@Cheltenhamraces Galliard Homes to back Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham

     

Cheltenham Racecourse is pleased to announce Galliard Homes as the new sponsor of the Cleeve Hurdle, the Grade Two contest run over three miles at the Home of Jump Racing on Festival Trials Day, Saturday, January 25.

The galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle boast a fabulous roll of honour with Big Buck's, Tidal Bay and Inglis Drever all having landed the prestigious contest in recent seasons. It is the ideal trial for the Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at The Festival in March.

Big Buck's, the greatest staying hurdler of all-time, won the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle in 2009 and 2012. His win in 5 Simmonds Walk 2009 was the second in a record-breaking unbeaten 18-race sequence which also took in four renewals of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at The Festival (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).  

Off the track with a leg injury since winning at Newbury in December, 2012, the now 11-year-old Big Buck's is set to make his return in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle on January 25 when going for a 19th consecutive victory.

Stephen Conway, Chief Executive of Galliard Homes, said: "Galliard Homes are  proud to be the 2014 sponsors of the illustrious Cleeve Hurdle which takes place at the world famous Cheltenham Racecourse."

Sophia Brudenell, Communications Officer - South West for Jockey Club Racecourses, added: "This is the first time that Galliard Homes have sponsored at Cheltenham and it is great news that they will be partnering the Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day.

"With the race likely to be the first time that Big Buck's has run since December 2012, I'm sure that it will be a really exciting renewal with lots of interest on the day."

About Festival Trials Day

Many of the horses that run on Festival Trials Day are having their final preparation before The Festival and it is rare that this meeting does not feature at least one subsequent Festival winner. In 2013, two horses found themselves in the winner's enclosure on both Festival Trials Day and The Festival itself, Sprinter Sacre and At Fishers Cross.

Festival Trials Day is a great opportunity to see Jump racing's superstars and experience the excitement as The Festival draws closer. Even better, it takes place on a Saturday so there is no need to take a day off to enjoy a visit to The Home of Jump Racing.

After racing, there is another Brightwells Bloodstock sale. See www.brightwells.com  for more information.

The gates open at 10.30am with the first of seven races at 12.40pm and the last race due off at 4.10pm.

The seven-race card features four Grade Two contests - the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, the Argento Chase, the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle.

Complementing the four Grade Two contests are three competitive handicaps - the Grade Three freebets.com Trophy Handicap Chase, the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase and the Steel Plate & Sections Handicap Hurdle.

The Festival, which takes place on four days between Tuesday, March 11 and Friday, March 14, is the next racing at Cheltenham.

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. Between 1972 and 2013, there have been 41 Racecourse of the Year Awards voted for by Racegoers Club members and Cheltenham Racecourse has achieved the top accolade on 19 occasions.

Please find more details at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces) and Facebook www.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  

@DRC_Meydan @DWC_Meydan #DWCC2014 Barbecue Eddie, Fityaan & Areem In Frame For Consecutive Victories On Opening Carnival Night

Barbecue Eddie, Fityaan & Areem In Frame For Consecutive Victories On Opening Carnival Night

Al Maktoum Challenges and the Singspiel Stakes Highlight Longines Card

Three horses who landed winners spots on the first Dubai World Cup Carnival night of last season could repeat the feat tomorrow (Thursday) on a high-quality seven-race card sponsored by the season’s Official Timekeeper, Longines.

The 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival gets underway at Meydan on Thursday evening after weeks of anticipation and Barbecue Eddie and the Purebred Arabian Areem will be seeking to repeat their 2013 victories in the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge while Fityaan bids for double glory in the Longines Master Collection 1000m sprint.

The Thoroughbred version of Al Maktoum Challenge RI carries Group 2 status and the Doug Watson-trained Barbecue Eddie, owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, could become the first horse to not only win the race twice, but also to defend his crown.

Watson is hopeful of a big run. “He is in great form at home and has certainly improved from his one run this season which he needed badly. He is now ten and owes us nothing but we hope he will run a big race, despite the widest draw,” he said.

Godolphin trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, has won this race on no less than seven occasions and relies on Shuruq, the only filly in the race this year. Bin Suroor said: “She won the UAE Oaks last year having been second in the UAE 1000 Guineas so the surface is ideal and trip is perfect for her first run back. She looks great and has been working well.

“She was a bit disappointing over the summer and has to take on the colts here but we have to be hopeful judged on her home gallops.”
Fellow Godolphin handler, Charlie Appleby, is saddling his first UAE runners and will be represented by Steeler who missed the whole of the 2013 season having been a highly progressive juvenile for Mark Johnston in 2012.

A Group 2 winner, he was last seen in competitive action in October 2012 when third in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.

“We are very happy with him,” said Appleby. “Obviously he has been off a long time and will improve from this run but it looks the ideal place to start him back.”

South African Mike de Kock has twice saddled the winner of this race and has two runners this year, Rerouted and Daddy Long Legs. By far the most successful international trainer at the Dubai World Cup Carnival over the years, De Kock sounds hopeful as opposed to confident.

He said: “We are behind our normal schedule so expect all our runners to need their first run. Daddy Long Legs had a wind operation last year and ran well enough on his only subsequent start. This is the perfect place to bring him back and the same with Rerouted.

“He will definitely improve for the run and, with his rating, this is a good slot to get him back out.”

Ireland’s Ger Lyons saddles Brendan Brackan and said: “This horse has done nothing but improve and seems in great order. Obviously he has not been here long and we are basically running straight off the plane but we chose to do that as it has worked well for us in the past. We have a nice draw and expect a big run.”

A new addition to the Dubai World Cup Carnival calendar is the Listed Singspiel Stakes, held over the same 1800m turf trip as the Group 2 Al Rashidiya Stakes and the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free held on Dubai World Cup day.

After the late defection of the David Marnane-trained Elleval who is said to be suffering from a temperature, 12 are set to face the starter, with the Mike De Kock-trained David Livingston conceding weight all round after his win in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in August.

The South African also saddles Mushreq, a dual Dubai World Cup Carnival winner last year, and said: “They will both improve from the run and Mushreq showed last year how much he can improve for racing.”

The 1000m sprint boasts last year’s winner, Fityaan in the field. Trainer, Musabah Al Muhairi has been in superb form this season and his runner had three outings before winning this race last term.  Fityaan will be running fresh this season in his attempt for back-to-back victories and Al Muhairi also saddles Rafeej in the race who is the selection of Sheikh Hamdan’s jockey, Paul Hanagan.

Meanwhile the Purebred Arabians will kick off the evening’s proceedings in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 and Areem who won the Group 1 contest last year for trainer, Majed Al Jahouri bids to take home the title once again.

“This has always been the plan after the National Day Cup which we also won last year,” said Al Jahouri. “The 1600m is as far as he wants to go so he will be campaigned accordingly.”

Admission is free to the public areas of Meydan Racecourse and tickets start at Dh50, gates open at 5pm and the first race starts at 6.30pm.

For further details please contact: +971 4327 2110, ticketoffice@dubairacingclub.com or click http://www.dubairacingclub.com/buy-now/race-season-tickets for online bookings.

For behind-the-scenes news and views from Dubai Racing Club and all the results and images from race nights, follow us on Twitter at @DRC_Meydan or DWC_Meydan and like us on facebook by clicking on our Dubai Racing Club facebook page here:http://tinyurl.com/b8dqu5w

Barbecue Eddie could become the first horse to claim a double victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 if he is successful for the second year in a row on Thursday
Credit: Dubai Racing Club//Andrew Watkins

@Skybet @DoncasterRaces 50 entries for Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster - Night In Milan primed for £75,000 contest

50 entries for Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster

- Night In Milan primed for £75,000 contest

The Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Unioniste (12/1 joint-favourite with Sky Bet)and exciting novice Sam Winner (12/1 joint-favourite) head 50 high-class entries for the £75,000 Listed Sky Bet Chase over three miles at Doncaster on Saturday, January 25.

Unioniste was last seen finishing eighth in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, having previously captured a Listed Chase at Aintree by seven lengths, while Sam Winner, a Grade Two winner over hurdles, landed a novices' chase at Cheltenham on December 12.

Nicholls' six-strong entry, the most of any trainer, also includes dual Listed chase scorer The Minack (16/1), the highly-regarded pair of Pacha Du Polder (25/1) and Mon Parrain (20/1) as well as course and distance winner Harry The Viking (20/1).

Night In Milan (16/1), trained by Keith Reveley, is also a course and distance victor following a spectacular performance at Town Moor on December 14. The eight-year-old made all the running under regular rider James Reveley to triumph by six lengths from De Boitron (20/1) and is now on course for the Sky Bet Chase.

Keith Reveley reported: "The Sky Bet Chase is the plan for Night In Milan. He won really well last time and deserved to win a nice handicap because he is a solid, consistent horse.

"He has been in good form since and obviously likes the track at Doncaster, so fingers crossed. He has gone up the weights a little bit, but is still a young horse and there might be a little bit of improvement there.

"Things just did not pan out for him in the fixed brush hurdle at Haydock. He had a different jockey on and got a little bit buzzed up beforehand and then did too much in front. We will just draw a line through that and, if you ignore that, he has done nothing wrong.

"The only slight concern would be that he is unlikely to get an easy lead in a race like the Sky Bet. He is definitely happier out in front, bowling along with an easy lead, but he won't get that. We will just have to hope he settles in second or third and takes a lead."

Martin Keighley could be represented by Annacotty (16/1), last seen out when successful in the  Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and Faultless Feelings (25/1), who was narrowly beaten in the Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury on December 28.

Keighley said: "Annacotty is a possible for the Sky Bet Chase as I think the flat, galloping track at Doncaster will really suit him, though he will have an entry at Cheltenham the same day.

"The handicapper would love me to run him in a handicap to see if he's got him right and it is tempting. A mark of 144 could be workable as he's still improving.

"He's not an ungenuine horse, he just needs the headgear to keep him focused and it was a good performance at Kempton.

"Faultless Feelings has the same owner as Annacotty and they wouldn't both run in the same race. He's improving and ran a cracking race at Newbury, though it's frustrating he went up 5lb for coming second."

Hadrian's Approach (14/) headlines four entries in the prestigious handicap chase for the Lambourn stable of Nicky Henderson following a gutsy win over Super Duty (16/1) in a graduation chase at Newbury on December 18. The champion trainer could also be represented by Roberto Goldback (25/1), Ma Filleule (25/1) and Giorgio Quercus (20/1).

Donald McCain has entered Kruzhlinin (16/1), twice a winner at Kelso this term, Our Mick (20/1) and the unexposed Super Duty.

Grade One-winning hurdler Walkon (16/1) is one of three entries for Alan King, but has not been seen since unseating his rider in the Grade Two Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October.

                       

Grand National hero Auroras Encore (25/1) is one of three entries for Sue Smith, while other notables include Cheltenham Festival scorer Teaforthree (16/1), eye-catching Haydock winner Night Alliance (16/1) and Paddy Power Gold Cup fourth Attaglance (20/1).

Michael Shinners of Sky Bet said: "We are delighted with the entries for this year's Sky Bet Chase and it will be fascinating to see what Paul Nicholls runs as he has six in the race. The Ditcheat trainer won the Sky Bet Chase in 2009 with Big Fella Thanks and, with such a strong hand, he could well hold the key to the race once again. 

"At the moment, we are 12/1 the field, which highlights how competitive the contest looks at this early stage and it will be interesting to see what horses are confirmed by their trainers as definite runners for Doncaster."

Weights for the Sky Bet Chase will be revealed on Wednesday, January 15.

Sky Bet Chase, Sky Bet: 12/1 Unioniste, Sam Winner; 14/1 Hadrian's Approach, Court By Surprise; 16/1 The Minack, Walkon, Teaforthree, Super Duty, Annacotty, Kruzhlinin, Mart Lane, Quartz de Thaix, Vintage Star, Night In Milan, Muldoon's Picnic, The Druids Nephew, Night Alliance, Loch Ba; 20/1 Big Fella Thanks, Mon Parrain, De Boitron, Gullinbursti, Time For Rupert, Our Mick, Attaglance, Fruity O'Rooney, Giorgio Quercus, Noble Legend, Relax, Storm Survivor, Zaru, Harry The Viking, Baile Anrai; 25/1 Roberto Goldback, Pacha du Polder, Auroras Encore, Kumbeshwar, Ma Filleule, Niceonefrankie, Lost Glory, Midnight Appeal, The Rainbow Hunter, According To Trev, Faultless Feelings, Tullamore Dew, Major Malarkey; 33/1 Trustan Times, Native Gallery, Solix, Wiesentraum

About Sky Bet

Sky Bet is the sports betting division of Sky Betting and Gaming, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc. (Sky). One of the country's leading betting and gaming companies, Sky Bet is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire and fully licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). Sky Bet offers an online sports betting service www.skybet.com and a mobile platform. The Sky Bet app is free to download from the iTunes App store. Customers can also bet through their TV or by telephone.

The Sky Bet Chase

Class 1, Listed Race, £75,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.15pm, Doncaster, Saturday, January 25, 2014. For five-year-olds and upwards, three miles. Penalties: after January 12, a winner of a chase 5lb. Entries closed January 7, entries revealed January 8 (50 entries), weights revealed January 15, five-day confirmation stage January 20, final declaration stage 10.00am, January 23.

Form  Horse    Age Owner     Trainer

6-1133F ACCORDING TO TREV (IRE) 8 Fred Mills & Wayne Mills  Nigel Twiston-Davies

551621  ANNACOTTY (IRE)  6 Mrs Peter Prowting   Martin Keighley

30-P240 ATTAGLANCE   8 H Young, G Eifert, R Snyder  Malcolm Jefferson

5F51P-5 AURORAS ENCORE (IRE) 12 Douglas Pryde,Jim Beaumont & D P van der Hoeven Sue Smith

40-3341 BAILE ANRAI (IRE)  10 Massive    Dan Skelton

12U5-00 BIG FELLA THANKS  12 Crossed Fingers Partnership  Tom George

1P0-332 COURT BY SURPRISE (IRE) 9 Nick Mustoe    Emma Lavelle

5-12612 DE BOITRON (FR)  10 Mrs J Morgan & Lindsey Shaw  Sue Smith

P-316P2 FAULTLESS FEELINGS (IRE) 8 Mrs Peter Prowting   Martin Keighley

2521-65 FRUITY O'ROONEY  11 Heart of the South Racing  Gary Moore

50U-031 GIORGIO QUERCUS (FR) 9 Seasons Holidays   Nicky Henderson

52F-153 GULLINBURSTI (IRE)  8 Nick Mustoe    Emma Lavelle

235-2U1 HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 7 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes  Nicky Henderson

P/P00P-0 HARRY THE VIKING  9 Sir Alex Ferguson,Ged Mason,R Wood & Peter Done Paul Nicholls

P2-4411 KRUZHLININ (GER)  7 Paul & Clare Rooney   Donald McCain

5F-0403 KUMBESHWAR  7 McNeill Family & Nigel Bunter  Alan King

1U5-202 LOCH BA (IRE)  8 Camilla Radford   Mick Channon

1P-130P LOST GLORY (NZ)  9 J P McManus    Jonjo O'Neill

102-3P1 MA FILLEULE (FR)  6 Simon Munir    Nicky Henderson

P0-5F01 MAJOR MALARKEY (IRE) 11 Baker Dodd & Cooke   Nigel Twiston-Davies

1-01631 MART LANE (IRE)  9 Jim Stewart    Dr Richard Newland

421-010 MIDNIGHT APPEAL  9 David Sewell    Alan King

12/034/-P MON PARRAIN (FR)  8 John & Barbara Cotton   Paul Nicholls

0/32-111 MULDOON'S PICNIC (IRE) 8 Clive Washbourn   Kim Bailey

103-040 NATIVE GALLERY (IRE) 9 William Tyrer    Ben De Haan

352-515 NICEONEFRANKIE  8 Old Carthusian Racing Society  Venetia Williams

6311F1 NIGHT ALLIANCE (IRE) 9 Dr Richard Newland   Dr Richard Newland

F1-2301 NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE)  8 Richard Collins    Keith Reveley

311-0P1 NOBLE LEGEND  7 P Dixon Smith    Caroline Bailey

3/U2P-P3 OUR MICK   8 K & Mrs E Benson   Donald McCain

P2P10-6 PACHA DU POLDER (FR) 7 The Stewart & Wylie Families  Paul Nicholls

F0P-5P2 QUARTZ DE THAIX (FR) 10 ROA Arkle Partnership   Venetia Williams

12PP-P1 RELAX (FR)   9 The Bellamy Partnership  Venetia Williams

355U-40 ROBERTO GOLDBACK (IRE) 12 Simon Munir    Nicky Henderson

5(1)03-31 SAM WINNER (FR)  7 Angela Yeoman   Paul Nicholls

0F-0465 SOLIX (FR)   8 Paul Vogt    Ian Williams

3313F6 STORM SURVIVOR (IRE) 8 J P McManus    Jonjo O'Neill

1224-P2 SUPER DUTY (IRE)  8 Brannon, Dick, Hernon & Holden Donald McCain

06203-0 TEAFORTHREE (IRE)  10 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis

166-4F2 THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) 7 The Stonehenge Druids   Andy Turnell

13P/11F/- THE MINACK (IRE)  10 Graham Roach    Paul Nicholls

P4UP-26 THE RAINBOW HUNTER 10 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership Kim Bailey

5145/4-4 TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) 10 Littlecote Racing Partnership  Paul Webber

132-403 TRUSTAN TIMES (IRE) 8 Mrs M E & Peter Armitage  Tim Easterby

44U0-32 TULLAMORE DEW (IRE) 12 Give Every Man His Due  Nick Gifford

114-310 UNIONISTE (FR) 6 John Hales    Paul Nicholls

12P-126 VINTAGE STAR (IRE)  8 Trevor Hemmings   Sue Smith

22P52-U WALKON (FR)   9 McNeill Family    Alan King

2-5101P WIESENTRAUM (GER) 8 G Pascoe & S Brewer   Lucy Wadham

1FF-612 ZARU (FR)   8 Humbert, Drew    James Ewart

50 entries

@CheltenhamRaces 36 entries for Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup - Fenton on the comeback trail with Last Instalment

Please click here for full media pack containing detailed statistics about the 2014 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Festival is now just nine weeks awayand the countdown begins in earnest today as entries for the Grade One Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup are revealed. A total of 36 entries have been received for the £550,000 championship contest, which takes place over an extended three and a quarter miles on the fourth and final day of The Festival, Gold Cup Day, Friday, March 14.

Heading the entries is last year's victor Bobs Worth, the 9/4 favourite with sponsor Betfred. The nine-year-old disappointed on his seasonal return when a well-beaten sixth in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on November 23 but bounced right back to his best last time when getting the better of First Lieutenant and Rubi Ball in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28. Bobs Worth is unbeaten in three successive races at The Festival, having also won the 2011 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and the 2012 RSA Chase. His trainer Nicky Henderson has also entered the 2011 winner Long Run (40/1) and Triolo d'Alene (33/1), last seen out when taking the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

Henderson, champion trainer last season for the third time, is battling hard with his old rival, seven-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, for supremacy this season and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, the richest race at The Festival, will play a significant part in determining the outcome.

Nicholls has won the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup four times, more than any other current trainer, and has five entries in 2014. These are headed by last month's King George VI Chase victor Silviniaco Conti (7/2 second favourite). The eight-year-old, who was travelling well when falling three out in the Gold Cup last year, could be joined by King George VI Chase third Al Ferof (16/1) as well as Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up Rocky Creek (33/1), last season's Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup scorer Unioniste (40/1) and the veteran Tidal Bay (50/1), who stayed on strongly to be third under top-weight in the Coral Welsh National last time out. If successful on March 14, 13-year-old Tidal Bay would become the oldest winner of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Cue Card (8/1 third favourite), owned by Jean Bishop, relished the step up to three miles when the impressivewinner of the Betfair Chase and ran well in defeat when second to Siliviniaco Conti in the King George VI Chase. He is bidding for a third victory at The Festival, having taken the 2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper and the 2013 Ryanair Chase. His trainer Colin Tizzard has also entered Theatre Guide (100/1), third in the Hennessy Gold Cup this season.

Ireland's 11 entries are headed by multiple Grade One winner First Lieutenant(12/1), who hails from the Gold Cup-winning stable of Mouse Morris. The nine-year-old boasts an excellent record at The Festival, annexing the 2011 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and finishing second in both the 2012 RSA Chase and last year's Ryanair Chase. Gigginstown House Stud, owner of First Lieutenant, is also responsible for Last Instalment (50/1) who has been side-lined with tendon problems since landing the Grade One Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February, 2012. Philip Fenton's charge is unbeaten in four starts over fences and beat First Lieutenant by six lengths in the Grade One Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December, 2011.

Fenton reported: "It's a bit too early to talk about Cheltenham for Last Instalment, but he will have his first run back in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles (January 16).

"He has been pleasing in his work so far and everything has gone very satisfactorily with him, but I'm sure he will improve for his first run as we haven't pushed him at home. He seems versatile in regards to trip and ground, so we will get his first couple of runs out of the way and see how he progresses. We have got him in the Ryanair as well just to keep all bases covered."

Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins is responsible for Arvika Ligeonniere (50/1), a four-time Grade One scorer at shorter trips, top-class French recruit Rubi Ball (33/1) and Boston Bob (25/1), who fell at the final fence when leading in the 2013 RSA Chase won by the Jim Culloty-trained Lord Windermere (25/1). Other Irish entries include the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Mount Benbulben (50/1) and Roi Du Mee (66/1), an impressive 13-length winner of the Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup - Betfred bet: 9/4 Bobs Worth, 7/2 Silviniaco Conti, 8 Cue Card, 12 First Lieutenant, 16 Al Ferof, 25 Boston Bob, Lord Windermere, 33 Dynaste, Rocky Creek, Rubi Ball, Triolo D'Alene, 40 Long Run, Unioniste, 50 Arvika Ligeonniere, Dedigout, Harry Topper, Katenko, Last Instalment, Lyreen Legend, Mount Benbulben, Tidal Bay, 66 Bog Warrior, Captain Chris, Champion Court, Cloudy Too, Houblon Des Obeaux, Medermit, Monbeg Dude, Roi Du Mee, The Giant Bolster, Vino Griego, 100 Knockara Beau, Teaforthree, Theatre Guide, Time For Rupert, Wayward Prince.  ¼ the odds 1-2-3. Betfred is offering non-runner, no-bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Betfred spokesman Andrew Griffiths said: "This year's Betfred Gold Cup is shaping up to be a clash of the titans with Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti dominating the betting. It has all the makings of a classic and is sure to be one of the highlights of The Festival."

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 Facebook www.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 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

Class 1, Grade 1, £550,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, Friday, March 14, 2014. Three miles, two and a half furlongs. 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 7 - horses which are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR 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 7 would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 5yo 11st 8lb, 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7, entries revealed January 8 (36 entries), scratchings deadline February 11, £27,500 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 8. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, March 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, January 6.

Form  Horse    Age Owner    Trainer

343/1-13 AL FEROF (FR)  9 John Hales    Paul Nicholls

FP1-113 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE (FR) 9 Susannah Ricci   Willie Mullins IRE

21/11-61 BOBS WORTH (IRE) 9 The Not Afraid Partnership  Nicky Henderson

3/F1115- BOG WARRIOR (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud  Tony Martin IRE

2/11FF-1 BOSTON BOB (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie  Willie Mullins IRE

12264-3 CAPTAIN CHRIS (IRE) 10 Diana Whateley   Philip Hobbs

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

12F-415 DEDIGOUT (IRE)  8 Gigginstown House Stud  Tony Martin IRE

1121-25 DYNASTE (FR)  8 John White    David Pipe

213-342 FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud  Mouse Morris IRE

11UB-13 HARRY TOPPER  7 D J Keyte    Kim Bailey

204-161 HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 7  Mrs Julian Blackwell   Venetia Williams

0211-F4 KATENKO (FR)  8 Andrew Brooks   Venetia Williams

UP-5125 KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) 11 Alistair Charlton   George Charlton

3P1111/- LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud  Philip Fenton IRE

132-54U LONG RUN (FR)  9 Robert Waley-Cohen   Nicky Henderson

1231-00 LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 8 Dr Ronan Lambe   Jim Culloty IRE

2F423-5 LYREEN LEGEND (IRE) 7 Lyreen Syndicate   Dessie Hughes IRE

132234/- MEDERMIT (FR)  10 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King

13P-341 MONBEG DUDE (IRE) 9 Oydunow    Michael Scudamore

4141-U4 MOUNT BENBULBEN (IRE) 9 Barry Connell    Gordon Elliott IRE

21113-2 ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls

1-F21P2 ROI DU MEE (FR)  9 Gigginstown House Stud  Gordon Elliott IRE

U222-23 RUBI BALL (FR)  9 SC Ecurie Madame Patrick Papot Willie Mullins IRE

11F3-31 SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 8 Potensis Limited & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

06203-0 TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 10 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis

240-0U5 THE GIANT BOLSTER 9 Simon Hunt    David Bridgwater

FP1-332 THEATRE GUIDE (IRE) 7 Jean Bishop    Colin Tizzard

121-153 TIDAL BAY (IRE)  13 Andrea & Graham Wylie  Paul Nicholls

5145/4-4 TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) 10 Littlecote Racing Partnership  Paul Webber

301-131 TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr   Nicky Henderson

114-310 UNIONISTE (FR)  6 John Hales    Paul Nicholls

125-UF1 VINO GRIEGO (FR)  9 Chris Stedman   Gary Moore

P06-52P WAYWARD PRINCE 10 John & Hilary Parrott   Hilary Parrott

36 entries

11 Irish-trained

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer

5 entries

Paul Nicholls - Al Ferof, Rocky Creek, Silviniaco Conti, Tidal Bay, Unioniste

3 entries

Nicky Henderson - Bobs Worth, Long Run, Triolo d'Alene

Willie Mullins IRE - Arvika Ligeonniere, Boston Bob, Rubi Ball

2 entries

Gordon Elliott IRE - Mount Benbulben, Roi du Mee

Colin Tizzard - Cue Card, Theatre Guide

Tony Martin IRE - Bog Warrior, Dedigout

Venetia Williams - Houblon Des Obeaux, Katenko

1 entry

Kim Bailey - Harry Topper

David Bridgwater - The Giant Bolster

George Charlton - Knockara Beau

Jim Culloty IRE - Lord Windermere

Rebecca Curtis - Teaforthree

Philip Fenton IRE - Last Instalment

Philip Hobbs - Captain Chris

Dessie Hughes IRE - Lyreen Legend

Martin Keighley - Champion Court

Alan King - Medermit

Gary Moore - Vino Griego

Mouse Morris IRE - First Lieutenant

Hilary Parrott - Wayward Prince

David Pipe - Dynaste

Michael Scudamore - Monbeg Dude

Sue Smith - Cloudy Too

Paul Webber - Time For Rupert

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup - Timeform's top-rated (weight-adjusted)

191 CUE CARD

190 BOBS WORTH

187 SILVINIACO CONTI

182 DYNASTE

181 FIRST LIEUTENANT

179 TIDAL BAY

178 AL FEROF

177 CAPTAIN CHRIS

176 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE

176? THE GIANT BOLSTER 

@AWChamps Robin Hoods Bay returns in first Fast-Track Qualifier of 2014

Robin Hoods Bay is among 19 entries for the £19,000 Ladbrokes Conditions Stakes (2.35pm) over a mile at Lingfield Park on Saturday, January 11, the second of three Fast-Track Qualifiers for the £150,000 Ladbrokes Mile over the same course and distance on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18.

The Ed Vaughan-trained six-year-old enjoyed a fruitful 2013, winning twice on Polytrack before chasing home Farraaj in the 10-furlong, Group Three Winter Derby at Lingfield Park in March.

He also captured a valuable handicap at Haydock Park over the same trip in August, but has not been seen since finishing a respectable sixth to Prince Bishop in the Group Three September Stakes on Polytrack at Kempton Park on September 7.

Vaughan revealed: "I would imagine Robin Hoods Bay will run at Lingfield on Saturday. He has had a little niggle since his last run and I would be anxious to run him because I think he needs to get a run under his belt.

"A mile will probably be a little bit on the sharp side but it looks like the right race to start him off. He goes well fresh and is a horse who really comes on from one bit of work to another.

"I haven't been able to get the amount of work into him that I normally would, but we will be aiming him at the Winter Derby (Coral App Download From The App Store Winter Derby, £100,000, March 22, 10f) and Finals Day, so it will be good to get him back up to race speed."

The entries also include South American Group One runner-up Edu Querido (Marco Bott), recent course and distance winner Galician (Mark Johnston), placed in three Listed contests during the All-Weather Championships, and Royal Hunt Cup fourth Don't Call Me (David Nicholls).

Other notable entries include the consistent Chookie Royale (Keith Dalgleish), Polytrack specialist Grey Mirage (Marco Botti)and seven-time Southwell victor Dubai Hills (Bryan Smart).

The Ladbrokes Conditions Stakes is the sixth Fast-Track Qualifier of the All-Weather Championships.

Lingfield Park's seven-race card on Saturday gets underway at 12.15pm and concludes at 3.45pm.

Horses qualify for the six championship contests on £1-million All-Weather Championships Finals Day (Good Friday, April 18, 2014) by running in a minimum of three races at Britain's All-Weather tracks - three owned by ARC, Lingfield Park, Southwell and Wolverhampton, and The Jockey Club's Kempton Park - between October 26 and April 12 or else by succeeding in one of the 16 Fast Track Qualifiers.

The winners of the five Fast-Track Qualifiers so far:-

1) 31/10/13 Listed 32Red / EBFstallions.com Fleur De Lys Fillies' Stakes, Lingfield Park, Forgive (Richard Hannon/Silvestre de Sousa) achieved a guaranteed place, with free entry, in the £150,000 32Red Fillies & Mares Stakes, run over seven furlongs, on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.

2) 16/11/13 Listed coral.co.uk Churchill Stakes, Lingfield Park, Prince Alzain (Gerard Butler/Oisin Murphy) gained a guaranteed place, with free entry, in the £200,000 Coral Middle Distance Final, run over 10 furlongs, on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.

3) 16/11/13 Listed Best Odds At bookmakers.co.uk Golden Rose Stakes, Lingfield Park, Valbchek (Jeremy Noseda/Shane Kelly), secured a guaranteed place, with free entry, in the £150,000 bookmakers.co.uk Sprint Final, run over six furlongs, on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.

4) 20/11/2013 Listed Winners Are Welcome At Betdaq EBF Stallions Hyde Stakes, Kempton Park, Sirius Prospect (Dean Ivory/Robert Winston) gained a guaranteed place, with free entry, in the £150,000 Ladbrokes Mile Final on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.

5) 23/11/2013 32Red Conditions Stakes, Lingfield Park, Complicit (Paul Cole/Graham Lee) won in course record time and secured a guaranteed free place in the £150,000 32Red.com Three-Year-Old Final over seven furlongs on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.