Alvarado is likely to return to Cheltenham for the
£45,000 Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase over three miles, one
and a half furlongs on the first day of The International, Friday, December 13.
The
eight-year-old bounced right back to his best at The Open with a comfortable
two-length success in the Grade Three Murphy Group Handicap Chase over just
short of three and a half miles on November 16.
Fergal
O'Brien's charge had previously run encouragingly on his seasonal reappearance
at Chepstow in October, staying on well to finish fifth in a competitive
three-mile handicap chase.
O'Brien
reported today: "I think something like the Majordomo Hospitality Handicap
Chase will be on Alvarado's agenda now. We have not entered him for the Becher
Chase or Welsh National because the owners were not keen to go there, so I'm
sure Cheltenham will be on the radar.
"He
has come out of Saturday really well and I could not be happier with him. He
went for a walk yesterday and did a couple of canters today and is very well in
himself.
"He
is a quirky little horse and has the ability to win over shorter trips, but the
trip was fine for him on Saturday and he really showed his speed from the back
of the last. We knew he would act around the track and I thought it was a great
performance.
"The
key to him is keeping his mind right because he is a very talented horse. He
loves being turned out in the field, so we have been doing that a lot.
"We
got him from Evan Williams just before the start of last season, but we had him
in much earlier this year and his last three runs have been very
consistent."
The
highlight of the two-day meeting is the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com
International Hurdle. The two mile, one furlong contest is likely to feature The
New One, trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies, who is the 4/1 ante-post
favourite with the sponsor for the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle at The
Festival in March.
Entries
for the £100,000 Grade Three December Gold Cup close next Tuesday, November 26,
and will be released on Wednesday, November 27.
About
The International
The
International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 13 and Saturday,
December 14, offering more than £520,000 in prize money over the two days.
The
three key races are the Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading trial
for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, the Grade Three December Gold Cup and the
Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase.
The
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over
Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup
Challenge.
About
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham
Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town
of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for
the world's pre-eminent Jump Racing meeting, The Festival, which takes place in
March every year. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds,
Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural amphitheatre and offers the
highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.
Cheltenham
Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British
racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the
sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover
(2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom
Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012:
£35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group
and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in
Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education
provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed
by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British
racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
First
Day - Friday, December 13, 2013
12.30
Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase 2m
5f £20,000
1.05
Caspian Caviar Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase 0-125 2m 5f
£12,000
*1.40
CF Roberts Electrical + Mechanical Services Handicap Hurdle 0-135 2m 1f £12,000
*2.10
Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1½f £45,000
*2.40
Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m 7f £35,000
*3.15
CITIPOST Handicap Hurdle 3m £22,000
3.45
British Stallion Studs Pyments Quantity Surveyors E.B.F. Novices' Hurdle
2m 1f £12,000
Second
Day - Saturday, December 14, 2013
12.10
JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m 1f £20,000
12.40
Ryman Stationery Novices' Chase 3m 1½f £20,000
1.15
Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase 2m ½f £30,000
*1.50
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m £30,000
*2-25
December Gold Cup (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 5f
£100,000
*3-00
StanJames.com International (Grade 2) 2m 1f £130,000
*3-35
Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4½f £40,000
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