FACTS & STATS S

The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap

CHASE (PREMIER HANDICAP)

RACE DESCRIPTION Over the minimum trip, this is a race not for the faint. Named after Red Rum, this race is run at a furious gallop and looks sure to suit those who like coming from off the pace. This race has risen through the Graded ranks since it's inception as a standard handicap in 2001 First a Listed Handicap and now a Premier Handicap, formely known as a Grade 3, this race is one for horses who contested the Grand Annual at Cheltenham or bypassed the Festival completely

2022 Winner

The Last Day

Matching the trend of avoiding the Cheltenham Festival, Evan Williams clearly had The Last Day primed for this Held up in rear by usual suspect Evan Williams, he timed his ride to perfection to get the better of the long-time race leader Dancing On My Own, trained by Henry De Bromhead, and the pair pulled well-clear. However the 10-year-old proved his superiority jumping the last and skipped clear by two and a half lengths to seal the deal

Premier Handicap

RUN OVER TWO MILES

12 FENCES TO BE JUMPED

TOTAL PRIZE FUND OF £100,000

£56,270 TO THE WINNER

ROLL OF HONOUR 2013-2022

Key Trends

18 of the previous 22 winners were all rated 139 or lower

6 of the past 8 winners avoided the Cheltenham Festival

Winning Connections

5 of the last 7 winners were bred in Ireland

Trainers with some of the strongest records in the race over the last 10 years. TRAINER

Henry De Bromhead

1 winner

Today Henry Saddles

Dancing On My Own & Defan

Jockey

Brian Hughes

2 winners

Today Brian rides Mackenberg

The Close Brothers Red Rum

HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)

for five yrs old and upwards ™ Total prize fund £100000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £43040, 2nd £17740, 3rd £8870, 4th £4440, 5th £2220, 6th £1110, 7th £550, 8th £280 (Penalty Value £56270) Weights raised 8lb and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable

RACE FACTS - A CLOSER LOOK

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22): D Skelton (22 wins from 157 runners, 14%) runs HATCHER & THIRD TIME LUCKI

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): W P Mullins (18 wins from 63 runners, 29%) runs DADS LAD

SIXTH RACE 4.40

7f 176y colours no horse age st-lb

LONGEST TRAVELLERS: DEFAN & DANCING ON MY OWN trained by H De Bromhead, DADS LAD trained by W P Mullins, VADO FORTE trained by R O’Sullivan, Ireland.

1 THIRD TIME LUCKI (IRE) (29) 3-46314 D 8 12-0

Br Br g Arcadio (GER) - Definite Valley (IRE) Harry Skelton J

O Mike and Eileen Newbould Dan Skelton, Alcester T B Mr G. Delaney The Air Ambulance Service (Warwickshire & Northamptonshire) S

TIMEFORM VIEW Successful 3 times over fences last season and bounced back to best to score at Sandown (15.5f) in February Again shaped well (fared best of those from off the pace) when fourth in last month's Grand Annual at Cheltenham and he's one to be interested in from 1lb lower mark. TFRHHHHH BHA148

2 DANCING ON MY OWN (IRE) (89) 3F02-00 9 11-10

Br B g Milan - Morning Supreme (IRE) Rachael Blackmore J

O Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Henry de Bromhead, Ireland T

B Marie-Claire Murphy

TIMEFORM VIEW Low-mileage 9-y-o who ran a cracker when runner-up behind The Last Day in this race 12 months ago, well served by an attacking front-running ride Struggled to make an impact both starts in Ireland this winter but comes here fresh from 3 month break and better showing not ruled out. TFRHHHII BHA144

3 DADS LAD (IRE) (29) 115100 D

8 11-9

Br Ch g Eliot (GER) - Little Jess (IRE) Brian Hayes J

O Whitegrass Racing Syndicate

B Michael Bates

W. P. Mullins, Ireland T

TIMEFORMVIEW Improved model over fences during second half of last year gaining third success at Cheltenham (15.9f) in October Unable to get competitive in Greatwood Hurdle in November though and let down by his jumping on return from a break in last month's Grand Annual. TFRHHHII BHA143

4 PAY THE PIPER (IRE) (40) 034312 D BF

Br B g Court Cave (IRE) - Regal Holly

8 11-9

Danny McMenamin J

O Mr Ian Hamilton Ann Hamilton, Newcastle Upon Tyne T

B B. Walsh Hamilton S

TIMEFORM VIEW Steadily found his form this season, readily regaining winning thread at Musselburgh (15.8f) in February and only just edged out in follow-up bid at Doncaster (16.4f) 6 weeks ago Evidently at the top of his game and fancied to be thereabouts again. TFRHHHII BHA143

5 GREY DIAMOND (FR) (22) 240-3F1 D

9 11-8

Br B g Gris de Gris (IRE) - Diamond of Diana (FR) Sam Twiston-Davies J

O Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas, Cardiff T

B Philippe Ouvry & Ecurie Des Vives Terres

TIMEFORM VIEW Looked set to play a big part when falling 2 out at Sandown in January and duly confirmed promise of that run when running out a ready winner at Haydock (16.3f) 3 weeks ago, clear before 2 out and eased final 100 yds. Commands plenty of respect again despite 7lb higher mark to defy TFRHHHHI BHA142

6 BEFORE MIDNIGHT (GB) (29) 26-334P D 10 11-6

Br Ch g Midnight Legend - Lady Samantha Charlie Deutsch J

O Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas, Cardiff T

B Mr David Redvers Potter Group S

TIMEFORM VIEW Multiple chase winner for this yard who returned in good order during the winter, running with credit when fourth at Doncaster (16.3f) in January, despite an uncharacteristic late mistake. Pulled up in Grand Annual since but he's now 4lb below last winning mark. Cheekpieces/tongue tie discarded. TFRHHHII BHA140

7 MACKENBERG (GER) (40) P-11533 D 8 11-6

Br B g Jukebox Jury (IRE) - Mountain Melody (GER) Brian Hughes J

O Mr T. G. Leslie Donald McCain, Cholmondeley T

B Gestut Etzean Proactive Personnel Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Won his first 5 chase starts, the latest over 19f at Doncaster in November and he comes here on the back of finishing a creditable third back at that venue (16.4f) in March, albeit making late gains off a strong gallop This understandably tougher TFRHHHII BHA140

8 VADO FORTE (FR) (49) 13500U D 10 11-6

Br B g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Gloire (FR) Robert Dunne J

O Downtown Syndicate Ross O’Sullivan, Ireland T

B Marie-Therese Verdys

TIMEFORM VIEW Returned to form from out of the blue to land 10-runner Galway handicap chase (18.2f) for Gordon Elliott last summer Exploits mixed for present stable but in process of running well (likely to have finished third) when unseating last at Thurles (16.7f) in February More needed here, though. TFRHHIII BHA140

9

GLOBAL CITIZEN (IRE) (29) 31-P043 D 11 11-5

Br B g Alkaadhem - Lady Willmurt (IRE) J

O The Megsons Ben Pauling, Naunton T

B Martin Byrne Fitzdares S