ARKLE CHASE
Finian’s Rainbow and Ghizao head the ante-post markets ahead of the Grade One Arkle Chase on Tuesday, March 15, and both are among the 34 entries for the championship contest for two-mile novice chasers at the Festival.
Finian’s Rainbow, impressive in his two victories at Newbury this term, is one of five entries for trainer Nicky Henderson, who is seeking a fourth win in the race following on from the brilliant Remittance Man (1991), Travado (1993) and Tiutchev (2000).
The trainer has also engaged the mare Nadiya De La Vega and fellow French import Surfing, who was third to Ghizao at Newbury in December.
Ghizao saw off the Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris to easily win the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at The Open in November and was again superior to that rival when winning over an extended two and a quarter miles at Newbury in December.
The seven-year-old is one of three entries for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, along with Robinson Collonges and Pepe Simo. Nicholls saddled Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Azertyuiop (2003) to land the prize.
The last two renewals have gone to Irish-trained runners and the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh has taken Ireland’s two-mile novice division by storm this season. The Derek Sharkey-owned seven-year-old is seeking a Grade One hat-trick after seeing off the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince to win both the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices’ Chase, and is one of 10 entries from the Emerald Isle.
Willie Mullins has engaged Mikael d’Haguenet, winner of the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the 2009 Festival but yet to make an impact over fences, as well as Quel Esprit, Grade Three winner Blazing Tempo and Morning Supreme.
Edward O’Grady was successful with Ventana Canyon in 1996 and has Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase third, Torphichen, entered this year.
Surrey trainer Alan Fleming has an interesting entry in the form of top-notch hurdler Starluck, who is yet to jump a fence in public and was last seen finishing third to reigning Stan James Champion hurdler Binocular in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Alan King enjoyed back-to-back Arkle Chase glories with Voy Por Ustedes (2006) and My Way De Solzen (2007). The Barbury Castle trainer has entered high-class hurdler Medermit, runner-up to Hell’s Bay in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Kilmurry defeated Ghizao by 11 lengths at Cheltenham’s The Showcase in October but was only fourth to that rival at The Open on his latest start.
Mamlook won the totesport Chester Cup on the Flat in May and opened his chase account at the first attempt at Fakenham on January 17 for trainer David Pipe, while the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Rock Noir held the Hobbs-trained Keki Buku to score his second chase win at Warwick on December 31.
Evan Williams has entered three of his string, headed by the well-regarded Phidippides, a winner at Ludlow in November but found wanting over three miles at Leicester this month.
West With The Wind completed a hat-trick of novice chase wins at Ffos Las in the summer, while William’s Wishes is two from two over fences after victories at Leicester and Ludlow in the autumn.
Arkle Chase leading contender best prices:
Finians Rainbow 5/1 (totesport)
Ghizao 11/2 (Sportingbet)
Realt Dubh 12/1 (Victor Chandler)
Medermit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Captain Chris 20/1 (Victor Chandler)
Noble Prince 20/1 (William Hill)
Mikael DHaguenet 20/1 (totesport)
Surfing 25/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 25/1 (William Hill)
Nadiya De La Vega 28/1 (Sportingbet)
Starluck 33/1 (William Hill)
Rock Noir 33/1 (totesport)
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NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
Staged over four miles for amateur riders, the 141st Year Of The National Hunt Chase on Wednesday, March 16, is the oldest race at The Festival and this year the contest has attracted 76 entries.
Jonjo O’Neill has saddled five winners of the race (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock, 2004 Native Emperor, 2007 Butler’s Cabin) and is well-represented among the entries with the promising quartet of Aberdale, recent Wetherby scorer Alfie Sherrin, Born Again, and Galaxy Rock.
Ian Williams has entered the exciting Wayward Prince, a Grade One winner over hurdles at Aintree last season who has won both his starts over fences, defeating Aberdale at Huntingdon and Balthazar King at The Open at Cheltenham.
Chicago Grey is prominent in the ante-post betting for trainer Gordon Elliott. The eight-year-old saw off the Paul Nicholls trained Picture This to land a novice chase at Cheltenham in October, was runner-up to Time For Rupert at the course in December and finished a close fifth to Bostons Angel in a Grade One at Leopardstown last time.
Elliott has also entered Ballymak and smart Down Royal winner Tharawaat, while also among the 27 Irish-trained entries is the Charles Byrnes-trained Alfa Beat, aiming for a six-timer after winning the Guinness Kerry National in September.
Magnanimity defeated Grade One winner Jessies Dream when winning the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9 for trainer Dessie Hughes, while the Willie Mullins-trained Quel Esprit saw off Torphichen at Limerick last time and the Colm Murphy-trained Quito De La Roque annexed the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novices’ Chase from Western Charmer, having finished runner-up to Bostons Angel at Leapardstown in December.
Ferdy Murphy, who has twice saddled the winner (2006 Hot Weld, 2010 Poker De Sivola), could bid for another victory with the experienced Nine De Sivola, still a maiden over fences in Britain but third in the race two years ago, and Only The Best.
The Charlie Longsdon-trained Minella Boys was a fine second to West End Rocker in the Grade Three Classic Chase at Warwick on January 15, while the David Pipe-trained Sona Sasta is unbeaten in two starts over fences following easy wins at Taunton and Newbury.
Beshabar, from the Tim Vaughan stable, was a classy hurdler and was unlucky to have been brought down on his chase debut at The Open, in the race won by Wayward Prince.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing scored at Fontwell on January 7, while Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful in 2009 with Tricky Trickster, could run Major Malarkey, who held the Paul Nicholls-trained Promising Anshan to win at Newbury in December.
Henry Daly took the National Hunt Chase with Relaxation in 2000 and he has engaged a promising contender in the form of Hereford beginners’ chase winner Pearlysteps.
Donald McCain has entered Glenwood Knight, victorious on heavy going at Uttoxeter in December, and recent Towcester scorer Chamirey, while the Philip Hobbs trained Triggerman could line up alongside stablemate Voramar Two, runner-up to Aiteen Thirtythree in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November.
Also among the entries are the Nicholls-trained Watamu Bay, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, the Howard Johnson trained On His Own and the Kim Bailey trained pair of Regal Approach and Sonny Mullen.
National Hunt Chase leading contender best prices:
Chicago Grey 7/1 (Skybet)
Alfa Beat 10/1 (Bet365)
Aiteen Thirtythree 10/1 (Victor Chandler)
Magnanimity 14/1 (William Hill)
Quito De La Roque 14/1 (Bet365)
Beshabar 14/1 (William Hill)
Watamu Bay 14/1 (Skybet)
Wayward Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Chamirey 16/1 (William Hill)
Alfie Sherrin 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Gonebeyondrecall 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Quantitativeeasing 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Quel Esprit 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
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RSA CHASE
The Grade One RSA Chase is the premier staying contest for novice chasers at the Festival and has been won in recent times by the likes of 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner Denman (2007) and last season’s Ryanair Chase hero Albertas Run (2008).
The 51 entries for this year’s race, run on Wednesday, March 16, are of the highest standard yet again.
Last season’s Grade One World Hurdle runner-up Time For Rupert, trained by Paul Webber, has made a great start to his chasing career with an eight-length debut victory over Hell’s Bay at Cheltenham’s The Open in November and an equally smooth success from Chicago Grey over an extended three miles and a furlong at the track on December 11 during The International.
Another potential star of the British scene is the Ian Williams-trained Wayward Prince, a Grade One-winning novice hurdler last term, who is also two from two over fences, his most recent win coming over an extended three miles at The Open.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay franked Time For Rupert’s form with success in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, a race in which Reve De Sivola was third. The latter had previously defeated Grade Two Rising Star Novices’ Chase winner Wishfull Thinking in the Injured Jockeys’ Fund Oaksey House Novices’ Chase over the same distance at Cheltenham in December.
Jessies Dream defeated subsequent dual Grade One winner Realt Dubh when winning he Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse in December for trainer Gordon Elliott, but was unable to concede 7lb to Magnanimity when less than a length second to Dessie Hughes’ charge in the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9.
The Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel is another Grade One winner among the 3 Irish-trained entries, having won the Fort Leney Novice Chase over three miles at eopardstown in December from the subsequent Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice hase winner Quito De La Roque, trained by Colm Murphy.
Berties Dream tasted Festival glory last season in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while Mikael D’Haguenet looked to be a superstar in the making when winning the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2009. Neither horse has as yet made an impact over fences.
Willie Mullins has landed the RSA Chase three times (1998 Florida Pearl, 2004 Rule
Supreme, 2009 Cooldine) and as well as Mikael D’Haguenet, his five entries include the promising Quel Esprit and the mare Blazing Tempo, whose unbeaten record over fences consists of a brace of Grade Three wins.
Paul Nicholls has engaged five candidates including The Minack, who defeated Bouggler on his chase debut at Wincanton on January 8, as well as Aiteen Thirtythree, victorious in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November from Voramar Two.
Donald McCain has entered the well-regarded Wymott, who defeated Wayward Prince in a Grade Two novice hurdle last term and also boasts a perfect record over fences, alongside Glenwood Knight and Chamirey, while Nicky Henderson has engaged recent Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge.
Others of note include the J P McManus-owned Alfie Sherrin and Bob Lingo, as well as the Jim Dreaper-trained Royal De La Thinte, Thegreatjohnbrowne from the Noel Meade yard, the Elliott-trained Ballymak and Tharawaat, the Hughes-trained Western Charmer, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, The Giant Bolster from David Bridgwater’s stable and the Hobbs trained Tarablaze.
RSA Chase leading contender best prices:
Time For Rupert 11/4 (Sportingbet)
Jessies Dream 14/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Mikael DHaguenet 16/1 (Stan James)
Wayward Prince 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Reve De Sivola 20/1 (Skybet)
Hells Bay 20/1 (totesport)
Magnanimity 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Beshabar 20/1 (totesport)
Aiteen Thirtythree 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Quito De La Roque 20/1 (William Hill)
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JEWSON NOVICES CHASE
The inaugural Grade Two Jewson Novices’ Chase sees a fantastic 65-strong entry for the two-mile, four-furlong contest, which takes place on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17.
Two of Ireland’s top novices are among those entries. The Gordon Elliott-trained
Jessies Dream held the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh when landing the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December, and the latter has gone on to collect a brace of top level triumphs at two miles in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.
There are 19 Irish-trained entries in total with Ireland’s champion trainer Willie
Mullins responsible for six, including Grade Three victor Blazing Tempo and the useful Quel Esprit, who defeated the Edward O’Grady-trained Torphichen at Limerick in November.
Meade’s Thegreatjohnbrowne held Elliott’s Tharawaat in a Punchestown Grade Three contest in November but the latter scored at Down Royal on his latest start, while the Michael Hourigan-trained Grade Two winner Mr Cracker was third to Realt Dubh in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstow last time and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Loosen My Load was fourth in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase.
Wymott was a Grade Two-winning novice hurdler last term and is unbeaten in two starts over fences at Exeter and Bangor this season for trainer Donald McCain, while the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking benefited from the fall of the Paul Nicholls-trained Robinson Collonges to win the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in November.
Wishfull Thinking was subsequently beaten by the Nick Williams-trained Reve De Sivola, a dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, over the course and distance at Cheltenham in December.
Reve De Sivola was in turn no match for the Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay, who landed the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1, with the Alan King-trained Medermit second and Williams’ charge back in third.
Tizzard has also entered Kilmurry, who defeated Ghizao over two miles at Cheltenham in October.
Nicholls saddled Royal Charm to land a brace of novice chase wins at Exeter and the British champion trainer’s five entries also include The Minack, who made a pleasing chasing debut with victory over the Emma Lavelle-trained Bouggler at Wincanton on January 8.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Alfie Sherrin was impressive when opening his chasing account at Wetherby on January 24, while stablemate Rock Noir has won two of his four starts over fences.
Nicky Henderson has his powerful string in cracking form this season and he has
eight entries including Newbury handicap chase winner Aigle D’Or, impressive recent Huntingdon scorer Mr Gardner, easy Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge, useful French import Surfing and Nadiya De La Vega, victorious over Pepe Simo at Kempton on January 15.
The Paul Webber-trained Cois Farraig was below par behind Hell’s Bay on New Year’s Day but had previously seen off the Alan Fleming-trained On Borrowed Wings to win a Grade Two contest at Newbury in November.
Others of note include Songe, Hidden Keel, Sarando, Pearlysteps, The Giant Bolster, the Evan Williams-trained trio of Phidippides, West With The Wind and
William’s Wishes, and the Ado McGuinness-trained Beau Michael.
Jewson Novices Chase leading contender best prices:
Medermit 10/1 (Bet365)
Noble Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Loosen My Load 14/1 (totesport)
Captain Chris 14/1 (Stan James)
Hells Bay 14/1 (Paddy Power)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Reve De Sivola 16/1 (totesport)
Nadiya De La Vega 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Realt Dubh 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Jessies Dream 16/1 (totesport)
Rebel Du Maquis 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Alfie Sherrin 20/1 (Stan James)
Surfing 20/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 20/1 (Bet365)
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Medermit is best-price 10/1 favourite for the new Jewson Novices Chase
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