AINTREE
PLEASED
John
Baker, the Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses responsible for
Aintree, was pleased with how Betfred Becher Chase Day went today.
He said:
"It has been a really good day for Aintree. We had an excellent crowd of
7,500 people and were lucky with the weather.
"It
was tremendous for Nigel Twiston-Davies and his son Sam to have a double over
the Grand National fences - a fantastic achievement.
"Hello
Bud is great advertisement for Aintree - this was his second Betfred Becher
Chase victory and he has run well twice in the John Smith's Grand National.
"We
were delighted with how the Grand National fences jumped today, including the trial
fences, and we had some fantastic feedback from the professionals.
"So
it is all systems go for the John Smith's Grand National meeting in
April."
£110,000
BETFRED BECHER HANDICAP CHASE - 3m 2f
Year
Horse Owner
Trainer Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
1992 Kildimo Lady
Harris Sue Smith
12-10-03 Lorcan Wyer 9/1
9
1993 Indian Tonic
Joanne Richards Nigel Twiston-Davies
7-10-06 Chris Maude 4/1 11
1994 Into The Red John
Huckle John White
10-10-04 Richard Guest 13/2 9
1995 Young Hustler
Gavin MacEchern Nigel Twiston-Davies
8-12-00 Chris Maude 2/1F 10
1996 Into The Red
John Huckle Mary
Reveley 12-10-00 Tony
Dobbin 9/2 8
1997 Samlee
White Lion Partnership Philip Hobbs
8-10-00 Rodney Farrant 6/1 11
1998 Earth Summit
The Summit Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-12-00
Tom Jenks 6/1 8
1999 Feels Like Gold
Independent Twine Man. Co Nicky Richards 11-10-00 Tony
Dobbin 9/1 12
2000 Young Kenny
Trevor Hemmings Peter Beaumont
9-12-00 Russ Garrity 9/4F
11
2001 Amberleigh House Halewood
International Ltd Ginger McCain 9-10-09 Warren
Marston 33/1 15
2002 Ardent Scout Alicia
Skene & W S Skene Sue Smith
10-9-11 Dominic Elsworth 14/1 15
2003 Clan Royal
J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
8-10-12 Liam Cooper 11/2 15
2004 Silver Birch
Des Nichols Paul
Nicholls 7-10-01 Ruby Walsh
4/1F 14
2005 Garvivonnian
Angela Long Ned Mitchell IRE
10-10-04 Garrett Cotter 33/1 19
2006 Eurotrek
Paul Green Paul
Nicholls 10-11-07 Liam
Heard 25/1 21
2007 Mr
Pointment Stockton Heath Racing Paul Nicholls
8-11-05 Sam Thomas 15/2 19
2008 Black
Apalachi Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes
IRE 9-10-05 Denis O'Regan 15/2 13
2009
Vic Venturi Seamus Dunne Dessie Hughes IRE
9-11-12 Paddy Flood 7/1 8
2010
Hello Bud Seamus Murphy Nigel Twiston-Davies
12-10-05 Sam Twiston-Davies 15/2F 17
2011
West End Rocker Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater Alan King
9-10-10 Wayne Hutchinson 10/1 14
BETFRED
BECHER HANDICAP CHASE HISTORY
The
inaugural running in 1992 of the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand
National fences at Aintree went to the Sue Smith-trained Kildimo, who
comfortably saw off 1990 Scottish Grand National winner Four Trix for a
seven-length success. The Yorkshire-based handler gained a second success a decade
later when Ardent Scout prevailed under an excellent ride from Dominic Elsworth
to beat 2004 John Smith's Grand National hero Amberleigh House by 24
lengths.
Amberleigh
House won this prestigious handicap chase over three and a quarter miles in 2001
when driven out by Warren Marston to prevail by two lengths from Smarty, who
had filled the same position in the previous season's Grand National. Three
years later, Amberleigh House went on to give Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain a
memorable fourth success in the Grand National when coming from a near
impossible position under Graham Lee to score by three lengths from Clan Royal.
Clan
Royal had beaten Amberleigh House by a head in the 2003 renewal of the Betfred
Becher Handicap Chase, which was his second victory over the unique fences
after landing the 2003 Topham Chase. Jonjo O'Neill's charge also went on
to finish third in the 2006 running of the John Smith's Grand National.
Earth
Summit, with top-weight of 12 stone, captured the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
seven months after he had won the world's most famous chase in 1998, defeating
the previous year's Betfred Becher Handicap Chase winner Samlee by 16 lengths.
In addition to saddling Earth Summit, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has won the
Becher Chase on three other occasions, courtesy of Indian Tonic in 1993, Young
Hustler who defied top-weight two years later, and Hello Bud in 2010.
Indian
Tonic scored unchallenged by six lengths and went on to win the Topham Chase
later in the same season, while Young Hustler, who won the Grade One RSA Chase
at the Cheltenham Festival in 1993, put in a superb round of jumping to score
by the same margin. Hello Bud, winner of the Scottish Grand National in 2009,
made nearly all the running under Sam Twiston-Davies to score by a length and a
quarter from Royal Rosa.
Top-weight
Young Kenny was cheered home in 2000 as the market leader, beating subsequent
winner Ardent Scout by half a length for popular Yorkshire-based trainer Peter
Beaumont. The Ardross gelding fell on his only attempt at the John Smith's
Grand National, but he did win the Scottish version in 1999.
Into
The Red is the only dual winner of the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase so far. He
was victorious for trainer John White in 1994, when coming home unchallenged by
15 lengths from Feathered Gale and then, two years later, when under the care
of Mary Reveley, he ran on well for Tony Dobbin to score by three and a half
lengths and deny 1995 victor Young Hustler successive wins. Dobbin was on the scoresheet
again three years later aboard the Nicky Richards-trained Feels Like Gold. The
11-year-old galloped clear of his opponents and eventually won eased down, with
Him Of Praise taking the runner-up spot.
The
Paul Nicholls-trained Silver Birch justified favouritism in the 2004 Betfred
Becher Handicap Chase under Ruby Walsh to master Just In Debt by a length in a
thrilling renewal. He also captured the Welsh National in 2004 and, after being
sold out of Nicholls' stable for just 20,000 guineas, made one of the greatest
comebacks to win the 2007 John Smith's Grand National for Irish trainer Gordon
Elliott.
Ned
Mitchell's Garvivonnian became the first Irish-trained winner of the Betfred
Becher Handicap Chase in 2005. He held on in a thrilling finish from the
fast-finishing Nicholls-trained Le Duc by three quarters of a length, with Just
In Debt a neck away in third.
Nicholls
claimed his second win in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase in 2006 with
Eurotrek, who defied top-weight to defeat Bewleys Berry and 19 others in
decisive fashion under Liam Heard, though there was drama after the last when
it momentarily looked as if the winning jockey was going to take the wrong
course. The champion trainer was back for more in 2007 when saddling Mr
Pointment. The eight-year-old excelled over the Grand National obstacles,
beating the previous year's runner-up Bewleys Berry by a length.
There
was a fine front-running performance in 2008 from Black Apalachi, under Denis
O'Regan, who galloped resolutely all the way to the line to secure success in
the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase. The 15/2 chance, trained by Dessie Hughes in
Ireland, came home a distance clear of the second Mr Pointment in the three and
a quarter mile event, with his stablemate Oulart a further half-length back in
third. Black Apalachi was several lengths clear and going well when unseating
Denis O'Regan at Becher's Brook on the second circuit in the 2009 Grand
National but returned the following year to finish a gallant second to Don't
Push It.
Top-weight
Vic Venturi, also trained by Hughes, became the third Irish-trained winner when
scoring by five lengths under Paddy Flood in 2009. The Old Vic gelding, who
captured the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase later in the season, failed to
complete in three attempts in the John Smith's Grand National, unseating his
rider in 2010, being brought down in 2011 and refusing in 2012.
West
End Rocker gave trainer Alan King his first Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
success last year, drawing away impressively under Wayne Hutchinson in the
heavy conditions to score by 22 lengths from 2009 Irish Grand National hero
Niche Market.
The Betfred Becher Handicap Chase attracts plenty of runners, many of whom are
having their first start over the Grand National fences and the race is seen as
one of the best John Smith's Grand National trials, with two winners -
Amberleigh House and Silver Birch - going on to success in the world's greatest
chase. Four favourites have prevailed - Young Hustler (1995), Young Kenny
(2000), Silver Birch (2004) and Hello Bud (2010) - but there have also been
three shock results - Amberleigh House was a 33/1 chance in 2001, while
Garvivonnian (33/1 - 2005) and Eurotrek (25/1 - 2006) also caused upsets.
This
year's running of the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase has received a 10 per cent
prize money boost to £110,000 (from £100,000 in 2011).
£60,000
BETFRED 'GOALS GALORE' GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE - AINTREE 2m 5f 100y
Year
Horse Owner Trainer
Age/Weight Jockey SP RAN
2003
Dark Room J
P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
6-10-06 Liam Cooper 7/1
11
2004 Forest Gunner
John Gilsenan Richard Ford
10-11-02 Peter Buchanan 7/1F 15
2005 Hakim T
N Siviter John Spearing
11-10-12 Paddy Brennan 18/1 23
2006 I Hear Thunder Nick
Elliott Bob Buckler
8-11-02 Daryl Jacob 12/1
20
2007 Lampion
Du Bost The Dodoz Partnership Jim Goldie
8-9-11 Phil Kinsella 66/1
22
2008 Endless
Power Fyffees Jim
Goldie 8-10-00 James Reveley 11/1 13
2009 Dev
Liam Mulryan Michael Qinlan 9-10-07 Jamie Moore 14/1 11
2010 Frankie
Figg Andrea &
Graham Wylie Howard Johnson 8-11-05 Brian Hughes 10/1 16
2011 Stewarts
House Double Trouble Partnership Tim
Vaughan 9-11-08 Aidan Coleman 11/2 14
HISTORY OF
THE BETFRED 'GOALS GALORE' GRAND SEFTON CHASE
The
Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase has attracted good fields
since its revival nine years ago after a 38-year break. The handicap chase is
run over one circuit of the Grand National course, two miles, five and a half
furlongs. The old Grand Sefton took place over further - just under three miles
- and ceased after the 1965 renewal, which was won by The Fossa.
The
Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase was re-established in 2003
and well-known Irish owner J P McManus saw his famous green and gold colours
carried to victory by the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Dark Room. Partnered by Liam
Cooper, the six-year-old was one of eight in with a chance jumping the final
fence and kept on best of all after the elbow to score by three lengths from
Scotmail Boy. The fourth home, Cassia Heights, went on to land the John Smith's
Topham Chase at Aintree the following April.
The
Richard Ford-trained Forest Gunner, under Peter Buchanan, scored the following
year becoming the first and, so far, only favourite to prevail. Forest Gunner
had earlier taken the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase at the John Smith's Grand
National meeting when ridden by the trainer's wife, Carrie. That pairing
subsequently finished fifth in the 2005 John Smith's Grand National.
The
2005 renewal of the Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase saw the
John Spearing-trained Hakim completed a four-timer under Paddy Brennan, with a
superb round of jumping from the front to defeat Fiori by two and a half
lengths. The New Zealand-bred returned to Aintree in the spring for the John
Smith's Topham Chase and put in another bold display, finding only Liberthine a
length and a half too strong.
There
were 20 runners in the 2006 contest which went the way of the Bob
Buckler-trained I Hear Thunder, a 12/1 chance, who jumped well and stayed on
strongly for then conditional jockey Daryl Jacob to come home seven lengths
clear of Shannon's Pride. Hakim, attempting to land the race for a second year
in a row, again tried to make all the running, but this time got no further
than the eighth fence.
The
race was even more popular in 2007 when 22 lined up before the starter. There
was a shock result as 66/1 chance Lampion Du Bost, ridden by Phil Kinsella and
trained by Jim Goldie in Scotland for the Dodoz Partnership, which included
ex-Scotland striker Billy Dodds, won on merit, jumping exemplarily.
There
were shades of the famous finish to the 1973 Grand National between Crisp and
Red Rum as 11/1 chance Endless Power tired rapidly after the last in the 2008
Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase. However, the leader held on by two and a
half lengths from Brooklyn Brownie under 3lb conditional James Reveley for
Goldie, gaining a second Grand Sefton success. The winner jumped for fun over
the famous fences, soon built up a commanding advantage and was still around 15
lengths in front over the last.
Dev
was in the first two all the way in 2009 and emerged victorious under Jamie
Moore. The race wasn't without drama though, with the winner wandering around
approaching the elbow and conceding an eight-length lead before rallying gamely
in the run in to score by one and a half lengths.
Frankie
Figg put in a superb round of jumping in 2010 to score comfortably by five
lengths under Brian Hughes. The eight-year-old, having his fourth start over
the famous fences, was completing for the first time.
The
2011 renewal produced a thrilling finish between Tim Vaughan's Stewarts House
and Irish raider Linnel, from the stable of Arthur Moore, with the former
prevailing by a neck under Aidan Coleman. The Overbury gelding became the
shortest priced winner of the Grand Sefton, having been sent off an 11/2
chance.
The
Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase is worth 20 per cent more
this year, with total prize money boosted to £60,000 (£50,000 in 2011).
LATEST
GOING NEWS
The going
at Aintree remains
National
Course - Heavy
Mildmay Course
- Soft, Good to Soft in places
Hurdle
Course - Soft, Heavy in places on bends
It was dry
overnight and should remain so until this afternoon when possible showers are
forecast.
Hurdle
Course - all bends and hurdles moved onto outside & fresh ground, adding
approximately 95 yards per circuit.
Mildmay
Course- all bends moved out, adding approximately 55 yards per circuit.
NON-RUNNER
3.20pm
BETFRED GOALS GALORE GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE
no5
REBEL DU MAQUIS Self Certificate (Lame)
TRAINERS'
THOUGHTS ON AINTREE RUNNERS TODAY
Paul
Nicholls said of his runner at Aintree today.
2.10pm
Aintree - Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
"Join
Together is clearly a very smart horse on his day, but it is fair to say
that he is a bit of an in-and-out performer who disappointed at the Cheltenham
and Aintree Festivals, and again, to a lesser degree, on his reappearance. He
had a breathing operation in the summer and he had been working really well
before his comeback at Ascot, only to run below par again there, although he
wasn't totally disgraced in seventh. If he can return to the form of his 12
length defeat of Mossley at Cheltenham over this trip last season, then I think
he will run well. The longer trip and soft ground should be ideal, and I am
hoping that the fences concentrate his mind and renew his enthusiasm. If they
do, then he is a big runner here."
Donald
McCain said of his runners at Aintree today.
12 noon
Aintree - Betfred New '30 Minute' Coupon Maiden Hurdle
Glyn
Ceiriog - I thought she ran a really nice race at Uttoxeter on her debut
when she was runner-up but she was a bit keen at Bangor last time before she
unseated Henry. It looks a good, competitive novice hurdle but I would like to
think that she would have an each-way chance if returning to that debut form.
1.05pm
Aintree - Betfred Treble Odds On Lucky 15's Chase
Across The
Bay - The race has cut up quite a bit which is a bonus! It's another
step up in class for him - he's up against some smart horses - but he has done
nothing wrong back over fences for us this year and these are the sort of races
he has to run in now. I think these small fields suit him quite well, not that
he has shown any signs of lacking confidence over fences, and he ought to give
another good account.
1.35pm
Aintree - Betfred 'Bonus King Bingo' Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Beeves - It's in
the back of my mind that he might want better ground but he did win a bumper on
heavy so it won't be an excuse. He is going to stay further than this in time
but this should be a proper test in the ground and his stamina ought to be a
positive. I think he is on a fair handicap mark but it's the sort of mark that
makes sense to run here, rather than under a penalty in a novice hurdle.
2.10pm
Aintree - Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
Ballabriggs is in
cracking form at home and we have done a lot more with him this time round.
Obviously we know he likes the place but realistically he has a big task on
under top weight on heavy ground. He might have got away with it on better
ground - he's only 6lb higher than for his National win, after all - but I'm
under no illusion that it will be easy.
Fabalu is in
good nick and he's ready for a run - the run in October has brought him on and
he's got a lovely weight. He jumped round here well enough in April, he stays
and has won in the mud so there's no reason why he wouldn't give a good
account.
2.45pm
Aintree - Betfred Mobile Lotto Handicap Hurdle
Constant
Contact was up against it in a hot race at Cheltenham last time and the
handicapper has been in charge since he won at Cartmel in the summer. He was a
miler on the Flat but I just felt it might be worth stepping him up in trip -
if he does improve for it, he's not on a bad mark on his best form.
Saga De
Tercey did well in the spring but the handicapper went to town and even
though he is slowly coming down the weights, I still think he is badly
handicapped. This is probably a bit too competitive but it's the sort of race
we are forced to run in at the moment.
Trainer
Kim Bailey's thoughts on his two runners at Aintree today. He told his blog:
"At Aintree Midnight Haze (Betfred Becher Handicap Chase) meets
Dougie Costello who rides him for the first time. Dougie will be hoping that MH
runs as well as he did when finishing last of 15th in this year's Grand
National. Another clear round and he will finish considerably closer; he will
love the soft and heavy ground.
"Up
For An Oscar (Betfred 'Bonus King Bingo' Novices' Handicap Hurdle) has
improved since we have had him but he will need to again to win this heat. Not
sure he will like the ground but we still expect a bold showing. Ed Cookson
rides his mother's horse."
CHANGES TO
THE GRAND NATIONAL COURSE AT AINTREE
Two new
fence designs are being tried on the Grand National course today.
Four
obstacles have been rebuilt with different cores and will be used for the first
time in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase and the Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand
Sefton Handicap Chase.
The fences
do not look any different but should be more forgiving if the top spruce is
knocked off during a race.
Clerk of
the course Andrew Tulloch said these changes had been in the pipeline for the
last couple of years.
He said:
"This is something we've been looking at for a while and has arisen out of
a research and development projected instituted after the 2011 Grand National.
"We
have been looking at the timber frames which we've always had on the National
fences and we are just trying to come up with an alternative which, should the
spruce be knocked off them during racing, would provide a softer option if any
horses then jumped a bit too low.
"The
issue is to try to keep the fences up to height and have between 14 and 16
inches of spruce. If any gets knocked off, any subsequent horses further back
in the field will be jumping over a softer frame which has a rubber pad on it.
If a horse makes a mistake, these fences should be more forgiving.
"Donald
(McCain) brought a couple of horses here recently and they jumped the fences a
couple of times.
"Outwardly
the fences are no different to the existing ones. If you went up to them you wouldn't
see a difference or know any difference.
"We've
done the 13th and 14th fences which are the first two in the Topham and the
Foxhunter (at the Grand National meeting) and which are the last two over any
race on the National course. They have now got plastic cores.
"Then
there are the two open ditches, the third and the 11th. What we have used there
is more of a traditional birch frame and built over that.
"Since
the Grand National, we've spent another £100,000 putting in additional pop-up
irrigation."
The
landings at fences four, five and 13 have been levelled.
A second
catching pen for loose horses has been created by the fourth fence. There is
already an existing one at the Canal Turn.
OUTRIDERS
TRIED FOR FIRST TIME
Tulloch
added: "We also have for two outriders the first time to see if this is an
effective way to control loose horses. Two ex-jockeys Lee Enstone and Steve
Wynne are acting in this role."
FIRST RACE
NEWS - THE WINNER
BETFRED
NEW '30 MINUTE LIMIT' COUPON MAIDEN HURDLE
BUTHELEZI
WINS ON HURDLING DEBUT
The John
Ferguson-trained Buthelezi, a four-year-old Dynaformer gelding, won well under
conditional rider Jack Quinlan on his hurdling debut when sent off a 4/1
chance.
He made
all to triumph by seven lengths over the 3/1 favourite Oscar Magic, with
another 20 lengths back to the third Jonny Delta.
James
Owen, assistant trainer to Ferguson who has about 30 horses in training near
Newmarket, said: "His Flat form had tailed off and we weren't really
expecting him to win, especially with this ground as his form and pedigree
suggested he might be a top of the ground horse.
"We
are pleased for the horse who looks like he enjoyed himself. The ear-plugs were
just to help him relax because he was quite keen on the Flat.
"Jack
has given him a lovely ride."
Quinlan
said: "We are very happy with him. He settled well in front and he just
kept galloping all the way to the line.
"He
has not loved the ground but he has gone in it which is the main thing. His
jumping was not flashy but he jumped safely throughout so this was a good
hurdling debut."
GOING
STICK READINGS
GoingStick
Readings at 11am: National Course 3.6 (4.0 Friday at 3pm); Mildmay Course 4.6
(5.2 Friday at 3pm) Hurdle Course 4.0 (4.7 Friday at 3pm).
SECOND
RACE - BETFRED 'THE BONUS KING' FILLIES' JUVENILE HURDLE
The Winner
FIRST
SUCCESS FOR L'UNIQUE
French-bred
L'Unique, fourth on her hurdling debut in France in September, made a winning
start to her British career, with Robert 'Choc' Thornton successful on the
three-year-old Refuse To Bend filly who is trained by Alan King in Wiltshire.
L'Unique,
the 15/8 favourite, finished 12 lengths ahead of the second Cockney Sparrow, a
5/2 chance, with a further 47 lengths to the third Miss Conduct.
Thornton
said: "She handled the ground which is very holding. She stayed galloping
and did actually pick up.
"The
ground is really testing, especially for these little fillies."
Noel
Williams, King's assistant trainer, said: "That was very pleasing and
professional. I am a bit surprised that the race wasn't supported slightly
better but it is good that they are putting on races like this for fillies.
"I am
not sure what the plan will be for her. We very much wanted to find out what we
have got and will go from here.
"She
will be better for the experience as she did not run on the Flat. She was very
professional and is up with our better juvenile hurdlers."
Ladbrokes
make L'Unique a 20/1 chance for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham
Festival in March.
THIRD RACE
- BETFRED TREBLE ODDS ON LUCKY 15'S CHASE
The winner
PRINCE
BACK ON TRACK
Wayward
Prince progressed from his first start of the season and took the £30,000
Betfred Treble Odds On Lucky 15's Chase over three miles and a furlong in good
style with Jack Doyle up.
The Hilary
Parrott-trained eight-year-old will be given an entry for the Betfred
Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
The 4/1
chance beat Across The Bay by two and a half lengths after taking the lead
before the last, with 13/8 favourite Quito De La Roque third.
The
trainer said: "He has got his head in front at last after nearly two
years.
"He
ran well at Wetherby and has jumped very well here despite not liking the
ground. So I am delighted.
"We
have had him back since the end of last season (previously with Ian Williams)
and this is his second run of this season - he finished second in the Charlie
Hall and now this victory.
"We
have a farm with a gallop on it and I have been with horses all my life so I
thought we would have a bash. I used to have a licence for 15 years.
"The
Hennessy is always rough and tumble which is why he did not run in it this
year. I was looking for a smaller race to win.
"We
can go where we like after this. He may go to the Argento Chase (at Cheltenham
in January) and then hopefully the Cheltenham Gold Cup - he deserves an entry
at the very least.
"We
have eight in training, mostly youngsters."
Doyle
added: "Wayward Prince was brilliant and jumped like a buck the whole way.
It is onwards and upwards with him.
"I
got a lead for as long as I could and then he picked up well. He won around
here in a three-mile Grade One hurdle (April, 2010 - John Smith's Sefton
Novices' Hurdle).
"All
he does is gallop and Hillary has done a great job sweetening him up. Wayward
Prince will be better on good ground."
Fourth
race - Betfred 'Bonus King Bingo' Novices' Handicap Hurdle & the fifth
race, the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
TWISTON-DAVIES'
HEAVEN
Trainer
Nigel Twiston-Davies and his jockey son Sam completed a quick double with
Master Of The Sea winning the Betfred 'Bonus King Bingo' Novices' Handicap
Hurdle and then enjoying an emotional success with 14-year-old Hello Bud in the
Betfred Becher Handicap Chase.
14/1
chance Hello Bud, who also won the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase in 2010, held
on by a neck from the fast finishing Join Together.
Sam said:
"Hello Bud is a legend of a horse. He is my favourite - I would not ride
him every day at home - Gemma who looks after him does - but I get the pleasure
of riding him a fair bit.
"You
would never believe he was 14 - it is a shame he is not actually eight. He is
unreal - he just loves jumping. I cannot tell you how much this horse means to
me - he means more than anything else - he is unbelievable.
"I
love this horse more than anything else in the world - almost on a par with my
mum and dad. Hello Bud is the best thing that has ever happened to our family
and the best thing that has happened this season. His heart is so big, he
jumps for fun and goes on any ground. He just keeps galloping. He was out on
his head in the last half-furlong and just kept digging in, digging in. He is
just unbelievable - I cannot explain how good he is.
"The
race panned out exactly as I hoped it would. Hello Bud is a lot cleverer than I
am - I just went a gallop that I thought I could maintain - and he just kept
galloping and grinding. The last half-furlong seemed to take forever but he
kept pulling that little bit more out and how well did he jump? He is different
class.
"Everywhere
I went, I was always trying to take a pull on him. Every time that something
got to my girths, I thought that we would go on a stride and, when we got a
little lead again, take another pull. I was trying to get as many breathers
into him as I could.I wasn't trying to get many long ones - I wanted to go from
A to B as economically as possible. I can't explain how lucky we are to have
him and it's an honour to ride a horse like this in a race like this.
"He
got headed at Becher's Brook but I was thinking that it was a very long way
from home. Having ridden him so many times and been beaten round here before -
I remember my first Grand National riding him and I jumped upsides Denis
O'Regan and he said that it was a long way from home and that we should sit
still for a bit. It has stuck in my head ever since so I tried to sit still
today and go a gallop that I could maintain.
"I
can't explain how much this horse means to me and he is an absolute legend. I
was nearly crying on the run-in - I was shouting and roaring at him. I could
hear everyone coming at me and all of the crowd. He keeps sticking his head out
and I can't believe how lucky I am to ride him.
"I
haven't spoken to Nigel but this has to be the perfect end for him. You can go
to cross country races at Cheltenham but this is what Aintree is all about -
horses like him that love the game, love the jumping and love the mud.
"He
has brought us together as a family and hopefully now he go out into a field
with Baby Run and they can have a nice time together."
Nigel
said: "I don't know if retirement beckons for Hello Bud - there is the
Grand National or the Topham to think about.
"He
beat an awful lot of the younger horses here quite well - it was remarkable
performance and very exciting. People say retire, retire but does he look or
fell old - no he doesn't. When horses are enjoying themselves like that, what
else do you do. He carried Sam to the last and was only asked after then. That
must be a horse having a nice time.
"Hello
Bud has been absolutely incredible and I feel very sorry for his owner, Seamus
Murphy - the Irish banks closed him down and hence why Hello Bud is now mine.
Seamus Murphy is a great supporter and I hope he will bounce back one day.
Seamus gave the horse to me so I am very grateful. It was just awful
watching from the final fence - any way we won it. Let's see what happens with
Hello Bud - he is so special and it would be a shame to just put him in a
field.
"Hello
Bud has given us a lot of pleasure - fifth in the Grand National in 2010 and
seventh last year. He won this race two years ago and unseeated the
jockey last year - on this form he would have won then as well. The jockey is
only six years older than he horse."
2.10pm
BETFRED BECHER HANDICAP CHASE
(LISTED
RACE)
Class 1,
£110,000 guaranteed. For 6yo+, 3m 2f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties after
December 1st, a winner of a chase 3lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight
above 11st 12lb). Ballabriggs's Handicap Mark 156. Penalty value 1st
£61,897.00; 2nd £23,320.00; 3rd £11,671.00; 4th £5,830.00; 5th £2,926.00; 6th
£1,463.00
1) Hello
Bud (IRE) (Nigel Twiston-Davies) Nigel Twiston-Davies t14-10-00 Sam
Twiston-Davies 14/1
2) Join
Together (IRE) (Ian Fogg & Paul Barber) Paul Nicholls 7-11-04 Daryl Jacob
5/1
3) Big
Fella Thanks (Crossed Fingers Partnership) Tom George t10-11-01 Paddy Brennan
7/1
4) Swing
Bill (FR) (David Johnson) David Pipe 11-10-12 Conor O'Farrell 20/1
5) In
Compliance (IRE) (Dessie Hughes) Dessie Hughes IRE 12-10-04 Niall Madden
6)
Gullible Gordon (IRE) (Yeh Man Partnership) Peter Bowen 9-10-00 Ryan Mania
7) Poker
de Sivola (FR) (David Johnson) Ferdy Murphy 9-10-06 James Reveley
F 1)
Mumbles Head (IRE) (Karen Bowen) Peter Bowen 11-10-10 Tom O'Brien
UR 15) Any
Currency (IRE) (Cash Is King) Martin Keighley es9-10-04 Aidan Coleman
F 17)
Problema Tic (FR) (Jo Tracey) David Pipe 6-10-12 Tom Scudamore
F 3 OUT)
Fabalu (IRE) (Tim Leslie) Donald McCain b10-10-01 Brian Harding
PU)
Midnight Haze (Kim Bailey Racing Partnership) Kim Bailey 10-10-04 Dougie Costello
PU) West
End Rocker (IRE) (Barry Winfield & Tim Leadbetter) Alan King 10-10-12
Robert Thornton 4/1F
PU)
Ballabriggs (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Donald McCain 11-11-12 Jason Maguire
PU)
Ballyvesey (IRE) (Roddy Owen & Paul Fullager) Peter Bowen vt7-10-00 Jamie
Moore
PU)
Minella Theatre (IRE) (Middleham Park Racing & Dan Gilbert) Lawney Hill
tp9-10-00 David Bass
16 ran
Distances:
nk, 1¾, ns, ¾, 12, 7
Breeder:
Peter Casey
Breeding:
b g Jurado (USA) - Orchestral Sport (IRE) (Orchestra)
Tote Win:
£18.70 Places: £3.20; £1.50; £2.10; £4.70
Winning
Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode
as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire
handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests
throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he
also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession
prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full
training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in
December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Big Race Wins Include:
Albert Bartlett (Bristol) (1998 Bosuns Mate, 1999 Bindaree), Albert Bartlett
(River Don) Novices' Hurdle (2008 Battlecry), Bet365 Gold Cup (2000 Beau),
Boylesports.com International (2009 Khyber Kim), Challow Novices' Hurdle (1999
King's Road, 1999 Bindaree), Champion Irish National Hunt Flat Race (1998
King's Road), Charlie Hall Chase (1992 Tipping Tim, 1994 Young Hustler, 2005
& 2007 Ollie Magern), Christmas Hurdle (1997 Kerawi), Classic Chase (2005
Baron Windrush), Cleeve Hurdle (1998 Mistinguett), Dovecote Novices' Hurdle
(2008 Pigeon Island), Elite Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), Feltham Novices' Chase
(1992 Dakyns Boy, 2004 Ollie Magern), Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (2010
Baccalaureate), Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2009 Khyber Kim), Haydock Park Gold
Cup (2001 Frantic Tan), Hennessy Gold Cup (2000 King's Road), Heroes Handicap
Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish), Hyde Novices' Hurdle (2007 Razor Royale), Kingmaker
Novices' Chase (1996 Arctic Kinsman), Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle (2000
Rubhahunish), Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase (2008 Knowhere), Long
Walk Hurdle (1993 Sweet Duke, 1996 Ocean Hawk), November Novices' Chase (1997
Queen Of Spades, 1998 Mister Morose, 2004 Fundamentalist), Old Roan Handicap
Chase (2008 Knowhere), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1992 Tipping Tim, 2008 Imperial
Commander, 2010 Little Josh), Persian War Novices' Hurdle (2003 Champagne
Harry, 2004 Knowhere, 2005 Rimsky), Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (1995 Earth
Summit), Punchestown Gold Cup (1998 Mahler), Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1995
Sweet Duke, 2000 Beau), Rising Stars Novices' Chase (1994 Sweet Duke, 2000 Bindaree),
Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (1993 Young Hustler, 1998 Jack Doyle), Scottish
Champion Hurdle (1994 Corrouge, 2000 Mister Morose), Scottish Grand National
(1992 Captain Dibble, 1994 Earth Summit, 2009 Hello Bud), Servo Computer
Services Trophy Handicap Chase (2003 Shardam), Betfred Becher Handicap Chase
(1993 Indian Tonic, 1995 Young Hustler, 1998 Earth Summit, 2010 & 2012
Hello Bud), Towton Novices' Chase (2005 Ollie Magern), Wayward Lad Novices'
Chase (2007 Mahogany Blaze), Welsh National (1997 Earth Summit, 2003 Bindaree),
West Yorkshire Hurdle (2006 Redemption, 2008 Pettifour), Winter Bumper (1998
Frantic Tan), Worcester Novices' Chase (1991 Captain Dibble, 1998 Ocean Hawk),
Betfair Chase (2010 Imperial Commander) Cheltenham Festival wins (13):
totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander),Johnny Henderson Grand
Annual (2010 Pigeon Island), Christie's Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run),Ryanair
Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The National Hunt
Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992 Tipping Tim), Royal
& SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004 Fundamentalist), Royal &
SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby & Christopher Supreme H
(1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998 Upgrade), Pertemps Final H'cap
Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Aintree Festival wins: John
Smith's Fox Hunter's Chase (2011 Baby Run), John Smith's Topham Chase (2009
Irish Raptor), John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle (1987 Mrs Muck), betfair.com
Handicap Chase (1994 Grange Brake), John Smith's Topham Chase (1994 Indian
Tonic), John Smith's Red Rum Handicap Chase (1996 Arctic Kinsman), John Smith's
Extra Cold H'cp Hurdle (1998 The Proms), John Smith's Grand National (1998
Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree), John Smith's Champion Standard NH Flat Race (1998
King's Road, 2005 The Cool Guy, 2012 The New One), Citroen C5 Sefton Novices'
Hurdle (1999 King's Road, 2008 Petitfour), S&N Aintree Hurdle (2000 Mister
Morose, 2010 Khyber Kim), John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (2001 Docklands
Limo) Wins (1982/3-2011/12): 0, 0, 4, 4, 1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81,
74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59; 60; 87; 83; 70; 97; 70 Wins
this Season: 42
Winning
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Born: October 15, 1992 Background: son
of Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies - turned
professional on April 17, 2010. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Christie's
Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run) Other big race wins: Paddy Power Gold
Cup (2010 Little Josh), Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (2010 & 2012
Hello Bud) E.B.F High Sheriff Of Gloucester's "Junior" Standard Open
Juvenile NHF Race (2012 The New One), John Smith's Champion Standard Open
National Hunt Flat Race (2012 The New One) First Winner under Rules:
Baby Run, Magnus All-croft Memorial Hunters' Chase, Ludlow, February 18, 2009
Wins (2008/09-2011/12): 2; 15; 59; 81 Wins This Season: 48
FAMOUS
DOUBLE FOR TWISTON-DAVIES
There was
a famous 71/1 double for Nigel Twiston-Davies and his jockey son Sam in the two
races over the Grand National fences at Aintree today, with 14/1 chance and
14-year-old Hello Bud winning the £110,000 Betfred Becher Handicap Chase and
10-year-old and 7/2 favourite Little Josh taking the £60,000 Betfred 'Goals
Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.
Twiston-Davies
senior has now won all five races over the Grand National fences.
Sam said:
"Little Josh is a bit different to Hello Bud. He was quite keen early on
and he was using up far too much petrol. When I got headed, I tried not to
panic and thought that it was a long way from home and I didn't need to be
kicking on so far out.
"I
wanted to go from A to B as quick as a I could and try and go a gallop that I
could maintain. He was legless up the run-in but he kept pulling out that
little bit more.
"I
have been very lucky to ride two spectacular jumpers over these fences today.
Hello Bud is a master of going in and popping over them, while Little Josh is
very exuberant and very bold.
"In
my opinion, the fences are riding well - the horses are respecting them and the
jockeys are too. You can't go too fast because you will end up doing yourself
some damage. Little Josh was a bit keen early on but he soon learnt that you
can't go that quick and get round."
3.20pm
BETFRED 'GOALS GALORE' GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE
Class 2,
£60,000 guaranteed. For 6yo+, 2m 5f 110yds. Minimum weight 10-0. Penalties after
December 1st, each chase won 5lb Nacarat's Handicap Mark 160. Penalty value 1st
£37,536.00 2nd £11,088.00 3rd £5,544.00 4th £2,772.00 5th £1,386.00 6th £696.00
1) Little
Josh (IRE) (Tony Bloom) Nigel Twiston-Davies t10-10-09 Sam Twiston-Davies 7/2F
2) Gansey
(IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Sue Smith 10-10-00 Ryan Mania 5/1
3)
Tranquil Sea (IRE) (D Cox & Nelius Hayes) Edward O'Grady, IRE 10-11-07
Robert Thornton 9/1
4) Nacarat
(FR) (Simon Clarke) Tom George t11-11-12 Paddy Brennan
F 9)
Blackstaff (IRE) (Jane Williams) Nick Williams 7-10-00 Mark Quinlan (3)
F 5 OUT)
Chance du Roy (FR) (Miss I D Du Pre) Philip Hobbs 8-11-02 Tom O'Brien
UR 5 OUT)
Rio Gael (IRE) (Karen Bowen) Peter Bowen p6-10-00 Jamie Moore
PU)
Carrickboy (IRE) (Trevor Hemmings) Venetia Williams 8-10-00 Aidan Coleman
PU) Cerium
(FR) (Robert Bothway) Neil King 11-10-00 Brian Harding
9 ran
Non
Runner: Rebel du Maquis (FR) (Self Cert - Lame)
Distances:
1¾, 19, 87
Breeder:
Michael Kearns
Breeding:
ch g Pasternak - Miss Top (IRE) (Tremblant)
Tote Win:
£4.50 Places: £1.70; £1.90; £2.10 Exacta: £23.10 Trifecta: £105.20
Winning
Trainer: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Based: Grange Hill Farm, Naunton,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Date of birth: 16/5/57 Background: Rode
as an amateur for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell and Kim Bailey. The Gloucestershire
handler combined training as a permit-holder with his farming interests
throughout the 1980s, having his first winner with Last Of The Foxes, who he
also rode, at Hereford in March, 1982, before the agricultural recession
prompted him to make training his full-time profession. He took out a full
training licence in 1989, recording his first win as a public trainer in
December of that year with Babil at Newbury. Big Race Wins Include:
Albert Bartlett (Bristol) (1998 Bosuns Mate, 1999 Bindaree), Albert Bartlett
(River Don) Novices' Hurdle (2008 Battlecry), Bet365 Gold Cup (2000 Beau), Boylesports.com
International (2009 Khyber Kim), Challow Novices' Hurdle (1999 King's Road,
1999 Bindaree), Champion Irish National Hunt Flat Race (1998 King's Road),
Charlie Hall Chase (1992 Tipping Tim, 1994 Young Hustler, 2005 & 2007 Ollie
Magern), Christmas Hurdle (1997 Kerawi), Classic Chase (2005 Baron Windrush),
Cleeve Hurdle (1998 Mistinguett), Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (2008 Pigeon
Island), Elite Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose), Feltham Novices' Chase (1992 Dakyns
Boy, 2004 Ollie Magern), Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (2010 Baccalaureate),
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2009 Khyber Kim), Haydock Park Gold Cup (2001
Frantic Tan), Hennessy Gold Cup (2000 King's Road), Heroes Handicap Hurdle
(2000 Rubhahunish), Hyde Novices' Hurdle (2007 Razor Royale), Kingmaker
Novices' Chase (1996 Arctic Kinsman), Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle (2000
Rubhahunish), Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase (2008 Knowhere), Long
Walk Hurdle (1993 Sweet Duke, 1996 Ocean Hawk), November Novices' Chase (1997
Queen Of Spades, 1998 Mister Morose, 2004 Fundamentalist), Old Roan Handicap
Chase (2008 Knowhere), Paddy Power Gold Cup (1992 Tipping Tim, 2008 Imperial
Commander, 2010 Little Josh), Persian War Novices' Hurdle (2003 Champagne
Harry, 2004 Knowhere, 2005 Rimsky), Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (1995 Earth
Summit), Punchestown Gold Cup (1998 Mahler), Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1995
Sweet Duke, 2000 Beau), Rising Stars Novices' Chase (1994 Sweet Duke, 2000
Bindaree), Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (1993 Young Hustler, 1998 Jack Doyle),
Scottish Champion Hurdle (1994 Corrouge, 2000 Mister Morose), Scottish Grand
National (1992 Captain Dibble, 1994 Earth Summit, 2009 Hello Bud), Servo
Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase (2003 Shardam), Betfred Becher Handicap
Chase (1993 Indian Tonic, 1995 Young Hustler, 1998 Earth Summit, 2010 &
2012 Hello Bud), Towton Novices' Chase (2005 Ollie Magern), Wayward Lad
Novices' Chase (2007 Mahogany Blaze), Welsh National (1997 Earth Summit, 2003
Bindaree), West Yorkshire Hurdle (2006 Redemption, 2008 Pettifour), Winter
Bumper (1998 Frantic Tan), Worcester Novices' Chase (1991 Captain Dibble, 1998
Ocean Hawk), Betfair Chase (2010 Imperial Commander) Cheltenham Festival
wins (13): totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2010 Imperial Commander),Johnny
Henderson Grand Annual (2010 Pigeon Island), Christie's Foxhunter Chase (2010
Baby Run),Ryanair Chase (2009 Imperial Commander), 139th Year Of The
National Hunt Chase (2009 Tricky Trickster), William Hill NH Chase (1992
Tipping Tim), Royal & SunAlliance Hdle (1993 Gaelstrom, 2004
Fundamentalist), Royal & SunAlliance Chase (1993 Young Hustler), Letheby
& Christopher Supreme H (1994 Arctic Kinsman), JCB Triumph Hurdle (1998
Upgrade), Pertemps Final H'cap Hurdle (2000 Rubhahunish, 2008 Ballyfitz) Aintree
Festival wins: John Smith's Fox Hunter's Chase (2011 Baby Run), John
Smith's Topham Chase (2009 Irish Raptor), John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle (1987
Mrs Muck), betfair.com Handicap Chase (1994 Grange Brake), John Smith's Topham
Chase (1994 Indian Tonic), John Smith's Red Rum Handicap Chase (1996 Arctic
Kinsman), John Smith's Extra Cold H'cp Hurdle (1998 The Proms), John Smith's
Grand National (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree), John Smith's Champion
Standard NH Flat Race (1998 King's Road, 2005 The Cool Guy, 2012 The New One),
Citroen C5 Sefton Novices' Hurdle (1999 King's Road, 2008 Petitfour), S&N
Aintree Hurdle (2000 Mister Morose, 2010 Khyber Kim), John Smith's Extra Smooth
Handicap Hurdle (2001 Docklands Limo) Wins (1982/3-2011/12): 0, 0, 4, 4,
1, 3, 2, 8, 19, 31, 76, 72, 81, 74, 52, 69, 65, 87, 47, 35, 31, 79 ; 69; 59;
60; 87; 83; 70; 97; 70 Wins this Season: 43
Winning
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Born: October 15, 1992 Background: son
of Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies - turned
professional on April 17, 2010. Cheltenham Festival Wins (1): Christie's
Foxhunter Chase (2010 Baby Run) Other big race wins: Paddy Power Gold
Cup (2010 Little Josh), Betfred Becher Chase (2010 & 2012 Hello Bud) E.B.F
High Sheriff Of Gloucester's "Junior" Standard Open Juvenile NHF Race
(2012 The New One), John Smith's Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
(2012 The New One) First Winner under Rules: Baby Run, Magnus All-croft
Memorial Hunters' Chase, Ludlow, February 18, 2009 Wins (2008/09-2011/12): 2;
15; 59; 81 Wins This Season: 49
More
Betfred 'Goals Galore' Grand Sefton Handicap Chase quotes
Winning
trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "This was Little Josh's first run of
the season and he has rewarded us beautifully.
"This
has always been the plan. We had considered at the Paddy Power Gold Cup but
that looked hot so we decided to target this race as he jumps so well.
"He
will come back in April but he is not actually allowed to run in the Grand
National until he is placed over three miles.
"So
we may try and run him a three-mile race and then go to the Grand National.
This is just incredible, extraordinary - just what jumping is all about - real
dreams. We bring a 14-year-old horse, Hello Bud, here and a younger horse,
Little Josh, and they both win. It has been lovely.
"Aintree
is just a challenge - the whole place is special - Liverpudlians are great and
we love coming up here. We are so well looked after and the track is great too.
"Our
horses are well schooled at home and luckily I have a very good jockey
(Sam)."
He is
planning to enter both Hello Bud and Littler Josh in the John Smith's Grand
National, plus his stable star, Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial
Commander.
He
explained: "If Imperial Commander shows he isn't quite as good as he was,
then the National is the obvious thing. But we are hoping he is as good as he
was. I have not spoken to his owners about the National yet. Imperial Commander
is on the horse walker and swimming at the moment.
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