Cheltenham 2008 Live
17:42 Well that's it for day one, not a good day for the favourites and it is 1-0 to the bookies.
Do not despair we still have three days to go.
See you tomorrow!!
17:40 David Pipe’s Ashkazar stood to win a £75,000 bonus had he won the Fred Winter, turning into the home straight it looked as though the money was in the bank.
However, Emma Lavelle’s Crack Away Jack had not read the script, coming with a powerful run in the run-in to take the prize and deny Pipe the bonus for the second year running.
French raider Grand Schlem who was challenging two out ended up finishing third, with 66/1 outsider Indian Spring taking fourth.
Crack Away Jack is Emma Lavelle’s first Festival winner.
17:35
| 5:20 | Fred Winter Juvenile Novices Handicap | |||
| 1st | 3 Crack Away Jack | 14/1 | ||
| 2nd | 1 Ashkazar | 15/8f | ||
| 3rd | 10 Grand Schlem | 12/1 | ||
| 4th | 8 Indian Spring | 66/1 | ||
| Tote | Win | |||
| Place | ||||
| Exacta | ||||
| Distances | 2.5l 5l | |||
| 22 Ran | Nr's 12 & 15 | |||
17:20 Robert Thornton may have ridden a double he has, however, picked up a total of seven days in bans, both for whip usage. He received a three day ban for incorrect use of the whip in the first and four days for excessive use in the Champion.
17:12 It looked although the new shoes fitted Ivoire De Beaulieu as he led for most of the marathon event.
Come the business end of proceedings it was, surprise, surprise, a victory for JP McManus and the cross country king, Enda Bolger, when Garde Champetre under a waiting ride from Nina Carberry took the honours. The race itself was relatively uneventful with most of the runners getting round in one piece.
The places went to three outsiders, the veteran Native Jack, A New Story and another McManus runner Freneys Well.
Needless to say Nina received a tremendous reception.17:00
| 4:40 | BGC Cross Country Handicap Chase | ||||
| 1st | 7 Garde Champetre | 4/1 | |||
| 2nd | 9 Native Jack | 40/1 | |||
| 3rd | 13 A New Story | 20/1 | |||
| 4th | 10 Freneys Well | 25/1 | |||
| Tote | Win | £5.00 | |||
| Place | £1.80 | £6.90 | £4.20 | £6.30 | |
| Exacta | £241.40 | ||||
| Distances | 10l 1.5l | ||||
| 16 ran | |||||
16:45 The blacksmith has don his bit.
16:40 Ivoire De Beaulieu has been dismounted at the start, apparently having spread a plate. We await the blacksmith.
16:25 Love it or hate it, it's the Cross Country next. Odds on the Irish will win it!!!
16:15 An exciting William Hill Handicap saw Tom Scudamore, son of the former champion Peter, claim his first Cheltenham Festival victory aboard David Pipe's An Accordion. A beaming hockey was greeted by his Dad as he returned to the winners enclosure.
Ollie Magern set the pace for the race which unfolded as they they breasted the hill for the final time. Coming down the hill there were several in with chances.
Turning into the straight it could have been any of the winner, New Alco. L'Ami and the enigmatic Abragante. The winner was never in doubt but New Alco just did French raider L'Ami on the line, with Abragante taking fourth..
16:10
| 4:00 | William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase | |||
| 1st | 6 An Accordian | 7/1 | ||
| 2nd | 4 New Alco | |||
| 3rd | 5 L'Ami | |||
| Tote | Win | £8.10 | ||
| Place | £3.30 | £2.30 | £3.90 | |
| Exacta | £51.60 | |||
| Distances | 2.5l Hd | |||
| 14 Ran | NR 12 | |||
15:50 Well there is still a buzz following Katchit's win. The runners for the William Hill are in the parade ring, where Patsy Hall is currently the 6/1 favourite.
15:32
Katchit gave Choc Thornton his sevond victory of the afternoon, taking the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
Osana, under Tom Scudamore made most, leading most of the way.
Coming down the hill Katchit, favourite Sizing Europe and last years winner Sublimity all made their challenge. Turning into the home straight it looked as though it was going to be the favourites race untill he suddenly stopped and pulled up, something clearly amiss.
Jumping the last Katchit held the lead, with his main challenger the resurgent and brave Osana. Up the final hill Katchit held on to win by a length, with outsider Punjabi, under Barry Geraghty, grabbing third place from the defending champion.
One of those most surprised by Katchit's victory was his trainer Alan King who said he was expecting he charge to finish "in the first four at best."
Katchit is the first five year old to win since See You Then in 1985.
15:25
| 3:15 | Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle | |||
| 1st | 10 Katchit | 10/1 | ||
| 2nd | 12 Osana | 9/2 | ||
| 3rd | 13 Punjabi | 25/1 | ||
| Tote | Win | £8.80 | ||
| Place | £2.50 | £2.60 | £5.00 | |
| Exacta | £2.60 | |||
| Distances | 1l 5l | |||
| 15 ran | NR's 9, 1 | |||
15:00 Just 15 minutes to this afternoons big one. The crowds are eight or nine deep around the paddock and all the best vantage points are long gone.
Last years winner Sublimity is looking good.
14:47
First of all an interesting comment from the jockeys who are reporting the ground is riding soft.
The Arkle has managed to sink many bankers, with the bookies smiling as the Paul Nicholls trained Norland could only manage a never better third. The spoils went to the Howard-Johnson stable, which is good news for Ingles Drever supporters in the World Hurdle on Thursday. Tidal Bay has been known to run the occsional shocker, but today was not one of those days. In reality he left his opponents standing once he launched his challenge coming down the hill. The ride was Denis O'Regan's first Festival win - well done Denis.
Kruguyrova, under AP McCoy made the initial pace until a mistake at the 7th. He looked beaten but under a typical AP ride he managed to ensure a well fought second place.
14:42
| 2:35 | Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy | |||
| 1st | 13 Tidal Bay | 6/1 | ||
| 2nd | 14 Kruguyrova | 9/1 | ||
| 3rd | 7 Noland | 7/4f | ||
| Tote | Win | £7.50 | ||
| Place | £2.70 | £2.40 | £1.30 | |
| Exacta | £67.90 | |||
| Distances | 13l 1.5l | |||
| 14 ran | ||||
14:20 Well it was first blood to the Irish, not only that a McManus 1-2, although probably not in the order anticipated.
In a highly competitive race any one of a dozen horses could have taken the spoils, however turning into the home straight a McManus 1-2 seemed almost inevitible. For a moment it seemed as though it would be a dream return to Cheltenham for AP McCoy. However under a pushing ride from Choc Thornton Captain Cee Bee ran out a 2 length winner.
14:10
2:00 |
Anglo Irish Supreme Novices' Hurdle | |||
| 1st | 3 Captain Cee Bee | 17/2 | ||
| 2nd | 22 Binocular | 8/1cf | ||
| 3rd | 16 Snap Tie | 20/1 | ||
| Tote | Win | £12.00 | ||
| Place | £0.70 | £2.60 | £6.80 | |
| Exacta | £65.70 | |||
| Distances | 2L 4.5l | |||
| 22 Ran | ||||
13:28 Another non-runner in the big one Kalderon does not go
13:20 Another non-runner, Zebra Crossing does not go in the first.
13:15 Good news, the rain is starting to ease and there is some blue on the horizon, fingers crossed the first will be run in the dry.
13:10 It is still raining steadily, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the going. Not long now, only 50 minutes until the first and the unique Cheltenham roar.
12:50 A quick betting update. In the first the money seems to be for Pigeon Island 12's into 10's, whilst Muirhead is a slight drifter.
In the William Hill there is money for Monkerhostin 8's from 10's and Mon Mome 12's from 14's.
It will be interesting to see if this rain has any more effect.
12:45 These Irish must be hardy souls, the rain is not diminishing their enthusiasm and I'm not sure if it is me but the Irish band next door seems even more lively, if that is possible, since the rain started.
12:40 I might change my mind about the last comment. I have just stuck my head outside the press room and it is very dreak outside - grey as far as the eye can see and Cleeve Hill shrouded by mist.
12:35 A flurry of acivity as a shower hits Cheltenham, I am no weather forecaster but it does not look to be too heavy a shower.
12:10 Just two hours until the fist race and the crowds are arriving, the buzz is getting louder.
I have just bumped into a first timer, looking round wide-eyed like a kid in a candy shop.
11:50 The going is good to soft, good in places and it looks like perfect jumping ground.
11:35 We have two non-runners so far. Salford City misses the Champion Hurdle and King Harald does not go in the William Hill.
11:15 The gates have been open for just under an hour and the buzz is already starting. I am tempted to say it is the lull before the storm but in the light of the recent weather that may not be appropriate.
Having said that there is little evidence of yesterdays damage and the course have done very well to recover.