Impaire tops four for Mullins in Ballymore opener

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Impaire Et Passe and Gaelic Warrior lead the Willie Mullins charge in a red-hot running of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle that kicks off day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The former has been the talking horse of the Festival preview circuit and as a result is currently topping the market, while the former will attempt to go one better than his second in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the meeting 12 months ago.

The master of Closutton has won this three times in the last 10 years – including last year with Sir Gerhard – and is responsible for four of the 10 declared for the opener.

Hermes Allen has been touted as one of Paul Nicholls’ best chances at the meeting and takes his chance, while Barry Connell’s Dublin Racing Festival scorer Good Land is another declared bringing top form to the table.

Scilly Isles winner Gerri Colombe tops the 11 going to post for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, with Jordan Gainford getting the chance to register a Grade One winner at the Festival.

Mullins is responsible for five of the declared runners with his quintet including Sir Gerhard and the supplemented Adamantly Chosen, while Patrick Neville has chosen to run dual course victor The Real Whacker in this rather than take an audacious swing at the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Keith Donoghue on Delta Work (right) on the gallops ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, which begins tomorrow at Cheltenham Racecourse
Keith Donoghue on Delta Work (right) on the gallops ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, which begins tomorrow at Cheltenham Racecourse (David Davies/PA)

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand in the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course with defending champion Delta Work and Galvin both set to take their chance, while it is business as usual in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with Willie Mullins responsible for 10 of the full field of 24, including three of the top four in the betting.

There is also a full compliment of runners in both the Coral Cup and Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, although the latter will be missing both Unexpected Party and Rouge Vif who were both popular in the ante-post markets.

Energumene features in Queen Mother septet

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Defending champion Energumene will face six rivals in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The nine-year-old gave Willie Mullins the final piece of his Prestbury Park big-race puzzle last year when lighting up a miserable day two of the Festival and is the sole Closutton representative in the second day feature.

Although following up last year’s Cheltenham success with impressive victories at both the Punchestown Festival and on his reappearance in the Hilly Way at Cork, he failed to fire when only third in the rearranged Clarence House Chase on Festival Trials Day.

That day it was the reopposing Editeur Du Gite and Alan King’s Edwardstone that fought out a thrilling finish, but Energumene’s jockey Paul Townend now knows exactly what is required to turn the tables.

“The Clarence House Chase was a big indicator for the Champion Chase,” he told Ladbrokes.

“I think we very much underperformed on the day and I wasn’t happy from the time he turned at the top of the hill.

“I don’t think Editeur Du Gite will get it his own way in front here and I can see him getting taken on more on the other track at Cheltenham.

“I thought Edwardstone probably came out of the Clarence House Chase with the most credit even though he didn’t win.

“We learnt a lot from that race and we know what Energumene is capable of.”

Clarence House winner Editeur Du Gite will attempt to give Gary Moore his second win in the race and is a first Champion Chase ride for Niall Houlihan, while Edwardstone may have lost out by the barest of margins on Trials Day, but still did enough for the bookmakers to make last year’s Arkle hero their race favourite.

Funambule Sivola on his way to winning the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase at Newbur
Funambule Sivola on his way to winning the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase at Newbury (Tim Goode/PA)

Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola was eight and a half lengths behind Energumene 12 months ago and returns to Prestbury Park in decent order having bounced back to something near his best in the Game Spirit at Newbury.

Dan Skelton is likely to be on weather watch for Nube Negra but has nonetheless declared his good-ground loving nine-year-old who missed the race last year when conditions turned testing on the second day, but was runner-up to Put The Kettle On in 2021.

Paul Nicholls’ Greaneteen was fourth on that occasion and is another returning to Champion Chase action having skipped the 2022 running, while the seven-strong field is rounded off by Irish raider Captain Guinness, who attempts to give Henry de Bromhead a fourth victory in the race.

Liam Burke proves age is no barrier to success in the saddle

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There was a remarkable ending to proceedings at Limerick on Sunday when 66-year-old Liam Burke rode the winner of the bumper.

Burke – who last tasted victory aboard Take Beating in June 1988 – partnered Teuchters Glory to victory in the Good Luck To All Irish Runners In Cheltenham (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

No stranger to big-race success having saddled Thyne Again to achieve Grade One glory as a trainer, Burke has also won the Thyestes Chase with My Murphy and Galway Plate with Sir Frederick as a handler.

However, it has been a long 34-year wait to add to his previous 17 victories under rules in the saddle.

Burke – who is the father of top professional rider Jonathan Burke and will now head to Cheltenham to support his son at the Festival – believes this will go down as one of his greatest achievements within racing.

He said: “That was mighty!

“I lost weight and it was a mad notion I took to come back. My knees gave me trouble all along but got both replaced, although it took me ages to get back right. I ride out four or five horses every day and was 66 last Monday.

“I previously rode 38 point to point winners and 17 on the racecourse and actually lost my 7lb and 5lb claims in the past, before the numbers went back up. My last point to point winners were in 1991. ”

He added: “He (Teuchters Glory) is a fair horse but has been hard to keep right. We decided to come back for a bumper as I wanted to keep him as a novice for next season.

“This is very high on my career achievements and is up there with winning the Galway Plate (as a trainer).

“Everyone thinks I’m mad, but you have to be mad to do this job! I’ll probably keep going.”

Espanito Bello tees Connell and O’Sullivan up perfectly for Cheltenham

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Espanito Bello was produced to perfection by Michael O’Sullivan to win the Bar One Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase in easy fashion at Naas.

Ahead of a big week for owner-trainer Barry Connell and his young jockey, the nine-year-old course specialist was sent off 7-2 for the afternoon’s feature handicap.

Travelling smoothly tracking the pace throughout he moved effortlessly into contention as the field rounded the final bend and O’Sullivan was still hanging on to plenty of horse as he hit the front jumping the last.

Espanito Bello simply had to be kept up to his work in the closing stages as he coasted to a seven-and-a-half-length victory and picked up the €59,000 first prize.

“That’s what he was here two years ago when he beat Coko Beach the length of the straight and it’s taken us a little while to get back to that,” said Connell.

“He loves the course and that’s his fourth win here. He won a bumper, a hurdle, a beginners chase and now a hundred grand handicap.

“He’s in the Irish National, but we would only run him if the ground came up soft. I ran him in it once before, but he wasn’t right and the ground was too quick.

“He’s going to go up a bit for that and is entitled to step back into Graded company at some stage as well.

“That’s a fantastic pot to win today and I’m thrilled.

“He finished fifth in the Thyestes the last day which was a good run considering it was his first run in a chase for over a year. He got a lot of confidence from that and travelled way sweeter today. He was a winner everywhere.”

Connell and O’Sullivan team up with leading Cheltenham contenders Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday and Good Land the following day in the Ballymore.

Michael O’Sullivan celebrates with Marine Nationale
Michael O’Sullivan celebrates with Marine Nationale (Brian Lawless/PA)

Connell added: “They are over there and were ridden out this morning. They couldn’t be in better form and everything is 100 per cent.”

When asked about ground conditions he added: “They are having a drying day over there today. The ground doesn’t matter to Good Land, but the other fella wouldn’t want it too soft.

“If it’s soft it will be English soft and it won’t be too bad.”

Nick Rockett had won a bumper in good style at Thurles last month and wasted little time opening his account over hurdles in the opening Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Multiples All Shops” Maiden Hurdle.

Although his jumping left little to be desired in stages, the 11-8 favourite proved far too good for the opposition in the hands of Paul Townend.

Nick Rockett wins at Naas (PA)
Nick Rockett wins at Naas (PA)

“His schooling yesterday left a bit to be desired and I think Paul was relieved to get around let alone win but there is definitely plenty of room for improvement,” said assistant trainer Patrick Mullins.

“It’s great for Stewart (Andrew, owner) who flew over from Leeds today. His wife Sadie passed away recently and this was her horse so he’s obviously delighted that he’s won.

“He looks a horse that could go on and be a nice novice for the spring and could even stay in for nice ground over the summer.

“He won a point to point and will jump fences in time.”

Thomas Gibney’s Wee Charlie (4-1) had enough in hand to hold on in the closing stages of the Bar One Racing “Price Boosts All 28 Favourites At Cheltenham” Handicap Hurdle, while Stuart Crawford’s Carnfunnock (7-2) showed plenty of fight to reel in Lucky Max in a mighty finish to the Bar One Racing “Mobile Betting At Cheltenham” Handicap Hurdle.

“The ground probably blunted his speed a bit,” said winning rider JJ Slevin.

“It was a good performance and we thought he was reasonably well treated off a mark of 116. It was nice to get his head in front.

“He tried hard and his jumping is coming on as he did jump a bit big. He got a bit more cover today and it was a smoother run through.”

In the concluding bumper there was no joy for odds-on favourite Fancy Girl as John Gleeson tuned up for his Champion Bumper ride aboard A Dream To Share by steering John Queally’s Gaillimh A Run (11-4) to victory.

Robcour colours to the fore at Naas, ahead of big runners at Cheltenham

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Irish Point put his top-table experience to good use as owners Robcour warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival with a big-race double at Naas on Sunday.

The five-year-old has campaigned respectably at Grade One level since scoring at Cork on debut for Gordon Elliott in November.

He followed that winning bow by finishing a head second to Marine Nationale in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, before picking up another silver medal in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle shortly after the festive period.

Fourth at the Dublin Racing Festival, he proved far superior dropping back in class for the Grade Three Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Overnight Prices” Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle – making most in the hands of Davy Russell to justify 1-4 favouritism.

“They went slow and he was able to do his own thing,” said Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, Elliott’s assistant trainer.

“He wasn’t doing much in front but Davy said he wants that type of ground.

“He was stepping down in grade and it was straightforward for him. It was a bit of a sprint from the second-last.

“He’ll probably go to Aintree and could run over two miles or two and a half.”

Owner Brian Acheson (centre) enjoyed a double at Naas on Sunday
Owner Brian Acheson (centre) enjoyed a double at Naas on Sunday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Brian Acheson will hope to see his colours carried to victory by Irish Point’s stablemates Gerri Colombe and Teahupoo at Prestbury Park next week and promising novice chaser Journey With Me kept up the Robcour momentum when adding the Bar One Racing “Extra Places At Cheltenham” Directors Plate Novice Chase to their Naas haul.

Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old – who had opened his fences account over course and distance earlier in the term – was sent off the 8-13 favourite and was given a confident ride by Rachael Blackmore.

Allowed to stride on, he was far from stopping at the back of the last and proved his quality to pull out extra in the closing stages – three lengths clear of runner-up Limerick Lace at the winning post.

“It was a good performance, it wasn’t ideal having to make his own running,” said stable representative Robbie Power.

Journey With Me wins at Naas
Journey With Me wins at Naas (PA)

He’s a bit lairy and didn’t jump as well as he can. I think he was doing too much looking around him.

“When the second horse came to him at the second-last he picked up well and I think he’s a horse that will stay further.

“He’ll either go to Fairyhouse for the Grade 1 novice over two and a half miles or he could go to Aintree or Punchestown for a three-mile Grade One. He’s entitled to take his chance in a Grade One.”

Blackmore confident Honeysuckle can still make her presence felt

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Rachael Blackmore would love for Honeysuckle to go out on a high at the Cheltenham Festival.

Horse and rider will always be associated with one another, with Blackmore riding the mare in every one of her 18 starts under rules so far – 16 of which they have won.

The nine-year-old is the reigning Champion Hurdle heroine, but two defeats this season have caused connections to decline a bid for the hat-trick and instead aim for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

Honeysuckle won the latter race in 2020 and will bid to end her career with a fourth and final Festival success before she is retired.

Blackmore told Betfair: “There is not much more that I can say about Honeysuckle that I haven’t said before.

Rachael Blackmore with Honeysuckle
Rachael Blackmore with Honeysuckle (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“She is an unbelievable mare and she has been an unbelievable mare for me.

“She has been incredible for my career. All that she has achieved, and I have been lucky enough to get to ride her.

“As has been well publicised, this will be her last race, I won’t be looking back. We can look back when it’s over.

“She has given us all the big days that she could have given us so far, the crowds have been brilliant and I would love her to have one more big day.”

Blackmore reports Honeysuckle to be working well at home and is backing her for what looks a highly competitive renewal of her Cheltenham contest.

Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning the Champion Hurdle in 2022
Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning the Champion Hurdle in 2022 (David Davies/PA)

“She’s in great form, she still feels like she is very well, she still feels like she has plenty of fight in her.

“She showed that when she battled to hold off Vauban for second place behind State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month.

“It’s a very strong race, but Honeysuckle is in great order at home, she’s showing us all the right signs and everyone is happy with her.

“It’s great that she is going to Cheltenham again and it’s great that I am going to get to ride her again.

“Regardless of what happens on Tuesday, she has been phenomenal mare and it will be brilliant if she can go out on a high.”

Comfort Zone forced to miss Triumph Hurdle bid

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Comfort Zone will miss Friday’s JCB Triumph Hurdle following a setback, Joseph O’Brien has revealed.

The JP McManus-owned four-year-old was among the favourites for the opening race on Cheltenham Gold Cup day.

Having taken the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas, he narrowly downed the previously unbeaten Scriptwriter in the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham four weeks later.

Comfort Zone was as short as 7-1 to land the Triumph Hurdle, following his previous win in the trial over the same course and distance.

Though among a strong Irish challenge, spearheaded by the Willie Mullins-trained trip of Lossiemouth, Blood Destiny and Gala Marceau, O’Brien has been forced to draw stumps after the gelding suffered a minor problem.

He said: “Comfort Zone has just had a little hold-up unfortunately. He will potentially make it back for Aintree or Punchestown.

“We are obviously disappointed, but we’re hopeful we will have him back for the later festivals.”

Cricket connection has owner Mitchell bowled over with Derham association

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When Dargiannini fell at Doncaster on December 29, owner Andrew Mitchell could be forgiven for wondering what he had let himself in for.

Since that disastrous Town Moor debut for his first ever runner adorned in the black and white silks based on his beloved Derby County, the ownership experience has been a dream for Derbyshire-based Mitchell, who has since seen his charge register back-back victories – firstly at Uttoxeter, then in front of the cameras at Newbury.

Mitchell is well known in sporting circles as the man behind the successful Owzat-Cricket shop and it was his cricketing connections that led to the long-time racing fan scratching an itch to become an owner.

It was during a charity function at Lord’s when pal Mark Wallace, the former Glamorgan wicket-keeper and boyfriend of Amy Derham, introduced Mitchell to Amy’s brother Harry and it didn’t take long before one of the newest names of the training ranks was adding a recruit to his roster of owners.

Dargiannini’s success has led to Mitchell becoming a fully paid up advocate of Derham’s talents and revels in the fact his new venture allows him to combine a couple of his passions.

“It’s brilliant and it’s a new venture for us,” explained Mitchell.

“I’m involved in cricket and I was at a dinner at Lords with a friend of mine Mark Wallace explaining how I might buy a horse to name after my dad as he loved his horses and I like my racing.

“Wally (Wallace) said you want to have a word with Amy’s brother and we got talking.

“Originally my plan was just to buy a young horse as I wanted to name him after my father and Harry said he would help me find one.

“We went to the sales up at Goffs at Doncaster and didn’t find anything, but the following week Harry rang me to explain if I got a youngster it might take 18 months for that to come to hand or would I like a go with Dargiannini, see how I get on and then find a youngster moving forward.

Glamorgan’s Mark Wallace (wicket-keeper) introduced Andrew Mitchell to trainer Harry Derham
Glamorgan’s Mark Wallace (wicket-keeper) introduced Andrew Mitchell to trainer Harry Derham (Jon Buckle/PA)

“I never wanted to be in a syndicate, we always wanted to do it on our own if we were going to do it, and it was simply a case of right time, right place with how I met Amy through my cricket connections and then getting introduced to Harry.

“Harry’s best friend is Jamie Overton (England international) so it is all quite cricket orientated which is quite nice.”

He added: “Harry is a great kid and it is nice to back a young lad who is finding his feet if you like.

“His family have been really nice and welcoming to us and you can tell they are really supportive of Harry and want him to do well.”

Dargiannini has gone up 8lb for his Newbury triumph which earnt his owner just shy of £11,000 but unlike some, Mitchell is far from concerned about prize-money levels as he embarks on the ownership journey, preferring to focus on the prestige of success in his new sporting venture.

“To be honest, and it sounds blase, it’s not all about the money,” he continued.

“Don’t get me wrong, it helps a lot with upkeep, of course it does. But the prestige of seeing a horse in your name on TV is firstly a bit weird and also a bit surreal. It is also a bit strange when they call you up for the prize, but at the same time it’s really nice.

“The story is going round about my love of Derby County and having to miss matches to go to the races and that is kind of true. Originally I told Harry I didn’t want him to run on Saturdays. Harry always wanted to run at Newbury and I wasn’t too keen as obviously I have other interests, but Harry kept going on and on about it and in the end I took his advice and I’m pleased I did now.”

Dargiannini’s on-course exploits will now see him head to either Aintree’s Grand National meeting or the Punchestown Festival for his next outing.

“Harry is now thinking of taking him to Aintree or Punchestown,” explained Mitchell.

“I’ve been to both Galway and Leopardstown in Ireland but never Punchestown and that is quite appealing, but the thought of having a runner during the Grand National meeting is very prestigious if you like having been to the National and to Aintree many times. To have a runner there would be very special.”

Bitten by the ownership bug, Mitchell has now wasted little time expanding his equine empire, finally fulfilling his dream of buying a two-year-old to name after his father and also dipping his toe into the French market.

He said: “We ended up getting a youngster from Donny sales and we’ve named that Les’ Lad, that’s in pre-training at the moment with Jason Maguire and we bought another couple of youngsters from France – a filly and a gelding. They are two-year-olds and one is from really good stock.

“It’s enjoyable and we got on the bus with Harry when it started off is one way of looking at it.

“Harry having a winner on terrestrial TV won’t have hurt and if he gets one to win at Cheltenham he will be flying.”

Setback rules Gentleman De Mee out of Champion Chase

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Gentleman De Mee has been ruled out of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase by trainer Willie Mullins.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was a general 8-1 shot for the Cheltenham Festival’s day two feature having bounced back to his best with an impressive victory from the front in Leopardstown’s Dublin Chase last month.

That Dublin Racing Festival success was his second strike at Grade One level having accounted for Champion Chase favourite Edwardstone at Aintree in April last year, and he was was one of three possible runners in the race for the master of Closutton alongside defending champion Energumene and Blue Lord.

However, an infection means he will not take part in the action at Prestbury Park on Wednesday with connections now focussed on returning Gentleman De Mee to full health ahead of future targets in the spring.

“Gentleman De Mee has picked up an infection which means we’re not going to take him to Cheltenham.” Mullins told www.sportinglife.com.

“Hopefully he’ll be back for other spring targets.”

Hewick in ‘great old form’ – but Hanlon on Gold Cup weather watch

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John ‘Shark’ Hanlon says Hewick is “better than he ever was” – but will make a last-minute decision on whether or not the American Grand National winner will run in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

The eight-year-old shot to prominence when landing the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April last year and followed up winning the valuable Galway Plate.

He then looked poised to add the Kerry National at Listowel to his CV, only to unseat Jordan Gainford at the last. But he earned compensation when taking the American Grand National at Far Hills, Maryland.

He has not run run since that success in October and after his final piece of work on the sands at Woodstown Beach in Waterford on Sunday morning, Hanlon was more than satisfied with his preparation.

However, while he is not cowering at the prospect of taking on the likes of Irish Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, last year’s victor A Plus Tard and King George hero Bravemansgame in the blue riband, he is concerned about the potential for soft ground this week.

“We’re just coming off the beach and he is in great old form,” said Hanlon. “We just have to keep him fresh now.

“The ground is the only thing. That’s the only thing I’m afraid of. I’m hoping you won’t get a lot more rain over there.

“He is a much better horse on good ground and he’d handle good ground where other horses wouldn’t.”

Hewick is also entered for the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 15, where he is due to shoulder joint-top weight of 11st 12lb along with last year’s runner-up Any Second Now and dual Grade One winner Conflated.

Hewick is a general 20-1 for the Gold Cup and 25-1 for the Grand National, and the Bagenalstown handler says he would not mind which race Hewick won, though his chance would improve with a sounder surface than is forecast at this week’s Festival meeting.

“You don’t want to leave his race at Cheltenham with the National only four weeks away,” added Halon.

“We have to think of everything. But we are bringing him over on Wednesday morning and we’ll make a decision on the morning (of the Gold Cup).

Shark Hanlon says Hewick is in ripe form ahead of Friday's Gold Cup
Shark Hanlon says Hewick is in ripe form ahead of Friday’s Gold Cup (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“He’s in great form and I think he is better than he ever was. Everything went well with his preparation.

“Any of the two races will do us now. The National is something you dream of all your life, but a Gold Cup would be very special, so if we could be placed in it, we’d be very happy.

“The Gold Cup is the purists’ race, while the National is the people’s race – and he’s the people’s horse.

“He has a lot of weight for the National, but he’s carried a heavy weight everywhere he went before and he managed it, so I’m not over-worried by it.”