Tag Archive for: Editeur Du Gite

Mullins backing Energumene to bounce back in Champion Chase defence

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Energumene has something to prove when he returns to Cheltenham to defend his Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase crown on Wednesday.

The horse responsible for ensuring Willie Mullins has the full collection of championship events at the Festival looked set to become the dominant force in the two-mile chase division when following up his Champion Chase triumph in impressive style at the Punchestown Festival before then returning in rude health at Cork in December.

However, his momentum was checked on Trials day when Energumene could only finish third in the rearranged Clarence House Chase.

The master of Closutton identified a couple of reasons for the under-par performance in the aftermath of that contest and is hoping to see his charge correct the record in the day two feature.

“It was great to finally get a Champion Chase last year and I think in the Clarence House he just needed the run over those different style of fences,” said Mullins.

“Even though he’d schooled over them at home, sometimes a horse just needs to get out on the track and see the thing and I’m sure that experience will stand to him when it comes to jumping off in the Champion Chase.

“There’s no such thing as a slowly-run Champion Chase and I think that’s going to suit us.

“The Clarence House was a very tactical race and I think a few jockeys might change tactics the next day.

“We learnt a lot I think and I’m happy and Paul (Townend) is happy he’ll improve a lot from that day.”

Energumene had to settle for third in the Clarence House with the Gary Moore-trained Editeur Du Gite making most before holding off the fast-finishing Edwardstone in a thrilling finish.

It was Alan King’s Arkle hero who went into most notebooks on that occasion and the Barbury Castle handler is happy with where he has the favourite ahead of the main event.

“I would obviously have preferred to have won (on Trials day), but it wasn’t to be and Gary’s horse battled back well,” said King.

“I’m very happy where I have the horse and we can’t do any more our end.

“We’re in very good shape for Wednesday, we just hope to get a nice, clean run now and see what happens.”

Festival Trials Day – Cheltenham Racecourse – Saturday 28th January
Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Editeur Du Gite’s victory was the second time this season he has caused an upset in a key Champion Chase trial, having also won the Desert Orchid Chase, and Moore sees no reason why the nine-year-old cannot play a leading role once again.

He said: “As long as he is as good as he was last time, that’s what he needs to be really.

“I see no reason why he can’t run like that again. I’m very happy with him, his preparation has gone well and it’s all systems go.”

Editeur Du Gite wears the colours carried to Champion Chase success by the stable’s Sire De Grugy in 2014 and Moore admits the improvement his contender has shown this season has caught him by surprise.

“Hopefully he can do the same as Sire De Grugy,” he continued.

“It would be nice and also a bit unbelievable – something I never thought he would be doing anyway. But it just shows you never know in this game!

“It’s surprised me how much he has improved but time is an amazing thing in racing and he has improved a massive amount and probably needs to improve a bit more now as well.”

The race will also be a big occasion for Niall Houlihan, who has struck up a fine relationship with Editeur Du Gite and will be riding in the Champion Chase for the first time.

“It’s a massive day for him and there’s a lot of responsibility on his head, but he’s a pretty cool guy and I don’t think it will be a problem to him,” added Moore.

“Everyone knows how Editeur Du Gite races and will be well aware of it and I hope Niall is as well – I’m sure he will be. If the others want to go fast with him, then so be it.”

Nube Negra won the Shloer Chase over course and distance in November, but was somewhat disappointing when second to Editeur Du Gite at Kempton in the Desert Orchid.

Dan Skelton alongside Nube Negra, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester
Dan Skelton alongside Nube Negra, during a visit to Dan Skelton’s stables at Lodge Hill, Alcester (Jacob King?PA)

He has been freshened up by Dan Skelton ahead of another crack at the Champion Chase – attempting to go one better than his second to Put The Kettle On in 2021.

“Nube Negra goes very well fresh and is very good around the course,” said Skelton.

“Any dry days or hours would be appreciated. The day he beat Altior at Kempton it was officially described as soft, but we do know the better the ground, the more suitable it is for him.

“He’s very good at home and I couldn’t have him any better to be honest.”

Greaneteen was only a length and a half further back in fourth on that occasion and has since won the Tingle Creek twice.

He suffered a surprise defeat in the Game Spirit at Newbury, but trainer Paul Nicholls felt his charge really needed the outing that day.

Greaneteen disappointed at Newbury last month
Greaneteen disappointed at Newbury last month (Nigel French/PA)

He told Betfair: “I couldn’t be happier with Greaneteen who is much sharper now after a below-0par run at Newbury a month ago when I left him under cooked. I think you can put a line through that run when he was too fresh and the ground was quicker than he likes.

“Greaneteen pleased me in an away day at Lambourn recently, is much fitter going to Cheltenham and will appreciate some ease in the ground. He ran very well when finishing a close fourth in the race two years ago and I can see him being placed again.”

Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola won the Game Spirit and was also runner-up in this last year, while Captain Guinness completes the line-up attempting to provide Henry de Bromhead with a fourth Champion Chase trophy.

Moore rates Gite a worthy Champion Chase contender

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Gary Moore believes Editeur Du Gite has earned his place in the Queen Mother Champion Chase line-up – although he does not think it will be easy for him to repeat his Clarence House heroics at the Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old was a shock winner of the Desert Orchid at Kempton over the Christmas period, but proved that was no fluke when given a fine front-running ride in the rearranged Grade One at Cheltenham on Saturday, lowering the colours of Festival winners Energumene and Edwardstone.

The victory was made all the sweeter by the fact Editeur Du Gite was not in the original line-up when the race was due to take place at Ascot and was only added into the mix when connections stumped up £2,250 to supplement for the rearranged race the Monday prior.

He is now the general 5-1 fourth favourite for the day two feature at the Festival, with only Edwardstone and the Willie Mullins-trained duo of defending champion Energumene and Blue Lord ahead of him in the betting.

“He was very good and it was a good result for everyone – I was very pleased,” said Moore.

“We had a bit of help from the people at Weatherbys who helped me get him back in and it was well worth it in the end.

“He’s earned his place (in the Champion Chase), 100 per cent, definitely. I’m sure Willie will find improvement in Energumene and Alan King will do the same with his fella and then there’s always the likes of Greaneteen as well, so it’s not going to be easy but we will give it our best shot.”

Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse
Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse (David Davies/PA)

Editeur Du Gite was briefly headed by Edwardstone in the closing stages before fighting back to get his head in front when it mattered most and his handler was delighted to see the son of Saddex not only build on his Kempton display at Christmas, but demonstrate plenty of tenacity to secure victory at Prestbury Park.

He continued: “It confirmed what he showed at Kempton more than anything. I knew he would always be a bit better going that way round and the ground was probably a bit better than it was at Kempton, so you knew you had that little bit of improvement to come from him.

“The big thing that surprised me though was the way he stuck his neck out and wanted to win.”

Moore was also keen to praise the ride given by Niall Houlihan while confirming the Irishman is in line to keep the mount for the Champion Chase, but believes the switch back to the Old Course might not be a positive – especially now the opposition has Editeur Du Gite’s card marked.

“I would say he would do (keep the ride). Niall got him into a nice rhythm and he knows the horse really well now,” added Moore.

“The track on Saturday I think would suit him better, but he’s won on the Old Course before. He won’t get it all his own way in a Champion Chase though, will he.”

Editeur Du Gite edges Edwardstone in Clarence House classic

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Editeur Du Gite announced himself as a Champion Chase contender with a heroic performance in the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase.

Gary Moore’s nine-year-old was not in the original line-up for the Grade One contest when it was due to be run at Ascot seven days ago and was only added into the mix when connections stumped up £2,250 to supplement him for the rearranged race on Monday.

The contest was seen as star-studded clash between Willie Mullins’ Champion Chase hero Energumene and Alan King’s Arkle champion Edwardstone in the build up and although the headline acts failed to land the spoils, the race more than lived up to its billing.

Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse
Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse (David Davies/PA)

The 14-1 winner took up his customary front-running role in the hands of Niall Houlihan and led the field along with the market principals willing to bide their time, Tom Cannon anchoring Edwardstone in rear with a target on Paul Townend and Energumene’s back.

But as was the case at Kempton at Christmas when Editeur Du Gite snatched the Desert Orchid Chase from the front, he was still striding on strongly when the field turned for home and alarm bells started to ring for the major players.

Townend required a big leap from Energumene to have any chance of victory at the last and when the Tony Bloom-owned nine-year-old put down, it left only Edwardstone to chase Houlihan and his willing mount up the Cheltenham hill.

Although Cannon edged his way to a narrow advantage with the line looming, Editeur Du Gite fought back just in time to secure a gutsy head success.

It was an emotional win for connections who tasted Champion Chase success with Sire De Grugy in 2014 and their latest two-mile chasing star was cut to 5-1 with both Paddy Power and Betfair for that Cheltenham Festival championship race.

Representing his father, Josh Moore was asked to compare Sire De Grugy to the winner.

“They are quite different sort of horses. To have a horse work as Sire De Grugy at home – I remember we used to have to get milers of the Flat to lead him in his work, because he was such a good work horse,” he said.

“It would be the same with this fellow. He works unbelievably well. He is definitely not far off him, anyway.

“He was there on his own merits. The good thing is Edwardstone came to him and looked like he was going to go on and win the race, but he has fought back at the end. I was a little surprised to see that, in the sense that when he was a novice he used to be a weak finisher at the end of his races and he is actually finishing his races much better as he’s got older.

“Perhaps he has got better stamina now. It could be a maturity thing.”

Editeur Du Gite in full flight
Editeur Du Gite in full flight (David Davies/PA)

He went on: “There are three in the Champion Chase now. He definitely has the right to be in it. Not so long ago we thought we would go for the Game Spirit and then wait for the Celebration at Sandown and miss Cheltenham because the others would be targeting it.

“All being well, he will come back for the Champion now, I should think.”

On the winning ride of Houlihan, Moore added: “It is a big win for Niall as that is his first Grade One, and it was probably his first big winner that he rode aboard this horse at Kempton Park so it is nice for him. If I’m honest with you he is an absolute gentleman to ride in a race.

“Niall has got confidence him as well so it works out well. I remember I won a novice chase on him at Newbury and I said to dad we should go for the Red Rum at Aintree now. I know that was a handicap but he won that race well that day. I’ve always thought he is up to this level. Dad is watching at home today. He would be jumping up and down screaming, but I don’t know if he would be in tears.

“One of the owners Trevor Jacobs has been in a hospital for nearly six months so it is good for him. He is making progress which is good though.”

Houlihan said: “It is unreal really. The horse tries so hard and for you. Every time a horse came to me he stuck his neck out, especially when he got headed after the last.

“To come from behind up the hill here shows true guts. I felt about 50 yards from the line he was coming for me and trying for me and he stuck his head out. I wasn’t sure crossing the line, but thankfully they called my number.

“I’m chuffed. It is brilliant that they put the faith in me on a horse like him and to pull it off is great. You just sit on him and he does a lot for me. He jumps brilliantly and travels well. He is just a jockey’s dream really.

“I thought we are taking on the two best two-milers in the world really if you look at it. I thought if he puts up a good performance he can go for the Champion Chase, where he goes next I’m not quite sure. He has done that the hard way.”

Editeur Du Gite added to Clarence House field

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Editeur Du Gite has been supplemented for the rearranged Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Gary Moore’s charge put himself in the Champion Chase picture when causing a shock in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

Although not amongst the candidates for the Grade One contest at Ascot last Saturday, the nine-year-old has won twice at Prestbury Park and his record in Gloucestershire has seen connections part with £2,250 to add him to the field.

The big clash between Energumene and Edwardstone is still on as both also appeared among the confirmations.

The duo were set to clash at the race’s traditional home of Ascot, but with the Berkshire track’s meeting falling victim to the latest cold snap last Saturday, the pair now get the chance to return to the scene of their greatest triumphs .

Respective trainers Alan King and Willie Mullins were quick to state their intentions to line up in the rearranged contest and they have been joined by Joe Tizzard’s Amarillo Sky who was the only other horse declared for Ascot.

Amarillo Sky, here winning at Newbury, is a possible for the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham
Amarillo Sky, here winning at Newbury, is a possible for the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (John Walton/PA)

Adding their names to the mix are Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola, who was second behind Energumene in the Champion Chase last March, and David Pipe’s Sizing Pottsie.

The Pond House handler admits his charge has a mountain to climb up against what appears the best of the two-mile division – but with an intended outing at Lingfield lost to the elements, is short of options and willing to take a chance in the hunt for the prize-money on offer.

“We would have liked to have gone to Lingfield on Sunday but he is limited for options,” said Pipe.

“Obviously we will be a big price but it won’t be that big a field. It’ll be the plan to try and get as much (prize money) as we can.”

Although the original contest was short of runners, the two-mile Grade One was only reoffered to those still engaged at the six-day forfeit stage.

Moore could favour Sandown Celebration for Editeur Du Gite

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Gary Moore believes he has no option but to campaign Editeur Du Gite as a top two-mile chaser following his shock victory in the Desert Orchid Chase – although he has suggested he could skip the Queen Mother Champion Chase in favour of Sandown’s Celebration Chase.

The eight-year-old has now won five times over fences, but the only other time he has landed a telling blow in graded company was in Aintree’s Red Rum Handicap Chase in the spring of 2021, and he was producing a career best when causing a 28-1 upset in Tuesday’s Kempton Grade Two.

Editeur Du Gite delighted his trainer with a fine round of jumping and galloping from the front in the hands of Niall Houlihan – winning right-handed for the first time in the process and scoring on ground described as worse than good to soft for the first time since his days racing in France as a four-year-old.

“I was highly delighted, any win is great, but a decent one like that for everybody is really special,” said Moore.

However, Editeur Du Gite’s Kempton heroics leave Moore short of options outside of the big two-mile contests.

His next outing will be in the Game Spirit at Newbury before a decision is made on his Cheltenham Festival participation, with the Sussex-based handler far from convinced he is a genuine Champion Chase contender.

Moore could be tempted to keep his charge fresh for Sandown on the final day of the season instead, depending on conditions at Prestbury Park.

Asked whether Editeur Du Gite could be classed as a Champion Chase contender, Moore said: “Personally, unless all of a sudden he has improved a lot, I don’t really think so. On Tuesday’s performance yes, but on his past performances no.

Ladbrokes Christmas Festival – Day Two – Kempton Racecourse
Jockey Niall Houlihan celebrates winning the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase with horse Editeur Du Gite during day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton (Nigel French/PA)

“But he defied a lot of things on Tuesday. I don’t think he’d ever won right-handed before and I don’t think he’d won in ground that soft for a long time and he’s gone out there and won as easy as he’s ever won – it just defied a lot of logic really.

“There’s nowhere else to go, so he’ll go now for the Game Spirit, which is going back left-handed. Then it will either be Cheltenham for the Champion Chase, which could could be a waste of time if Energumene turns up, or otherwise it would be saving him for the Celebration Chase at Sandown – let them all run their races in the Champion Chase then we can go to Sandown.

“I could do that (wait for Sandown) and it will be my say, but everyone loves running at Cheltenham. For me though, a lot will depend on what the ground is like there (Cheltenham).”

Editeur Du Gite shocks Desert Orchid rivals

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There was a shock in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase as Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite made every yard in the hands of Niall Houlihan to record a scintillating victory at Kempton.

The race was billed as a clash between Arkle and Tingle Creek hero Edwardstone and 2020 champion Nube Negra and the main protagonists were content to sit in rear as Editeur Du Gite bowled along in front during the early exchanges.

However, the complexion of the race changed at the fifth fence when Edwardstone made a bad blunder at the open ditch and parted company with big-race pilot Tom Cannon.

Harry Skelton crept his way into contention aboard Nube Negra rounding the home bend, but was soon sending out the distress signals on the 4-1 second favourite and had to settle for the silver medal as Houlihan kept the revs up aboard Editeur Du Gite and jumped his rivals into submission up the home straight.

A return to aggressive tactics paid off for the 28-1 scorer and the victory comes nine years after Sire De Grugy lit up Kempton in the colours of winning part-owners the Preston Family. The eight-year-old has now been introduced at 33-1 by both Paddy Power and Betfair to follow in the footsteps of the Moore-trained Sire De Grugy, winner of the 2014 Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

“I said to Niall ‘just ride him to be third’ as I had no other expectations,” said the winning trainer.

“He is not at his best right-handed and the ground is probably a bit softer than he would have liked it so they tell me. He has just proved everything wrong today.

“They are a great bunch of owners. The saddest thing is that Trevor (Jacobs, part owner) has been in hospital for six months now but he is gradually getting better. He is a great man, it is just a shame that he is not here. What this horse has done for all of them (is great). They are the luckiest bunch of owners, they had Sire De Grugy then this horse.

“He is no Sire De Grugy but he isn’t far behind him. It is great and good for the yard as they have worked hard over Christmas – it is well deserved.”

On future plans, Moore added: “There (Cheltenham) and Aintree (are where his best performances have been) and he will now have to go for the Game Spirit.

“He will have to have a Champion Chase entry as handicaps are definitely out of the question. His work at home has been very good, you could gallop him with any two-mile hurdler and he will gallop with them, if not better. It is a massive surprise but you need to have surprises like this.

Jockey Niall Houlihan celebrates winning the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase with horse Editeur Du Gite during day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton
Jockey Niall Houlihan celebrates winning the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase with horse Editeur Du Gite during day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton (Nigel French/PA)

“The only thing is Josh (Moore) isn’t riding – that is the only thing missing – but fair play to Niall he has done well on the horse and it is great for him. They get on well together every time he has ridden him.”

Runner-up Nube Negra will now be freshened up for another tilt at the Champion Chase in March, with Dan Skelton believing the tacky nature of the Sunbury track took its toll on his good-ground loving eight-year-old.

He said: “The ground was tacky today but fair play to the winner, he’s set really hard fractions in really tacky ground and made it really hard work for everybody.

“Our horse has had to give him 6lb, but on the ground it’s just made it very hard for us. Take nothing away from the winner though, we’ll freshen him up now and go for the Champion Chase and fingers crossed we get some really nice ground.”

Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase is also on the cards for Edwardstone, with Alan King reporting both horse and rider to be fine following their early exit.

“They’re both fine,” said the Barbury Castle handler. “I’d have to watch it again, normally him and Tom do everything right, normally they sort it between them and today they didn’t. Nobody has died, he’s fine and he enjoyed himself when loose afterwards.

“I’ve been at it long enough to know that as long as they’re OK, there’s always another day. We’re gutted of course but I’ve been in worse places. I’d imagine we’ll stick to the original plan and look at the Game Spirit at Newbury. It’s a shame but it happens – for once they didn’t quite get it right today.”