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| The Pertemps Final - Thu Mar 13th 2008 |
Ballyfitz Bounds to Pertemps Final Glory
13/03/08
1st (16) Ballyfitz 18-1
2nd (15) Miko de Beauchene 7-1 Jt Fav
3rd (17) According To Pete 33-1
4th (6) Mobaasher 12-1
24 ran
Also: 7-1 Jt Fav Robin Du Bois
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Ballyfitz demonstrated he has abundant reserves of stamina when landing the Pertemps Final by three lengths from 7/1 favourite Miko de Beauchene.
The 18/1 shot battled on well from the top of the hill and was clearly suited by the three-mile trip.
Winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies commented: “That was a great performance from Ballyfitz.
“He won superbly at Haydock the last time and we thought he’d do the same thing here. We are very, very pleased. He’s been very good this season. He’s back over the hurdles, he had one run over fences, and he’s done great.
“I thought he was handicapped up to the hilt and you are always worried in this race that there could be something at the bottom who has been really primed for the day.
“He likes testing ground and so today’s conditions were ideal for him. It was a brilliant ride from Paddy, as we’ve come to expect.
“It has been a great season for us. Knowhere runs in the Gold Cup tomorrow and is very well. If there are any chinks in the armour of the favourites, he could exploit them.
“We’re fed up with thirds here and we want a bit more. Just wait for Knowhere tomorrow!”
Winning rider Paddy Brennan added: “This was a great way to finish the day.
“I was very happy with the way he was travelling at the top of the hill and I thought he might have a bit more speed in the finish than Miko de Beachene.
“This victory was a great way to cement my relationship with Nigel and I am happy for him as he hasn’t had a winner at The Festival for a few years. It’s just lovely for all the team.
“Ballyfitz stays well and loved the softened ground which is taking a bit of getting which really suited the horse well. I know how hard it is at Cheltenham to get a winner so any winner is special and I’m delighted to be amongst them.
“The horses have been running well and obviously I had no stand out rides, no Inglis Drever - and it was great to see him win today, but it was nice to finish the day like this.”
WELSH NATIONAL WINNER RUNS BLINDER IN PERTEMPS
Miko De Beauchene, who won the Welsh National at Christmas and the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock last month, tried his hand at hurdling today, and finished second in the Pertemps Final.
Owner Andrew Wiles said: “He was entered in the William Hill Handicap Chase and the Midlands National on Saturday, but he had 11st 12lb in that. We are still thinking of the Scottish National, but this was a convenient interim race. We thought he would run well, because although he stays extreme distances he’s not slow.”
Trainer Sally Alner said: “He could still go for the Scottish National if the ground is right [good to soft or softer], but it’s quite likely this will be his last race this year.”
Malcolm Jefferson, trainer of third-placed According To Pete, said: “He keeps running well and the handicapper never lets him go - he’s not won this season, because he goes up two or three pounds every time he runs. He’s an honest little horse and I wish they were all like that.
“It’s hard to win with horses like him, that always try their best and never run a bad race. He might go to Liverpool or Ayr, because he likes left-handed tracks. I hope we can click with him somewhere.”
FACTS AND FIGURES
1. The Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) was introduced to The Festival in 1974, replacing the George Duller Handicap Hurdle. Until 1993, it was run under the Coral banner. Other sponsors since then have been American Express (1993), Hamlet Cigars (1994 & 1996), Astec Vodafone (1995), Hamlet Extra Mild Cigars (1997), Unicoin Homes (1998) and Stakis Casinos (1999). Ladbrokes inherited sponsorship in 2000 after acquiring Stakis Casinos and Pertemps took over in 2002.
2. The Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) is the final of the Pertemps series, eight qualifiers of which took place at Chepstow (October 21), Auteuil (November 4), Newbury (November 24), Cheltenham (December 8), Wincanton (December 26), Warwick (January 13), Leopardstown (January 14), and Haydock (February 17).
3. The smallest field was 17 in 1976 when Good Prospect won at 10/1.
4. Willie Wumpkins won in three consecutive years from 1979-81 when 11,12 &13. He died in 1995 at the ripe old age of 27.
5. Forgive ’N’ Forget is the only totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to have won what is now the Pertemps Final, beating 22 rivals in 1983 and going on to take the Gold Cup two years later.
6. There have been two 50/1 winners in the past four years, with Creon in 2004 and Kadoun in 2006 scoring for the bookies.
Previous Results
PERTEMPS FINAL (HANDICAP HURDLE)
2007-WINNER-OSCAR
PARK 8-10-09 Owner-George
Ward; Trainer-David Arbuthnot; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP-14/1
2ND-Material World 9-10-09 Owner-Southern Bloodstock; Trainer-Suzy Smith;
Jockey-Colin Bolger; SP-14/1
3RD-Adamant Approach 13-10-13 Owner-Greenstar Syndicate; Trainer-Willie
Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paddy Mullins; SP-16/1
4TH-Mistanoora 8-10-00 Owner-Nigel Twiston Davies; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies;
Jockey-Tony Evans; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-5m 46.20s, Dist-½, 3½, ½ 13/2 Fav
Kadoun (18th)
2006-WINNER-KADOUN 9-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Michael
O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Tom Ryan; SP-50/1
2ND-Hordago 6-10-02 Owner-S Braddish; Trainer-Eric McNamara IRE; Jockey-Brian
Byrnes; SP-10/1
3RD-Oodachee 7-11-05 Owner-Modreeny Syndicate; Trainer-Charlie Swan;
Jockey-David Casey; SP-10/1
4TH-Liberman 8-10-08 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Jamie
Mackay; SP-20/1
24 ran, Time-5m 46.90s, Dist-1.5, 3.5, 1.25 4/1 Oulart (8th)
2005-WINNER-OULART 6-10-02 Owner-Ged Pierse; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE;
Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-10/1
2ND-Mioche D’Estruval 5-10-00 Owner-Joe Moran; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-66/1
3RD Quick 5-11-00 Owner-Kinsford Champagne Partnership; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Andrew Glassonbury; SP-50/1
4TH-Touch Closer 8-10-07 Owner-Vicky Scott; Trainer-Vicky Scott; Jockey-Mick
Fitzgerald; SP-66/1
22 ran, Time-5m 52.90s, Dist-2, 4, 1.25 7/2 Fav Ravenswood (15th)
2004-WINNER-CREON 9-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O'Neill;
Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-50/1
2ND-G V A Ireland 6-10-05 Owner-Donal O’Buachalla; Trainer-Francis
Flood IRE; Jockey-Fran Flood; SP-14/1
3RD-Alexanderthegreat 6-11-06 Owner-The Irish Connection; Trainer-Paul
Nicholls 6-11-06; Jockey-Ruby Walsh 25/1
4TH-His Nibs 7-10-08 Owner-John Galvanoni; Trainer-Venetia Williams;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-25/1
24 ran, Time-6m 16.30s; Dist-.5, 1, .5 4/1 Fav Keepatem (7th)
2003-WINNER-INCHING CLOSER 6-11-02 Owner-Nicola
Spence; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-6/1
Fav
2ND Royal Emperor 7-11-06 Owner-Widdop Wanderers; Trainer-Sue Smith;
Jockey-Dominic Elsworth; SP-14/1
3RD Tribal Venture 5-10-06 Owner-Network Training III; Trainer-Ferdy
Murphy; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-33/1
4TH Ravenswood 6-11-03 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tom
Scudamore; SP-7/1
24 ran, Time-6m 21.00s; Dist-sh, 12, 1.75
2002-WINNER-FREETOWN 6-11-02 Owner-Susan Blumberg and S Nairn; Trainer-Len
Lungo; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-20/1
2ND-Surprising 7-10-04 Owner-Martin St Quinton; Trainer-Philip Hobbs;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-12/1
3RD-Montreal 5-10-07 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Ruby
Walsh; SP-25/1
4TH-Native Emperor 6-10-09 Owner-Exors of the late Robert Hitchins; Trainer-Jonjo
O’Neill; Jockey-Liam Cooper; SP-10/1 24 ran, Time-6m 16.780s; Dist-4,
hd, 5 7/2 Fav Calladine (14th)
2001 - No Race (Foot and Mouth Disease)
2000-WINNER-RUBHAHUNISH 9-11-02 Owner-Lone Star Racing Partnership;
Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-8/1
2ND-Take Five 7-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-John Kiely IRE; Jockey-Norman
Williamson; SP-7/1
3RD-Font Romeu 7-10-06 Owner-Pond House Gold; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Barry
Fenton; SP-14/1
4TH-Darapour 6-10-04 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE;
Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-4/1Fav
24 ran, Time 6m 3.40s Dist-3.5, 3, sh
1999-WINNER-GENEROSA 6-10-01 Owner-Trish Hyde; Trainer-John Hassett
IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-12/1
2ND-Melody Maid 7-10-03 Owner-R Parish, B Griffiths, G Rogers, R Newman;
Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-12/1
3RD-Galant Moss 5-10-07 Owner-Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II;
Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-3/1 Fav
4TH-Shannon Gale 7-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE;
Jockey-Fran Berry; SP-7/1
24 ran, Time 6m 17.9s Dist-5,1.25,1
1998-WINNER-UNSINKABLE BOXER 9-10-12 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer- Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-Tompetoo 7-10-09 Owner-Pettifer Pettifer Ltd; Trainer-Nigel Twiston
Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-9/2
3RD-Spendid 6-10-10 Owner-Mrs Adair Catherwood; Trainer-David Nicholson;
Jockey-Adrian Maguire; SP-12/1
4TH-Metastasio 6-10-10 Owner-F Mallon; Trainer-Gerry McArdle IRE; Jockey-Harry
Rogers; SP-14/1
24 ran, Time 6m 12.2s Dist-4, .75, 2
1997-WINNER-PHARANEAR 7-11-09 Owner-Stainless Threaded Fasteners Ltd;
Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr Robert Thornton; SP-14/1
2ND-Yahmi 7-10-13 Owner-Wally Sturt; Trainer-Jim Old; Jockey-Jamie Osborne;
SP-7/2 Fav
3RD-Danjing 5-10-11 Owner-Knight Hawks Partnership; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-33/1
4TH-Haile Derring 7-10-06 Owner-Mrs V Stockdale; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies;
Jockey-Tom Jenks; SP-9/1 24 ran, Time-6m 24.2s, Dist-2, 5, 1
PERTEMPS FINAL (HANDICAP HURDLE) ROLL OF HONOUR
(Pertemps Final since 2002, Ladbrokes Casinos Final
2001-2000, Stakis Casinos Final 1999, Unicoin Homes Gold Card Handicap
Hurdle 1998, Hamlet Extra Mild Cigars Gold Card Final 1997, Hamlet Cigars
Gold Card Handicap Hurdle Final 1996 & 1994, Astec Vodafone Gold
Card (Final) 1995, American Express Gold Card Final 1993, Coral Golden
Final 1978-1992, Joe Coral Golden Hurdle Final 1974-78)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2007 Oscar Park 8-10-09 Tom Doyle David Arbuthnot George Ward 14/1 24
2006 Kadoun 9-11-07 Tom Ryan Michael O’Brien IRE J P McManus 50/1
24
2005 Oulart 6-10-02 Paul Carberry Dessie Hughes IRE Ged Pierse 10/1 22
2004 Creon 9-10-00 Timmy Murphy Jonjo O’Neill J P McManus 50/1
24
2003 Inching Closer 6-11-02 Barry Geraghty Jonjo O’Neill Nicola
Spence 6/1F 24
2002 Freetown 6-11-02 Tony Dobbin Len Lungo Susan Blumberg and S Nairn
20/1 24
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Rubhahunish 9-11-02 Carl Llewellyn Nigel-Twiston-Davies Lone Star
Racing Partnership 8/1 24
1999 Generosa 6-10-01 Norman Williamson John Hassett IRE Mrs Trish Hyde
12/1 24
1998 Unsinkable Boxer 9-10-12 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe Paul Green 5/2F
24
1997 Pharanear 7-11-09 Mr Robert Thornton David Nicholson Stainless Threaded
Fasteners Ltd 14/1 24
1996 Great Easeby 6-10-01 Richard McGrath Wilf Storey David Batey 7/1
24
1995 Miracle Man 7-10-11 Peter Hobbs Colin Weedon Patrick Evans 9/2F
23
1994 Tindari 6-10-09 Paul Williams Malcolm Jefferson Yorkshire Racing
Club Owners Group 20/1 32
1993 Fissure Seal 7-11-04 Charlie Swan Harry de Bromhead IRE Delton Syndicate
14/1 22
1992 My View 8-10-04 Jason Titley Michael Purcell IRE Mrs Seamus Purcell
33/1 31
1991 Danny Connors 7-10-12 Mark Dwyer Jonjo O’Neill J P McManus
9/1 29
1990 Henry Mann 7-11-09 Tony Mulholland Simon Christian Lynn Wilson 20/1
27
1989 Rogers Princess 7-10-00 Shaun Keightley Martin Tate R C Smith 8/1JF
27
1988 Pragada 5-11-00 Richard Rowe Josh Gifford Mrs M G L McGlone 16/1
29
1987 Taberna Lord 6-11-05 Luke Harvey Jim Wilson R Jackson 10/1 31
1986 Motivator 6-10-07 Graham McCourt Mick Ryan Terry Ramsden 15/2F 31
1985 Von Trappe 8-10-06 Richard Dunwoody Michael Oliver P Clarke 12/1
30
1984 Canio 7-10-09 John Francome Ron Hodges David Ladhams 20/1 31
1983 Forgive N'Forget 6-11-06 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald T Kilroe Ltd
5/2F 23
1982 Tall Order 8-10-02 Andy Stringer Louis Foster Louis Foster 15/1
31
1981 Willie Wumpkins 13-10-08 Mr Jim Wilson Jane Pilkington Jane Pilkington
13/2 20
1980 Willie Wumpkins 12-10-07 Mr Jim Wilson Jane Pilkington Jane Pilkington
10/1 19
1979 Willie Wumpkins 11-10-04 Mr Jim Wilson Jane Pilkington Jane Pilkington
25/1 22
1978 Water Colour 9-10-01 Kevin Whyte Martin Tate J Soles 11/1 23
1977 Outpoint 7-11-03 Pat O'Brien Fred Winter Mrs G Abecassis 10/1 27
1976 Good Prospect 7-11-10 Richard Evans John Edwards T Dudley 10/1 17
1975 Saffron Cake 6-10-07 Eddie Wright Les Kennard P Haynes 13/1 24
1974 Kastrup 7-10-03 Graham Thorner David Barons Austin Darlington 10/1
22
