CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 ARTICLES

THE FESTIVAL 2015, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
CHAMPION DAY, TUESDAY, MARCH 10
HORSE RACING IRELAND PRESS CONFERENCE
Trainers Gordon Elliott and Tony Martin as well as jockey Bryan
Cooper joined Irish Racing Post editor Jonathan Mullin to
discuss their horses for this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Thursday’s Ryanair Chase hopeful Don Cossack was given a
positive mention by his trainer-jockey combination Gordon
Elliott and Bryan Cooper. The eight-year-old is unbeaten in his
last four starts and heads the market for the two mile five
furlong contest. Cooper said: “He seems in great form, has a
good chance and I’m really looking forward to him. With a bit
of luck, he should run well.”
Elliott echoed his jockey’s sentiments stating: “He has travelled
over very well. He’s been good this year having won four
including three graded races and has done everything we have
asked of him. I think he is finishing his races out an awful lot
stronger this year and with luck in running he could be bang
there.”
Elliott also suggested Cause of Causes would run well in today’s
Toby Balding National Hunt Chase (4:40pm). Elliott remarked:
“He’ll love the ground and four miles will be no problem to
him.”
Cooper gave a positive mention to his mount Lieutenant
Colonel in Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle. He said: “He
has won two Grade Ones, so it was a great call to go back
hurdling with him. He will have to improve a bit more but it’s a
wide open race. I feel he has improved since Christmas and I
wouldn’t swap him for anything.”
Cooper also highlighted the chances of Road To Riches in
Friday’s Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. He remarked: “You
don’t know how good our lad could be. He has been impressive

this year especially when winning the Lexus Chase on ground
that wouldn’t have suited him at all. Hopefully, the rain stays
away. With the ground being good and going left-handed, I see
it being a big help to him. There is no real worry about the trip,
it’s more about how good the Irish form is and whether he is
good enough. I wouldn’t swap my lad for anything.”
Tony Martin was also keen on the chances of his Ladbrokes
World Hurdle hope Dedigout. Martin’s charge is unbeaten in his
last two starts and will “not mind the ground. He’s in great
form and is moving well so will hopefully give a good account
of himself.”
Martin also gave a positive mention to a plethora of his
handicap horses for the Festival. These included today’s Ultima
Business Solutions Handicap (2:40pm) runner Gallant Oscar
who according to his handler “has jumped well before and all
going well, he will have a great each-way chance.” Martin also
spoke well of Edeymi in Thursday’s Pertemps Network Final
Handicap Hurdle. He stated: “the horse is a bit older and the
ground won’t be a problem to him. He’ll stay well and enjoy the
better ground so he should have a great chance.”

Jockeys Say Ground Is Good To Soft After First Race
Ruby Walsh, rider of the winner Douvan, described the
ground as “dead.”
David Casey, jockey of Alvisio Ville (7th), described the
ground as “yielding, with a couple of soft spots down
the back but yielding.”
Adrian Heskin, rider of Velvet Maker (11th), said the
ground was “good to soft.”
Tony McCoy aboard Jollyallan (8th) and Noel Fehily,
partner of Qewy (5th) both agreed that “the ground is
good to soft, it is quite dead ground.”
Paul Townend riding the second-placed Shaneshill,
described the ground as “good to soft, pretty dead
ground.”
John Burke on Sizing John (3rd), said the ground was
“good to soft.”
Paddy Brennan, riding Some Plan (10th), described the
ground as “good to soft, it’s not too bad just quite
dead.”
Bryan Cooper, partner of Tell Us More (6th), said the
ground was on the “slow side, it is pretty dead ground
out there”.

George delighted with God’s Own
Trainer Tom George beamed with pride after 33/1 chance
God’s Own came home a very creditable six-length second to
Un De Sceaux in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.
The seven-year-old jumped and travelled smoothly throughout,
travelling in behind the winner for the duration of the race
before keeping on up the hill to hold onto second place.
George said: “He was the only horse who could keep up with
Un De Sceaux. He stayed with Un De Sceaux all the way,
jumped super and has run a brilliant race. I’m so proud of the
horse.”
The trainer suggested that the better ground may have brought
a return to form for God’s Own. He remarked: “He loves
good/good to soft ground. Next winter we’ll put him away as he
doesn’t like heavy ground, and then we will bring him back
when the ground improves. If it’s nice weather and the ground
is good that is when we want to run him.
“We’ll enjoy today first and see how he comes out of the race.
However, we may keep ourselves busy and go to Aintree and
then possibly on to Punchestown.”
Paddy Brennan, the jockey of God’s Own, added: “He has run
an absolute cracker. I’m so pleased with him. He
jumped well and I’m really proud of him. I’m glad for Tom as it
is a fantastic training performance, many people had written
this horse off but his quality has shown and we’ve been proved
right.
Barry Geraghty, aboard the third-placed Josses Hill, said: “He’s
ran a great race. He jumped better like we hoped with the
faster pace and has run well.”

Jesture’s Grand Target
Trainer Henry De Bromhead was delighted with the performance of Grand
Jesture after the 25/1 shot finished the three-and-three-quarter length
runner-up behind The Druid’s Nephew in the Ultima Business Solutions
Handicap Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon.
Dr Bromhead had entertained thoughts of running the seven-year-old in
this year’s Crabbie’s Grand National but decided to wait another year and
the Aintree showpiece could be the target next year following his run
here.
“We’re delighted,” said the trainer.
“Super run and a super ride. He’s a tough horse and you’d hope he’d be
an English National hope next year. I was going to enter him this year but
then I looked at his age so I just scratched him so he’s not in it this year.
“We’ll see what his campaign will be next year. He’s there to win races
and you need to win them to get in the National nowadays.
“We’ve not had a bad day. I was a bit disappointed with Smashing
(seventh in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy) and I think I’ve
picked the wrong race for him unfortunately. He looked completely
outpaced.
“Sizing John ran a super race in the Supreme Novices’ though. I
remember going home with my tail between my legs after his run at
Gowran Park when he was beaten but the winner that day was Douvan so
I suppose that form has stood up!”
Trainer Tony Martin was also happy with Gallant Oscar, who finished a
further one and a half lengths back in third.
“I’m absolutely delighted with him,” said the trainer. “He galloped and
stayed on really well. He jumped very nicely, travelled throughout and
was staying on well at the finish. He came into the race travelling well and
saw the trip out well, I was really happy with the run. “We have plenty of
options for him including going to Leopardstown or Punchestown.
Obviously, we’ll see how he comes out of the race and then decide where
we will go but he has a range of possible races he could be targeted for.”

Willie Mullins Press Conference
Willie Mullins spoke glowingly about Stan James Champion Hurdle victor
Faugheen in a press conference after the race. Mullins admitted he had
reservations about whether the horse could win the hurdling championship: “I
didn’t think he would win that impressively. I was wondering like punters, the
media and the bookmakers, could he take on the Grade One horses and beat
them because we picked races for him that did not have top Grade One horses
in. However, it paid off and he learned his trade, he got confident. Ruby rode
him with huge confidence and he showed that he was the good horse Ruby and
everybody else thought he was.
“Faugheen has to be right up there with the other great horses I’ve trained. I’m
not going to say he is as good as Hurricane Fly in his heyday as he has a lot
more improving to do. This is only his second Grade One. He is a very good
horse and probably over hurdles the second best I’ve trained. He won’t jump a
fence for a long time, perhaps ever. I’m happy to keep him over hurdles and we
can find some other chasers in the yard.
“We bought him off Andy Slattery. The day we bought him, he just looked like
an ordinary racehorse. There wasn’t any wow factor about him. Andy said he
was better than average, we took his advice and it has paid off. He won a
bumper by 20 lengths beating Josses Hill. He kept winning but even after his
victory at Cheltenham last year, we didn’t think he was a Champion Hurdle
horse. We thought he would be a chaser and were going to send him novice
chasing. When he won at Cheltenham last year, he hit a lot of the hurdles so I
thought he would need to jump a fence to make him jump. Ruby Walsh was
keen on him going hurdling and that was a key factor.”
Mullins did admit he was not sure how good the seven-year-old could become: “I
don’t think Faugheen could be better than Hurricane Fly. What Hurricane Fly has
done I don’t think will be surpassed. If it is I’ll be glad to admit it. No horse in
my mind can do what Hurricane Fly has done. To me, I don’t think I’ll have the
likes of Hurricane Fly again.”
Mullins also praised the efforts of Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly who led home a
one-two-three for the Irish trainer in the race, the first time it has ever been
achieved. Mullins stated: “A one-two-three is a dream. On paper it is my best
training feat certainly. To get three horses here in that condition is good for
anyone but then to get the luck in running is vital.

“Hurricane Fly ran a fantastic race and was right there at the second last.
Possibly on softer ground, he would have made more of an impression.
However, I didn’t think he was going to beat the winner at any point today.”
Mullins suggested a possible tilt at the Emirates Melbourne Cup could be on the
card for Arctic Fire. Mullins added: “Arctic Fire is improving all the time. He may
go down the Flat route. He has the same ownership as Simenon so we may look
go for the Melbourne Cup route because I think I haven’t got him really right
yet. Looking at his ribs as something to go by, he is a big horse with condition so
I think he is still going to improve.”
As for the future, Mullins suggested that: “All three horses may go to
Punchestown. I’ll look at the Aintree Hurdle as it is a race I have never won so
I’ll see if I can send one of them there.”
As for his three other winners on the day, the handler was pleased for jockey
Paul Townend to win a Grade One on the first day of the festival through Glens
Melody’s gutsy success in the OLBG Mares Hurdle. Mullins remarked: “I’m
delighted for Paul to get a Grade One winner on the board in the first day of
Cheltenham after having to play second fiddle to Ruby Walsh.”
Mullins also reported Annie Power to be fine after her last-flight fall in the race
won by Glens Melody: “Annie Power’s good. It was a horrible fall, she is going to
be sore in the morning on her leg and shoulder but she is ok.”
The successes of Douvan and Un De Sceaux were also mentioned by Mullins: “All
season I was saying every time I work Douvan at home at home, he comes up
there with a half-speed and does everything so easy. He is as good as he looked
at home. As for Un De Sceaux, I was just anxious that he handled the track and
that the day would not get to him. He jumped nicely and won well.”
Mullins highlighted that the success had to be down to how well the horses had
been training. He said: “It was scary how well everything was going at home.
We didn’t have any setbacks; I thought it was going fantastic, the results today
proved how fantastic everything was. We were only beating our horses on the
gallops but what happened on the gallops came out on the track today. It was
scary how good it was.
“I have the luxury of having wealthy owners who can invest in our operation.
The team at home do the work for me and help take the pressure off me. We’ve
learnt to use our gallops the way it’s best for us to use them.
“I was leading trainer at The Festival last year but we had six seconds so we
went away thinking how we can make some of those seconds into winners. At
this point of time today, it suggests we got over that little hurdle as well as
getting the luck that is needed to get those winners.”

LADIES, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
Gold Cup Statistics
18 horses are declared for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on Gold Cup Day, Friday,
March 13. This is the highest number of runners since Kauto Star’s first success in the
three mile, two furlong and 110 yards contest in 2007.
Irish-trained winners have won the contest 22 times over the years and 10 Irish-trained
horses bid to add to that tally on Friday.
Two past winners of the race Lord Windermere (2014) and Bobs Worth (2013), will bid
to become the eighth horse to win the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on more than one
occasion.
Last year’s Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere aims to retain his unbeaten record at the
Cheltenham Festival having gained victories in the RSA Chase (2013) and Betfred
Cheltenham Gold Cup (2014).
Lord Windermere’s trainer Jim Culloty attempts to maintain his unbeaten t raining record
at the Festival after enjoying two winners from two runners at The Festival last year.
Those victories came courtesy of Lord Windermere (Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup) and
Spring Heeled (Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase).
Bobs Worth will aim to enhance his impressive Cheltenham Festival record, having won
at The Festival three times in four visits. If the 10-year-old were to regain his crown, he
would become only the second horse after Kauto Star to regain chasing’s Blue Riband.
Holywell is another horse attempting to retain his unbeaten record at The Festival,
having been successful in the Pertemps Final and the Festival Handicap Chase in 2013
and 2014 respectively.
14 of the 18 declared runners for the contest have run before at The Cheltenham, with
only three of those horses winning a race.
Willie Mullins, Noel Meade, Oliver Sherwood, Venetia Williams, Mark Bradstock, David
Bridgwater, John Kiely, Richard Chotard, Alan King, Gordon Elliott and Henry de
Bromhead will all be aiming to win their first Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
Elliott and de Bromhead will also be having their inaugural runners in Friday’s showpiece
courtesy of Don Cossack (preferred engagement tomorrow’s Ryanair Chase) and Home
Farm respectively.

The Richard Chotard-trained River Choice bids to emulate The Fellow’s 1994 Gold Cup
success and become only the second French-trained winner of the race.
Smad Place, the only grey runner in the field, will look to follow in the footsteps of 1989
Gold Cup winner Desert Orchid and become just the second grey horse to win the
jumping showpiece.
Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty have all tasted success in the race twice
before and bid to close in on Pat Taffe’s record of being the most successful jockey in
Gold Cup history, with Taffe having won the race on four occasions.
Eight-year-olds have a strong record in the race having won the contest 20 times, which
included the last two renewals of the Gold Cup, courtesy of Bobs Worth and Lord
Windermere. Coneygree, Don Cossack (preferred engagement tomorrow’s Ryanair
Chase), Holywell, Home Farm, Houblon Des Obeaux, Many Clouds, Road To Riches, Sam
Winner and Smad Place are the eight-year-olds set to line up this time around.
Nine-year-olds boast the best record having won the event 24 times. Lord Windermere,
Silviniaco Conti and Carlingford Lough attempt to enhance that statistic on Friday.
Jonjo O’Neill and Jim Culloty form part of an elite list of five Gold Cup winning jockeys to
go on and train the winner of the same race. O’Neill was successful as a jockey twice in
the race courtesy of Alverton (1979) and Dawn Run (1986). He then trained
Synchronised (2012) to win the race. Jim Culloty rode Best Mate to three succ essive
Gold Cup victories (2002, 2003 and 2004) before going to train the 2014 winner Lord
Windermere. They aim to add to that tally on Friday where O’Neill will be represented by
Holywell and Culloty by Lord Windermere.
Paul Nicholls would become the joint most successful trainer in Gold Cup history if
Silviniaco Conti or Sam Winner won on Friday. Nicholls has gained four successes in the
race, just one behind the late Tom Dreaper’s record five Gold Cup winners.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins would join a select band of jockey and trainer partnerships
to have been successful in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and the Betfred Cheltenham
Gold Cup in the same year if Djakadam was successful in Friday’s contest. Following
Faugheen’s facile Champion Hurdle success, a victory for Djakadam would make Walsh
and Mullins only the sixth trainer-jockey combination to win both championship races in
the same year, and the first since Kim Bailey and Norman Williamson in 1995.
The French-trained River Choice would become only the third 12-year-old to win the race
and the first since What A Myth in 1969.
Coneygree will attempt to become the first novice to succeed in the Betfred Cheltenham
Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974.

Jockeys think ground is similar to yesterday.
Jockeys in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle, the first race of
Ladies Day at The Festival, agreed that the ground rode in a similar
fashion to the first day of The Festival.
Davy Russell, partner of the winner Windsor Park, said the ground was:
“Pretty much the same as yesterday.”
Tony McCoy, rider of three and three-quarter length second Parlour
Games, said the ground was: “Better than yesterday, good/good to soft.”
Ruby Walsh, rider of third-placed Nichols Canyon, remarked the ground
was: “The same as yesterday.”
Paul Moloney, jockey of Anteros (10th) described the ground as: “It’s
good to soft out there.”
Paul Townend aboard Beast Of Burden (9th) said the ground was: “It is
lovely jumping ground out there, probably good to soft.”
Wayne Hutchinson, partner of Ordo Ab Chao (7th) said the ground was:
“Good/good to soft in my opinion, you can get a bit bogged down in parts
but it is perfect for jumping.”
Bryan Cooper on Outlander (6th) described the ground as: “Like
yesterday, good to soft.”
Paul Carberry, jockey of Snow Falcon (5th) described the going as: “It is
dead ground, probably on the slow side of good.”
Barry Geraghty, rider of Vyta Du Roc (4th) said the ground was: “Good to
soft.”
Gavin Sheehan aboard Warrantor (8th) described the ground as: “It’s a
bit dead, similar to yesterday’s ground.”

Twiston-Davies happy with Southfield effort
Sam Twiston-Davies praised the run of Southfield Theatre after
he came a creditable second in the RSA Chase to runaway
winner Don Poli.
Southfield Theatre stayed close to the pace jumping fluently
throughout before making his challenge on the home turn. A
costly blunder at the final fence blighted the horse’s
momentum, but he stayed on gamely to finish second.
The jockey explained that Southfield Theatre did not come back
into the winner’s enclosure because: “He pulled the skin off the
back of his leg, hopefully it’s nothing too bad.”
The jockey added about the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-
old: “He’s probably bumped into a very good horse. His
mistake at the final fence wouldn’t have helped him but he has
run a solid race.”
Paul Carberry was pleased with the run of third-placed
Wounded Warrior trained by Noel Meade.
The six-year-old stayed on well to snatch third late on.
Carberry said: “He has stayed on well, we went a nice gallop,
when we went away from the stands on the final circuit, the
leaders picked it up again. He was staying on strongly at the
end and jumped really well which was a big help.”
As for the future, Carberry suggested: “He’s probably an Irish
National type of a horse.”

Zabana loses out
County Meath handler Andrew Lynch just missed out on a
Festival success with his first runner at Cheltenham when
front-running Zabana was pipped on the line in the Coral Cup.
Zabana, a 25/1 chance, lost out by a neck to Aux Ptits Soins
and Lynch hopes the six-year-old has a bright future.
“I hope to be back here next year with him as a chaser,” said
Lynch, who trains just six horses at his Dunsany base. “We’ll
probably skip the festivals back home in Ireland as he’s still an
unfurnished horse.
“He made a mistake at the third last which probably cost him a
bit but I’m delighted with that run from my first runner here. I
know he was 25/1 and I was probably the only one that
believed in him beforehand.”
Robbie Colgan, who partnered the runner-up, added: “He’s just
been run out of it, I just missed the third last which was
unfortunate. He jumped the last well and came up the hill
nicely. I’m really happy with the run but just a bit sick that he’s
just got beaten.”
Noel Fehily said of third-placed Activial: “He ran a blinder but
he was probably caught for toe coming down the hill. He then
flew up the hill again.”
Paul Carberry, aboard fourth-placed Taglietelle, commented:
“He ran very well. At the second last he was a bit slow and I
should have put him into it but he’s ran well.”

Sprinter fine
Trainer Nicky Henderson had news of Sprinter Sacre after the former winner of the
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase was pulled up at the end of this year’s race.
Henderson told Radio 5 Live: “I would be very surprised if Sprinter Sacre’s heart was
wrong since that has never been an issue since the day it happened at Kempton.
“Things have been going so well with him since Christmas and we have been very happy
with him. Last year we knew he wasn’t himself and at the beginning of this season it
wasn’t happening but it gradually came together.
“He will be scoped now and I suspect something will come to light in that department. It
is not his heart. As we know, there was a trace a blood after he ran at Ascot so you have
to be suspicious in that department. It will be half an hour before we know that.
“No predictions can be made today about what his future will be. He has been a great
horse and if it is wrong to go on I am sure we won’t do that. But if we can find a switch
to get rid of whatever is wrong with him today, then who knows. There are still
technically years in him.”
Sprinter Sacre’s jockey Barry Geraghty said: “We’ll let the vets check him over and see
what they say. I knew at the first down the back so we’ll just have to wait and see. He
seemed to still enjoy his racing.”
Last year’s winner Sire De Grugy put in a laboured performance in finishing fourth and
jockey Jamie Moore thought the ground was to blame.
“I thought the ground was plenty quick enough for him really,” said Moore.
“I thought before the race the ground was ok but I do think it is quicker than last year.
That was seen by the fact that the horses at the front end have been able to keep going
on that bit longer because the ground was that bit quicker. “He’ll run again this season.
He’ll be alright. Look he has been beaten but it happens.”
Trainer Gary Moore also thought the ground was to blame. “I’m trying hard not to make
excuses but I do think the ground was too quick,” said Moore.
“Jamie walked the course this morning and said it was definitely quicker than last year.
The quick ground is coming down the hill and that’s where he began to struggle. I’d be
tempted to run at Punchestown now if the ground is a little softer. If it was quick there,
we could wait for the Celebration Chase at Sandown.”

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase Paul Nicholls
Press Conference
Nicholls has Bullets firing on all cylinders
Paul Nicholls said he had realised how to train Dodging Bullets in the press
conference following the horse’s game success in the Betway Queen Mother
Champion Chase. The seven-year-old son of Dubawi completed a hat-trick of
Grade One wins over fences this season with a length and a quarter success
from Somersby. Nicholls said: “I’ve learnt how to train him really. He has
mentally grown up. He had a few issues but he has had a tongue-tie on the last
three times which has made him finish his races.”
After finishing third on his first start this season at Cheltenham in November,
Nicholls suggested that he was finally able to train the horse properly. This had
helped see a marked improvement in the horse’s form. Nicholls remarked: “I
thought, his first run at Cheltenham this season that he couldn’t get beat.
However, he jumped the last and got tired on the run-in, he blew up. I didn’t
have him right. We had treated him for gastric ulcers in the spring and I began
to think that I was being too easy on him because he is a bit buzzy, so I wasn’t
able to train him hard enough. Before the Tingle Creek, I was able to stoke the
work into him and I saw a lot of improvement in him. He is now a lot fitter and
more relaxed. Today he was as big and strong as I have seen him looking.”
Nicholls praised the ride given to Dodging Bullets by Sam Twiston-Davies: “Sam
gave him a fantastic ride. He has settled into the job very nicely and done
extremely well. Someone said he will last me till I retire! He is a very good lad
who I hope will be part of the team for a long time.”
Nicholls also couldn’t fathom why Dodging Bullets had only gone off third
favourite in the betting because of the risks that were attached to both Sprinter
Sacre and Sire De Grugy following disappointing results this season. Nicholls
said: “I think my horse on form should’ve been favourite. He won the Tingle
Creek at Sandown and then the Clarence House at Ascot beating Sprinter Sacre,
I couldn’t see that horse turning around the form with us. However, we saw the
sentiment with those two horses which we also had with Big Bucks. I learnt that
lesson with Big Bucks that those horses who were good but have been off the
track a long time don’t come back quite as good.
“With all due respect to Gary Moore, I thought Sire De Grugy had it all to do this
year. They had a rushed preparation after having a problem with him. I wasn’t
impressed with him at Newbury and whilst mathematically, it was a good

performance at Chepstow I thought I could have beaten him that day with Far
West. My horse was getting two stone but bled jumping the third so the race to
me turned into one where he just had to jump round and win. Therefore, I was
fairly confident I had those two covered.”
Nicholls also confirmed that Dodging Bullets would not run again this year:
“Dodging Bullets won’t run again this year. The big aim will be to try and defend
his crown here next year. He needs to be fresh and I’ve been quite hard on him.
I have learned that over the years, the worst thing you can do after winning one
of these championship races is to run again and almost sort of ruin what they
have done. He is a champion and we can dream about that all summer and then
get him right to defend his crown next year. He definitely won’t run again.”
Nicholls also tasted success in the Coral Cup, saddling the winner Aux Ptits
Soins, who was having his first start in Britain. The Ditcheat trainer added: “He
jumped quite green and I was worried his inexperience would get him beat but
he is a very nice horse for the future.”
Having seen Willie Mullins take Champion Day by storm on day one of The
Festival, Nicholls was keen to emphasise the difficulties of keeping up with the
Irish handler. He remarked: “Willie is always going to be hard to beat with the
ones he has at the moment but you just have to do your best with what you
have at your disposal.
“It depends on the horses you have and you can only win with what you have.
When we had Neptune Collonges, Kauto Star, Master Minded and Big Bucks all
running at the same time it was awesome but that doesn’t always happen. If
you have a great team it’s easier and we have a nice team coming through.
“It’s astounded me how well we have done. I said to Sam Twiston-Davies that it
might take us a year or two to get back to where we were, but we have a good
team. The horses have run really well, look well and I am thrilled with the way
everything has gone.”
Nicholls has more riches to look forward to during the remainder of The Festival.
That includes tomorrow’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle in which he saddles Zarkander
and Saphir Du Rheu, two fancies for the race. He said: “Looking forward to the
World Hurdle. Like any race it will be tough but we have two good chances with
Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkander. I think they are both in good form and good
order.”
Britain’s champion trainer also has the ante-post favourite for Friday’s Betfred
Cheltenham Gold Cup in Silviniaco Conti. He said: “It was frustrating me why
Silviniaco Conti wasn’t finishing out his races last year. However, he had the
same problem as Dodging Bullets with gastric ulcers and he has now had the
same treatment and looks really well. I’d say he is a better horse than last year.
It isn’t because he doesn’t act at Cheltenham, he has just had his problems.”

Stephens’ Modus operandi seems to work
Modus, a son of Motivator and carrying the colours of Al Kazeem’s owner John Deer, ran
a tremendous race to finish runner-up in the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper.
It was the five-year-old’s first appearance since he finished unplaced at Aintree in April,
a run that followed an eighth-place finish in this race 12 months ago. Given the absence
credit must go to his trainer, Monmouthshire-based Robert Stephens.
A 33/1 shot ridden by Tom O’Brien, Modus finished a length and a half behind the David
Pipe-trained winner Moon Racer, a £225,000 purchase at Brightwells’ Cheltenham Sale in
April last year.
Stephens said: “I’m delighted, because he’s a very nice horse and he’s been working
well at home. He’s more relaxed this year, and that’s helped him today.
“We couldn’t run him this season before today because he had taken part in four
bumpers so was on the limit allowed, but fitness-wise I knew he was spot on. It was a
pity the start was a little ragged, because it meant he was slightly further back than I
expected and the winner got first run on us. It’s the sort of thing that can happen in this
race.
“I knew he would fly up the hill. He has a couple of options – he could run on the Flat or
we could keep him for hurdling next season.”
Stephens also trains JCB Triumph Hurdle hope Beltor, of whom he said: “He’s in great
form and I’m just hoping for a good run on Friday. He doesn’t work with Modus because
they are very similar horses, so they each have a lead horse.”
Modus’s jockey, Tom O’Brien, said: “He has given me a great spin and he has stayed on
really well. He settled nicely and kept going. It’s a great training performance by
Robert.”
Third-placed Wait For Me, trained by Philip Hobbs, was ridden by Richard Johnson, who
said: “He travelled really well, stayed and kept going all the way to the line. He is a
really nice horse. He has just been beaten by the better horse on the day that showed a
good turn of foot. He is having just his second run of his life so he will mature and
develop into an even better horse. To finish third in the Champion Bumper on just your
second start is a brilliant effort. He is a horse we will look forward to going novice
hurdling with next year.”

ST PATRICK’S THURSDAY, MARCH 12
A P McCoy’s final rides at the Cheltenham Festival
A P (Tony) McCoy’s wait for a first winner at his final
Cheltenham Festival continues into the last two days of this
year’s meeting. Despite finishing a creditable second on Parlour
Games in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle, the 19-time
champion jockey has had a disappointing start to The Festival.
His Stan James Champion Hurdle ride Jezki could only manage
fourth in the hurdling championship, while Betway Queen
Mother Champion Chase hope Mr Mole was a bitterly
disappointing eighth.
McCoy’s final ride at The Festival comes in a race named in his
honour, the A P McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase (For the
Johnny Henderson Challenge Cup) tomorrow at 5:15pm. He
will partner leading fancy Ned Buntline, owned by his retaining
owner J P McManus and trained by Noel Meade, who will hope
to provide the two-time Cheltenham Festival top jockey with
the perfect send-off.
McCoy has been successful in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
on two occasions and will bid to add to that tally tomorrow
when he rides the John Kiely-trained Carlingford Lough. The
horse won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on his last
start under an inspired McCoy ride.
Also on Friday’s card, McCoy partners the Harry Fry-trained
Fletchers Flyer in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. The
seven-year-old has won three times for Fry so far.
The champion jockey will partner Princely Conn for the first
time in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle. The six-
year-old, trained by Thomas Mullins, finished second at
Leopardstown last time out.

McCoy starts his final day at The Festival on Hargam in the JCB
Triumph Hurdle. The four-year-old is unbeaten in his last two
starts, which included a victory at Cheltenham in December.
McCoy has a book of five rides for today, St Patrick’s Thursday,
at The Festival.
He finishes the day on the Kim Bailey-trained Un Ace in the
Brown Advisory & Merribelle Stable Plate.
In today’s championship race, the Ladbrokes World Hurdle,
McCoy partners 2013 Festival winner At Fishers Cross. The
horse was third in last year’s renewal of the race.
McCoy rides Uxizandre in the Ryanair Chase for Alan King and J
P McManus. The seven-year-old was second in the JLT Novices’
Chase at the 2014 Festival last year, but unseated his rider at
Newbury last time.
Regal Encore, successful on his last start at Exeter, is the
champion jockey’s mount in the Pertemps Network Final
Handicap Hurdle.
Colour Squadron will attempt to give McCoy the perfect start to
today’s proceedings in the JLT Novices’ Chase. He finished
second at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting in November.

Ground riding the same according to jockeys
Jockeys who rode in the JLT Novices’ Chase, the first race of St
Patrick’s Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival, thought the
ground had dried up slightly. However, they were still of the
opinion that the track rode very similar to the first two days of
The Festival.
Paul Carberry aboard 15 length second Apache Stronghold,
described the ground as: “It is like yesterday’s ground but has
just dried out. The ground felt a bit tacky.”
Bryan Cooper, partner of third-placed Valseur Lido, described
the going as: “Similar to yesterday. It has dried out a bit.”
Noel Fehily, partner of Irish Saint (4th), remarked the ground
was: “Similar to yesterday.”
Sam Twiston-Davies, jockey of Ptit Zig (5th), said: “It is good
ground.”
Aidan Coleman, jockey of Tango De Juilley (6th), said the
ground was: “More or less the same as yesterday. It was good
ground.”
A P McCoy, rider of Colour Squadron (8th), said the ground
was: “Good, similar to yesterday.”
Ryan Hatch, rider of Splash of Ginge (7th), thought the ground
was: “Good ground.”

Scudamore pleased with Unique Performance
Tom Scudamore expressed his delight at the run of length and
three-quarter second Unique De Cotte in the Pertemps Network
Final Handicap Hurdle. The seven-year-old came into the race
travelling well and only found
the Nicky Henderson-trained Call The Cops too strong in the
three-mile contest.
Scudamore: “He ran a very bold race. I don’t think he was
unlucky. The winner is 7lb well in and that is probably the
difference in the end. He’s run very well and I’m proud of him.”
Wayne Hutchinson was equally happy with The Tourad Man’s
third-placed effort. The nine-year-old stayed on strongly up the
hill to snatch third. Hutchinson remarked: “He’s run well as we
thought. With a strong gallop and better ground, it has brought
out the best in him. He is a very tough individual and he just
seems to be thriving on his racing.”
50/1 outsider Henryville, trained by Harry Fry outran his price
with a fine effort to finish fourth. His jockey Will Biddick added:
“On betting he shouldn’t have been anywhere near the finish,
with top weight that was a good effort. Harry Fry has done
really well to get him here in the form he is in.”

Geraghty happy with Filleule
Jockey Barry Geraghty thought the best horse won after Ma Filleule
finished a game second to Uxizandre in the Ryanair Chase. The only mare
in the race, the seven-year-old jumped and travelled smoothly
throughout, finding only an inspired front-running ride from Tony McCoy
too strong in the contest.
Geraghty said of the five-length second: “She has run an absolute
cracker. She jumped and travelled but the best horse won, there is no
way I could get to him.”
Geraghty added that the Nicky Henderson-trained mare could run at
Aintree in April: “I’d think a run at Aintree now would be a possible for
her. We’ll see what Nicky is keen to do.”
Eduard just lost out to Don Cossack in the race for third in the contest but
jockey Brian Harding was delighted with the efforts of the Nicky Richards-
trained horse. Harding remarked: “He has run an absolute stormer. He is
lacking experience in big races but fair play to him, he has run a great
race. He is a good horse.”
As for the future Harding believes the seven-year-old has the potential to
develop into a future Gold Cup contender.
He added: “I think he could end up being a Gold Cup horse. He is bred to
stay further you see and he jumps really well. He needs more experience
of tracks like this and today will only help. There is definite improvement
in him. He has time to mature and become a really good horse. I’m
delighted with him.”

Cole battles hard to win from front
Warren Greatrex gained his first Cheltenham Festival winner following
Cole Harden’s gusty front-running success in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
The 14/1 shot led throughout and stayed on gamely to win by three and a
quarter lengths.
Greatrex said at the subsequent press conference: “We all believed in the
horse, he just needed better ground. We got his wind sorted out after he
had a problem with it and he hasn’t missed a day’s training since then.
Last year he was progressing nicely on bad ground so we knew if he got
good ground he would improve massively for it.
“When he came back from a summer break, he was struggling to get up
the gallops but we worked on him and we knew he would be better on
better ground.
“Today, he jumped the last and stayed on really well. The only way he
runs is from the front and he just kept finding, he is a proper come and
get me horse. I thought coming to two out, if he got it right, they’d do
well to pass him and then when he went for home I got very keen on his
chances of winning the race!”
Greatrex praised the ride given to the horse by Gavin Sheehan, who was
also having his first winner at The Festival. “Gavin deserves enormous
credit for getting everything right on him.”
An emotional Greatrex highlighted what the victory meant for an up and
coming yard like his. He remarked: “It means so much we are a young
team coming forward. I’m normally a cool customer but I got very
nervous and the emotion showed after he had won.”
As for the future, the trainer intends to give the six-year-old some time
off the track and look at possible plans including going down the chasing
route. He added: “Cole Harden will need a rest now. He has only just
turned six and last season was his first as a novice. I think he’ll make a
good chaser but we have to make the decision as to whether to stay at
what we are good at or go chasing. We’ll see.”

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 ARTICLES

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (6)

Similar to CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 ARTICLES

Similar to CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 ARTICLES (10)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 ARTICLES