Cheltenham 2009 News
Last Updated:- Wednesday, 11 March, 2009 11:35
11th March
Sixteen runners, including five from Paul Nicholls stable, head for the Gold Cup, the feature race on Friday's Cheltenham card.
Last years winner, Denman, stands his ground as does the 2007 winner Kauto Star. The only absentee from the last declarations was War Of Attrition, who suffered a training setback earlier in the week.
9th March
Sizing Europe will not run in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle. Having been examined by vets following his trip to the course it has been decided he is not fit to race.
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Red hot favourite Master Minded, likely to go off the shortest priced Festival runner since Arkle, will face 11 rivals in Wednesday's feature Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
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The final declarations for Tuesday are through with no shock defections.
8th March
Following 3mm of rain on Sunday the official going has been changed to good to soft.
With a further 7-8mm of rain forecast before Tuesday the going on the opening day could be soft.
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Twenty-four runners have been declared for Tuesday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle and if they all stand their ground it will be the biggest field since 1991.
The favourite, Binocular, has begun to drift in the market after the official going was changed to good to soft on Sundaty afternoon.
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Kauto Star has been pushed out to 9/4 for Friday's Totesport Gold Cup by William Hill, with the company saying he could be as big as 3/1 on the day.
6th March
Alan King confirmes Bensalem will run in the Albert Bartlett.
Kasbah Bliss will face a maximum of 15 in the World Hurdle.
12 Remain in the Ryanair Chase.
Tornedo Shay is a doubtful runner for the Bumper.
5th March
Master Minded heads 14 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Willie Mullins keaves nine in the Bumper.
Leading fancies Diamond Harry and Karabak head 29 entries for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle
90 Remain in the Coral Cup
4th March
Notre Pere, the top Irish hope for the Gold Cup will miss the festival following a training setback.
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The six day declarations for the opening day of the festival have come out. Binocular heads the 24 remaining in the Champion Hurdle, whilst 19 stand their ground in the Arkle and 30 in the supreme novices'.
The most notable omission is Can't Buy Time from the William Hill Trophy, where 44 remain.
3rd March
Trainer Edward O'Grady has said Catch Me, who holds entries in both the Champion Hurdle and World Hurdle, will by-pass Cheltenham and run in the Aintree Hurdle instead.
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As the festival approaches so riding plans begin to take shape Sam Thomas is to ride Mighty Man in the World Hurdle after regular pilot Richard Johnson has been claimed to ride Fair Along.
Robert Thornton is to ride Big Zeb in the Champion Chase, whilst Ruby Walsh will ride Kempes in the Supreme Novices'.
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Cheltenham have begun "selective watering" of sections of the New Course, which is used for the final two days of the Festival.
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43 runners have been declared for the Foxhunters, including previous winners Kingscliff, Sleeping Knight and last years winner Amicelli.
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Nigel Twiston-Davies has said he expects Imperial Commander to run in the Ryanair rather than the Gold Cup.
1st March
Four horses owned by Irish professional gambler JP McManus have been heavily backed for races at the Festival.
Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Trophy, Can't Buy Time in the National Hunt Chase, Aigle D'Or in the Coral Cup and Don't Push It in the Pertemps are the ones who have attracted the support.
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In contrast Denman is drifting for the Gold Cup both with bookmakers and on the exchanges, bookmakers have him at 7/1, whilst on the exchanges he is approaching 8/1.
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Leading Irish handler Noel Meade has confirmed that Jered, who has not been seen on the track since November, will run in teh Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival.
25th February
With the publication of the weights for the Cheltenham handicaps the Festival is taking shape.
In the William Hill Trophy, Paul Nicholls’ Star De Mohaison has been given top weight of 11-12, with Donald McCain’s Cloudy Lane 1lb lower.
In the cross-country it is no surprise to see Enda Bolger’s Garde Champetre topping the weights with 11-12, with former Grand National winner Silver Birch carrying 1lb less, L ‘Ami, who seems to have taken to the cross country fences, carries 11-8.
It is absolutely no surprise to see Lough Derg heading the weights for the Coral Cup. Given 11-12 by the handicapper, David Pipe’s brave fighter will be giving 8lb plus to his rivals.
24th February
Hurricane Fly has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival, following an injury.
Trainer Wilie Mullins said: "Hurricane Fly will not run, he hasn't made enough progress."
"He went to to the vets yesterday. After riding him out Paul Townend, who rides him all the time, wasn't happy with his progress and neither was I.
"It is disappointing but the hardest thing with a splint is the timing of it and it has come so close to Cheltenham, but he should recover totally from it and we look forward to going to Punchestown with him."
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Trafford Lad will miss Cheltenham and will instead target the Powers Gold Cup after he scoped badly following his last run.
22nd February
Leading Foxhunters contender Juevigneur has completed his Cheltenham prep by winning a point-to-point in Ireland
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Trainer Willie Mullins has said a decision about Hurricane Fly's participation at the Festival is likely to be made in the next few days.
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Hebridean will not be running in the Triumph Hurdle. Trainer Paul Nicholls says he will be aimed at Aintree instead.
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Crack Away Jack is to be ridden by Noel Fehily in the Champion Hurdle. Jack Doyle has ridden the Emma Lavelle five-year-old this season, however connections have decided they would prefer a more experienced rider for Cheltenham.
Lavelle said, "Noel is a very experienced, solid rider and he has lots of big-race experience.
"On a big day like the Champion Hurdle, you need to try to minimise the big-race nerves. Jack was obviously disappointed, but he's only 19 and there will be plenty more big days ahead for him.
"Jack will ride all my other runners at the meeting, including Pause And Clause in the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle, Kangaroo Court in the Supreme Novices' and Amore Mio in the Fred Winter.
19th February
Sam Thomas will ride Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 13th March. There had been intense speculation as to who would ride the defending champion but the speculation has now been ended. Trainer Paul Nicholls has all but concede Denman has little chance of retaining his title.
Paul Nicholls has expressed confidence in Kauto Star, saying he thinks he is the “one to beat” in the Cheltenham feature.
He was also bullish about the chances of his other live contender, Neptune Collonges, who has won three Grade Ones in Ireland and almost denied Kauto Star the runners up spot last year.
Nicholls said, "He is right in the mix in the Gold Cup and wasn't beaten far last year, although he did have the race run to suit.
"He only has to improve a couple of lengths on last year."
18th February
38 stand their ground in the latest forefeit stage for Arkle Challenge Trophy, including the favourite Tatenen. 14 runners were withdrawn at this latest stage.
All the major players have stood their ground, including Calgary Bay, Kalahari King, Planet Of Sound and Panjo Bere.
58 remain in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, including long time favourite Zaynar. Walkon, Starluck and Master Of Arts are amongst the more fancied rivals.
Even more runners stand their ground in the williamhill.co Supreme Novices where 68 remain in the contest, including joint favourites Cousin Vinny and Hurricane Fly.
Saturday's Ascot winner Carruthers is amongst the 51 entries for the RSA Chase although connections have hinted he may miss Cheltenham this season. What A Friend heads the betting. Cooldine leads the Irish challenge in the contest.
77 remain in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle including the favourite Diamond Harry and the well fancied Karaback. Supreme Novice Hurdle favourites Cousin Vinny and Hurricane Fly still retain entries in this contest.
Finally 70 remain in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, where the betting is currently headed by Bensalem.
Full entry details can be found by clicking the "entries" button on the left of the page.
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As a consequence of the recent bad weather Cheltenham, in agreement with the BHA, have extended the deadline for entries for the Christie's Foxhunters Chase.
The race was originally suppose to close on February 24th, but will now close on March 3rd. The qualification dates will move from February 23rd to March 2nd.
To qualify to run in the race, horses must, since December 2006, have been placed first or second on two occasions in Hunter Chases or have won two Open Chases at Point-to-Point Meetings, or have won one Open Chase at a Point-to-Point and finished first or second in a Hunter Chase.
So far this year nine Point-to-Point meetings and seven Hunter Chases have been lost to the weather. The additional week that has been granted should see ten Point-to-Point meetings and four Hunter Chases being run allowing extra opportunities for potential runners to qualify.
15th February
Paul Nicholls Neptune Collonges was the easy winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday, giving the trainer a strong hand in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Nicholls now has the top three in the betting with favourite Kauto Star (7/4) plus last years winner Denman (5/1) joined on the same price by Neptune Collonges, who was third in the big race last year.
Sunday's runner up, Welsh National winner Notre Pere, has seen his price halved for the Cheltenham blue riband, with layers now going a general 16/1.
Elsewhere at Leopardstown, last years Champion Bumper winner Cousin Vinny was a final flight faller in the Delloite Novice Hurdle, nonetheless layers have still cut his price for the Supreme Novices' from 9/2 to 7/2.
Cooldine battled bravely to take the Dr P J Moriarty Chase on teh same card and has now been cut to 5/1 favourite for the RSA Chase.
The favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Hurricane Fly, will miss Sunday's Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown after being found to be lame.
The five-year-old, who is also a best-priced 10-1 for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, was looking for a hat-trick of Grade 1 wins in Sunday's contest.
Trainer Willie Mullins, speaking on Sunday morning, said, "He was found to be lame last night and as he wasn't any better this morning, he won't be running today.
"We think it is just a foot problem which, hopefully, will clear up in a few days. Hopefully he will be OK in his Cheltenham preparations and will have him checked out by vets later today."
14th February
Saturday’s action proved to be a good indicator for the Cheltenham festival with top class action at three venues.
At Ascot Voy Por Ustedes went to the top of the Ryanair betting with a convincing win in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Going into the contest there were some doubts as to the 2m 5f distance as well as acting on the soft going. Both doubts were put to rest with, arguably, his best performance to date.
Earlier on Carruthers ran a convincing performance in the Reynoldstown, with a pillar to post victory beating the highly rated Breedsbreeze who fell at the last. Despite the fall Carruthers would still have won. As a result Carruthers has been cut from 14’s to 7’s for the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase.
Meanwhile at Haydock, French raider Kasbah Bliss sluiced through the mud in the Rendlesham and consolidated his position at the head of the World Hurdle betting, now a best available 7/4.
Down at Wincanton Ashkazar was cut for the Champion Hurdle after taking the Kingwell Hurdle, beating the highly rated Punjabi in the process.
11th February
Today is the first forefeit stage for some of the big races at the festival.
Some of the withdrawals were expected, such as Noland and Joe Lively.
Both Kauto Star and Denman hold their ground in the Gold Cup.
The scratchings are as follows:-
Gold Cup: An Accordion, Cane Brake, Finger Onthe Pulse, Gungadu, Joe Lively, Mister Top Notch, Or Noir De Somoza, Slim Pickings, Tidal Bay, Trabolgan
Champion Hurdle: Afsoun, Aigle D'Or, Aitmatov, Rippling Ring, Silent Oscar
Queen Mother Champion Chase: Andreas, Fiepes Shuffle, I'm So Lucky, J'Y Vole, Killaghy Castle, Medicinal, Natal, Noland, Or Noir De Somoza
Ryanair Chase: Araldur, Finger Onthe Pulse, Glenfinn Captain, J'Y Vole, Killaghy Castle, Natal, Noland, Or Noir De Somoza, Rubberdubber, Sky's The Limit, Slim Pickings, Twist Magic, Vic Venturi.
World Hurdle: Afrad, Aigle d'Or, Blue Shark, Brave Inca, Gaspara, Inglis Drever, Johnnie Dillinger, Kazal, Nicanor, Temoin, Tidal Bay and United
7th February
Denman suffered his first defeat over the larger obstacles as he came home second, beaten a comprehensive 23 lengths in the Levy Board Chase at Kempton on Saturday.
David Pipe's Madison Du Berlais inflicted the defeat in what was a disappointing performance following a 330 day lay off, during which time last year's Gold Cup hero has received treatment for an irregular heartbeat.
The defeat saw his price for the Gold Cup, in a shade over four weeks time, drift out to 4/1, with his stable mate Kauto Star being cut to 6/4 favouritism.
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Joe Lively, who finished a disappointing fifth in Levy Board Chase, is out for the rest of the season.
He damaged a tendon in the Kempton race, which means he will be out of action for some considerable time and will miss the Gold Cup at his favoured Cheltenham. He is currently being treated by vets.
6th February 2009
Noland, joint-favourite for the Ryanair Chase, is out for the season.
The seven-year-old pulled up sore after working on Thursday. After examination It was discovered the 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner had suffered a recurrence of an old leg injury.
The gelding was last seen in action at last December, when winning the John Durkan at Punchestown.
2nd February 2009
Defending Champion Hurdler, Katchit, will go straight to Cheltenham without a prep race according to trainer Alan King. The gelding has returned to his trainer after taking a mid-season break following some lackluster performances.
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Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Osana made a pleasing return at Sandown on Saturday, forcing layers to dramatically cut his odds. Trainer David Pipe says Osana is now likely to go straight to the Festival.
25th January 2009
Trials day at Cheltenham certainly threw the cat amongst the pigeons as far as the Ladbrokes World Hurdle is concerned.
Punchestowns defeat by Big Bucks in the Cleeve Hurdle has thrown the betting wide open with three contenders sharing favouritism. Layers responded to Saturday’s contest by dramatically shortening the odds of Big Bucks, whilst pushing out the odds of Punchestowns.
Currently Punchestowns, Big Bucks and Kasbah Bliss are all available at around the 3/1 mark.
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Joe Lively's win in the Letheby & Christopher Chase has resulted in his Gold Cup price contracting from around 100/1 into a best price 33/1. However layers have taken a stronger view with regard his Grand National Odds, one layer (Paddy Power) cutting him to as low as 16/1, although Ladbrokes are still offering 25/1, whilst 20/1 is generally available elsewhere.
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11-year-old Brave Inca rolled back the years and won the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Colm Murphy's gelding came home to a rapturous welcome from the packed crowd.
He held off a strong challenge from Muirhead, holding on by 3/4 length, with River Laine a further seven lengths back in third.
The favourite, Sublimity, was a further ten lengths back in fourth. He later returned a bad scope which showed an infection.
Following the race Brave Inca's Champion Hurdle odds have been cut to 16/1 from 33/1, whilst Sublimity has gone out from 9/1 to 14/1.
19th January 2009
Three times World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever has resumed light training.
The gelding injured a hock at Newbury in November but an x-ray examination has confirmed the injury has healed.
There will be no rush to decide if he is to return to racing. Trainer Howard Johnson said the main concern is to ensure he is sound when he eventually retires.
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Meanwhile the Gold Cup winner Denman is back to full training following treatment for an irregular heartbeat.
The Paul Nicholls trained gelding is currently trading around the 15/8 mark for a Gold Cup repeat with stable mate Kauto Star available around the 11/4 mark.
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Mighty Man, not seen in action since pulling up with a ruptured tendon at the Punchestown Festival in 2007, is a surprise entry in the World Hurdle.
Bookmakers are taking a mix opinion on the news with prices ranging from a cautious 16/1with SkyBet to 40/1 with Bet 365, the majority going 33/1.
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Petit Robin, runner-up to Master Minded in the VIctor Chandler Chase at Ascot will renew the battle with Paul Nicholls star in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, even though his trainer Nicky Henderson concedes they will probably only be battling for second place prize money.
Petit Robin is a best priced 16/1 for the Champion Chase.