Article Date: 31-October-2012
This year's £160,000 Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup looks set to serve up another treat for Jump racing fans with a host of stars among the 44 entries for the highlight at Cheltenham on Saturday, November 17.
David Pipe captured the prestigious extended two and a half-mile handicap chase last season with Great Endeavour and the Somerset handler could bid to become the first trainer to win back to back renewals since his father Martin in 2004 and 2005.
A pair of contenders from Pipe includes Grands Crus (pictured), who is Paddy Power's 7/2 favourite. The seven-year-old enjoyed a superb first season over fences last term that included a facile victory in the Grade One Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton and ended with a fourth place in the RSA Chase at The Festival in March. Notus De La Tour (20/1), second in the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December, could also represent the master of Pond House.
Hunt Ball (13/2) was one of the stories of last season, winning seven times for trainer Keiran Burke and colourful owner Anthony Knott including an emphatic victory in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival. The seven-year-old acquitted himself well against seasoned opposition on his most recent start, coming home third in the Grade One Betfred Bowl at Aintree's Grand National meeting.
Tipperary jockey/trainer Denis Hogan is hoping that the progressive Kalellshan (25/1), one of eight Irish-trained entries, can continue his upward curve over fences at Ascot this Saturday ahead of a potential trip to Cheltenham.
The lightly-raced nine-year-old is unlucky not to be unbeaten in four starts over fences, having won three times and fallen at the final fence when six lengths clear in a Grade 3 novices' chase at Roscommon in September, 2009.
After scoring over hurdles at the Galway Festival in July, Kalellshan posted an easy success on his latest appearance in a Killarney handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles on August 31.
Hogan revealed: "Kalellshan is likely to run at Ascot on Saturday in the United House Gold Cup and then the Paddy Power Gold Cup is certainly an option for him.
"He has been in good form since his win at Killarney. We backed off him a little bit after that but I think we have him cherry ripe again.
"He is a nine-year-old now and has low mileage on the clock because of tendon problems but I think he is a really good horse. He is not badly treated on the ratings in Britain and hopefully, with a good round of jumping, he will put up a good show on Saturday.
"His owner is keen to run at Cheltenham and he is ground dependent - the going in Ireland has been too soft for him, which is why we are looking to bring him over to England."
Paul Nicholls, still bidding for a first Paddy Power Gold Cup success, has eight entries including dual Grade One winner Al Ferof (14/1), Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle second Edgardo Sol (14/1), last year's fourth Aerial (16/1), Grade 1 runner-up Cristal Bonus (16/1) and course specialist Poquelin (25/1).
Nadiya De La Vega(14/1) may return to Cheltenham after taking the Betvictor.com Handicap Chase at The Showcase on October 20. The six-year-old's trainer Nicky Henderson is also responsible for last year's runner-upQuantitativeeasing (20/1), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase runner-up Tanks for That (20/1), Giorgio Quercus (33/1) and Triolo D'Alene (20/1).
Nick Williams has given an entry to For Non Stop (10/1), a Grade One winner last term who made an impressive seasonal return with a 23-length victory over Wishfull Thinking (20/1) in the Grade Two Old Roan Chase at Aintree on October 27.
Other contenders include Menorah (14/1), successful in the Grade One Betfred Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree last season, Grade Two Dipper Novices' Chase victor Champion Court (10/1) and Walkon (11/1), who was fifth in the RSA Chase at The Festival in March.
A total of 43 horses have been entered in the £100,000 Grade 3 Racing Post Hurdle (formerly the Greatwood Hurdle), the feature race on the third and final day of The Open, Sunday, November 18.
The extended two-mile contest has proven a springboard for top-class horses with Rooster Booster, Detroit City, Sizing Europe, Khyber Kim and Menorah featuring among the recent roll of honour.
Darlan filled the runner-up spot in last season's William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle before ending his campaign with victory in a Grade Two contest at Aintree. The five-year-old is 5/1 favourite for the Racing Post Hurdle with Paddy Power.
His trainer Nicky Henderson may also be represented by Cash And Go (12/1), a Grade One winner for his former handler Edward O'Grady, and Une Artiste (14/1), who won the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at The Festival in March.
Trainer Charles Byrnes is looking forward to seeing his talented dual-code performer Domination (10/1)return to hurdles at Cheltenham. The five-year-old was a comprehensive winner of a valuable Newmarket handicap on September 22 and had previously gone down by a nose to prolific winner Baily Green in a Killarney handicap hurdle on September 1.
Byrnes commented: "Domination is likely to run in the Racing Post Hurdle at The Open. He has been in good form since his run at Newmarket - we gave him a little break - and as long as the ground is good, he will probably take his chance.
"He won well at Newmarket but his run wasn't too surprising because he was quite unlucky in Ireland on a few previous occasions and we were expecting him to run well.
"The two and a quarter mile trip at Newmarket really suited him and the two miles at Cheltenham will probably be on the sharp side for him. I think two and a half miles is ideal for him over hurdles but you need to stay well to win these races.
"I wouldn't say he was unlucky at Killarney but it has worked out to be a good race and the winner is a good horse. He is still lightly raced over hurdles but I don't think that is a concern going to Cheltenham because he jumps well."
Paul Nicholls sent out Brampour to victory in 2011 and the champion trainer has another strong hand this year with seven entries including last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle fourth Dodging Bullets (12/1), who posted a decisive success in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at The Showcase.
A formidable team from the Ditcheat handler also features recent Chepstow scorer Hinterland (14/1), the unexposed Ranjaan (12/1), course and distance winner Dark Lover (12/1) and Grade One William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle fifth Prospect Wells (14/1).
Other contenders include the lightly-raced It's A Gimme (8/1), from the stable of Jonjo O'Neill, and the David Pipe-trained Kazlian (12/1), who was fourth behind Une Artiste at The Festival.
Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Raya Star (14/1) and Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle third Vendor (16/1) could represent Alan King, while a quartet of entries from Donald McCain includes Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate heroIle De Re (10/1), Lexi's Boy (14/1) and Desert Cry (25/1).
THE PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
Class 1, Grade 3, £160,000 Total Prize Fund.2.35pm,. Cheltenham, Saturday, November 17, 2012. For 4yo+, 2m 4f 110yds. Entries closed October 30, entries revealed October 31 (44 entries), weights revealed November 7. Penalties: after November 4, a winner of a chase 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb). Five-day confirmation stage November 12, final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, November 15. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, October 29.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
2/41412- AERIAL (FR) 6 Tony Hayward and Barry Fulton Paul Nicholls
1/11343- AL FEROF (FR) 7 John Hales Paul Nicholls
F/05110- CALGARY BAY (IRE) 9 Camilla Radford Mick Channon
336-120 CASEY TOP (IRE) 9 Casey Brothers Syndicate Leonard Whitmore IRE
123122- CHAMPION COURT (IRE) 7 Mark Boothright Martin Keighley
3PP/212- CRIQTONIC (FR) 5 Axom XXXIII Paul Nicholls
50/11P2- CRISTAL BONUS (FR) 6 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
01P11-F DARNA 6 Julie Martin and David Martin Kim Bailey
3U040-0 DIVERS (FR) 8 Let's Live Racing Ferdy Murphy
435216- EDGARDO SOL (FR) 5 Axom XXXII Paul Nicholls
F0-3633 FINGER ONTHE PULSE (IRE) 11 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
22213-1 FOR NON STOP (IRE) 7 Potensis Limited & Chris Giles Nick Williams
33464-2 FORPADYDEPLASTERER (IRE) 10 Goat Racing Syndicate Thomas Cooper IRE
F021F3 FOSTERS CROSS (IRE) 10 Pat O'Donovan Thomas Mullins IRE
152/460- GHIZAO (GER) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
3P0F-30 GILBARRY (IRE) 7 Mrs Peter Bond Jonjo O'Neill
5/2100-0 GIORGIO QUERCUS (FR) 7 Seasons Holidays Nicky Henderson
2/61114- GRANDS CRUS (FR) 7 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III David Pipe
123F2-0 HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO (IRE) 7 D Bishop C Bowkley M Parker M Thornton Martin Keighley
211113- HUNT BALL (IRE) 7 Anthony Knott Keiran Burke
2P6244 JAMSIE HALL (IRE) 9 Teresa Mangan Gordon Elliott IRE
4/011/-11 KALELLSHAN (IRE) 9 Liam O'Kelly Denis Hogan IRE
1F-211F KINGSMERE 7 Hamer & Hawkes Henry Daly
11F314- MENORAH (IRE) 7 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
140124- MICHEAL FLIPS (IRE) 8 Martin Tedham Andy Turnell
603/10-1 NADIYA DE LA VEGA (FR) 6 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
11323F- NOTUS DE LA TOUR (FR) 6 D Bradshaw,J Dale,P Deal,J Smee,W Walsh David Pipe
05F132 ORDINARY MAN (IRE) 7 Simply The Best Syndicate Liam Burke IRE
411114- PEPITE ROSE (FR) 5 Falcons Line Ltd Venetia Williams
41/5U26- POQUELIN (FR) 9 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
2/02105-QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 7 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
26/0-023 QUESTIONS ANSWERED (IRE) 7 B Graham Eric McNamara IRE
11264-1 SOLIX (FR) 6 Paul Vogt Ian Williams
3/1F32P- TANKS FOR THAT (IRE) 9 Bridget Hanbury Nicky Henderson
06050-6 TARTAK (FR) 9 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tim Vaughan
S41141 THE DISENGAGER (IRE) 8 Govier & Brown Philip Hobbs
1/15001- THE KNOXS (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
5/25145- TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) 8 Littlecote Racing Partnership Paul Webber
12541-1 TIPTOEAWAY (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Tim Easterby
023-031 TORPHICHEN 7 J P McManus Edward O'Grady IRE
41110-2 TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 5 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson
23400-4 VINO GRIEGO (FR) 7 C E Stedman Gary Moore
0/1345P- WALKON (FR) 7 McNeill Family Alan King
26F25-2 WISHFULL THINKING 9 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
44 entries
8 Irish-trained
Paddy Power Gold Cup - Paddy Power Bet: 7/2 Grands Crus; 13/2 Hunt Ball; 10/1 For Non Stop, Champion Court; 11/1 Walkon; 14/1 Menorah, Al Ferof, Edgardo Sol, Nadiya de La Vega; 16/1 Aerial, Cristal Bonus, Divers; 20/1 Wishfull Thinking, Time For Rupert, Tanks For That, Quantitativeeasing, Ghizao, Micheal Flips, Notus de La Tour, The Knoxs, Triolo D'Alene, Havingotascoobydo; 25/1 Poquelin, Solix, Tartak, Pepite Rose, Kalellshan, The Disengager, Kingsmere; 33/1 Calgary Bay, Forpadydeplasterer, Giorgio Quercus, Darna, Torphichen, Fosters Cross, Tiptoeaway, Criqtonic, Questions Answered, Jamsie Hall, Gilbarry, Casey Top; 50/1 Finger Onthe Pulse, Vino Griego, Ordinary Man
THE RACING POST HURDLE
Class 1, Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund.2.55pm,. Cheltenham, Sunday, November 18, 2012. For 4yo+, 2m 110yds. Entries closed October 30, entries revealed October 31 (43 entries), weights revealed November 7. Penalties: after November 4, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb (no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb). Five-day confirmation stage November 13, final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, November 16. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, October 29.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
160- FUFAKULA (IRE) 5 Jay Three Racing Mark Tompkins
11U145- ALASI 8 Shully Liebermann Paul Webber
PP/1/-111 ALBERT HALL (USA) 7 Claudine Minier Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR
004/600//- BLUE BAJAN (IRE) 10 Dr John Hollowood David O'Meara
2(5)220/-2 BOTHY 6 Dan Gilbert Brian Ellison
4/31115- CASH AND GO (IRE) 5 Robin Geffen Nicky Henderson
2-10126 CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 4 Timeform Betfair Racing Club Ltd Gordon Elliott IRE
431142 CHANGING THE GUARD 6 BetterTipster.co.uk Dr Richard Newland
5123-63 CONQUISTO 7 Phil Martin Steve Gollings
101-155 CONSTANT CONTACT 5 Delboy & Rodney Donald McCain
111U3- COTTON MILL 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson
2/21(2)1/-1 DARK LOVER (GER) 7 Des Nichols & Peter Hart Paul Nicholls
111F21- DARLAN 5 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
052000- DESERT CRY (IRE) 6 NYPD Racing Donald McCain
246-1 DODGING BULLETS 4 Martin Broughton & Friends Paul Nicholls
6D1/21-2 DOMINATION 5 Patrick Wilmott/Ms C Cleary Charles Byrnes IRE
435216- EDGARDO SOL (FR) 5 Axom XXXII Paul Nicholls
601U3P- GLAM GERRY (IRE) 8 Barry Connell Colm Murphy IRE
P004-30 GREY SOLDIER (IRE) 7 J O'Brien & Christian Leech Sophie Leech
25511-1 HI DANCER 9 R Tocher Ben Haslam
1123F-1 HINTERLAND (FR) 4 Chris Giles & Potensis Limited Paul Nicholls
F33511 HUNTERS BELT (IRE) 8 R A Fisher & John Blair George Bewley
32110- ILE DE RE (FR) 6 D Mead Donald McCain
4/21210- IT'S A GIMME (IRE) 5 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
21140- KAZLIAN (FR) 4 Twelve Pipers Piping David Pipe
04133///-1 KING OF QUEENS (IRE) 7 Ashley Scanlon Thomas Mullins
32111-BLEXI'S BOY (IRE) 4 Tim Leslie Donald McCain
31440-1 MALLER TREE 5 Favourites Racing Jessica Harrington IRE
50-0FF1 MOON DICE (IRE) 7 Three Friers Cross Syndicate Paul Flynn IRE
0/42F50- OLOFI (FR) 6 McNeill Family Tom George
54-4502 ONE COOL SHABRA (IRE) 4 Rita Shah Oliver Brady IRE
214453- PROSPECT WELLS (FR) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
2F11- RANJAAN (FR) 4 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Ranjaan Paul Nicholls
0-20131 RATTAN (USA) 7 J A Coleman Willie Mullins IRE
131301- RAYA STAR (IRE) 6 Simon Munir Alan King
2306/1//1- SNAP TIE (IRE) 10 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
F101-05 STAR OF ARAGON (IRE) 6 Holly's Buddies Syndicate James Nash IRE
03134/30- STARLUCK (IRE) 7 Andrew Wates David Arbuthnot
11/213- STAYING ARTICLE (IRE) 7 Thomas Barr Edward O'Grady IRE
42100- TED SPREAD 5 False Nose 'n Glasses Partnership Paul Nicholls
404352 THE TIDDLY TADPOLE 7 The Frog Chorus Simon West
11411R- UNE ARTISTE (FR) 4 Simon Munir Nicky Henderson
2F131-P VENDOR (FR) 4 Thurloe 52 Alan King
43 entries
9 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
Racing Post Hurdle - Paddy Power Bet: 5/1 Darlan; 8/1 It's A Gimme; 10/1 Domination, Ile de Re; 12/1 Dodging Bullets, Cash And Go, Ranjaan, Kazlian, Dark Lover; 14/1 Raya Star, Hinterland, Prospect Wells, Staying Article, Edgardo Sol, Lexi's Boy, Une Artiste; 16/1 Snap Tie, Cotton Mill, Vendor, Olofi, Ted Spread; 20/1 Moon Dice, Cause of Causes, Maller Tree; 25/1 Starluck, Bothy, Desert Cry, Constant Contact, Conquisto, Hi Dancer, Changing The Guard, Rattan, Star of Aragon, King Of Queens; 33/1 Blue Bajan, Alasi, One Cool Shabra, Hunters Belt, Grey Soldier, The Tiddly Tadpole, Glam Gerry, Albert Hall; 50/1 Akula
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