Tag Archive for: Cheltenham Festival

Super Shishkin spreadeagles Ascot Chase field

/in /by

Shishkin proved himself to be back to his brilliant best with a comprehensive victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding was at one point an unstoppable force in the two-mile division, but he was pulled up when the favourite in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last season.

A comeback run in the Tingle Creek this season also ended in defeat, but stepped up in trip under Nico de Boinville, he showed all of his ability, winning at a canter to cross the line 16 lengths to the good at odds of 2-1.

With last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies beaten some way out, it was a duel between Shishkin and Pic D’Orhy turning into the straight.

However, the latter had no answer when Shishkin kicked up a gear, with the winner now 5-4 from 7-2 with Betfair for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson and Shishkin
Nicky Henderson and Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

“Today was everything. If he didn’t show today, we had to say ‘look, we were very lucky, we had a good horse but we haven’t got one anymore’, but today we can say we still have a very good horse,” Henderson said.

“Good horses are good horses, class will out and that’s what it did today. Bless him, he did that.

“The whole game was different, he was on the bridle the whole way. That’s what I wanted to see, instead of having to keep niggling, keep pressing, keep kicking. The first fence was going to tell us everything, second fence told us a lot and by the third, I was a happy man.”

The Ryanair looks the natural next step come the Cheltenham Festival, a race opened up by the withdrawal of Willie Mullins’ two-time winner Allaho.

That news broke during a media morning at Henderson’s yard, but did not influence plans for Shishkin that instead hinged on his Ascot performance.

Shishkin with connections after his triumph
Shishkin with connections after his triumph (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson said: “Some of you were down with us on Monday morning and suddenly the news came through that Allaho was out, that didn’t change what we were going to do anyway.

“We were just going to take it from what we’ve learnt today. The only thing Nico said there is that we do not need the Champion Chase, because the pace of that is actually going to undo what we’ve just done.

“I think you’ve got to say that he’ll be odds on for the Ryanair, unless somebody tells me that there are so many bad horses in the Gold Cup that you’ve got to run him in it.”

Of the chances of Shishkin taking up his Gold Cup entry, Henderson added: “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time so far!

“He’s not in the Champion Chase and he’s not coming into it, at least I can say he’s in the other two. I would have thought the most likely has got to be the Ryanair, it’s the sensible one.”

Shishkin returns to the parade ring
Shishkin returns to the parade ring (Steven Paston/PA)

De Boinville added: “He felt a different horse. He was doing everything right at home and that wind op has definitely helped a whole load.

“I said to the guv’nor we’d know our fate after the first two and so it proved.

“I think just going half a stride slower definitely helped him and he was able to jump and travel and latch on to the bridle, which he hasn’t been doing over two miles.

“I was mindful that he hasn’t run since the Tingle Creek and even then I don’t think he had a very nice time. The most important thing today was to get him jumping and travelling and get him enjoying himself.

“You want them to enjoy it rather than it be hard work all the time.”

Shishkin on his way to victory
Shishkin on his way to victory (Steven Paston/PA)

Pic D’Orhy kept on for second, with trainer Paul Nicholls was not disheartened considering Shishkin’s return to form.

“I just said to Johnny (De la Hey, owner) we’ve been beaten by a better horse, end of story,” he said.

“I think he’s probably run right up to his best, he’s beaten Millers Bank and Fakir D’oudairies but he’s not good enough to beat Shishkin.

“We’ll let him (Shishkin) go to the Ryanair, we’ll give that a miss and probably head to Aintree. We’d have probably done that anyway as the flat track suits him better. I’d imagine Shishkin will be hard to beat in the Ryanair.”

Elite performance from Oscar books Ultima ticket

/in /by

Oscar Elite provided Joe Tizzard with a first Graded race winner in his own name when outpointing the odds-on favourite Bold Endeavour in the Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot.

Placed in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in his days over hurdles, he also went close at the big meeting last year in the Ultima Handicap Chase as a novice.

Having failed to win over fences to date, he brought plenty of experience to the table as a second-season novice but he looked up against it, sent off at 6-1 in a three-runner affair.

However, proving once again that he reserves his best form for the spring, Oscar Elite put in some big leaps on the way round for Harry Cobden, who can do little wrong at present, and he was too strong in the straight for the favourite, winning by seven and a half lengths.

“There’s no doubt he comes better in the spring. We fancied him going into the Coral Gold Cup but it all happened too quickly for him and they got him at it. On his day he’s got an engine,” said Tizzard.

“I saw this was going to cut-up and  thought it would give him a confidence-booster if nothing else. He was able to get in a lovely rhythm and the further he went, the more he enjoyed it.

“He looked like he was going to win the Ultima jumping the last and then he had a trapped epiglottis at Aintree. You can kind of forgive him getting his confidence back. He’ll go back to the Ultima now and then there’s the novice options at Aintree.

“He had some stiff tasks last year, we threw him in at the deep end on a number of occasions. In the future he could be a National horse.”

Betfair cut the winner to 8-1 from 16s for the Ultima next month.

Cap Du Nord clears the last on his way to victory
Cap Du Nord clears the last on his way to victory (Steven Paston/PA)

Christian Williams had made no secret that Cap Du Nord (11-2) would be fully tuned up for the LK Bennett Swinley Handicap Chase and the stable favourite duly obliged.

A seasoned campaigner, his programme almost picks itself these days but Williams decided on a change of tack this year by skipping the Coral Trophy that he won last season at Kempton in favour of this race.

Williams had been fearful he would miss the cut next week off a rating of 127 but he showed he was well capable of winning off it, bounding clear under Jack Tudor to beat Neon Moon by seven lengths.

“We think Frodon is going for the race next week which will push us out of the weights so we played our hand this week instead,” said Williams.

“It’s great to get an Ascot winner for the horse, Jack and the owners. He’s only a 125-127 rated horse but he means as much to us as a 160 horse would in another yard. He wins a big TV race for us every year.

“I bought him off a friend of mine, Pat Doyle, and as his confirmation wouldn’t be great, he wasn’t one for the sales so we bought him and it’s a great story.

“There’s no secret, every time he gets to 130 or above he cannot win a race, it’s in black and white for everyone to see. He ran well at Doncaster last time and Jack is still annoyed about not winning, so it goes to show he was unlucky that day – but he’s put it right today.”

Bo Zenith cut for Triumph after Haydock strike

/in /by

Exciting French recruit Bo Zenith put a disappointing British debut behind him with a clear-cut victory in the Betfred Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle at Haydock.

The Zarak gelding was a winner at Auteuil on his racecourse introduction last spring and the form could hardly have worked out better, with the runner-up Blood Destiny now a leading contender for the Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins and the third-placed David Du Berlais since winning in Listed company.

On the strength of that performance Bo Zenith was a 4-11 favourite on his first start for Gary Moore at Sandown last month, but odds-on backers had their fingers burnt as he trailed home a well beaten third of four runners.

Despite that disappointment, the four-year-old once again headed the market on Merseyside at 9-4 as he aimed to provide Moore and owner Olly Harris with back-to-back Victor Ludorum victories following the success of Porticello 12 months ago.

And while he was under pressure early in the straight, Bo Zenith responded to Tom Cannon’s urgings to grab the lead and galloped clear on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths.

Porticello went on to finish sixth in the Triumph Hurdle following last year’s win and Betfair cut Bo Zenith to 16-1 from 33-1 for the juvenile championship.

Moore said: “He was so disappointing at Sandown. I thought I’d found the worst race I could possibly have found and I couldn’t believe he got beat.

“I’d hate to think he wasn’t fit enough. Maybe he just hadn’t quite come to himself and maybe the heavy ground at Sandown didn’t suit him as much as I thought it would.

“I’ve only listened to the race today on the radio and I haven’t spoken to Tom (Cannon) yet, so I wouldn’t want to comment on his performance too much, but it’s nice he’s gone and won.

“I’ll speak to the owners and make a plan from there.”

Johnson’s Blue (17-2) notched his seventh win in the past 12 months in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Walford’s charge was rated just 87 when his winning spree began at Hexham in March and had to compete from a more lofty perch of 123 at Haydock.

But the six-year-old proved the handicapper has not caught up with him just yet with a tenacious display from the front end, seeing off 4-1 favourite The Changing Man by a length and a half.

“He’s a real trier, he’s genuine and he jumps. My plan wasn’t really to make the running today, but he was jumping and going forward and enjoying it, so I didn’t want to disappoint him,” said winning jockey Jamie Hamilton.

“The last furlong and a half it felt like the line was never coming, but he really stuck it out.”

Super Six in action at Hereford
Super Six in action at Hereford (David Davies/PA)

Nigel Twiston-Davies and Jordan Nailor combined to win the Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap Chase, with 9-2 shot Super Six drawing 15 lengths clear of his rivals.

Nailor, partnering his first winner since riding out his claim, said: “I’m very grateful that Nigel is still giving me support and nice horses to ride. We’ll keep trying to go forward.

“We settled lovely and he jumped fantastic – I can’t fault him at all.”

The Famous Clermont team at Haydock
The Famous Clermont team at Haydock (PA)

Famous Clermont (4-5 favourite) could be Cheltenham bound following an easy 18-length verdict in the Betfred Steve Hope Walrus Open Hunters’ Chase for trainer Chris Barber and jockey Will Biddick.

Barber said: “That was impressive. The engine is there and now we’re sort of unlocking where we want to go.

“Potentially Cheltenham, we will have to have a chat with the team but Cheltenham is on the cards.

“Will is very keen to try to get him to Aintree maybe, but options are open and after a performance like that, you need to take stock. He’s a proper horse and I’m lucky to have him.”

Bay back on form with Ascot verdict

/in /by

Springwell Bay ran out an easy winner of the Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Poetry Competition Novices’ Hurdle to get his career back on the right track.

Second in the prestigious Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival in 2021, he was subsequently bought for €155,000.

A winner on his first two outings for Jonjo O’Neill, he was beaten into third at Cheltenham in November by John McConnell’s Fennor Cross but looked a different proposition stepped up in trip.

He travelled noticeably strongly in the hands of O’Neill jnr and loomed upsides the favourite Attacca before bursting clear to win by nine lengths.

The trainer said of the 3-1 winner: “He’s been a a little bit difficult, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. When you’ve got patient owners you can take your time.

“He won’t be going to Cheltenham this year. We’ll make sure what he’s like when he gets back, he needs another run. We don’t know what we’ve got yet but we’re hoping he’s nice. He has had little issues, though.

“We’ve always thought he was a nice horse but he hasn’t matured. We fancied him at Cheltenham, but he checked out going to the second last and we were disappointed.

“That’s a big step in the right direction and the extra distance really helped.”

Irish Hill pings the last under Harry Cobden
Irish Hill pings the last under Harry Cobden (Steven Paston/PA)

The Cheltenham Festival could come into the equation for Irish Hill, though, after he justified 100-30 favouritism in the Ascot Racecourse Supports Box4Kids Handicap Hurdle.

Partneredy by Harry Cobden, already on the scoresheet with Oscar Elite in the Reynoldstown, Irish Hill sneaked through on the inside to hit the front two from home and was always doing enough to win by a length and three-quarters from Zoffany Bay, having his first run for 700 days.

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He could go in either the Coral Cup or the Martin Pipe.

“I thought he won tidily and I’m not sure he was doing a whole lot in front. The third horse (Samarrive) ran a super race too.”

Passing Well primed for Prestige prize

/in /by

Jamie Snowden’s Passing Well will look to continue his progression with a step up in trip for the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock.

The six-year-old has been making a success of his early hurdling career so far, winning on debut and then finishing fourth when stepped steeply up to Grade One level in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle.

Then returned to slightly less exalted company in a Newcastle novice, the gelding defied a penalty to win comfortably when coming home five and a half lengths ahead of his nearest rival.

The form from the Challow has begun to look increasingly solid in the meantime, with the fifth-placed Marble Sands going on the win the Sidney Banks and Snowden’s own You Wear It Well, second, bolting up in the Grade Two Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Passing Well holds an entry for the Albert Bartlett, and after this Grade Two the contest could be another stepping stone to a novice chasing campaign for him next season.

Snowden said: “He won very nicely first time out this season, then ran well when fourth in the Challow.

“He won very nicely on his last start under a penalty. He’s in the Albert Bartlett and we’ll have to see where we go with him next, but he’s a very exciting horse and he will be especially so next season when he goes novice chasing.”

Paul Nicholls’ Makin’yourmindup is also due to run in the same race, another step forward in a novice hurdling career that has seen him win twice and then finish second on his most recent start.

The latter performance saw him defeated two lengths on soft ground at Kempton and his trainer is hopeful that a run on better going will be of benefit.

“He shapes like an out-and-out stayer, won his first two starts for us this season and was then far from disgraced when finishing second to Collectors Item at Kempton five weeks ago when he wasn’t suited by the slow pace of the race,” he told Betfair.

“He didn’t enjoy the attritional ground that day and will appreciate a stronger gallop at Haydock in a competitive race.”

Joe Tizzard’s Scarface, Richard Bandey’s Saint Palais and Ben Clarke’s Dr Kananga all line up alongside Collectors Item – the winner of Makin’yourmindup’s last start.

More Grade Two honours are on offer in the Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle, a stayers’ contest run at a trip of just over three miles.

Nick Kent’s Erne River is well-fancied for the race having switched back to hurdles recently, with Venetia Williams’ Green Book also in the reckoning after a valuable success last time out.

Delight for Snowden, as You Wear It Well powers home at Sandown

/in /by

You Wear It Well will head to Cheltenham after showing her class in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

The Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old advertised her potential with a pair of clear-cut victories in novice contests in the early stages of the season – and looked the one to beat in this Grade Two contest having chased home Paul Nicholls’ highly-regarded Ballymore favourite Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle on New Year’s Eve, a race that has worked out tremendously well.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite in the hands of Gavin Sheehan, the daughter of Midnight Legend quickly hit the front to lead the field of five in the early stages.

Halfway down the back Bridget Andrews made an enterprising move on one of the original backmarkers, She’s A Saint, by circling the field and then going on from You Wear It Well as the runners span the turn for home.

However, Sheehan was in no rush to wrestle back the advantage and simply allowed his mount to draw level with Dan Skelton’s 15-2 chance at the second-last before kicking clear to record a seven-and-a-half length success in the closing stages, with She’s A Saint gamely plugging on for the silver medal.

The winner holds entries in both the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park next month, but her handler refused to be drawn on which of her possible engagements would be taken.

He said: “We didn’t really have a plan going out there to be honest, it was a five-horse race and all five have gone on in the past, so I said to Gavin to do what he wanted as he knows her so well.

“I think she was kind of dossing to be honest and when Bridget came past it probably just helped her out a little bit. She looked really good. I look forward to the argument with Chips! (Sir Chips Keswick, owner).”

Meanwhile, Sheehan was keen to evidence the case for the the mares’ only option – with Betfair going 10-1 from 16s for the shorter of the two races.

He explained: “On paper there was going to be lots of speed and that was my plan, to cover her up and just kind of come through.

“She’s one of those who could stay three miles, but I think she can also run over two. I think the mares’ race at Cheltenham would suit. It’s run on the track which is more for stayers, so even though it’s over two miles and no matter what at Cheltenham you’re going to be flat out – so you need to stay.”

No Cheltenham, but Keighley excited at what the future holds for Shinji

/in /by

Shinji, who showed plenty of promise when finishing third in a Newbury bumper on Saturday, will bypass the championship event at Cheltenham.

The Kingston Hill gelding, owned by Louise Jones, gave Flat trainer Roget Varian his first success in the National Hunt code with an eyecatching nine-length success at Fakenham in November.

He subsequently joined Martin Keighley and under Sam Twiston-Davies was only beaten two and a half lengths by Aslukgoes at Newbury.

“I was thrilled with Shinji,” said Keighley.

“Sam said he must have some engine to pull as hard as he did. He said he basically ran away with him until he eventually settled in front.

“If he’d have settled from the start, he would probably have won. He is a most exciting horse.”

However, his Condicote-based handler is not keen to run him at the Cheltenham Festival, as he lacks experience.

“He had one run for Roger Varian and he won impressively that day, but he didn’t really beat much. Aidan Coleman still said he did it well, though.

“I think it is too much to ask for a four-year-old to run in a Champion Bumper. He would go to Aintree, I’d say.

“He will make an exciting hurdler for next season. We have schooled him and he jumps well, so we’re looking forward to him.

“He will get further. He is a real strong stayer – he must be to pull as hard as he did (at Newbury) and still hit the line so well.”

Keighley has his string in great heart, and Prairie Diamond was the yard’s fifth winner in the last fortnight when scoring on his debut in the bumper at Hereford on Wednesday.

“They are in really good form at the moment. I’m really pleased with Prairie Diamond,” added the handler.

“He is a big baby, but he came in late. I still own three-quarters of him, so I will have to sell the rest of him now.”

Monty’s Star shines in one-two for De Bromhead in Clonmel feature

/in /by

Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a one-two in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel, as Monty’s Star booked his Cheltenham ticket in claiming a first career victory ahead of better-fancied stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake.

Monty’s Star had finished second in a Navan maiden on his jumping debut last month, subsequently coming into the Clonmel Grade Three as a 7-1 chance under Sean Flanagan with Hiddenvalley Lake the 8-13 favourite.

Under Rachael Blackmore Hiddenvalley Lake led at a canter as Monty’s Star stayed in his slipstream until the field turned for home.

The pair then locked horns over the final two flights, with Monty’s Star winning the battle to discard his maiden tag in prevailing by half a length on the line, giving Flanagan a second winner back since his return from a back injury suffered in a heavy fall at Thurles in October.

“I’m delighted with that and Sean gave him a great ride. He has taken a long time, he is a big, big horse and ran really well in his maiden hurdle at Navan when he was a bit green,” De Bromhead said.

“He had done a season with Colin Bowe (point-to-point handler), but is so big and raw. He has just taken all this time, it is amazing, so you’d hope he will continue to improve and he has the size and scope of a chaser. He has the pedigree as well (a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Monalee, in the same Barry Maloney colours).

“We tried this race in the past with (Minella) Indo and Monalee so we said we’d give it a go to see would he stay and he duly did. He is in the Albert Bartlett and that’s where we’re going now.”

Of his other runner he added: “I think Hiddenvalley Lake ran well but struggled on the ground, which is tough, and he’ll be better for better ground. He was also giving away weight.

“He is also in the Albert Bartlett and is entitled to go, but we’ll see what everyone wants to do. Indo was beaten by Allaho in this race a few years ago so it is a good race.”

Snowden working out route to National tilt with Ga Law

/in /by

Options are open for Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law as he looks to resume his path towards big spring targets.

The seven-year-old hit his stride instantly when starting the season with a second-placed run in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, after which he headed to Cheltenham to contest the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

At Prestbury Park he was a three-quarter-length winner over Mouse Morris’ French Dynamite, a performance that left him well-fancied for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in late January.

For almost all of the race he looked worthy of his 3-1 joint-favourite status, but a fall at the last robbed him of what appeared a winning chance.

The bay sustained a few cuts as a result, but is now back in full training and could follow a number of paths to high-profile races at the peak of the season.

Ga Law winning the ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton Racecourse
Ga Law winning the ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton Racecourse (Michael Steele/PA)

The Grand National has been pencilled in for Ga Law for some time and Snowden would like to aim the bay at Kelso’s Premier Chase in preparation, but if that fixture looms too soon then the Cheltenham Festival may come into the equation.

The horse holds entries for the Ryanair, the Gold Cup and the Ultima Handicap, each one possessing both pros and cons that will have to be discussed by connections.

Snowden said: “He’s bounced out of the Doncaster race, he had a couple of cuts but thankfully they’ve all healed well and he’s back into his normal routine now.

“We’ve got various options with him, if he is going to go to the Grand National then he’s probably got to go the Premier Chase at Kelso.

“That might just come a little bit too soon, so we’ll have a look at Cheltenham as well. He’s got options in the Ryanair, the Gold Cup and maybe a handicap, but he would be carrying a fair bit of weight in the Ultima.

Ga Law with proud connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Ga Law with proud connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

“The Gold Cup is obviously a big step up in class, so certainly the Ryanair comes into consideration – especially with Allaho out.

“We’ll have a chat with the owners and work out a plan going forwards.”

Definite decision yet to be made on Arkle for Final Orders

/in /by

Gavin Cromwell is eyeing an ambitious tilt at the Arkle Trophy with his fast-improving Dublin Racing Festival winner Final Orders.

The seven-year-old has made remarkable progress since joining Cromwell last summer, with his first victory coming in a Bellewstown handicap hurdle in August when rated just 96.

Final Orders has since had his attentions turned the larger obstacles and while he was narrowly beaten on his chasing debut at Downpatrick, he has since rattled off a four-timer including back-to-back triumphs at Leopardstown.

A 9lb hike for his lucrative Dublin Racing Festival triumph means he is now on a lofty perch of 149, leaving Cromwell to consider a possible step up to Grade One level at Cheltenham next month.

“Final Orders is all good and at the moment I suppose the Arkle is the most likely place he’ll go, but he’ll probably get an entry in a couple of the handicaps as well,” said the trainer.

“He loves jumping fences and is such a good jumper. Realistically we’re probably only looking at a place chance in the Arkle, but you never know what can happen on the day.”

Final Orders is part of a small but select team of horses Cromwell is preparing for the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds, with dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter the star of the squad, provided he recovers from a setback in time to bid for the hat-trick.

Perceval Legallois in action at Leopardstown
Perceval Legallois in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Perceval Legallois, another Dublin Racing Festival winner, is also bound for Prestbury Park along with a few other stablemates.

Cromwell added: “Perceval Legallois is qualified for the Pertemps Final and I suppose that’s the obvious place to go. He was good in Leopardstown and we’re definitely aiming towards that.

“I’m happy with Jeremys Flame. She was a good winner in Huntingdon the last day and I’m and looking forward to going for the Mares’ Chase with her.

“We’ll let Letsbeclearaboutit take his chance in the Albert Bartlett and Path D’Oroux will probably go for the County Hurdle.”