Tag Archive for: Cheltenham

The Real Whacker shocks Dipper rivals

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The Real Whacker stunned his rivals with an outsider’s victory in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

The seven-year-old was a 10-1 chance for the Grade Two under Sam Twiston-Davies, with Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral the most fancied of the field as the 13-8 favourite for the race better known as the Dipper.

Jumping exceptionally throughout, the Patrick Neville-trained gelding travelled strongly from the off and was not for catching when striding into an unassailable lead up the hill.

The Real Whacker came home three and a quarter lengths in front of Monmiral, with Betfair introducing him as a 25-1 chance for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival and a 33-1 shot for the Brown Advisory at the March showpiece.

Neville is targeting the Festival, but will give his charge multiple options.

The trainer said: “He is a big frame and a bit babyish. We will mind him. We dropped him back (in trip), the idea being to put them under pressure, as he jumps so well.

“He will come back here for the Festival. He’ll be entered in a couple – he might even go for the Gold Cup!

“I’ve minded him as I know he is a good one. If he was in a bigger yard he would have got lost. It is brilliant.

The Real Whacker will be given multiple Festival quotes
The Real Whacker will be given multiple Festival quotes (David Davies/PA)

“Looking at Monmiral, you had to respect him as he is a Grade One winner, but this horse is progressing and is on the up. Hopefully he will be a Grade One winner soon.

“He got into a lovely rhythm. Gavin Sheehan rode him the last day and filled him with confidence. Gavin wasn’t available today, which was disappointing, as he is at Catterick.

“I’ve been looking at Sam since a young lad riding around here and he has ridden loads of winners and he knows it like the back of his hand. He was a great sub but between the two of them they are top-class men but it helps when they have a nice horse underneath them.”

Paul Nicholls still rates Monmiral highly
Paul Nicholls still rates Monmiral highly (Nigel French/PA)

Nicholls retains plenty of faith in Monmiral despite his defeat.

He said: “He’s still a bit babyish. I don’t think he did a lot wrong, but he needs to grow up a bit and he’ll be all right in time.

“Clan (Des Obeaux) was a bit like that when he was that age. It took him until six to get to that next level.

“It is bit like Bravemansgame as everyone knocked his form as a five-year-old and look at him now. Monmiral will be the same, he just needs time.”

Happygolucky day in store at Cheltenham for Bailey

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Kim Bailey believes ground conditions are the key to Happygolucky’s chance in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

The son of Jeremy has won three of his six starts over fences to date, with his most recent triumph coming in a Grade Three handicap on the undercard of the 2021 Grand National at Aintree.

A subsequent injury kept Happygolucky on the sidelines for 18 months, but he proved his ability remains very much intact with an excellent comeback effort when third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

That form looks rock solid in light of results over the Christmas period, with the winner L’Homme Presse booked for second in the King George at Kempton before unseating his rider at the final fence, while the runner-up Into Overdrive went one better in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby.

Happygolucky steps down in trip for his latest assignment and Bailey is hoping the heavens open at Prestbury Park ahead of Cheltenham’s £100,000 handicap.

He said: “I’ve been happy with him since Newcastle and the more rain we can get the better. We’re going back in trip and I’d prefer proper soft ground.

“He’s come out of Newcastle very well. That was a good run and the form has worked out.”

Happygolucky is one of 17 runners declared for the extended two-and-a-half-mile contest, with Dan Skelton’s Midnight River and the Paul Nicholls-trained Il Ridoto two of the market principals after finishing third and fourth respectively in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at the track.

Nicholls also saddles the seventh from that prestigious handicap in Simply The Betts.

Il Ridoto at Newbury
Il Ridoto at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

“Il Ridoto finished a decent fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and missed out when the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham was abandoned with the rest of Cheltenham’s Saturday card,” Nicholls told Betfair.

“The three in front of him in the Paddy Power all had the advantage of a previous run and he would have been close but for making a mistake at the last fence. He has improved for that run and will enjoy easier ground at Cheltenham.

“Simply The Betts gave David Maxwell a great spin in the Paddy Power. They were handy the whole way, in touch with the leaders before tiring on the flat after being hampered.

“Simply The Betts is one of ours who is still probably 10lb too high in the handicap, but he has won twice at the track and always runs his race. He is sure to give David another exciting ride.”

Other leading contenders include Brave Seasca, an impressive last time out winner at Aintree for Venetia Williams, and Ben Pauling’s recent Exeter scorer Shakem Up’Arry – owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp.

Pauling said: “He definitely stayed two and a half at Exeter last time for the first time in his career and we’re leaving the tongue-tie on.

“He’s been in good order at home and we’re looking forward to seeing how he fares in a decent handicap for the first time.”

The Sam Thomas-trained Stolen Silver, who unseated when favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, also returns the Cotswolds, while Joe Tizzard saddles both War Lord and Lostintranslation.

Marie’s ready to rock on Cheltenham return

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Dual Grade One winner Marie’s Rock returns to action on Sunday in a high-class renewal of the careers@dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the Middleham Park Racing-owned mare returned from a spell in the doldrums to cause something of a surprise in the David Nicholson Hurdle at the Festival in March before proving that was no fluke by beating stablemate Epatante at Punchestown.

She is taking on geldings on her return to action, but this has always been the plan with the major spring festivals foremost in the mind of connections.

“Last year was very special indeed. I’m not sure if we’d won a graded race before so for her to go and win two Grade Ones and be crowned leading hurdler at The McCoys topped it off,” said Middleham Park’s Tom Palin.

“I think it meant that bit more to the members as we went through a significant down with her, we lost her and just couldn’t get her right.

“It’s hugely exciting she’s back, but things will be harder this year with penalties which is why she hasn’t been out until now. There were no issues, this was always the plan and time will tell if it was right our wrong.

“She’s got two crowns to defend this season and it has been very much the plan to work backwards from them. This was the logical target and it has been for six months.

“Her work at home has been excellent, as well as she has ever worked Nicky reported, and Nico (de Boinville) texted me the other day to say how much he was looking forward to riding her again.

Connections of Marie’s Rock celebrate after winning the Mares' Hurdle
Connections of Marie’s Rock celebrate after winning the Mares’ Hurdle (Nigel French/PA)

“She requires a career-best to win this, though, because with the International Hurdle not being rearranged a few have rerouted here. I’ve been involved in racing for 15 years and I can’t remember this race ever looking as strong as it does this year.

“On the figures, with her allowance she should be bang there. It looks a very tight race but it is the first time we are taking geldings on in Pattern company. It will be interesting to see how the 7lb transfers. On a line through Epatante and Stormy Ireland, who won this last year, we should be involved.

“We’re going there thinking we’ve got a chance but so will be the connections of Knappers Hill, I Like To Move It and Nicky’s other runner, First Street. I wouldn’t swap ours, though.”

Knappers Hill is on a four-race winning streak and comfortably saw off Sceau Royal in the Elite Hurdle last time out, for which he must shoulder a penalty.

Knappers Hill is on a winning streak
Knappers Hill is on a winning streak (Nigel French/PA)

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls had aimed him at the International Hurdle but the meeting was frozen off so now he is stepping up in trip.

Nicholls told Betfair: “Knappers Hill is in great form, it’s a shame the meeting didn’t go ahead the other day when the ground was good.

“There is rain forecast but good to soft will be fine for him. He’s very well. It’s a good-looking race but hopefully he’ll run very well.”

Brewin’upastorm has never had much luck at Cheltenham but Olly Murphy is not afraid to send him back to Prestbury Park once more.

“It is an extremely competitive renewal of the race especially after the abandonment of the International Hurdle at the track earlier this month,” said Murphy.

“On his day he is very good. I felt he needed the run badly at Ascot and I’m looking forward to running him in this.

“If he turns up with his A game I think he has an each-way chance, but he is in good form.

“I feel we have a bit of unfinished business here. He has been to Cheltenham four times and finished rider-less on three of them including when falling at the last in this race 12 months ago.

“I felt on two of those occasions he would have won, while what would have happened in the Arkle I’m not sure.

“He deserves a race like this but this is probably the most competitive race, bar his Grade Ones at Aintree, that he has run in for a while. If he gets everything go right, he should go well.”

Thunder Rock and Monmiral poised for Cheltenham showdown

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Olly Murphy expects to have a clearer idea about Thunder Rock’s potential ambitions for the rest of the season after he takes on Monmiral at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral is the likely favourite for a Grade Two contest more commonly known as ‘The Dipper’, having won at Grade One level over hurdles and finished best of the rest behind star novice Jonbon on his chasing debut at Warwick in November.

Thunder Rock, on the other hand, has climbed the ranks through handicaps, but has been seriously impressive in winning his two starts over fences to date at Uttoxeter and Ascot.

The assessor has him rated 2lb higher than Monmiral ahead of their clash in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase, and Murphy is looking forward to seeing how he fares in this higher grade.

He said: “Thunder Rock is a lovely horse and has taken very well to fences. He was a good hurdler last season but we thought he would improve for a fence, which he has done in his two starts this season.

“This trip will suit him perfectly and he appears to be on an upward curve, but we will know where we stand after this. He is a horse that we think plenty of and he already has a mark of 150.

“I thought he would improve going chasing but you never know how much they will improve. The handicapper has him a stone better over fences.

“If he wins I would think he would then head to Sandown Park for the Scilly Isles. If not, we will make alternative arrangements.”

He added: “We had him in the Wayward Lad at Kempton, but we all thought in the end that two miles around there might just be on the sharp side for him. Hopefully we have made the right decision.”

Monmiral alongside Jonbon at Warwick
Monmiral alongside Jonbon at Warwick (David Davies/PA)

Nicholls is confident Monmiral will improve from his initial effort over fences and prove hard to beat.

“His jumping was very good on his debut over fences when he chased home Jonbon over two miles at Warwick in November last month,” the Ditcheat handler told Betfair.

“This race was the ideal choice for Monmiral with softer ground and and the step up in trip to two and a half miles very much in his favour. He is a high-class horse who has plenty going for him.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles Beauport – winner of the Coral Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle before being put in his place by Dan Skelton’s Ballygrifincottage at Haydock.

Patrick Neville’s course winner The Real Whacker returns to the Cotswolds, while Harper’s Brook has his sights raised by Ben Pauling following victory in a novice handicap chase at Bangor.

Pauling said: “It is a big step up, but we’ll see how we get on.

“I think the better the race the better he’ll run. He jumps well, he travels well and we’re looking forward to it.

“It would be lovely if we got some rain. He will handle good to soft ground, but if we had a bit more rain it would suit him.”

Fergal O’Brien’s outsider Mortlach completes the field.

Scudamore: Still more to come from Ahoy Senor

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Peter Scudamore is not a man given to making excuses, yet reluctantly concedes the recent cold snap may have contributed to Ahoy Senor’s fifth-place finish in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Winner of the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April, the Lucinda Russell-trained seven-year-old has yet to score in three starts this term and was beaten 33 lengths by Bravemansgame in the Boxing Day feature.

Last season’s high-class novice jumped with plenty of fluency out of the soft ground in the three-mile event, which pleased connections, even if the result left something to be desired.

Russell’s partner and assistant, eight-time champion jockey Scudamore, said Ahoy Senor was not disgraced and could now head to the Grade Two Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 28.

“It’s funny really, I had been worried about his jumping, I got his jumping right but I’ve got to get his galloping right,” said Scudamore.

“I was disappointed, but when you are dealing with a horse at that level, you get disappointed. If I want to grasp at straws and make excuses, I think we have run one or two who, once the snow came, I couldn’t get them on the main gallop. I hate using those excuses, but I do think that.

“He was fifth in a King George and I know L’Homme Presse unseated at the last, but he hasn’t disgraced himself.”

Too keen on his return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, and not fluent early on when a close-up third to last season’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds at Aintree, Ahoy Senor made just one minor jumping error in the King George.

“It is not show jumping,” said Scudamore. “I thought he jumped well. It is the first time since Aintree that he has got all his jumping together.

“I’ve no complaints with his jumping. We have just got to get him galloping and we probably needed a gallop or two more.

“Some of the horses it suits, some of the heavier horses it doesn’t. It is my job to get them right.

“I think with better ground and better preparation, there is some more to come.”

Though some pundits suggested that the Sunbury track would not play to the strengths of the Bruce Wymer-owned Dylan Thomas gelding, Scudamore was quick to dispel those arguments.

He added: “Even last year, people blamed the track, but I don’t think the track made any difference to him. He’s run well at Cheltenham, he’s run well at Liverpool, he jumped well round Kempton. So, let’s get the facts out – I think he handles any track.

Corach Rambler has Lingfield option
Corach Rambler has Lingfield option (Nigel French/PA)

“I think when he gets the right race, when he’s right, he’ll win again.”

Russell and Scudamore will try to keep Ahoy Senor and fellow stable star Corach Rambler apart, although the latter, winner of the the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, could return to the Prestbury Park track next month should he not run on Winter Millions day at Lingfield on January 22.

Scudamore said: “It depends on the ground. I wouldn’t run Ahoy if it is very soft at Cheltenham, but he might go to the Cotswold Chase.

“Corach Rambler has got Lingfield or the Cotswold Chase. I think he might go to the Fleur De Lys and if the ground was very soft at Cheltenham, he might go to the Cotswold Chase, but I’d favour Lingfield. We’ll see closer to the time.”

The two miles and six furlongs Fleur De Lys chase could prove a stepping stone to the Grand National for Corach Rambler, who was a staying-on fourth to Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last month.

With the David Pipe-trained runner-up Remastered backing that up with an authoritative win over three miles at Kempton on Tuesday, Scudamore is hopeful the eight-year-old can follow suit.

“I was delighted to see Remastered frank the form,” he added. “The Coral Gold Cup was the best staying handicap this side of the water.

“I was pleased with his run, so Corach is going to have his first piece of work since that run today (Friday). He’ll have two runs before the Grand National – that’s the dream.”

Flat spin for Triumph hope Scriptwriter at Wolverhampton

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Scriptwriter will have a spin on the all-weather at Wolverhampton on Friday, with Milton Harris keen to get a run into his star juvenile before he continues his Triumph Hurdle build-up over obstacles.

Harris has seen the weather scupper his plans in the last month, with Scriptwriter having intended engagements at both Doncaster and Cheltenham wiped out by the recent cold snap and the ground going against him at Chepstow where he was declared to run in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle.

Now the son of Churchill, who is a best-priced 20-1 for Grade One glory at the Cheltenham Festival, will keep the cogs turning in the 12-furlong Scu Selects Expert Tips By BetUK Handicap at Dunstall Park – a run which will hopefully put him spot on for a return to hurdling at Prestbury Park on January 28.

“He’s been ready to run for a while,” said Harris. “Obviously we had him entered at Cheltenham and Doncaster when we had that bad weather spell and both were abandoned.

“The problem then was finding somewhere to run and Chepstow was never really on our agenda because it is a very dour test for three-year-olds. Even though the ground was probably not as bad as it could be, it still wasn’t nice ground.

“We took the view that this horse has a lot of speed and the plan is to go to Trials Day at Cheltenham and/or the Adonis.

“But he has been ready to run for a while and I felt if we don’t run at Wolverhampton, I need to give him a good piece of work at home here on Friday, so he may as well have a run round for a bit of prize-money at Wolverhampton.

“He’ll be competitive. He’s a good horse. I’m very happy with him and I think he’s improved since last time and we just need to get a run into him. The timing works very well and we’re roughly four weeks from the Cheltenham race.”

With many of the major UK Triumph Hurdle trials falling victim to the recent freeze, the Sutton Veny handler has been a keen observer of the action in Ireland over the past few weeks.

And although impressed by Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth, who cemented her position as favourite for the juvenile highlight at the Festival with a bloodless victory at Leopardstown, Harris sees no reason why the Scriptwriter should not be in the Triumph Hurdle conversation at this stage.

“Clearly Willie’s horse sets a high standard, but there doesn’t seem the same strength in depth at this stage of the season as maybe there was last year. That’s not to say the favourite isn’t a very good horse, but last year we had the likes of Fil Dor, Vauban and Pied Piper.

“All of these horses are ex-Flat horses and Scriptwriter is the highest rated of all of them. He is rated 102 and has every right to be in the picture.

Scriptwriter ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan (white/red silks) on their way to winning the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham
Scriptwriter ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan (white/red silks) on their way to winning the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham (David Davies/Jockey Club)

“I think he is a different type of horse to Knight Salute, who was a battle-hardened soul. Scriptwriter would have more natural class, so until we realise we’re not good enough, the Triumph Hurdle is our route.”

Harris has developed a real niche for handling juvenile hurdlers in recent years and has plenty of positive words for a trio of three-year-olds who did make the track over the Christmas period.

Highland Frolic and Postmark were both seen in action at Kempton with the former finishing a staying-on third at a big price, while at Fontwell on Boxing Day, Polyphonic recorded a taking 10-length victory.

Although yet to match the levels Scriptwriter has achieved, the Fred Winter on the opening day of the Festival could now come into the reckoning for the talented trio.

“Highland Frolic had a pretty major wind operation and I was delighted with him, bearing in mind halfway down the back he looked as if he would drop away,” continued Harris.

“I think because we’ve had his wind done, it was the first time he realised he could run through it and he’s ended up only being beaten seven lengths. There will be masses of improvement in him, he’s a nice horse.

“I shouldn’t have run Postmark, he’s a better horse than that – don’t give up on him. He just doesn’t want that ground and we took a chance. He’s a good ground horse and you’ll see him in some of the better races in the spring.

“Polyphonic is a different type. The faster they gom the better it’ll suit him and I’ve just got in the back of my mind he might just be OK for the Fred Winter when they go really quick.

“They would all be more than entitled to take their chance. I think (a rating of) 122 got in last year and they would all be in the equation at the moment.”

Allegorie De Vassy strikes Grade Two gold on chasing bow

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Allegorie De Vassy strengthened her position as ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with a bloodless victory at Limerick.

A dual winner over hurdles at Fairyhouse last season after joining Willie Mullins from France, the five-year-old was a 1-2 favourite to make a successful switch to fences in the Grade Two McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.

Ridden by Sean O’Keeffe on her first competitive appearance in 333 days, Allegorie De Vassy was sent straight to the lead and was particularly impressive in the jumping department for much of the race.

Malina Girl gave vain chase in the straight and the leader was a little clumsy at the final two obstacles, but was ultimately in a league of her own as she passed the post with 19 lengths in hand.

O’Keeffe said: “I’m very happy with her and she is very enthusiastic about her job. She winged the first two fences, loves to get on with it, so I said I’d let her go along in front. I was trying to slow her down all the time really.

“She has a very big jump in her, has loads of scope and is a big mare. She was brave at the second-last but will have learned a bit jumping the last two fences and that will stand to her the next day. She put in a good round of jumping other than that.

“There is a nice engine there and hopefully (she) can continue progressing over fences.”

Allegorie De Vassy is the 9-4 market leader with Paddy Power to provide Mullins with a third successive win in the Mares’ Chase at Prestbury Park following the previous triumphs of Colreevy and Elimay.

Allegorie De Vassy carries the colours of prominent owner Rich Ricci
Allegorie De Vassy carries the colours of prominent owner Rich Ricci (Tim Goode/PA)

Joe Chambers, racing manager for owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, said: “She was good, didn’t learn much going around so I’d say the last two mistakes were handy and will stand to her.

“Sean was delighted, he won two on her last year and is more familiar with her than Paul (Townend). He thinks she has a lot of natural ability and it is good to get her going.

“If she is half as good as the other mare (Benie Des Dieux) we brought down here in the past, we’d be fairly happy!”

Regarding Cheltenham plans, he added: “It is not all about the destination, the journey getting there is every bit as important as well and we’ll try to pick up a few other races first.

“There are other races for her in Thurles and Clonmel, but we’ll let Willie decide that.”

Marie’s Rock and First Street in line for Relkeel clash

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Marie’s Rock and First Street will give Nicky Henderson a strong hand in the careers@dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

The Seven Barrows handler has saddled three previous winners of the Grade Two contest, with Zaynar triumphing in 2009 and Oskar Whisky registering back-to-back victories in 2011 and 2012.

The likely favourite for this year’s renewal is Marie’s Rock, who won the Mares’ Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival before rounding off her campaign with further Grade One success at Punchestown.

The eight-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since the latter of those wins eight months ago, but is reported to be in rude health ahead of her reappearance.

“We’ve waited all season with her, but to be fair this is the only two-and-a half-mile race I can find for her as that is her trip. There just has been nowhere to go with her,” said Henderson.

“She really has been in great form and has just come to herself. She has done plenty at home as she has been in training all the way through.

“She has to start somewhere and two and a half miles around Cheltenham is the ideal track and trip to get her going over.”

Marie’s Rock is set to be joined by stablemate First Street, who was runner-up to State Man in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last spring and made a successful return in the Grade Three Gerry Feilden at Newbury in November.

First Street on his way to victory at Newbury last month
First Street on his way to victory at Newbury last month (John Walton/PA)

Henderson added: “First Street could have run in the Christmas Hurdle but I don’t think that would have been a good idea so we have decided to go back up in trip with him.

“We have tried him over similar trips before and he is a very good horse. It was a very good performance in the Gerry Feilden, so he is entitled to have a crack at this.

“Whether he will stay two-and-a-half I don’t know. He might just be a two-miler at the end of the day, but if he gets the trip it will be great.”