The Irish Post Cheltenham Festival 2017

The Irish Post, March 11, 2017

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STYLE IT UP ON LADIES’ DAY

SIR AP MCCOY HONOURED

TALKING HORSES FESTIVAL WEEK TIPS

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SPECIAL

2 | March 11, 2017

The Irish Post

Why WE LOOK FORWARD TO cheltenham SO MUCH

BY MATT HULMES, BETFRED RACING EXPERT

IT’s almost over…the 361 day wait, that is, since the last horse crossed the line in the Grand Annual Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.

Since then plans have been underway for the biggest week of the national hunt season…a spectacular world-class event that Cheltenham will always be. It’s what the entire campaign is geared towards, horse racing’s Olympics, World Cup and Champions League all rolled into one.

Here’s what makes it so special for me and the watching millions...

THE CHELTENHAM ROAR All those days of anticipation and excitement reach a crescendo with the crowd collectively releasing a giant roar as the tapes rise for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at 1.30pm on Tuesday afternoon, thus signalling the beginning of four days filled with highs, lows, thrills, spills, adrenalinefuelled decisions and drama.

THE PRESTBURY PARK AMPHITHEATRE The course itself is situated in a bowl at the foot of Cleeve Hill, providing

the perfect picturesque backdrop befitting the occasion. It heightens the cacophony of sound that reverberates around the track and the stands, sending shockwaves and shivers through spectators.

ANGLO-IRISH RIVALRY It’s become so competitive now between the English and Irish trained runners that there is even a trophy for the winning nation, the Prestbury Cup. The Irish come over in their droves accounting for around 30 per cent of the 250,000 attendees over the week and spending around €22million in the process.

PUNTER VS BOOKMAKER In what is a daily or weekly battle for some, becomes integral for the festival. The legendary battles between JP McManus and ‘Fearless’ Freddie Williams are tales of folklore with sums running into seven figures exchanged between the two. A winner at Cheltenham is the Holy Grail for punters as well as connections. Some bets are placed months in advance as punters aim for the big prices and big wins, but the majority of the £500m betting turnover on the festival takes place as races approach.

THE TENTED VILLAGE A spectacle in its own right, the tented village houses many stores, hospitality events and lots of entertainment (some scheduled, plenty not!). It’s where the majority of the 265,000 pints of Guinness are sunk each festival and a real ‘craic’ is had by all.

FINALLY, OF COURSE, THE QUALITY ACTION The racing on the track is the best National Hunt action on the planet, with the best jumps horses, jockeys and trainers the globe has to offer all battling it out for glory and championship titles.

It crowns the fastest hurdler, the slickest chaser and on the final day we will be blessed to witness the horse who has it all. Speed, stamina, guts and determination, traits that are found in every Cheltenham Gold Cup winner that there has ever been.

The appeal of the Cheltenham Festival gets greater year on year with Gold Cup day 2017 selling out earlier than ever before. It is not an event that needs to be sold to its patrons, the patrons are sold to the festival.

SIR AP MCCOY JUMP RACING’S MOST SUCCESSFUL JOCKEY ■ Champion Jump jockey a record 20 times ■ Partnered an incredible 4,358 Jump winners during his career ■ 31 successes at The Cheltenham Festival: Two Cheltenham Gold Cups (1997 Mr Mulligan & 2012 Synchronised) Three Champion Hurdles (1997 Make A Stand, 2006 Brave Inca & 2010 Binocular)

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■ Retired from the saddle at the end of the 2014/15 season

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SPECIAL

- A CHAMPION IS HONOURED

Dublin sculptorʻs life-size bronze of legendary jockey AP McCoy to be unveiled

L

EGENDARY jockey AP McCoy will be honoured with a new statue at Cheltenham.

The life-size bronze will be unveiled on the opening day of The Festival, Champion Day, on Tuesday, March 14.

The statue of the recordbreaking sportsman will sit on the Best Mate Plaza by the north entrance to the racecourse.

Crafted by Dublin-based sculptor Paul Ferriter, the statue captures McCoy in a classic pose – standing with his arms folded and the whip under his arm.

“For me, as a sculptor, he was a brilliant subject,” said Ferriter, who boasts an extensive portfolio including the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition as well as the statue of jockeys Martin and Tim Molony at Limerick Racecourse.

“AP has a really great face with incredible cheekbones, a great jaw and chin as well as really good hair.

He added: “In terms of the piece, what I really wanted to try and capture was the kind of intensity that AP has, his total dedication. It is a pre-race pose, lost in maybe that pre-race anxiety and always looking to the future.”

McCoy has already given the

CHELTENHAM 2017

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piece his seal of approval. In reference to his recent retirement from the sport, he joked: “Some of my friends were wondering whether the statue was going to be the old or new me - the 10 stone one or the 12 stone one.”

He added: “I last saw Paul’s work just before it was about to get bronzed and it look very, very good. I took some videos and showed them to friends who agreed that Paul has really captured my likeness.

“I thought most people got a statue when they were dead! I guess it will give the birds somewhere to sit.”

Ferriter meet with the jockey a number of times to make sure measurements for the statue were just right.

The piece itself – a six-month project - was produced at Croke Park in Dublin, where the artist’s studio is based.

“I started out by making a smaller two-foot version, which I then enlarged to life size for the final product,” he said.

“One challenge I did have was the fact AP has changed a lot since he stopped riding. So I had to go over old images and photos - I really wanted to get the look he had when he was a jockey and at his racing weight. All of us change over time.”

CHELTENHAM ROAR

By Tom Lee, Racing TV broadcaster and Betfred expert FOUR magical March days in the Cotswolds that can make or break the National Hunt horse racing season for many a punter, with life-changing wins, acquaintances renewed in sell-out crowds at a natural amphitheatre, near misses, hard luck stories a-plenty, and battle lines drawn between punter and bookmaker.

Nowhere is it more satisfying to nail the bullseye of a big win than at Prestbury Park, the Festival proving to be an ever-expanding World Cup of jumps racing, attracting young and old, newbies and veterans, all desperate to experience the raw emotion and, of course, the Cheltenham roar.

The thought of Cheltenham without the Irish is a little like a holiday without sunshine, a mass influx of fans making the short hop across the pond aboard ferries and planes, the chatter on all modes of transport dominated by who will win the Supreme Novices’, the Arkle, the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers Hurdle and Gold Cup. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT PAY? A serious game changer could be the underfoot conditions, but mindful of the risks posed by variations in the going, a dry early pre-Christmas period having given way to a torrentially wet February, the following names could well help alleviate extra visits to cash machine: Based in Britain’s West Country, Belfast boy Neil Mulholland has quickly chiselled out an enviable reputation as a prolific trainer of winners, with the young Irishman closing in on a maiden century as the Festival draws near.

What a way to bring up the 100 it would be if he could do so during Cheltenham, and in The Druids Nephew he has a live contender on the opening day, as the 10-year-old takes his chance in a race he won two years ago, the Ultima Handicap Chase.

One gets the sense Mulholland is sweet on the chances of this super tough horse repeating his heroics of 2015, especially as he sits at exactly the same place in the handicap ratings as he did when striking here previously.

Perhaps a tell-tale sign is the stable resisting the urge to run him in the weeks prior to the meeting, instead keeping their powder dry with a view to the big one. Each way backers may well reap the benefits.

Meanwhile, in the big one on day one, the Champion Hurdle, Irish eyes may well be smiling at the sight of Petit Mouchoir storming to victory up the famous Cheltenham hill.

It’s likely this young horse would

have won three Grade 1’s on the bounce were it not for a mishap at Newcastle pre-Christmas, but since then back to back Leopardstown wins have marked him down as something more than a bit special.

Fingers firmly crossed he can confirm that by playing a major part in a contest Irish-trained horse have won five times in the last six years, most recently with the mare, Annie Power.

Fast forward 48 hours and we could be in for a second David versus Goliath style giant killing in the Pertemps Final, as the tiny west of Ireland stable run in Craughwell, Co. Galway by the wizard, Pat Kelly, prepares to unleash Presenting Percy in the event they won this time 12 months ago with Mall Dini.

Presenting Percy literally could not have been more impressive in his prep race, and will arrive with a major chance for his clued up connections.

Lastly, I’ll sign off with a suggestion for who it might be that gets their hands on the biggest prize of all, Friday’s Timico Gold Cup. Much of the pre-race chat has been about the two Colin Tizzard-trained stablemates, Cue Card and Native River, who top the market for their Dorset yard.

Both are red-hot contenders, but their presence means inflated odds about a fiercely strong Irish contingent, featuring the likes of Djakadam, Outlander, Sizing John and Champagne West.

I’m a huge fan of the Lexus Chase winner, Outlander, but it should also be remembered that he fell at this meeting 12 months ago, and if that’s an Achilles heel then at bigger odds it may pay to side with the dashing grey, Sizing John.

Trainer in Co. Kildare by Jessica Harrington, this likeable sort jumps fences at two-mile pace but stays three - a potent combination.

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‘INTENSITY AND TOTAL DEDICATION’

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Karl Hedley makes his predictions ahead of the Cheltenham 2017 Festival

ONTO A WINNER This looks to be the absolute banker of many for the festival as Douvan looks sure to extend his unbeaten run to 14. Willie Mullins has had an absolute nightmare of a season, but this seven-year-old ought to prove a shining light to the punting faithful. He has done nothing but continue to dominate his opposition with ease, many of whom once again look set to lock horns with him here. Douvan has been to two previous Cheltenham Festival and won, so with that in mind he is impossible to oppose.

CHELTENHAM 2017

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Stayers Hurdle

Gold Cup

Unowhatimeanharry has certainly turned a corner since joining Harry Fry. He has racked up nine wins in succession making him a firm favourite amongst the betting public. He is a four timer course winner so clearly has a huge advantage over many rivals and he saw off a former winner of this race in Cole Harden last time out. He will have a new jockey on board this time around as Barry Geraghty misses out due to injury but his experience of this track should be enough to see him through and he can give JP McManus another big race win.

Native River has been the one constant on the jumps scene this year and this young improving sort has won a Hennessy, a Welsh Grand National and a Denman Chase this season. He is clearly going from strength to strength and whilst he has never won at this track, he was a very good runner up in the four mile amateur race at the Festival last season. His jumps for fun and with stamina proven over further than the Gold Cup trip he has to be high on any shortlist. Memories of the Denman versus Kauto Star battle of a few years back echo in the back of the mind. Just like then, I expect the younger of the Tizzard pair to come out on top.

Supreme Novices Hurdle Ballyandy comes here on the back of an excellent win at Newbury last month where he saw off the likely re-opposing Movewithetimes. A strong gallop is likely from the outset here and that will most definitely suit the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate.

Last season he won the Champion Bumper at this track seeing off the likes of Battleford and Bacardys.

Earlier this season he bumped into Moon Racer but that rival hasn’t been seen since November so his fitness has to be taken on trust. Willie Mullins is likely to be represented by Melon. He has always been held in

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Buveur D’Air caught the eye of many when he landed a listed contest on extremely testing ground at Sandown back in February. He has won five of his last six starts including seeing off likely rival Petit Mouchoir at Aintree last spring.

Trained by Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows, this JP McManus owned gelding deserves his place at the head of the market and Noel Fehily is on record as saying that he is the best jumper of a hurdle that he has ever sat on. Softer ground would clearly be in his favour and in what doesn’t look the strongest of renewals, he is the one that has not stopped improving this year.

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Ryanair Chase Empire Of Dirt could well prove the pick of these and could well pick up another prize for Ireland in the process. He has only been seen on the racecourse twice this season but he demolished a decent field in the Troytown Chase at Navan proved he is as gutsy as they come. He then had a two month break and was far from disgraced when he chased home the likely re-opposing Sizing John. With that run under his belt he should be cherry ripe and can

CHELTENHAM 2017

14th - 17th March

reverse the form. Despite being interfered with at the Festival last season, he still managed to grind out a determined success in the Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Plate. With winning course and distance form so vital at this meeting, he is bound to go close.

RSA Novices’ Chase Might Bite should be three from four so far this season but for an overconfident jockey riding him two runs ago in a race at Kempton Park. With a 10 length lead coming to the last, Daryl Jacob put unnecessary pressure on his partner. The pair went down in a heap leaving his backers suitably unimpressed. Nicky Henderson replaced the pilot next time out as Nico De Boinville took the ride on what was considered a recovery mission. He allowed his mount plenty of

time escapee to build his confidence before surging clear for a bloodless win. With his swagger back and the yard in form he will take some stopping.

Triumph Hurdle Defi Du Seuil is the all the rage for this contest on the closing day. Three previous course and distance wins will give him an added edge over his rivals on what is likely to be another competitive renewal. Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson are likely to keep his unbeaten record intact given that he has been ultra impressive in his five career starts to date. His last win came at this track and he saw off his rivals by at least nine lengths. In what is likely to prove a profitable four days for his owner, this JP McManus owned four-year-old has a very bright future ahead of him.

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high regard, but the form of his winning debut has taken a knock and his inexperience may prove his undoing.

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SPECIAL

Dougie Costello previews this year’s Festival “WHEN it comes Cheltenham it’s very hard to bypass Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

“For the last five to six years this partnership has ruled supreme, and any one of their horses is a good bet.

“Cheltenham is a very special track and not every great horse and jockey succeeds here. My old boss Mary Revely called it the graveyard for horses,” jockey Dougie Costello told The Irish Post.

Of course, it’s the outsiders that many punters favour, particularly somewhere like Cheltenham where anything, it seems, can happen.

“If you’re looking for value come to the Festival, you’re best looking at the three-year-old races. The Kim Muir Challenge often throws up a bargain, as well as some of the handicaps,” he added.

Dougie’s top tips: FRED WINTER JUVENILE 3YR HANDICAP Tip: Project Bluebook, 14/1 Dougie says: “This is the sister race of the JCB triumph hurdle race for horses that might not just be good enough for the JCB race, or that maybe have a couple of pounds in hand. My old boss Mr J Quinn runs a lovely three-year-old old call Project Bluebook currently at 14/1. Knowing the horse, and my old boss, this mount will hit the hill and fight to the line.”

THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE Tip: Master Blueyes, 8/1 Dougie says: “Master Blueyes is a horse I won on at York last summer for Mr Alan King. The horse prefers the easy side of good ground, and to be honest, all he’s done is improved over hurdles. I did say after York he’d make a lovely Aintree horse.

But Alan King knows Cheltenham, and if he runs he’ll be in with a chance.”

KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP Tip: Southfield Royale, 12/1 Dougie says: “A good friend of my started training Southfield Royale six years ago and we were very lucky to have some great days around Cheltenham. He’s a gelding, trained by Neil Mulholland, and should do well.”

RYANAIR CHASE Tip: Fox Norton, 14/1 Dougie says: “My pick is Fox Norton trained by CL Tizzard whose yard is doing so well. Colin and his son Joe are both working magic there.”

The rest of Costello’s tips for Cheltenham: Arkle Chase - Yorkhill Mares Hurdle - Vroum Vroum Mag Champion Chase - God’s own (each way) Gold Cup - Native of River Champion Hurdle - Yanworth Supreme Novice Hurdle - Moon Racer

CHELTENHAM 2017

14th - 17th March

Race day

Ann Marie McDonagh, owner Serenity & Grace, on how to look your best at Cheltenham

C

HELTENHAM is the first big Teamed with a beautiful bag, British race meet for the sea- shoes or boots and gloves it will finson, and coupled with it fall- ish off your look when out in the ing over St Patrick’s Day, you can cold - keeping you warm and expect great excitement and cele- chic. bration. It’s therefore wise to plan Irish milliner Cathean outfit suitable for all occasions rine Buckley is not a and of course the weather. stranger to creating strikThere is no official dress code at ing head pieces, check out her Cheltenham so the recommenda- Facebook for more. tion is ‘comfort and class’ or ‘dress Traffic People also have a selecto impress’. tion of colored felt hats to compleTaking place from March 14-17, a ment all outfits if you’ve decided on time when the weather can be un- a more casual yet chic outfit. predictable, it’s advisable to dress The royal family are always a accordingly, with layering being good inspiration for race event the key. dressing.

Faux fur makes a perfect choice The Queen is a big for outerwear, keeping you warm fan of colour, flawwhilst allowing you to look styllessly coordinating ish – especially if you are there her look at every for Ladies’ Day on Wednesday 16. event.

Faux fur will be back in Check out this Fee strength again for AW17, fast beG coat from AW16, coming a staple for winter occare-issued in next winsion wear. ter’s collection due By opting for a coloured fur, to high demand. such as one by Fee G, you can Many puntbrighten a black or navy ers, men outfit or wear with a and womspring neutral. en alike, Chose a strong, comopt for fortable base layer to tweed allow you to work and around throughout the day.

This season sleeves are a feature for dresses, giving extra warmth throughout the day whilst still looking stylish.

Fee G, Caroline Kilkenny, Eden Row and Diva Catwalk have great offers.

From fascinators to felt styles, which can be more suitable for this time of the year, many ladies will choose to wear a hat at the Festival.

Fee G

waterproof coats with trilby hats if they’re planning on being outside for most of the day.

It’s always a classic choice and can be easily accessorised with other items from your wardrobe.

Men can also choose a formal suit and wool coat for the day’s events.

Choose sensible footwear. At Cheltenham, ladies are often seen hobbling back from the course in the highest of heels. It is a long day so no matter what you wear on your feet, it needs to be comfortable and stylish.

If you are looking to turn heads at Ladies’ Day and bare the cold, Caroline Kilkenny and Fee G have stunning occasion wear once again this season.

A good dress and coat will offer some warmth while outside, but look just as good if you’re inside sipping Champagne!

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JOIN THE MILLIONAIRE CLUB WITH THE SCOOP6 AT CHELTENHAM THIS YEAR!

BY ADAM SMITH

FOR the second year running the Scoop6 is back at the greatest show on turf but before you get sampling the Guinness (250,000 pints served during the Festival) or Champagne (10,000 bottles are quaffed) have a go on the most popular of Totepool bets.

Last year our biggest individual winners came on day one with three winners each picking up £90,000 – and all from a £2 stake.

Fred Done, boss of Betfred which runs the Tote, said: “To win big from a tiny stake is what we are all about.

Already this century the Scoop6 has created eight millionaires including in 2014 Craig Brazier, a wheelie bin cleaner from Nottinghamshire, who is now enjoying the high life.

“As is the legendary winner Agnes Haddock, the ironing lady from Cheshire who became the nation’s most successful female bookie basher taking us to the cleaners by winning

almost £700,000 in 2007. We made their dreams come true and it can happen to you too.”

From Placepot pools of over £1million each day to 12 Trifecta payouts of over £1,000. Scoop6 dividends of £90,206 to 11 Exacta payouts of over £100, the 2016 Cheltenham Festival was a massive year for Totepool customers.

And this year is set to be even better with the Scoop6 available each and every day. The Scoop6 offers three chances to win; all six winners for the Win Fund, then play for the Bonus Fund the following day, plus pay outs for six placed horses.

Those all-important Scoop6 races will be announced on Twitter @ totepoolracing 24 hours before racing starts each day and you can place your bets from 9am on the morning of racing with all good online bookmakers and at our Betfred shops inside the course and at our 1,692 shops throughout the UK.

RACE DAY FASHION: Anit-clockwise Fee G pink coat, Flavia silver scarf, Caroline Kilkenny Luna dress, last year’s Ladies’ Day winner Yvonne McAvoy, Larissa coat and Lorelei dress, try a felt hat for a more casual but chic look

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Ladies Day 2017 is Wednesday, March 15 and this year it’s all about colour – from hats to shoes, scarves to nails. On the day Irish model Roz Purcell will take on Miss England Elisabeth Grant in the Ireland v Britain fashion stakes. The #ColourMeMarch awards, which will crown the best dressed, will be celebrated and judged on social media.

“The Irish girls always pull out all the stops when it comes to racing,” said Roz. “I have no doubt we can bring the trophy home for the third year!”

Last year’s Ladies’ Day winner was Yvonne McAvoy from Co. Tyrone.

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