Sprinter Sacre, the highest-rated Jump horse in
training, headlines 26 entries for the £350,000 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion
Chase, the Grade One highlight on the second day of The Festival, Ladies' Day,
Wednesday, March 12.
Nicky
Henderson's charge is the 4/7 favourite with sponsor BetVictor to become the
12th dual winner of the two-mile chasing championship following a faultless
19-length demolition of Sizing Europe in last season's renewal. Sprinter
Sacre went on to complete a memorable Grade One spring Festival hat-trick with
victories in Aintree's Melling Chase and Punchestown's equivalent of the
Champion Chase, but this season has not gone to plan.
The
eight-year-old missed his intended reappearance in the BetVictor Tingle Creek
Chase at Sandown Park on December 7 due to an unsatisfactory tracheal wash and
was pulled up at halfway in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on December
27. Post-race tests revealed he had an irregular heartbeat, but subsequent
analysis indicated the problem had corrected itself.
With
Sprinter Sacre absent or below par, last season's Grade Two Celebration Chase
scorer Sire De Grugy (3/1) has established himself as a leading two-mile
chaser with three victories from four starts this term. Gary Moore's
eight-year-old stable star made light work of his rivals under top-weight at
Chepstow in October and, after failing to concede 10lb to Kid Cassidy in
the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November, has come home the decisive winner
of both the Grade One BetVictor Tingle Creek Chase and the Grade Two Desert
Orchid Chase.
Other
notable British-trained contenders include four-time Grade One victor Captain
Conan (12/1), also trained by Henderson, unbeaten novice Dodging Bullets,
from Paul Nicholls' Somerset stables, and Grade Two BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup
scorer, the Mick Channon-trained Somersby (14/1).
Henry
de Bromhead is responsible for two of the nine Irish-trained entries, headed by
2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe, who has only
finished out of the first two once in five starts at The Festival.
The
12-year-old also captured the 2010 Racing Post Arkle Chase and has filled the
runner-up spot in the last two renewals of the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion
Chase. He made a successful reappearance at Gowran Park in October, but proved
no match for Roi Du Mee when second in the three-mile Champion Chase at Down
Royal in November or when fourth to Benefficient (10/1) after being
dropped back sharply in trip at Leopardstown on December 27.
De
Bromhead reported: "Hopefully, Sizing Europe will run in either the
BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase. They are
provisional entries and we are not leaning either way at this stage.
"He
has been fine since his run at Leopardstown. He was a little disappointing and
didn't really attack his fences as he normally does, but there were various
reasons with the ground being the main one. He will go straight to Cheltenham
now and hopefully he can bounce back."
Sizing
Europe is joined among the entries by his improving stable companion Special
Tiara, who sprung a surprise when beating Overturn in the Grade One Maghull
Novices' Chase at Aintree in April. The lightly-raced seven-year-old unseated
Bryan Cooper on his seasonal return at Naas in October, but bounced back with
an encouraging third to Kid Cassidy and Sire De Grugy in the Shloer Chase at
The Open.
De
Bromhead added: "The BetVictor Champion Chase is a race we are very much
looking at for Special Tiara. We were delighted with his run at Cheltenham
where the ground there was still a little bit soft for him.
"He
has been in great form since then and we were going to run him at Christmas,
but the ground went against him everywhere, so we decided to wait.
"He's
in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot next Saturday (January 18) and he might go
there depending on ground or otherwise he will run in the Tied Cottage Chase at
Punchestown at the beginning of February."
The
Irish contingent also features the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Arvika
Ligeonniere (14/1) and Twinlight (14/1), last season's Racing Post
Arkle Chase runner-up Baily Green, dual Festival scorer Alderwood
and Paddy Power Gold Cup third Hidden Cyclone (12/1).
BetVictor
Queen Mother Champion Chase - BetVictor bet: 4/7 Sprinter Sacre, 3/1
Sire De Grugy, 10/1 Benefficient, 12/1 Captain Conan, Hidden Cyclone, 14/1
Arvika Ligeonniere, Twinlight, Somersby, 20s bar. ¼ the odds 1-2-3. BetVictor
is offering non-runner, free bet on the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Charlie
McCann of BetVictor commented: "We are delighted with the quality and
quantity of entries for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase and look
forward to watching Sprinter Sacre defend his crown in March following the
upbeat veterinary bulletin last week.
"There
is a strong Irish entry with former winner Sizing Europe, last year's Jewson
Novices' Chase winner Benefficient and the unexposed Twinlight of particular
interest and Paul Nicholls, who has saddled the winner of the race on four
previous occasions, has entered four including exciting novices Dodging Bullets
and Hinterland."
Timeform
Ratings for the Champion Chase (weight-adjusted)
203p
SPRINTER SACRE
178 AL
FEROF
177+
SIRE DE GRUGY
176
ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE
173
RIVERSIDE THEATRE
171+
BENEFFICIENT
171
SOMERSBY
170
HIDDEN CYCLONE
167+
CAPTAIN CONAN
167
OISEAU DE NUIT
43 entries for Ryanair Chase
Cue
Card features among 43 entries for the £275,000 Ryanair Chase, the
chasing highlight over two miles and five furlongs on day three of The
Festival, St Patrick's Thursday, March 13.
The
eight-year-old sauntered to the widest-margin success seen in the history of
the race when beating First Lieutenant by nine lengths in last year's
renewal, but trainer Colin Tizzard is now harbouring Betfred Cheltenham Gold
Cup ambitions following a decisive four and a half-length success in the
Betfair Chase and a close second in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on
Boxing Day.
Also
engaged are Menorah and Al Ferof, winners of the Sky Bet Supreme
Novices' Hurdle in 2010 and 2011 respectively, as well as 2012 Ryanair Chase
hero Riverside Theatre.
A
record 20 Irish-trained entries include the Tony Martin-trained Benefficient,
who belied his odds of 20/1 to win last season's JLT Novices' Chase over two
and a half miles by three and a half lengths from Dynaste. The
eight-year-old disappointed in the three mile, one furlong Charlie Hall Chase
at Wetherby in November, but bounced back to his best when getting the better
of Hidden Cyclone and Arvika Ligeonniere in the Dial-A-Bet Chase
over two miles and a furlong at Leopardstown just after Christmas.
Martin
reported: "We have entered Benefficient in both the Ryanair Chase and
BetVictor Champion Chase. We will just see how he is and what the ground is
looking like nearer the time before making a decision.
"Everything
seems OK after Leopardstown and it was a good performance. It looked a strong
race beforehand, but he always seems to run well around Leopardstown and I
thought he was in really good form going there.
"He
had probably done a bit too much before he ran at Wetherby and, in hindsight,
it was a mistake to send him there.
"We
will see how Benefficient is later in the month before deciding whether or not
he will run before The Festival."
Timeform
Ratings for the Ryanair Chase (weight-adjusted)
191 CUE
CARD
182
DYNASTE
181
FIRST LIEUTENANT
180
MENORAH
178 AL
FEROF
176
ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE
176?
MEDERMIT
173
CHAMPION COURT
173
RIVERSIDE THEATRE
About
The Festival
The
Festival runs from Tuesday, March 11 to Friday, March 14 inclusive and is the
embodiment of everything that is great about Cheltenham. It is four days of
atmosphere, anticipation and action, played out on a beautiful sporting arena
that has no equal. The Festival features the best and the bravest horses and
jockeys, nervous and excited trainers and owners, and a wide cast of human
characters who come together every year determined to have the time of their
lives. For racing's practitioners, Festival glory provides lifelong memories
that will never fade and defines careers. Witness the sheer elation of winning
connections as they return to the cheers of the crowd and you are seeing dreams
fulfilled and years of planning and effort coming to fruition. The Festival is
one of those rare events that engages everyone who comes into contact with it,
never failing to produce award-winning drama, enjoyment, camaraderie and
sporting excellence in a cocktail for which no hangover cure is required. It
truly is a life affirming four days.
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 has been voted
Britain's Racecourse of the Year for the last 10 years by members of the
Racegoers Club. Please find more details at www.cheltenham.co.uk and
through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces) and Facebookwww.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing
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
The BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
Class 1, Grade 1, 2m, £350,000 Total Prize
Fund. Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
For 5yo+ which are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of
Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account
of races run up to and including March 5 - horses which are not qualified for a
rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered & such
horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's
racecourse performances up to and including March 5 would merit a minimum
rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final).
Weights: 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7, entries
revealed January 9 (26 entries), scratchings' deadline February 11,
£17,500 supplementary entry & six-day confirmation stage March 6. Final
48-hour declaration stage, 10am, March 10. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys
and are correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, January 7.
Form Horse Age
Owner Trainer
343/1-13 AL FEROF (FR) 9 John
Hales Paul Nicholls
1213P-4 ALDERWOOD (IRE) 10 J P
McManus Tom Mullins IRE
FP1-113 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE (FR) 9
Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
452033 ASTRACAD (FR) 8
Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
32P4-25 BAILY GREEN (IRE) 8 Adam
Scott Mouse Morris IRE
411P-41 BENEFFICIENT (IRE) 8 A
Shiels/Niall Reilly Tony Martin IRE
11151-3 CAPTAIN CONAN (FR) 7
Triermore Stud Nicky Henderson
300-111 DODGING BULLETS 6
Martin Broughton & Friends Paul Nicholls
4205-22 FRENCH OPERA 11
Judy Wilson & Martin Landau Nicky Henderson
6F-2132 HIDDEN CYCLONE (IRE) 9 Mrs
A F Mee & David Mee John Hanlon IRE
222(2)-11 HINTERLAND (FR) 6
Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
1P0P-55 KAUTO STONE (FR) 8 Robin
Geffen Paul Nicholls
4520-10 KID CASSIDY (IRE) 8 J P
McManus Nicky Henderson
F114-24 MODULE (FR) 7 Simon
Clarke Tom George
14-5442 OISEAU DE NUIT (FR) 12
Terry Warner Colin Tizzard
32-0411 OSCAR HILL (IRE) 8 K
W Bradley David Bridgwater
511-343 SAVELLO (IRE) 8
Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
11-1211 SIRE DE GRUGY (FR) 8 The
Preston Family & Friends Ltd Gary Moore
122-124 SIZING EUROPE (IRE) 12 Ann
& Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
2/34U-12 SOMERSBY (IRE) 10
Camilla Radford Mick Channon
2513-U3 SPECIAL TIARA 7 Mrs S
Rowley-Williams Henry de Bromhead IRE
11111-P SPRINTER SACRE (FR) 8
Caroline Mould Nicky Henderson
05F-504 TATANIANO (FR) 10 The
Stewart Family Richard Rowe
1241-11 TWINLIGHT (FR) 7 M L
Bloodstock Ltd Willie Mullins IRE
224121- UPEPITO (FR) 6 Andrew
Brooks Venetia Williams
133-662 WISHFULL THINKING 11 Diana
Whateley Philip Hobbs
26 entries
9 Irish-trained
The Ryanair Chase
Class 1, Grade 1, 2m 5f, £275,000 Total
Prize Fund. Cheltenham, Thursday, March 13, 2014. For 5yo+ which are allotted
a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of
the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including
March 6 - horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland
or France may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the
Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and
including March 6 would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA
Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 5yo 11st 9lb; 6yo+ 11st 10lb.
Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7, entries revealed January 9 (43
entries), scratchings deadline February 11, £13,750 supplementary entry stage and
six-day confirmation stage March 7. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am,
March 11. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and
including the racing of Tuesday, January 7.
Form Horse Age
Owner Trainer
343/1-13 AL FEROF (FR) 9 John
Hales Paul Nicholls
1213P-4 ALDERWOOD (IRE) 10 J P
McManus Tom Mullins IRE
FP1-113 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE (FR) 9 Susannah
Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
32P4-25 BAILY GREEN (IRE) 8 Adam
Scott Mouse Morris IRE
411P-41 BENEFFICIENT (IRE) 8 A Shiels/Niall
Reilly Tony Martin IRE
2/11FF-1 BOSTON BOB (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham
Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
110-012 CANTLOW (IRE) 9 J P
McManus Paul Webber
11151-3 CAPTAIN CONAN (FR) 7 Triermore
Stud Nicky Henderson
251-02U CHAMPION COURT (IRE) 9 Mark Boothright
Martin Keighley
103-101 CLOUDY TOO (IRE) 8 Formulated
Polymer Products Ltd Sue Smith
112-312 CUE CARD 8 Jean
Bishop Colin Tizzard
4123-23 DAYS HOTEL (IRE) 9 James
Treacy Henry de Bromhead IRE
1121-25 DYNASTE (FR) 8 John
White David Pipe
F25-615 FAGO (FR) 6 Andrea &
Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
213-342 FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown
House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
6F-2132 HIDDEN CYCLONE (IRE) 9 Mrs A F Mee
& David Mee John Hanlon IRE
P23413- HUNT BALL (IRE) 9 Atlantic
Equine Nicky Henderson
1P0P-55 KAUTO STONE (FR) 8 Robin
Geffen Paul Nicholls
4520-10 KID CASSIDY (IRE) 8 J P
McManus Nicky Henderson
3P1111/- LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown
House Stud Philip Fenton IRE
2F423-5 LYREEN LEGEND (IRE) 7 Lyreen
Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
13F2-21 MARITO (GER) 8 Susannah
Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
132234/- MEDERMIT (FR) 10 The Dunkley
& Reilly Partnership Alan King
13P22-P MENORAH (IRE) 9 Diana
Whateley Philip Hobbs
F114-24 MODULE (FR) 7 Simon
Clarke Tom George
4141-U4 MOUNT BENBULBEN (IRE) 9 Barry
Connell Gordon Elliott IRE
1/12-300 PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 11 Andrea
& Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
F1011-5 RAJDHANI EXPRESS 7 Robert
Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
042-111 RATHLIN 9 Gigginstown House
Stud Mouse Morris IRE
P/646-1U RIVERSIDE THEATRE 10 Jimmy Nesbitt
Partnership Nicky Henderson
1-F21P2 ROI DU MEE (FR) 9 Gigginstown
House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
3112-12 ROLLING ACES (IRE) 8 Paul Barber, Ian
Fogg & David Martin Paul Nicholls
30-3626 RUBI LIGHT (FR) 9 Bill
Hennessy Robbie Hennessy IRE
21F1-1F RUPERT LAMB 8 Andrea &
Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
122-124 SIZING EUROPE (IRE) 12 Ann & Alan
Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
606F0-1 TATENEN (FR) 10 The Stewart
Family Richard Rowe
FP1-332 THEATRE GUIDE (IRE) 7 Jean
Bishop Colin Tizzard
5145/4-4 TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) 10 Littlecote
Racing Partnership Paul
Webber
111221 TONER D'OUDAIRIES (FR) 7 Gigginstown
House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
1241-11 TWINLIGHT (FR) 7 M L Bloodstock
Ltd Willie Mullins IRE
224121- UPEPITO (FR) 6 Andrew
Brooks Venetia Williams
133-662 WISHFULL THINKING 11 Diana
Whateley Philip Hobbs
10-1112
WONDERFUL CHARM (FR)
6 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
43 entries
20 Irish-trained
No comments:
Post a Comment