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up
to and including the racing of Monday, November 5.
Form
Horse Age Owner Trainer
1/11P-
ALAND ISLANDS (IRE) 6 J P McManus Tim Vaughan
PF0513- ALFIE
SHERRIN 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
46013-1 ALPHA
VICTOR (IRE) 7 Denton,Kinsey,Osborne Hse,Wesley,Yates William Kinsey
23P2-10 AMERICAN
SPIN 8 G Collacott & R Gadd Luke Dace
44620-0 ARCTIC
COURT (IRE) 8 Ray & Anita Anderson Green Jim Goldie
1/531U/-5
BAKBENSCHER 9 Three Line Whip Alan King
1121/46- BALLABRIGGS
(IRE) 11 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain
10/2210/-
BARAFUNDLE (IRE) 8 Judith Ratcliff Jennie
Candlish
1300-12 BAT
MASTERSON (IRE) 4 Queen Maeve Racing Club Noel Meade IRE
11/4U21- BEAR'S
AFFAIR (IRE) 6 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson
1/11111- BIG
BUCK'S (FR) 9 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
36/1220/-
BOUGGLER 7 Axom (XXI) Emma Lavelle
2F211-6 CAPTAIN
SUNSHINE 6 Mrs Julien Turner Emma Lavelle
312/150- CEDRE
BLEU (FR) 5 Paul Barber & David Johnson Paul Nicholls
212/314- CLOSE
HOUSE 5 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
21F01-0 CUCUMBER
RUN (IRE) 7 The Goblyns Nicky Henderson
0450-21
EL DANCER (GER) 8 Ron Davies Lucy Wadham
15F3F-0 EXMOOR
RANGER (IRE) 10 The Rangers Partnership Victor Dartnall
3110-01 FOX
APPEAL (IRE) 5 Fox Inn Syndicate 3 Emma Lavelle
1- GOULANES
(IRE) 6 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
31-22
HOLYWELL (IRE) 5 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
10/3112- KAFFIE
7 D H Morgan Kim Bailey
2P004-F KATENKO
(FR) 6 A Brooks Venetia Williams
F0-2321 KATKEAU
(FR) 5 Prof C Tisdall, J A Gent, R Wilkin David Pipe
02250P- KAYF
ARAMIS 10 Isobel Phipps Coltman Nigel
Twiston-Davies
1316P0- KNIGHT
PASS (IRE) 6 Malcolm Denmark David Pipe
PP312-3 LACKAMON
7 Sue Smith Sue Smith
3232-00 LOS
NADIS (GER) 8 Ian Dalgleish Jim Goldie
1F141-5 LOVCEN
(GER) 7 The Barbury Apes Alan King
0001-R3 MAD
MOOSE (IRE) 8 Middleham Park Racing XXXV & Partner Nigel
Twiston-Davies
3500-23 MR
MOONSHINE (IRE) 8 Sue Smith Sue Smith
P2P-010 OGEE
9 Sir Evelyn De Rothschild Renee Robeson
122/10P- OUR
FATHER (IRE) 6 The Ives & Johnson Families David Pipe
4/1110F- POOLE
MASTER 7 G Thompson David Pipe
40/1211- PROBLEMA
TIC (FR) 6 Jo Tracey David Pipe
31/11F-0 RANGITOTO
(IRE) 7 Charles Whittaker & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls
33/4053- REVE
DE SIVOLA (FR) 7 Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership Nick Williams
F4060-2 ROYAL
CHARM (FR) 7 Angela & Mark Tincknell Paul Nicholls
32U4-P1 SAPHIR
RIVER (FR) 6 Sandy Seymour Lucinda Russell
0424/-11 SIMARIAN
(IRE) 7 Peter Conway Evan Williams
012PP-1 SIR
DU BEARN (FR) 6 Nic Allen & Carl Mason Robin Dickin
15140-4 SIVOLA
DE SIVOLA (FR) 6 D O'Donohoe, S & P Nelson & D Silvester Tom George
062FP-1 SIXTY
SOMETHING (FR) 6 Mrs A Timpson Paul Webber
0001F-0 SON
OF FLICKA 8 Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Donald McCain
30P012- SUNNYHILLBOY
(IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
12U5/5/4-
THE PACKAGE 9 David Johnson David Pipe
31111-2 THEMILANHORSE
(IRE) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
3P13P-1 TOP
SMART 6 The Calvera Partnership No 2 Seamus Mullins
33236-1 TRUSTAN
TIMES (IRE) 6 Mrs M E & Peter Armitage Tim Easterby
U20PP-U TULLAMORE
DEW (IRE) 10 Give Every Man His Due Nick Gifford
50
entries
1 Irish-trained 
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