Tag Archive for: Cheltenham Festival

Dance ‘incredibly proud’ of Bravemansgame’s Cheltenham defeat

/in /by

Owner John Dance has stressed the pride he felt in watching Bravemansgame finish a gallant second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

An impressive winner of the King George VI Chase, the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old subsequently finished a fine runner-up to Galopin Des Champs.

However, whether he runs again this season remains up in the air with connections not convinced he has shown his best at the Grand National meeting in the past.

Dance is mindful the high-class chaser has produced two below-par races at Aintree in successive seasons following runs at the Festival, finishing runner-up in the 2021 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and last of four in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase last term.

He said: “He is possible for Aintree or Punchestown. We’ll have to see.

“The last couple of years, he’s had late-season ulcers. We have obviously campaigned him and peaked him less often this year.

“Hopefully that allows him to go a bit deeper into the season, but maybe we just want to do a few more pre-race checks.

“Even when he came second at Aintree as a hurdler behind Ahoy Senor, he never looked happy all the way round, so we will just have to see how he is.

“If he is bucking fresh, I would imagine we will scope him before and if he looks healthy, then we’ll give something a go, I’m sure.”

Any disappointment at Bravemansgame’s seven-length defeat in the Gold Cup was eclipsed by the pride Dance and his fellow owner Bryan Drew felt.

“It was kind of weird,” said Dance. “Bryan had very similar emotions, in that we’ve come runner-up in a race we dream of winning, but there wasn’t really any disappointment. We were just thrilled and proud of how he ran. We’d obviously come across a potential superstar.”

Though some questioned if he would stay the extended three-and-a-quarter-mile trip, Nicholls’ star was only run out of it after jumping the last.

Dance added: “I would argue whether he stayed the last 100 yards or so. He was just treading on water a little bit and the third and fourth were regaining some of the ground they lost on him, but I wouldn’t say he didn’t stay, but he certainly didn’t stay as well as the winner, who was a better horse over the trip.

“Watching them both take off together at the last was an incredible buzz. Our guy landed a bit tired then galloped on for a little bit before he was out-stayed.”

The feeling of finishing runner-up in the Gold Cup could not compare to when his six-times Group One-winning mare Laurens was defeated by Billesdon Brook in the 1000 Guineas five years ago.

Laurens' defeat in the Guineas hurt more than a Gold Cup reverse
Laurens’ defeat in the Guineas hurt more than a Gold Cup reverse (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Despite coming second, it was a very enjoyable one, if that makes sense,” he added.

“I remember when Laurens came second in the Guineas, that was considerably more disappointing, possibly because we were beaten by a bit of a freak result.

“To this day, I still suggest the winner didn’t get enough credit for that particular run. Everything worked out for her to run the race of her life and in terms of quantifying the performance, she never got as much credit as she deserved.

“Everything about Bravemansgame was just very different, because we were all just incredibly proud of what a huge run he put in.

“We all instantly appreciated it. If you take the winner out, he would have hacked up and probably put in a performance that would have won the last 10 renewals.

“You can’t help the generation or the opposition.”

Dance is nearing the final stages of completing the renovation of Manor House Farm, a private training facility and development stud for yearlings in Middleham. The historic yard is the birth-place of Derby winner Dante.

Sir Michael Stoute’s former assistant James Horton is his private trainer and they cannot wait to get going, once the finishing touches are complete.

“I’ll be proud when it’s finished,” said Dance. “It is all taking a bit longer than we hoped and expected, but we are excited. It has gone so well with James, so it will be great to just give him even better facilities.

“He’s a lovely guy and I would definitely say he has a touch of genius about him. He has learned from some of the greats, but individually, he definitely has a touch of genius.

“I think James and I are probably thinking, depending on runners, we’ll be set after Royal Ascot.

“We had hoped to be in for new year, then they were saying March or April, and there is still quite a bit to do, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Sounds Russian finished for the season after unfortunate Gold Cup mishap

/in /by

Sounds Russian will not run again this season after being brought down when running a big race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old had finished runner-up in both the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on his previous two starts.

Though sent off at 50-1 in the blue riband, he was in touch with the leaders at the 17th fence, only to be brought down by the fall of Ahoy Senor.

Trainer Ruth Jefferson has ruled out both the Aintree and Punchestown festivals for the consistent chaser, who has been brilliantly campaigned.

She said: “He is fine, but he is not going to be able to run again this season.

“He was just a bit sore after his race. If he didn’t go to Aintree, there wasn’t a huge amount for him, so we just thought we’d give him a bit of time to get over it and start again next season.

“He was unlucky. He jumped the fence brilliantly, but got brought down and got a bit of kicking off A Plus Tard as well, who galloped over the top of him.

“It was the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Sounds Russian started this season on a mark of 150 and opened with victory in a limited handicap at Kelso in October.

He then finished a creditable third to Grand National winner Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds at Aintree.

Jefferson feels that now on a mark of 161, options are restricted.

She added: “I suppose there are only sort of a limited number of chases you could go for. I don’t think he will go back to Kelso for the race he won last October.

“That wasn’t my initial thought, but we’ll see how he is and see what the ground is, and plot our way somewhere.

“It is very hard to know where he would have finished in the Gold Cup, really. He was a little outpaced, then came back on the bridle and then he winged the fence he got brought down at.

“Next year is a long way off, but we will have a look at races like the Gold Cup nearer the time.”

Punchestown a possibility for Affordale Fury

/in /by

Affordale Fury’s 150-1 runner-up effort in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle may have surprised some, but not trainer Noel Meade.

Despite winning a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Galway last year, Affordale Fury went under the radar at the Festival, largely because of his two subsequent runs, when falling in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan in November and then finishing sixth to Champ Kiely in a Naas Grade One.

At Cheltenham, he belied his lofty odds when stepped up to three miles for the first time under Sam Ewing, finding only Stay Away Fay a length too good.

Meade said: “He ran well. He is a very good horse. He was unfortunate at Navan that he got a fall and he wasn’t over the fall when we ran him again, possibly feeling something, at Naas.

“We had to give him time after that, but he is a very good horse.

“He won nicely at Galway before that fall, but I suppose his run at Naas put everyone off.”

Meade expects the five-year-old to develop once he fills into his frame, and has not ruled out one more run this term.

He added: “He stays well. He should be a better horse next year as he is a big, leggy horse.

“He might go to Punchestown, but he certainly won’t go to Aintree. Then he’ll have a bit of time off.”

Michael O’Sullivan basking in glory of Festival double

/in /by

Michael O’Sullivan is “greedy for more” success at the Cheltenham Festival as he reflects on a stellar week in the saddle at Prestbury Park.

The young Irishman – who had previously ridden in just one race at the Festival – enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive day one double at the big meeting.

Having held his nerve to produce Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale to perfection in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he then navigated his way through the pack to strike aboard Gordon Elliott’s Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

It was a day that will live long in the memory of the 23-year-old – whose services continued to be called upon by an array of well-known connections throughout the rest of the week – and one he hopes to repeat at future Festivals.

“It was brilliant, a great day,” said O’Sullivan.

“The first one was very important and then to add another was a nice bonus – it was a special day and one I won’t forget.

“It takes the pressure off. I was obviously very busy for the rest of the week so it’s hard to say you enjoy it as you hardly ever have a minute. But it certainly made the week overall more enjoyable all right.”

He went on: “You’re just greedy for more. After Tuesday I was definitely hoping I would get another one and it’s a bit of a bug – you’re just really greedy for more. I hope it’s not the last one I have anyway.”

O’Sullivan gave Marine Nationale an ice-cool ride when registering his first Grade One victory in the Royal Bond earlier in the season and he showed his steely big-race temperament once again aboard the unbeaten six-year-old – waiting until he had cleared the last before pushing the button to breeze past Facile Vega.

The Cork native was thrilled to see the horse that has helped forge his relationship with owner-trainer Connell thrive yet again on the big stage and, having won a Festival Grade One in facile fashion, is confident there is more to come.

Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell
Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell (Mike Egerton/PA)

He continued: “We were very happy with him beforehand. I ride him most of the time and I was delighted with him.

“The only worry was the ground, but his class got him through and he showed what we always thought of him and how good he is. He’s only going to get better and it was a brilliant performance. He didn’t have a hard race.

“You don’t let yourself feel the buzz until you are over the line, but going down to the last I was really happy I had Facile Vega covered and it was just a matter of jumping the last well. He quickened up nicely and won pretty easily.”

Impervious recovery key to Punchestown outing

/in /by

Trainer Colm Murphy is keen to see how Impervious recovers from her Cheltenham Festival heroics before deciding whether to pitch her back in against the boys before the end of the season.

The County Wexford handler is no stranger to success in the Cotswolds, with Champion Hurdle hero Brave Inca and Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Big Zeb among his five previous Festival winners.

Murphy retired from the training ranks in 2016, but three years later decided to renew his licence and he was thrilled to be back in the hallowed Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure on Friday.

“It was fantastic the way it all panned out on the day,” he said.

“When we came back, you’re only hoping you get a nice one, so we’ve been lucky that way.”

Seven years on from his last Festival triumph with Empire Of Dirt, Impervious lined up with leading claims in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase on Cheltenham Gold Cup day after winning each of her three previous races over fences.

She looked like she may have to make do with the runner-up spot after being passed by hot favourite Allegorie De Vassy on the run-in, but fought back tenaciously to regain the lead and she was ultimately well on top at the line.

Brian Hayes and Impervious return to the Cheltenham winner's enclosure
Brian Hayes and Impervious return to the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure (David Davies/Jockey Club)

The Punchestown Festival at the end of next month appears a logical next port of call, even if it means she will have to take on geldings at Grade One level.

Murphy added: “Touch wood, she seems good. She’s come out of it well and we’re happy.

“We’ll see how she is over the next couple of weeks and then make a decision. Punchestown is still plenty of time away and she was fresh when we ran her in Cheltenham, so we’ll see.

“She might have to take on the boys, but so be it.”

Hero’s welcome for Galopin Des Champs, as locals salute Gold Cup winner

/in /by

Galopin Des Champs was given the reception he so richly deserved as the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero enjoyed a homecoming parade through the village of Leighlinbridge on Tuesday evening.

For a long time it looked like Willie Mullins – the most successful trainer in Festival history – was destined to never claim the showpiece meeting’s most prestigious prize after saddling the runner-up on no less than six occasions.

Al Boum Photo put that to bed with victory in 2019, though, and for good measure successfully defended his crown 12 months later.

Galopin Des Champs lined up for this year’s renewal as a red-hot favourite, with his only defeat in six previous outings over fences coming at last year’s Festival when he came to grief at the final fence with the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at his mercy.

Galopin Des Champs along with trainer Willie Mullins during the homecoming parade through the village of Leighlinbridge in County Carlow
Galopin Des Champs along with trainer Willie Mullins during the homecoming parade through the village of Leighlinbridge in County Carlow (Niall Carson/PA)

Following previous wins this season in the John Durkan at Punchestown and the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, the seven-year-old stamped his class on his return to Prestbury Park with a comprehensive defeat of King George winner Bravemansgame under an ice-cool ride from Paul Townend.

Just as they did after Al Boum Photo’s first triumph four years ago, the Leighlinbridge locals turned out in force to give Galopin Des Champs a hero’s welcome, with Mullins, Townend and owner Audrey Turley also on hand to receive the acclaim of the crowd.

Mullins said: “We’d had six seconds before (Al Boum Photo), and I was resigned to never winning it.

“Al Boum Photo did that job for us, then he won another one it was fantastic to get Galopin Des Champs for Audrey and Greg Turley.

“We thought when he won the Martin Pipe (at the Festival in 2021) that we had a really good horse and he could be Gold Cup material. It was more hope we had a Gold Cup horse than thought we had one.

Galopin Des Champs and his owner Audrey Turley with Willie Mullins
Galopin Des Champs and his owner Audrey Turley with Willie Mullins (Niall Carson/PA)

“His novice hurdling career went very well and his novice chasing career went very well, albeit the slip-up at the last fence in Cheltenham last year. He came back and won the Grade One Ryanair at Fairyhouse – every time we asked him a bigger question, he answered it.

“He’s a horse who was improving all the time and at his age we knew there was a lot more improvement to come.”

The three and a quarter miles of the Gold Cup was unchartered territory, but Mullins said: “I didn’t (doubt his stamina), he showed me as a novice hurdler over three miles at Punchestown – if a horse of that age can do that over three miles, there’s every chance he will go further as an older horse.

“I had faith in the horse, that he wouldn’t burn himself off too early – he was inclined to over-race a little bit as a younger horse, but we’ve concentrated on settling him and Paul has done a great job.

“We had a lot of things going for us going into the race, we (just) needed a bit of luck – everyone needs that.”

Options open for McConnell’s Cheltenham hero Seddon

/in /by

John McConnell has a multitude of options for Seddon after his Cheltenham Festival success.

The 10-year-old ran a fine race to land the Magners Plate Handicap Chase at 20-1, carrying 5lb claimer Ben Harvey to a one-length victory over Richard Hobson’s Fugitif.

The triumph was a first at the meeting for Meath-based McConnell, who has trained the horse to win three of his five starts since taking over the reins from previous trainer Harry Whittington.

“We were over the moon, he’s done so much for us already and anything else was a bonus and what a bonus it is, to get a winner at the Cheltenham Festival,” said McConnell.

“He’s really well now. He came out of the race fine, we got him home and he’s good, he’s fresh.”

Seddon on his way to Cheltenham Festival glory
Seddon on his way to Cheltenham Festival glory (Tim Goode/PA)

Seddon used to run in the silks of the McNeill family before changing hands last summer, with former owner Max McNeill quick to offer genuine congratulations when the horse triumphed for new connections.

“I’m sure there were mixed emotions, but Max is a pure gentleman and he was very happy for the guys involved and for myself,” said McConnell.

“I’m sure he was a little bit gutted that they weren’t his colours, but that’s understandable and no one expected that rejuvenation.

“Not anyone, not even ourselves, so who’s to know?”

Seddon is likely to run again before the end of the season and there are a handful of paths McConnell could now take, with a return to hurdling not ruled out before his campaign comes to a close.

Seddon with winning connections
Seddon with winning connections (Mike Egerton/PA)

The trainer said: “There are so many options for him, from graded chases to big handicap chases and hurdles as well.

“He probably looks on a nice enough mark over hurdles I suppose, so that might be where we go next with him.

“We’ll let him wind down for a week or two and see, but I’m sure he’ll have a run before the end of the season.”

In the aftermath of his Cheltenham heroics there was praise for Seddon not just as an athlete, but as a character too, and those were sentiments McConnell repeated when saying: “He’s just an angel.

“He’s an angel on the ground to deal with, with the kids he’ll just stand there and get patted and eat his carrots. He just loves being a racehorse as well, you couldn’t ask for a nicer horse.

“If you wanted a perfect racehorse, it’s probably him.”

Ahoy Senor heading to Aintree if all goes to plan

/in /by

Ahoy Senor will head to the Bowl at Aintree should he get over his Cheltenham Gold Cup fall.

The Lucinda Russell-trained eight-year-old was among the top British novice chasers last season, and signed off with a clear-cut win in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree, where he defeated the likes of Grade One winner L’Homme Presse and subsequent King George VI Chase hero Bravemansgame.

Though having found life tougher this term, he bounced back after a disappointing King George run to land the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

Friday’s return to Prestbury Park was going well as he was full of running when leading the Gold Cup field to five fences from home under Derek Fox, where he got in too close and had a heavy fall.

However, Russell’s assistant and partner, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore, said he is none the worse for the tumble.

“He’s a bit sorry for himself. He’s sound and everything. He is that type of horse. I think he feels almost embarrassed he fell, but he’s well and a couple of days and he’ll be over it. There are no physical issues,” said Scudamore.

“He ran really well. He will probably go to Aintree, God willing. He has got four weeks, so if he can recover from that, he’ll run.

“We’d always felt we’d go to Aintree with him after this. He’s got a week of quiet and a probably a fortnight working, then another quiet week before his race.

“The extra week between the two meetings this year will certainly be a help.”

The defeat was a bitter blow following the high of Corach Rambler taking the Ultima Handicap Chase for a second consecutive year for the yard.

Corach Rambler and Derek Fox on their way to winning the Ultima for a second time
Corach Rambler and Derek Fox on their way to winning the Ultima for a second time (Mike Egerton/PA)

Though the nine-year-old had a hard race in defeating Fastorslow by a neck and scoring for the fourth time in nine attempts over fences, he is still on course for the Randox Grand National on April 15, for which he is as short as 6-1 favourite.

Speaking from Carlisle on Sunday, Scudamore added: “Corach has lost a bit of weight, but I haven’t ridden him yet.

“I spoke to him last night and he’s very pleased with himself. It’s still the Grand National all being well.”

Edwardstone looks to be finished for the season

/in /by

Edwardstone is unlikely to run again this season, as Alan King attempts to find the reason for his lacklustre display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Impressive winner of the Arkle last season, the nine-year-old had suffered a stop-start preparation due to unusually quick ground conditions this term.

While sent off the 15-8 second-favourite to avenge his defeat by the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene in the Clarence House Chase, which had been rerouted from Ascot to Cheltenham, he was never travelling with much fluency and finished fifth, some 64 lengths behind Mullins’ star.

Unseasonably quick autumn ground meant Edwardstone was not seen until December, where he duly romped to a nine-length win in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Long odds-on for the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas, he unseated Tom Cannon early on and, having suffered a setback after going down a head in the Clarence House, King was naturally disappointed with his latest effort.

“He’s perfectly sound after it,” said King. “We are obviously going to be running a few checks in the next week or so, but certainly there was no repeat of the lameness he had last time.

“At the moment there’s nothing more to add, really.

“We might find something. We have lots of things to do, but at the moment I haven’t go any answers. He’s fine in himself. He was fine the next morning.

“Of course we are disappointed, because I’d been so pleased with his preparation, but whatever it was, I knew we were beat after two fences. He just wasn’t travelling.”

King was not looking to blame the easy ground for defeat and will give Edwardstone all the time he needs to recover.

He added: “I don’t want to blame the ground because he’s won well on that ground before, so I don’t think it was that. I wouldn’t have thought he would run again this season.”

The Barbury Castle handler is keen to get a better run into the Champion Chase next season and added: “I would have thought the plan will be the same next year. Let’s just hope we can get him started better next year. It has been a stop-start season.

“It has not been a disaster, we have still got a Tingle Creek to our credit, so they can’t take that off him.

“But it has not been an easy year – we’ve never got into a total rhythm with him because of the ground and the weather, but there we are. These things happen. I’ve been at it a long time to understand nothing is straightforward.”

Snowden able to look back with pride on efforts of Cheltenham team

/in /by

Jamie Snowden had a surprisingly clear head the morning after You Wear It Well took the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and is in no rush to make plans for the Grade Two winner.

Nine years on from the Lambourn trainer’s first Festival success with Present View, Gavin Sheehan’s mount was up there all the wa and held off Magical Zoe to score at odds of 16-1.

“She trotted out like a gazelle,” Snowden said. “She’s fantastic, still biting everyone.”

The six-year-old, who is owned by Sir Chips Keswick, could head to Fairyhouse for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final on April 9.

Snowden said: “We will see how she is before making a plan. She is obviously still in the Grade One at Fairyhouse over Easter. I put her in that a couple of weeks ago.

“That is still an option, but we’ll see how we go with her.”

He added: “We will certainly jump a fence with her before her summer holiday and see where we go next year.”

Meanwhile Ga Law, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November before falling when looking the likely winner of Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase in January, could still run in a Grand National, albeit the Scottish version.

The fast-improving seven-year-old stayed on to finish fifth to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase.

Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all - at Ayr
Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all – at Ayr (David Davies/PA)

“I thought it was a good run,” said Snowden. “Obviously we know he wants further than that trip, but we were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“The Gold Cup was a silly option and the Ryanair was too short, but I think he has run to the same level of form he did in the Sky Bet Chase, which was improved form on the Paddy Power.

“I thought it was a cracking run, especially on the back of a nasty fall.

“The long-term plan will be next year’s Grand National. He stays very well, he’s just not very quick. He was outpaced all the way in the Paddy Power and stayed on up the hill.

“He has possibly run a career-best over a trip that is too short, first time up in Grade One company, so he’s run a belter to finish fifth.”

“He’s not qualified for the Grand National next month, so that is a great shame, as that would have been great for him.

“There is obviously the option of going for the Betfair Bowl at Aintree. There is the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown, which we will consider, and there is half an eye on the Scottish National as well. We have got a couple of options.”

Snowden is also looking to the future with Colonel Harry, whose brave effort to make all the running in the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso two weeks ago was scuppered when narrowly beaten by Nemean Lion.

The six-year-old had finished just behind Kerry Lee’s runner when fourth in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and, having backed that up with victory at Newcastle, Snowden was content to see the the Grade One form hold fast.

Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season
Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season (Steven Paston/PA)

“It was a great run at Kelso, “ said Snowden. “That was over two miles two (furlongs). A lot of his pedigree is over two miles.

“I think he wants two miles on deep ground – I think that’s his ideal.

“It was a brave effort and it upheld the Tolworth form with Nemean Lion.

“He will be a lovely chaser for next season. We might have half a look at Aintree, depending on what the weather does, but he’s certainly one I’m looking forward to over a fence next year.”