START OF 2013 CHARLES OWEN PONY RACING SERIES

The 2013 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series gets under way at Exeter Racecourse on Tuesday, April 2. This year there are 25 Racecourse Fixtures - staging 50 pony races - with the Finals to be held at York Racecourse on Sunday, September 8.

Charles Owen are once again sponsoring this fantastic series and the Pony Racing Authority is extremely grateful for their continued support. Charles Owen have been sponsoring Pony Racing since 2005 and their commitment and investment in the sport has provided so many opportunities for young jockeys. The Charles Owen series is the crème de la crème of pony racing and has been the spring board for many of our young and talented jockeys including recent Cheltenham Festival winning jockeys Sam Twiston-Davies, Brendan Powell and Harry Derham.

RaceTech will again be sponsoring the best turned out awards and new for this year will be providing a prize for the Best Novice Rider of the month.

The Prince family has also kindly agreed to once again sponsor the Rose Bengal Scholarship and Leading Rider Awards. This provides opportunities for both the best and those that have tried the hardest to improve their skills and be rewarded for their efforts.

Over 30 pony races have already taken place in 2013 at various Point-to-Points around the country, with over 100 more Point-to-Point Pony Races scheduled to take place before June.

For further information please see www.ponyracingauthority.co.uk

NOTES

For further information contact Clarissa Daly on 07980 776874 or email ponyracingauthority@thejockeyclub.co.uk

This years racecourse fixtures are as follows:

Racecourse	Fixture Date
Exeter	Tuesday 2nd April
Kelso	Monday 8th April
Chepstow	Friday 12th April
Kempton	Saturday 13th April
Stratford	Sunday 21st April
Sedgefield	Thursday 2nd May
Ffos Las	Monday 6th May
Aintree	Friday 17th May (e)
Newmarket	Saturday 18th May
Towcester	Friday 24th may (e)
Uttoxeter	Sunday 26th May
Nottingham	Sunday 9th June
Ayr	Sunday 7th July
Market Rasen	Sunday 7th July
Perth	Sunday 14th July
Newton Abbot	Sunday 21st July
Musselburgh	Tuesday 23rd July
Ascot	Sunday 28th July
Stratford	Thursday 1st August
Newbury	Sunday 4th August
Great Yarmouth	Thursday 8th August
Goodwood	Sunday 25th August
Bangor-on-Dee	Monday 26th August
Beverley	Saturday 31st August
York - FINALS	Sunday 8th September

Since Felix de Giles, the winner of The Finals back in 2004, over 100 young riders have progressed through Pony Racing and now hold a professional or amateur jockeys' licence with the BHA. There have been Champion Amateur Riders and it is surely only a matter of times until we have a Champion Jockey that has graduated through Pony Racing. It is also interesting to note that since 2007, 40% of riders from Pony Racing now work in racing yards proving that Pony Racing sows the seed for a love of the sport that people chose to follow as a career.

HORSE RACING STARS AT QUBE SPORTS BAR

Horse racing fans in Dubai can sit alongside some of the sport’s biggest names to watch all the action from The Cheltenham Festival – one of the most exciting race meets of the year – being held this week.

Qube Sports Bar at Meydan has become a popular destination for famous racing trainers and jockeys based in the city for the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Many of them will be at the venue when The Cheltenham Festival is shown live on the giant screens from Tuesday March 12 until Friday March 15 with racing staring at 5.30pm each day.

Last week Qube welcomed legendary trainer Michael W Dickinson who happily chatted with other customers and at one point made a call to fellow racing superfan, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“There have been all sorts of individuals from the world of racing in Qube whenever a big meeting is on,” said Toby Greenwood, who is a season pass holder at Meydan.

“It’s great to chat with them and find out what is happening in racing and what they think about certain horses.

“The Cheltenham Festival has a history of records being set and with the massive Gold Cup race at the end it is going to be a fantastic four days.

“There is a real community feel among fans, trainers and jockeys at Meydan and it’s great we all have somewhere to go for events like Cheltenham and also before and after the race meets at Meydan.”

Qube will also be showing all the racing from Super Saturday – this weekend’s card at Meydan and the last to be held before the Dubai World Cup at the end of the month.

Rakha Highlights Remarkable 1-2-3-4 For Al Jahouri

Abu Dhabi’s penultimate meeting of the season was highlighted by the 1400m Group 1 Liwa Oasis and trainer Majed Al Jahouri, who is enjoying an amazing season, saddled a remarkable 1-2-3-4 with Royston Ffrench aboard winner Rakha, who led close home to deny stable companion Areem a third win at the highest level this season.

All four are owned by the trainer’s main patron H E Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and winning jockey Ffrench said: “It was a truly gutsy performance and a remarkable result for the yard. She is exceptionally tough and gave her all to lead close home.

”I rode her two starts ago when she was second to Thakif, third tonight, and thought this extra 400m would suit her. Luckily it has!”

That race posted a new track record as did AF Shbas in the following 1000m conditions stakes, sponsored by Wathba Stud and restricted to horses labelled as owned by ‘private owners’. Dane O’Neill was in the saddle for trainer Tony Manuel who said: “These Wathba Stud races are a great initiative and gives us all, who do not train for The Royal Family, a great chance to win a few races and it really has been a great initiative – and long may it continue!”

O’Neill added: “It has been a good season and I have really enjoyed it. It is great to have this turf track at Abu Dhabi to give these Purebred Arabians the opportunity to race on grass and regularly.”

Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea was in double form, landing the main support race, the 2400m Group 3 concluding round of the Arabian Triple Crown on the exciting Skoop, before making virtually all on Queen Of Alba in the only Thoroughbred race, the concluding 2200m maiden.

O’Shea said: “Skoop has plenty of speed but stays well which is great for a Purebred Arabian. He was keen early on so made his own job more difficult but he really does seem to have a touch of class and, all being well, he is a serious prospect for next year.”

He is trained by Ernst Oertel, who still has a chance of being crowned Champion Trainer this season after a memorable campaign.

The jockey completed his double on Queen Of Alba and said: “That is great to get my first winner for Thistle Bloodstock for whom I will be riding as retained jockey in Ireland this summer. She deserved to get her head in front after some good efforts in defeat.”

Racing opened with a 1600m conditions race, in which Adrie De Vries made almost every yard of the running on Talmoud for trainer Jaber Bittar. De Vries said: “That actually was not the plan but he jumped so well I had to be positive on him. He is a nice horse and could be a really nice type for next year."

The winning scenario could not have been more different in the following 2200m handicap with O’Neill initiating his own double when producing the Gill Duffield-trained Takaamul to lead in the dying strides.
Duffield said: “Winning races now in the UAE is so difficult any winner is a bonus so this is a nice victory. That is six for the campaign now and we keep ploughing on but it does get more difficult every season.”

Super Sajjhaa Claims Jebel Hatta On Landmark Day For Godolphin Trainers

Super Saturday certainly lived up to its billing, especially for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor who combined to win four of the seven Thoroughbred races, including both the Group 1 features. These were landmark victories for the Godolphin team with Hunter’s Light providing Godolphin trainers with their 200th Group 1/Grade 1 winner in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, over the same 2000m all-weather course and distance as the Dubai World Cup.

The world’s richest horse race, the $10million Dubai World Cup, is sponsored by Emirates Airline as was the whole of Super Saturday and Bin Suroor will be hoping that Hunter’s Light can emulate three of his previous winners of this race, Dubai Millennium, Street Cry and Electrocutionist who all won both contests.

Silvestre De Sousa rode the winner and said: “He just keeps improving and after our win in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge he was even more impressive here with the slight step up in trip suiting him.

“This is my first Group 1 winner in Dubai and the same horse supplied me with my first European Group 1 so he is clearly a real favourite of mine. Hopefully he has a big chance in the Dubai World Cup itself.”

The trainer’s quartet were all ridden by different jockeys and William Buick was in the saddle on Sajjhaa who opened her account at the highest level in the concluding Group 1 Jebel Hatta. This race was run over the same 1800m course and distance as the Dubai Duty Free.

Sajjhaa, now a 6yo mare, was actually winning for a third time at the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival after claiming the Cape Verdi and the Balanchine Stakes and Bin Suroor said: “She has really thrived in the Dubai weather and has pleasantly surprised us with how much she has improved. William had to be patient waiting for a gap and he gave her a great ride.”

Earlier, the trainer saddled African Story to win the Group 3 Burj Nahaar for the second year running. Mickael Barzalona rode him on this occasion to a comfortable success and the horse will surely be hard to beat as he defends his crown in the Godolphin Mile, over the same 1600m on the all-weather, in three weeks.

Kieren Fallon was aboard Secret Number who initiated the quartet in the Listed Al Bastakiya, the 1900m stepping stone towards the UAE Derby.

Nieshan won the Group 1 Purebred Arabian version of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, over the same course and distance as the Kahayla Classic, to become the first horse to win the race three times. Trained in Abu Dhabi by Eric Lemartinel, he was ridden by Gerald Avranche who said: "These are his optimum conditions and I was always happy. He was always going to be hard to pass once we hit the front and Eric has done remarkably well with this horse.

"We will be back in three weeks.

Both the sprints on the card were won impressively with the Mike De Kock-trained Shea Shea breaking the 1000m turf track record in the Listed Meydan Sprint, before Richard Mullen won the Group 3 Mahab al Shimaal. The pair kicked clear 200m out in the 1200m all-weather contest to post a career best effort.

The other turf race, the 2410m Group 3 Dubai City Of Gold, was won by Jakkalberry, trained in the UK by Marco Botti and running for the first time since an excellent third in last year’s Melbourne Cup. Also third in last year’s Dubai Sheema Classic, he could run in that race again this year with the 3200m Dubai Gold Cup also a feasible alternative.

Russian Rocks Ahead Of Kilt To Claim Jebel Ali Sprint For Second Time

Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi was again the trainer in form at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon, saddling half of the six winners, undoubtedly highlighted by the repeat victory of Russian Rock in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint. As was the case when he won the 1000m dash last year, Russian Rock was completing a clean sweep of the three Jebel Ali feature races for his connections after their Treble Jig won both the Jebel Ali Stakes and Mile, just as he had the previous season.

Owner Fathi Esaed Mohd Egziama has now seen his silks carried to victory in six consecutive Jebel Ali features and the two horses, between them, have now won 11 times at Jebel Ali with stable jockey Wayne Smith in the saddle on each occasion and Russian Rock became only the second horse to win this race twice/defend the crown.

A delighted owner said: “Last year was unbelievable, to win all three races but to do so again is amazing. Both horses love Jebel Ali and it has been a brilliant two seasons.”

An elated Wayne Smith added: “That was probably his best effort yet as the second, Kilt Rock, has run a blinder and they have gone hard from the start. It would be lovely to get an invitation to the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night and Russian Rock is declared at Meydan tomorrow but I would think it unlikely we will run.

“To win all three big races in a season, for the same owner, once was a big achievement but to do it again is remarkable. They both save their very best for Jebel Ali and well done to Musabah and the whole team for keeping them sound and in such good form.”
Smith was also in the saddle on stable companion Special Boy, the comfortable winner of a 1400m handicap in which the jockey exuded confidence throughout. Smith added: “There was really never much doubt – he just travelled so strongly and then quickened when I asked him.”

Earlier, Paul Hanagan had initiated the trainer’s treble with the equally smooth victory of Muarrab in a 1200m handicap. Hanagan said: “He is a horse I know well from England and he nearly won first time here over 1400m. The drop to 1200m has proved ideal and it was a good win.”

Al Muhairi and Smith also combined for two seconds with local debutant Daar Rashid denied in the opening 1200m maiden by the fast finishing Backstage Tour, with Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea in the saddle for trainer Abdulla bin Huzaim.

Then in the concluding 1600m handicap Smith’s mount Interpret was closing on the winner Encipher but the line appeared in time for Kieren Fallon’s horse who had been narrowly beaten at Abu Dhabi last Sunday. Ismail Mohammed trains the winner.

Former Champion Trainer Satish Seemar has enjoyed a great season and combined with stable jockey Richard Mullen to win a second 1400m handicap with Baransky. Mullen always looked confident and explained: “He is a big, strong horse who travels well and this straight 1400m suited him as he did not get home over 1600m last time. The hill here places the emphasis on stamina and we could even drop him to 1200m here.”

Latest update at Cheltenham

The going remains SOFT on all courses under the frost covers.

Simon Claisse, Head of Racing, South West Region & Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, said today at 1pm: "There are forecast to be occasional wintry showers tonight. These showers are only expected to amount to one millimetre of rain.

 

"We did not get any rain yesterday or overnight, and there has been none so far today.

"During The Festival itself, we are expecting the odd shower but nothing significant.

"I think The Festival should start with soft going tomorrow, but I am guessing because I won't know until the frost covers are lifted and that process will start as late as possible tomorrow - 10am.

"The lifting of the covers on the Old Course (used for racing on Tuesday and Wednesday) has to be complete by 1.15pm but should be finished before then.

"I will then walk the course to assess the going. The lowest temperature we are forecast tonight and tomorrow morning is minus six degrees Celsius."

SIX TO TAKE ON SPRINTER SACRE IN QUEEN MOTHER

Sprinter Sacre heads a final field of seven for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase following the final declarations for Wednesday's feature race.

Last year's winner Finian's Rainbow will not return to defend his crown but the 2011 winner Sizing Europe has been declared after trainer Henry de Bromhead opted to run his stable star in the two-mile event as opposed to Thursday's Ryanair Chase.

The supplemented Mail De Bievre stands his ground as does Somersby who will be running at his fifth consecutive Cheltenham Festival. The field is made up of the trio of Sanctuaire, Tataniano and Wishfull Thinking,who fell in the race last year.

The final declarations for the remainder of Tuesday's card have also come through and a total of 12 horses have been confirmed for the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle, headed by current favourite My Tent Or Yours. Owner J P McManus is likely to be responsible for the first two in the market after Jezki stood his ground whilst last year's Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Champagne Fever has also been declared. However, the well-fancied Melodic Rendezvous misses the race after scoping badly.

A total of seven horses stand their ground in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase with Simonsig and Overturn set to do battle in one of the most eagerly-anticipated clashes of the week. The Irish-trained pair of Arvika Ligeonnaire and Baily Green have also been confirmed to run whilst the field is completed by His Excellency, Majala and the Lucinda Russell-trained Tap Night.

Quevega will face 18 rivals as she bids to emulate the great Golden Miller in winning at five consecutive Festivals. Willie Mullins' mare has taken the OLBG Mares' Hurdle for the past four years and bookmakers make her odds-on once again to land the spoils. Her main rivals Une Artiste (winner of last year's Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle) and Kentford Grey Lady both line up against her whilst David Pipe has also declared Swing Bowler, a daugher of Cheltenham specialist Lady Cricket.

Enda Bolger has won four renewals of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase and he is responsible for two of the final field of 16 in the shape of Arabella Boy (Nina Carberry) and Freneys Well (Richie McLernon). Last year's winner Balthazar King has not been declared but the 2011 winner Sizing Australia has alongside the 2010 victor A New Story as have the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Uncle Junior (Patrick Mullins) and Shakervilz (Katie Walsh).

The biggest fields of the day unsurprisingly come in the two most competitive handicaps with a maximum field of 24 set to line-up for the JLT Specialty Chase whilst 20, also a maximum, have been declared for the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase. Quartz de Thaix heads the weights for the former with the Colin Tizzard-trained Golden Chieftain the last horse to sneak in the race at the bottom of the handicap. Last year's runner-up Fruity O'Rooney stands his ground as does the ante-post favourite Our Mick but Cantlow is a notable absentee though Paul Webber's gelding does hold other entries later on in the week.

Rajdhani Express carries top-weight in the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase with Tim Vaughan's Saved By John the last horse to get a run in that particular race. Ante-post favourite Colour Squadron stands his ground as does the 2011 Coral Cup winner Carlito Brigante.

Tuesday's Eliminations               

JLT Specialty Chase: Battle Group, De Boitron, Thegreatjohnbrownie, Billie Magern, Mountainous, No Secrets, Ballyoliver, Time For Spring, Pentiffic, Glenquest, Lively Baron, Prophete de Guye, Riguez Dancer, Plein Pouvoir, Bescot Springs.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase: Dashing George, Pentiffic, Gullible Gordon, Shalimar Fromentro, Triggerman, Victrix Gale, Midnight Haze, Paco Jack, Drawn N Drank, Northern Alliance, Doctor Pat, Clear Hills.

Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase: Kingsmere, Rouge Et Blanc, Eastlake, Yurok, Battle Group, Urgence d'Estruval, Kealigolane, Saphir River, Mountainous, Toner d'Oudairies, Ballypatrick, Nobunga, Escort'men, Sustainability, Top Smart, Bennys Mist, Arbeo, Saoirse Dun, Clouded Thoughts, Megastar, Sew On Target, Please Talk, Gores Island.

TUESDAY'S DECLARED RUNNERS

1:30pm William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle (12), 2m 110yds, Grade 1

1 Cause of Causes (USA)  Gordon Elliott, Ireland  11st 7lb  Davy Condon

2 Champagne Fever (IRE)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 7lb  R. Walsh 

3 Cheltenian (FR)  Philip Hobbs  11st 7lb  Richard Johnson 

4 Dodging Bullets  Paul Nicholls  11st 7lb  Daryl Jacob 

5 Fire King (Sheepskin C/P)  Daniel Steele  11st 7lb  Liam Treadwell 

6 Jezki (IRE)  Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland  11st 7lb  Robbie Power 

7 My Tent Or Yours (IRE)  Nicky Henderson  11st 7lb  A. P. McCoy 

8 Ostentation (Hood)  Alastair Lidderdale  11st 7lb  Will Kennedy 

9 Pique Sous (FR) (Tongue Strap)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 7lb  Paul Townend 

10 Puffin Billy (IRE)  Oliver Sherwood  11st 7lb  Leighton Aspell 

11 River Maigue (IRE)  Nicky Henderson  11st 7lb  Barry Geraghty 

12 Un Atout (FR)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 7lb  Davy Russell

2.05pm Racing Post Arkle (7), 2m, Grade 1

1 Arvika Ligeonniere (FR)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 7lb  R. Walsh 

2 Baily Green (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  M. F. Morris, Ireland  11st 7lb  D. J. Casey 

3 His Excellency (IRE) (Blinkers)  David Pipe  11st 7lb  Tom Scudamore 

4 Majala (FR) (Tongue Strap)  Tom George  11st 7lb  Paddy Brennan 

5 Overturn (IRE)  Donald McCain  11st 7lb  Jason Maguire 

6 Simonsig  Nicky Henderson  11st 7lb  Barry Geraghty 

7 Tap Night (USA)  Lucinda Russell  11st 7lb  A. P. McCoy

2:40pm JLT Specialty Handicap Chase (24 - 15 eliminations), 3m 110yds, Grade 3

1 Quartz de Thaix (FR) Venetia Williams 11st 12lb Aidan Coleman

2 Midnight Chase (Tongue Strap) Neil Mulholland 11st 11lb Dougie Costello

3 Planet of Sound (Tongue Strap) Philip Hobbs 11st 9lb Richard Johnson

4 Cloudy Too (IRE) Sue Smith 11st 5lb Wayne Hutchinson

5 The Package (Tongue Strap) David Pipe 11st 5lb Timmy Murphy

6 Hey Big Spender (IRE) (Tongue Strap) Colin Tizzard 11st 4lb Joe Tizzard

7 Our Mick Donald McCain 11st 4lb Jason Maguire

8 Nadiya de La Vega (FR) (Sheepskin C/P) Nicky Henderson 11st 3lb A. P. McCoy

9 Quantitativeeasing (IRE) Nicky Henderson 11st 3lb Barry Geraghty

10 Knockara Beau (IRE) (Tongue Strap) George Charlton 11st 1lb Paddy Brennan

11 Tour des Champs (FR) Nigel Twiston-Davies 10st 12lb Sam Twiston-Davies

12 Merry King (IRE) (Sheepskin C/P) Jonjo O'Neill 10st 12lb Richie McLernon

13 Fruity O'Rooney (Sheepskin C/P) Gary Moore 10st 12lb Jamie Moore

14 Jadanli (IRE) (Sheepskin C/P) Paul John Gilligan, Ireland 10st 11lb A. E. Lynch

15 Tenor Nivernais (FR) (Sheepskin C/P) Venetia Williams 10st 11lb Robert Dunne (3)

16 Pete The Feat (IRE) Charlie Longsdon 10st 10lb Noel Fehily

17 Loch Ba (IRE) Mick Channon 10st 10lb Dominic Elsworth

18 Nuts N Bolts (Tongue Strap) Lucinda Russell 10st 8lb Peter Buchanan

19 Poole Master David Pipe 10st 7lb Tom Scudamore

20 Monkerty Tunkerty Miss Jessica Westwood 10st 7lb Will Kennedy

21 Tullamore Dew (IRE) (Tongue Strap) Nick Gifford 10st 6lb Tom Cannon (3)

22 White Star Line (IRE) D. T. Hughes, Ireland 10st 5lb Bryan J. Cooper

23 Summery Justice (IRE) Venetia Williams 10st 5lb Liam Treadwell

24 Golden Chieftain (IRE) (Tongue Strap, Sheepskin C/P) Colin Tizzard 10st 5lb Brendan Powell (3) 

Eliminated: Battle Group, De Boitron (FR), Thegreatjohnbrowne (IRE), Billie Magern, Mountainous (IRE), No Secrets (IRE), Ballyoliver, Time For Spring (IRE), Pentiffic (NZ), Glenquest (IRE), Lively Baron (IRE), Prophete de Guye (FR), Riguez Dancer, Plein Pouvoir (FR), Bescot Springs (IRE)

3:20pm Stan James Champion Hurdle (9), 2m 110yds, Grade 1

1 Balder Succes (FR) Alan King 11st 10lb Wayne Hutchinson

2 Binocular (FR) Nicky Henderson11st 10lb A. P. McCoy

3 Cinders And Ashes Donald McCain11st 10lb Jason Maguire

4 Countrywide Flame John Quinn 11st 10lb Denis O'Regan

5 Grandouet (FR) Nicky Henderson11st 10lb Barry Geraghty

6 Hurricane Fly (IRE) W. P. Mullins, Ireland11st 10lb R. Walsh

7 Khyber Kim Nicky Henderson 11st 10lb Paddy Brennan

8 Rock On Ruby (IRE) (Blinkers, Tongue Strap) Harry Fry 11st 10lb Noel Fehily

9 Zarkandar (IRE) Paul Nicholls11st 10lb Daryl Jacob

4.00pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase (16 - 12 eliminations), 3m 7f

1 Uncle Junior (IRE) W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 12lb  Mr P. W. Mullins 

2 Outlaw Pete (IRE)  John Halley, Ireland  11st 2lb  Mr Josh Halley (7) 

3  Bostons Angel (IRE)  Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland  11st 0lb  Robbie Power 

4 Sizing Australia (IRE) (Sheepskin C/P)  Henry de Bromhead, Ireland  10st 11lb  A. E. Lynch

5 Arabella Boy (IRE)  Enda Bolger, Ireland  10st 9lb  Miss N. Carberry 

6  Passato (GER) (Tongue Strap, Sheepskin C/P)  Jo Davis  10st 7lb  Timmy Murphy 

7 Saddlers Storm (IRE)  A. J. Martin, Ireland  10st 6lb  Paul Carberry 

8 Big Shu (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Peter Maher, Ireland  10st 5lb  B. M. Cash 

9 A New Story (IRE)  M. Hourigan, Ireland  10st 4lb  A. P. Heskin (3) 

10 Any Currency (IRE) (Eyeshields, Tongue Strap)  Martin Keighley  10st 2lb  Ian Popham (3) 

11 Freneys Well (Sheepskin C/P)  Enda Bolger, Ireland  10st 1lb  Richie McLernon 

12 Shakervilz (FR) (Sheepskin C/P)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  10st 0lb  Ms K. Walsh 

13 Leac An Scail (IRE)  Joanne Foste r  10st 0lb  Samantha Drake (7) 

14 Sacree Tiepy (FR) (Tongue Strap)  Emmanuel Clayeux, France  10st 0lb  James Reveley 

15 Wedger Pardy (IRE) (Blinkers)  Kim Bailey  10st 0lb  Miss J. Coward (7) 

16 Double Dizzy (Tongue Strap)  Bob Buckler  10st 0lb  Andrew Glassonbury

Eliminated: Dashing George (IRE), Pentiffic (NZ), Gullible Gordon (IRE), Shalimar Fromentro (FR), Triggerman, Victrix Gale (IRE), Midnight Haze, Paco Jack (IRE), Drawn N Drank (IRE), Northern Alliance (IRE), Doctor Pat (IRE), Clear Hills (IRE)

                                                                                   

4.40pm OLBG Mares' Hurdle (19), 2m 4f, Grade 2

1 Alasi  Paul Webber  11st 5lb  Dominic Elsworth 

2 Kauto Shiny (FR)  Tom George  11st 5lb  Paddy Brennan 

3 Mae's Choice (IRE)  Gordon Elliott, Ireland  11st 5lb  Paul Carberry 

4 Quevega (FR)  W. P. Mullins, Ireland  11st 5lb  R. Walsh 

5 Shadow Eile (IRE)  Mrs D. A. Love, Ireland  11st 5lb  Andrew J. McNamara 

6 She Ranks Me (IRE) (Sheepskin C/P)  Donald McCain  11st 5lb  Jason Maguire 

7 Sirene d'Ainay (FR) (Tongue Strap)  Emmanuel Clayeux, France  11st 5lb  Jonathan Plouganou 

8 Une Artiste (FR)  Nicky Henderson  11st 5lb  Barry Geraghty 

9 Cloudy Spirit  Reg Hollinshead  11st 0lb  

10 Epee Celeste (FR)  Michael Chapman  11st 0lb  Gerard Galligan 

11  Kaffie  Kim Bailey  11st 0lb  Sam Twiston-Davies 

12 Kentford Grey Lady  Emma Lavelle  11st 0lb  Noel Fehily 

13 Lady Kathleen  Paul Webber  11st 0lb  Denis O'Regan 

14 Miss Milborne  Jamie Snowden  11st 0lb  Harry Skelton 

15  Prima Porta  Evan Williams  11st 0lb  Paul Moloney 

16 Shop Dj (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Peter Fahey, Ireland  11st 0lb  A. P. Crowe 

17 Stone Light (FR)  Venetia Williams  11st 0lb  Aidan Coleman 

18 Swincombe Flame (Tongue Strap)  Nick Williams  11st 0lb  Daryl Jacob 

19 Swing Bowler  David Pipe  11st 0lb  Timmy Murphy

5.15pm Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase (20 - 23 eliminations), 2m 4f 110yds, Listed Race

1 Rajdhani Express  Nicky Henderson  11st 12lb  Mr S. Waley-Cohen (5) 

2 Kruzhlinin (GER)  Donald McCain  11st 12lb  Jason Maguire 

3 Colour Squadron (IRE)  Philip Hobbs  11st 11lb  A. P. McCoy 

4 Klepht (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Thomas Mullins, Ireland  11st 11lb  Paul Townend 

5 Ackertac (IRE) (Blinkers)  Nigel Twiston-Davies  11st 9lb  Sam Twiston-Davies 

6 Vulcanite (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Charlie Longsdon  11st 9lb  Richard Johnson 

7 Carlito Brigante (IRE) (Tongue Strap, Sheepskin C/P)  Gordon Elliott, Ireland  11st 9lb  Davy Russell 

8 Shangani (USA)  Venetia Williams  11st 9lb  Aidan Coleman 

9 Fourjacks  Tim Easterby  11st 7lb  Brian Harding 

10 The Druids Nephew (IRE)  Andy Turnell  11st 7lb  Tom Scudamore 

11 Forgotten Gold (IRE)  Tom George  11st 7lb  

12 Bobowen (IRE)  Dr Richard Newland  11st 7lb  Nick Scholfield 

13 Ohio Gold (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Colin Tizzard  11st 6lb  Joe Tizzard 

14 Restless Harry (Blinkers)  Robin Dickin  11st 6lb  Henry Oliver 

15 Howard's Legacy (IRE)  Venetia Williams  11st 6lb (5lb ex)  Liam Treadwell 

16 Johns Spirit (IRE)  Jonjo O'Neill  11st 5lb  Richie McLernon 

17 Hazy Tom (IRE)  Charlie Longsdon  11st 5lb  Noel Fehily 

18 Nataani (IRE) (Blinkers, Tongue Strap)  Jo Davis  11st 5lb  Timmy Murphy 

19  Arthur's Pass  Tom George  11st 5lb (5lb ex)  Paddy Brennan 

20 Saved By John (IRE) (Tongue Strap)  Tim Vaughan  11st 4lb  Michael Byrne (3)

Eliminated: Kingsmere, Rouge Et Blanc (FR), Eastlake (IRE), Yurok (IRE), Battle Group, Urgence d'Estruval (FR), Kealigolane (IRE), Saphir River (FR), Mountainous (IRE), Toner d'Oudairies (FR), Ballypatrick (IRE), Nobunaga, Escort'men (FR), Sustainability (IRE), Top Smart, Bennys Mist (IRE), Arbeo (IRE), Saoirse Dun (IRE), Clouded Thoughts (IRE), Megastar, Sew On Target (IRE)

DECLARED RUNNERS FOR WEDNESDAY'S SPORTINGBET QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

1) Mail de Bievre (FR) Tom George 8-11-10 Paddy Brennan

                                               

2) Sanctuaire (FR) Paul Nicholls 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh

3) Sizing Europe (IRE) Henry de Bromhead, Ireland 11-11-10 Andrew Lynch

4) Somersby (IRE) (Sheepskin C/P) Mick Channon 9-11-10 Dominic Elsworth

5) Sprinter Sacre (FR) Nicky Henderson 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty

6) Tataniano (FR) Richard Rowe 9-11-10 Andrew Thornton

7) Wishfull Thinking (Tongue Strap) Philip Hobbs 10-11-10 Richard Johnson

SPRINTER'S TASK JUST GOT HARDER AS EUROPE LINES UP

Sprinter Sacre's bid to extend his unbeaten run in Wednesday's Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase has been made more challenging by the declaration of perennial Irish raider Sizing Europe.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained 11-year-old has been in sparkling form this season and has a fine Cheltenham Festival record, having won the Racing Post Arkle Trophy in 2010 and the Queen Mum in 2011. He was also second in the race last year.

A bid for Thursday's Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs was an option for the Sizing Europe team, but De Bromhead and owners Ann and Alan Potts have plumped for the shorter race. Yet following news of Sizing Europe's target the race sponsors reacted by easing him from 5/1 to 11/2.

At Cheltenham this morning, after exercising his Festival runners in the centre of the course, De Bromhead said: "We made a decision late last night [Sunday]. The horses travelled over yesterday and they all seem fine.

"Sizing Europe has been out, stretched his legs and had a peck of grass and seems very happy with life. The ground is fine - soft is ideal."

De Bromhead has also declared Sizing Australia for tomorrow's Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase, on Wednesday he plans to run Sizing Gold in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, while on Thursday he hopes to be represented by Berties Dream in the Pertemps Final.

                                                           

ACE BUYER KEEPS MULLINS' TEAM ON THE FESTIVAL MAP

Behind every great racehorse trainer there's a five-star scout, or in the case of trainer Willie Mullins two scouts in the shape of Harold Kirk and Pierre Boulard.

The pair act as Mullins' eyes and ears away from the racecourse, seeking out the raw material that keeps Ireland's champion trainer at the head of his profession, representing him at sales and bidding for horses either privately or at public auction. The results have been spectacular, as a list of Mullins' runners at this week's Cheltenhan Festival verify.

Arriving at Cheltenham the day before this year's Festival kicks off, Kirk, from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, was asked to name some of this week's runners with which he has been associated, and he said: "Sticking to the key horses they would include Hurricane Fly, Ballycasey, Pont Alexandre, Champagne Fever and Pique Sous. If we could have just the one winner I would have to ask for Hurricane Fly [in the Stan James Champion Hurdle]. He wasn't 100% last year, so I would love to see him regain the championship and put to bed all the doubters.

"Pont Alexandre [Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle] and Ballycasey [Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle] are very exciting, but they are prospective chasers with many big days ahead."

On a bitterly cold morning at Cheltenham Kirk was in situ early, and said: "I've been a regular at the Festival for 10 years, but I've been working with Willie for at least 25. He's successful because he works hard, is dedicated, calm in a crisis and he gives everyone around him confidence. He also has good staff."

Mullins' strike rate with bumper horses is an indication of Kirk and Boulard's eye for talent, but it seems the best of this year's crop may not be at the Festival for Wednesday's Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Kirk said: "A couple of very good horses have picked up minor injuries, but I expect there will be three runners from the yard. Patrick [Mullins, Willie's son] will ride Union Dues, Andrew Lynch will be on Sizing Tennessee, and Ruby [Walsh] will be on Briar Hill. Patrick will also ride Back In Focus in the [John Oaksey] National Hunt Chase - he's a very good horse."

While a market remains for 'store' horses - unbroken youngsters who are stored at grass until ready to begin training - and breeze-up horses who are unraced but broken in and show their paces before going through a sales ring, the biggest prices are currently being paid for horses that have proved some ability with one or two runs in a point-to-point, bumper or maiden hurdle. They must also have pedigree and physical substance.

Kirk said: "Willie started off buying and making store horses, but most of the bigger owners now want a ready-made horse. There's a snowball effect, because those horses have been successful - the more winners a trainer has the more owners they attract, the more owners they attract the more horses they train.

"Willie never rests on his laurels. He's always planning at least a year ahead. He doesn't panic when things go wrong, but nor does he wrap good horses in cotton wool. There's pressure this week, but it's good pressure."

GROUND CONCERNS FOR ELLIOTT

Gordon Elliott, who currently lies third in the Irish National Hunt trainers' championship, has 13 possible starters at The Festival this year with Carlito Brigante, who won here two years ago in the Grade Three Coral Cup and Cause Of Causes, a declared runner for tomorrow's Grade One William Hill Supreme Novices Hurdle, appearing to be his two best chances.

Elliott said: "I only got in last night and I am just about to go out and walk the course. The ground would be a worry for my horses - the more it dries out the better.

"I am looking forward to this year with Carlito Brigante - he is declared for the Listed Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase tomorrow."

Elliott had two winners at The Festival in 2011 and holds a good record at Cheltenham, with a 12% strike rate at the course overall.

The trainer continued: "My best result here would be two years ago with Carlito Brigante (Coral Cup) and Chicago Grey (who won the National Hunt Chase in 2011 and is entered in this year's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree).

"I am not sure about the handicaps yet, I only have Romanesco in the Kim Muir and Nina (Carberry) is going to ride him. Bonisland is entered in several but I don't think he is going to get in, as to the others we will see later today."

CHELTENHAM IN NUMBERS (1)

£3,805,000

Record prize money on offer for 27 races over four days.

£600,000,000

Estimated amount that will be wagered during the week.

£400,000

Record prize money for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, the opening day's richest prize.

£7 million

Estimated gate receipts for the week

£1.5 million

Withdrawn from cashpoints at the course in 2012

220,000

Pints of Guinness that will be drunk

2,072

Record number of original entries for this year's Festival.

650

Helicopter landings at the course during the meeting

 27

Number of races over four days

12

Number of Grade One contests at the meeting.

9

The number of winning favourites from 27 races at last year's Festival: Quevega, Sprinter Sacre, Hunt Ball, Teaforthree, Simonsig, Riverside Theatre, Bug Buck's, Salut Flo and Sunnyhill Boy.

13

The record number of Irish-trained winners, in 2011.

CHELTENHAM IN NUMBERS (2)

1

Number of horses to have regained the Champion Hurdle, Comedy of Errors in 1975. Binocular and Hurricane Fly will bid to emulate him tomorrow.

12

Number of horses to have won consecutive Champion Hurdles. Rock On Ruby will try to join them tomorrow.

46

Record number of winners for Nicky Henderson

28

Years since Nicky Henderson's first Festival winner, See You Then in the 1985 Champion Hurdle

20

The number of different races Nicky Henderson has won.

9

Number of times Nicky Henderson has been the meeting's leading or joint-leading trainer.

7

Record number of winners for Nicky Henderson last year.

32

Number of winners for Paul Nicholls at the Festival

14

Years since Paul Nicholls' first festival winner, Flagship Uberalles in the 1999 Arkle Trophy.

14

The number of different races Paul Nicholls has won.                       

6

Number of times Ruby Walsh has been Cheltenham champion in 9 years

5

Record for a sequence of victories in a Festival race, Golden Miller in the Gold Cup from 1932-1936. Quevega will bid to match it tomorrow in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

 

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

MY TENT OR YOURS (William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

Was cleverly named as the result of a newspaper competition. He is by Desert Prince out of Spartan Girl.

                       

RIVER MAIGUE (William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

The 'river of the plain' rises in the Ballyhoura Mountains in Co Cork and flows north through Croom and Adare in Co Limerick to join the Shannon estuary. Known for its trout fishing.

PIQUE SOUS (William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

French for 'penny pincher'.

                       

UN ATOUT (William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

French for 'a trump'.

SIMONSIG (Racing Post Arkle Chase)

Wine estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine region, named for its views of the majestic Simonsberg mountains. Founded in 1964 by the Malan family, of French Hugenot origin three centuries ago.

PLANET OF SOUND (JLT Specialty Chase)

Name of a track on the album Trompe Le Monde, by the US alternative rock band The Pixies.

WHITE STAR LINE (JLT Specialty Chase)

British shipping line, grimly best remembered for its flagship Titanic, which sank in April 1912. The company merged with its chief rival Cunard in 1934.

CINDERS AND ASHES (Champion Hurdle)

Exclamation of alarm or excitement often used by Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends in the Railway Series books by the Reverend  W V Awdry.

UNCLE JUNIOR (Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase)

Character in the gangster TV series The Sopranos, the dementia-suffering uncle of eponymous mob boss Tony. Played by Dominic Chianese.

FRENEYS WELL (Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase)

Captain James Freney was an 18^th century  highwayman from Co Kilkenny who eventually won a pardon for grassing on his criminal associates. His eponymous well is near Graignamanagh.

SIZING AUSTRALIA (Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase)

A company name, one division of his owner's global mining empire. A sizing machine reduces ore-bearing rock to manageable pieces.

LEAC AN SCIAL (Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase)

Irish for 'stone in the shadow'.

CARLITO BRIGANTE (Rewards4Racing Chase)

Main character in the 1993 film Carlito's Way, about a Puerto Rican drug baron trying to reform after a spell in prison.

WHAT MAKES OVERTURN SPECIAL?

Overturn, with his versatility, durability and trademark zest for racing, has become a public favourite. He is a well-fancied second favourite to live up to his name against the odds-on shot Simonsig in tomorrow's Racing Post Arkle Trophy. The gelding's trainer Donald McCain, who  has described him as "a magic horse", has loved him from the first moment he saw him.

"I first saw him on the Flat at Salisbury when he beat one of my owners' runners into second place after rallying and getting back into the lead inside the final furlong. I thought he showed the most fantastic tough attitude and I noticed soon afterwards that he was entered in Doncaster Sales. We bought him there for £75,000.

"The first two or three times we ran him he was actually disappointing after our hopes about what we thought he could do. He got beat off a mark of 95 at Doncaster and I know I was making a terrible bad job of him for whatever reason. But we tidied his wind up and changed the way we rode him and it was like somebody had flicked a switch. He became a different animal.

"He first made me proud when he won the Galway Hurdle. People said firstly, English-trained horses didn't go over there and win big Irish handicaps and secondly, horses didn't carry the massive top-weight he had to victory and thirdly, he couldn't make all the running and win. And he did all three.

"Enthusiastic is the first word I'd use to describe him. Every single day he comes out of his box wanting to get on with life and his job, and he just makes you smile. The only time I've seen him shattered was after the Champion Hurdle last year, but he came out the next morning wanting to go again.

"At the races, he's just glad to be there. He can't get enough of his job. He has been on the go since he was a yearling and we keep expecting him to cry enough at some point, but he just thrives on it all.

"He has such a step to him he almost goose-steps to the gallops. He knows what he wants to do and goes out every day and does it, then spends the afternoon in one of the pens relaxing. He's so energetic in his work he's happy to just let himself switch off and gaze into the distance.

"After what he'd done for us on the Flat and over hurdles the thought of asking him to jump fences was quite frightening and we did quite a lot of soul-searching, almost looking for reasons not to. If he had made one mistake at home we wouldn't have gone on with it. But the first day he schooled he did at home what he does at the track. He was just brilliant."

Nine-year-old Overturn (born 22-4-2004) has run 40 times, ridden by 14 different jockeys, for 14 wins, 16 places and earnings of £701,170.

He is ridden and looked after at home at Bankhouse Stables in Cheshire by Steve "Rooney" Fowles.

He is the first horse to win the two top races run at Newcastle, on the Flat the

Northumberland Plate in June 2010 and over hurdles the Fighting Fifth in November 2011.

He and jockey Jason Maguire carried the Olympic torch through Chester in May last year before lighting the flame at the racecourse in front of a crowd of 25,000.

Overturn, by high-class Flat sire Barathea, was foaled in Ireland, but his family background is British. He is out of the Kris mare Kristal Bridge, bred by Peter Harris - who gave up his bloodstock interests two years ago after nearly 40 years' involvement as owner, breeder and trainer - at Pendley Farm in Hertfordshire. Kristal Bridge is out of one of Harris's foundation mares, Connaught Bridge, who was acquired as a three-year-old in 1979 after she had won the Yorkshire Oaks and Nassau Stakes, both now Group One contests, and before she beat Oaks runner-up Bonnie Isle at Kempton. She became dam of seven winners, including Dorothea Brooke, herself dam of the two high-class juveniles Primo Valentino (Middle Park Stakes) and Dora Carrington (Cherry Hinton Stakes).

WILLIAM HILL TO PAY OUT ON FIRST FIVE IN SUPREME NOVICES'

 

Despite one of the smallest fields for decades (12 runners) set to line-up in tomorrow's William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle, sponsors William Hill will still continue with their offer of 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5 in the opening race of the Festival.

Long-time favourite My Tent or Yours heads the betting at 15/8 favourite, ahead of Irish raider Jezki (9/2), and Paul Nicholls' Dodging Bullets (8/1). The sponsors report good money for Champagne Fever, who has been cut to 6/1 (from 9/1) following the declarations this morning.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ''We're as excited for the first race as every punter in the land, so we're happy to commit to our each-way offer of first five places and continue this through to the start of the race. William Hill punters can get a payout for almost 50% of the field in the opening race - surely there's no better way to start Cheltenham?''

William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle - sponsors bet: 15/8 My Tent Or Yours; 9/2 Jezki, 6 (from 9) Champagne Fever,Un Atout; 8 Dodging Bullets; 11 (from 14) Puffin Billy; 14 River Maigue; 20 Cheltenian, Pique Sous; 25 Cause Of Causes, 100 Fire King; 200 Ostentation

1/4 1,2,3,4,5

SPRINTER SACRE RED-HOT FAVOURITE WITH QUEEN MOTHER SPONSORS

Sprinter Sacre is the 2/7 favourite with Queen Mother Champion Chase sponsors Sportingbet following the final declarations for the race in which seven horses will go to post. Sizing Europe is next in the market at 11/2 with the supplemented Mail De Bievre a 14/1 shot.

"Punters have found it impossible to take on Sprinter Sacre in the ante-post market but the decision to run Sizing Europe means that he will have at least one market rival who could give him something to think about," said Sportingbet spokesman Russ Wiseman.

Wishfull Thinking is next in the market at 22/1 and it's 25/1 bar that quartet.

Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase - sponsors bet: 2/7 Sprinter Sacre; 11/2 Sizing Europe; 14 Mail De Bievre; 22 Wishfull Thinking; 25 Sanctuaire; 28 Somersby; 100 Tataniano.

1/4 1-2                                           

               

SPONSORS EXPECT SUPPORT FOR FLY'S CHAMPION RIVALS

Hurricane Fly is currently the 2/1 favourite Stan James for tomorrow's Champion Hurdle but the sponsors expect plenty of support for his rivals ahead of the big race.

Zarkandar is second in the market at 4/1 with last year's winner Rock On Ruby just behind him at 9/2. Grandouet is a 15/2 shot with 2010 winner Binocular currently priced up at 9/1.

"Hurricane Fly hasn't been hugely popular with the punters of late although the softening ground should aid his cause," said Stan James spokesman Rory Jiwani.

"Zarkandar should relish the conditions and we expect plenty of support for Paul Nicholls' runner at 4/1."

                                               

Stan James Champion Hurdle - sponsors bet: 2 Hurricane Fly; 4 Zarkandar; 9/2 Rock On Ruby; 15/2 Grandouet; 9 Binocular; 14 Cinders And Ashes; 16 Countrywide Flame; 40 Khyber Kim; 66 Balder Succes.

1/4 1-2-3