Racing Live - Cheltenham 1st January 2011
16:08 That’s it from day one of racing in 2011, let’s hope the weather forecast is wrong and we don’t have another slew of abandonments this coming week. Some quality racing with the re-appearance of some old favourites, however the afternoon was overshadowed by the loss of Joe Lively. From a now dreak Cheltenham a very good evening.15:57 It was a close contest on paper and it turned out to be a close finish with barely a cigarette paper splitting Keys and Cinders And Ashes as they crossed the line with the former only leading where it mattered. Keys had to survive a stewards enquiry as the pair came together a couple of times on teh run-in but it was Jason Maguire, rider of the runner-up, who incurred the wrath of the stewards picking up a one day ban for excessive whip use. 15:38 Our final contest is a tasty looking bumper, the EBF High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire’s Junior Standard Open NH Flat Race, with 16 competing in the 1m 6f contest. On looks, What A Warrior is the clear pick.
15:29 Timmy Murphy gives a demonstration of how to ride Cheltenham perfectly as he produces Ashkazar with a perfectly timed challenge up the hill to deny Junior who looked the winner clearing the last. Junior had battled gamely with Chartreux and at one time it was hard to figure out which one would come out on top, but it was Chartreux who was first to blink. Chartreux, who had been with Junior turning for home came home third with Gwanako, on a redeeming mission over hurdles, coming home fourth.
15:04 Our final race over obstacles this afternoon is the skybet.com Handicap Hurdle over three miles with 17 going to post. Don’t Push It is best looking in the parade ring but after his last disappointing effort I would not be keen to stick any dosh on him – another horse never the same after a National win?
14:53 Another thrilling finish and I know I should not talk through my pocket but it was disappointing to see Carole’s Legacy getting done by Tartak in the closing strides as we witnessed another battle up the hill. Pickamus set a good pace and was still in front when coming down at the 11th, it is amazing no other runner was hampered by the fall. The fall left Patman Du Charmil briefly in front before being headed by Carole’s Legacy, although she was never that far clear of her rivals. Door Boy and Can’t Buy Time, along with Mahogany Blaze were all in with chances turning for home and Carole’s Legacy still had the advantage at the last. It was all down to a battle up the hill and Paddy Brennam produced Tartak with a perfectly timed run to grab the spoils. 14:27 The second of our feature races now, the very open victorchandler.com Chase, a Grade 3 handicap over 2m 5f with 15 due to go to post. 14:17 A prime example of the ups and downs of racing as the Tizzards, who lost one of their stable stars in the last with the death of Joe Lively, end up in the winners enclosure as Hell’s Bay holds of a determined challenge from Medermit to take the Dipper Chase. Having see off the front running Have You Seen Me as they turned for home Hell’s Bay managed to get first run and despite going through the top of the last he maintained his momentum coming up the hill. Medermit under a strong Robert Thornton drive was closing the gap but was only able to get within three parts of a length of the winner. Reve de Sivola, who seemed to run in snatches, took third spot, 22 lengths behind the front pair with the front running Have You Seen Me fourth.
13:58 The first of our feature contests next, the Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over 2m 5f with 13 going to post. A very open betting heat and very few clues in the parade ring. Sway was making her two handlers work hard and Billie Magern was pulling a bit.
13:50 One of those races where we should be celebrating a magnificent victory by Blazing Bailey, returning to his best an demolishing the field by 11 lengths, having been ridden patiently by Robert Thornton before pulling clear on the run-in. Unfortunately the race will be overshadowed by a sickening injury to the old favourite Joe Lively who broke down with an horrific injury in front of the stands on the first circuit. Favourite Buffalo Bob set out to make all and maintained the lead until the cavalry charged in the latter stages, eventually finishing fourth. Richard’s Sundance was prominent throughout and he took second spot with the late challenging Officier De Reserve taking third spot.
13:22 Our first chase of the afternoon sees 17 going to post for the Raceodds Handicap Chase, an extended 3¼ mile contest. All much of a muchness in the parade ring, Knowhere was ever so slightly on his toes but nothing to get too worried about.
13:11 A good tactical contest with front running Barizan being niggled for the lead by a keen Celestial Halo, the pair running clear of the main group for the first half of the race. Duke Of Luca, with Karabak and Oscar Whisky led the following group, who joined the leading duo as they turned into the back straight. At the top of the hill the front two still had a narrow advantage but McCoy bought Karabak into a challenging position. Wheeling down the hill Barizan was soon in retreat as Karabak and Celestial Halo battled it out in front. Oscar Whiskey was also moving into a challenging position, along with Any Given Day who had been settled toward the rear for most of the contest. Lining up for home Karabak was the first of the front quartet to come under pressure as McCoy switched him towards the centre of the course. Oscar Whisky jumped the last in front but Any Given Day looked to be a serious challenger and was soon coming upsides, however Barry Geraghty asked Oscar Whisky for a final effort and he accelerated clear to record a comfortable seven length victory. Any Given Day was eventually tiring up the run in but retained second spot from a closing Celestial Halo, with Karabak back in fourth.
12:48 A nice little hurdle next, the Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club Hurdle, another extended 2½ mile contest, with the dead seven going to post. Not too many clues in the paddock - Celestial Halo is a little edgy, Karabak looks the best, Oscar Whisky had a good look round coming in 12:31 The Cheltenham season begins well for favourite backers as Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty begin the season with a winner as Bobs Worth holds on up the hill to record a 2¼ length victory. Settled mid-division Geraghty moved into a challenging possie as they came down the hill, hitting the front approaching the last. At that stage, Habbie Simpson looked to be his only danger as the pair pulled clear of their rivals. However Nick Schofield launched Rose Of The Moon from the crowd and was eating up the ground on the run-in, passing Habbie Simpson easily but not having sufficient time to reel in the leader. 12:17 Decent crowd here at Cheltenham, good for teh course but it makes getting around more difficult - the Ying and Yang 12:15 Cheltenham’s opening race of 2011 is the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle an extended 2m 4f contest, with 15 going to post. Quite a few on their toes, most notably Heez A Cracker, Safran De Cotte and Barbatos. Bobs Worth the clear pick. 11:58 Some market movers to report. In the opener Rose Of The Moon has been backed from 22/1 into 12/1 with Skybet. Oscar Whisky has attracted support in the 12:55 and may well soon be vying for favouritism. An outsider attracting some support in the Bumper is Paul Webber’s Sole Survivor, who has halved in price from 20’s into 10’s.
10:55 Good morning from Cheltenham where the weather is overcast and very slightly misty, but no visibility issues. 08:07 It has been a dry night in the Cotswolds and the official going is Good to Soft. The action gets underway at 12:20 and there is currently one non-runner. For what it's worth our New Year's Day suggestions
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Non-RunnersThe time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner. SC - Self Certificate Non-runners 12:20 Results 12:20 Novices' Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds
12:55 Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds
13:30 Handicap Chase 3m 2f 110yds
14:00 Novices' Chase 2m 5f
14:35 Handicap Chase 2m 5f
15:10 Handicap Hurdle 3m
15:45 Open NH Flat 1m 6f
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