Cheltenham 2008 News
Last Updated:- Tuesday, 11 March, 2008 12:51
The official going for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival is Good to Soft, good in places.
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Eleven runners, including defending champion Voy Por Ustededs, have been declared for Wednesday's Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion chase.
The Paul Nicholls duo of Master Minded and Twist Magic, who have both beaten Voy Por Ustedes this season are also in the line up, as well as the 2006 winner Newmill.
Full field: Azuljo, Contraband, Fair Along, Lennon, Mansony, Master Minded, Newmill, Schindlers Hunt, Tamarinbleu, Twist Magic and Voy Por Ustedes.
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Fourteen runners have been declared for Tuesday's Akle, headed by the favourite Noland.
The full field: Cloph, French Accordion, Leslingtaylor, Mahogany Blaze, Marodima, Moon Over Miami, Noland, Orpen Wide, Premiership, Ring The Boss, Scotsirish, Thyne Again, Tiday Bay and Kruguyrova
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Cheltenham is battening down the hatches as the big storm approaches.
Non essential last minute preparation is being put on hold.
A number of Irish challengers have already arrived in an attempt to avoid transportation problems.
Speaking yesterday Simon Claisse said, "Some of the Irish horses have precautions in place and whereas in normal years we would have only 30 or 40 horses on the Sunday we already have 100 here. The great majority of them will be here by the end of today."
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Seventeen runners have been declared for Tuesday's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, including the favourite Sizing Europe and last years winner Sublimity.
The most notable non-runner is De Valira, who has been the subject of a great deal of recent support. The six-year-old has picked up an injury during schooling. The other interesting defection is Jazz Messenger.
The full line up:- Afsoun, Blythe Knight, Bobs Pride, Catch Me, Contraband, Ebaziyan, Farmer Brown, Harchibald, Kalderon, Katchit, Kawagino, Osana, Punjabi, Salford City, Sizing Europe, Straw Bear and Sublimity,
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Kauto Star is just favourite as the six day declarations for Friday's Gold Cup were announced.
The defending champion is the even money favourite, whilst stablemate Denman is available at 11/8.
There were no unexpected withdrawals as 20 stand their ground.
Noel Meade has supplemented Afistfullofdollars at a cost of £22,500.
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Inglis Drever remains on course for an unprecedented third World Hurdle victory as he was amongst the 20 runners declared at the six day stage.
Also standing his ground is last years Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle winner Wichita Lineman, although his participation does depend on the going being on the soft side.
Alan King has left Blazing Bailey and 2006 winner My Way De Solzen in the World Hurdle.
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Favourite Mossbank and 2007 runner-up Our Vic are amongst 15 horses declared for the Ryanair Chase.
The Robert and Sally Alner trained The Listener is still declared, along with David Pipe's Tamarinbleu, who is still in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Other entries Newmill, winner of the Champion Chase two years ago, L'Antartique from the Ferdy Murphy stable and last years third Billyvoddan.
All the main contenders have stood their ground for the Ballynore Novices Hurdle.
40 runners remain, however a number of them also hold entries for the Supreme Novice's earlier in the afternoon, so ante post bets could still be scuppered.
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The Royal and Sun Alliance Chase is still on course for a rematch between Albertas Run and Air Force One. The two classy runners fought out an exciting Reynoldsown Chase at Ascot in February.
Although only 24 runners remain there were no surprise defecions at the six day stage.
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The opening Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle , Tuesday's opening race still has 42 entries at the six day stage, including the three market leaders Captain Cee Bee, Khyber Kim and Muirhead.
Oher entries include Ashkazar, Binocular, Five Dream, Fiveforthree, Pigeon Island, Rippling Ring and Sentry Duty.
A word of warning for punters though in that a number of he declared runners do have entries elsewhere at the festival.
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