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| The Racing Post Plate - Thu Mar 13th 2008 |
Mister McGoldrick Wins Racing Post Plate at 66/1
13/03/08
1st (5) Mister McGoldrick 66-1
2nd (13) Gwanako 9-1
3rd (4) Fundamentalist 28-1
4th (14) Bible Lord 6-1
22 ran
Also: 5-2 Fav Don't Push It
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Mister McGoldrick belied his odds of 66/1 to bring trainer Sue Smith a first-ever victory at the Festival, and the 11-year-old veteran did it in some style.
“That’s made my year,” said Smith, “The horse has always been able to win a big race, and he jumped brilliantly and did it really well. He was not even off the bridle.”
Smith had three times come close to a Festival victory, with Royal Emperor finishing second in both the SunAlliance Chase and the Pertemps Final, and Mister McGoldrick placing third in the Champion Chase two years ago.
Mister McGoldrick spent a year with Carl Llewellyn and had only returned to the Smith stable before this season. “He obviously loves it at our place. We go steady with him and I ride him out a lot. He’s run well all season,” she said, “That was superb. I couldn’t believe how easily he was travelling. I’m absolutely delighted. That’ll stop everyone from saying that he only wins at Wetherby! He’s 11 years old and he’s absolutely been the most wonderful horse.
“He obviously loves it at our place. We go steady with him. He doesn’t gallop a lot and I ride him a lot. He’s better than ever.”
The trainer also felt that this win might lay the ghost that the horse only wins at Wetherby. It was a sentiment echoed by the owner Richard Longley. “I hope that finally stops people saying that Mister McGoldrick can’t win anywhere else. He’s a geniune, tough horse, never quite up to top class, but today is his day,” he said.
“And I don’t know how he started at 66/1, it certainly wasn’t down to me,” said Longley, “I backed him on the Tote.” The Tote paid 147/1.
Dominic Elsworth, riding his first Cheltenham winner, said: “He’s done it fantastically, hasn’t he? I didn’t realise I was quite so out in front as I was. All credit to the owner, Richard Longley, he’s been very good with me, so has the horse.
“Mister McGoldrick can be fairly exuberant at his jumps which is a bit of a worry sometimes but he’s done it well today. It’s a smashing feeling to come into the winning enclosure.”
STEWART AND FUNDAMENTALIST CAMP SATISFIED
Andy Stewart, owner of Racing Post Plate runner-up Gwanako said: “Good luck to Harvey and Sue with Mister McGoldrick, that’s what racing is all about.
“I’m pleased with the way our horse has run and he could go to Liverpool or Ayr next.
“Alternatively, there is a race here in April that we won last year with Nycteos, and that is a possibility.”
Stewart has never had a Festival winner but he said: “We’ve got three possible chances tomorrow with Celestial Halo, Saintsaire and Poquelin, although he would swerve the race if it rains too much. Rain would certainly suit Celestial Halo in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and we are hoping he will run a big race.”
Fergal O’Brien, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, was happy with the effort of third-placed Fundamentalist.
He said: “We are over the moon with him.
“The two-and-half-mile trip really suited him well today.
“Maybe he would have been a bit closer if he had not run in the William Hill on Tuesday!
“He will now hopefully head for a race at Aintree.”
THE RACING POST PLATE - FACTS & FIGURES
1. The Racing Post became a Festival sponsor for the first time in 2006, backing the Racing Post Plate, the awards for leading trainer and jockey, and becoming the official racing paper of The Festival. The Racing Post Plate was formerly known as the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase.
2. The first running, which resulted in a dead-heat between Slender (7/1) and Canford (100/8), took place at Cheltenham in April, because the last two days of the 1951 Festival were abandoned due to a waterlogged course.
3. 1990 saw the longest-priced winner - New Halen scored by eight lengths at 66/1.
4. Only The Tsarevich (1985/86) and Elfast (1992/94) have won twice.
5. The Irish have a poor record in the race, with only one winner in 56 runnings - Doubleuagain in 1982, trained by Andy Geraghty.
6. The fastest time for the winning horse is 4m 49.60s by Dark Stranger in 2000, beating the 4m 58.5s of New Halen in 1990.
RACING POST PLATE - Previous Results
2007-WINNER-IDOLE
FIRST 8-10-07 Owner-D and J Racing; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Alan O’Keeffe; SP-12/1
2ND-Palarshan 9-10-05 Owner-Summer Wellesley; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-28/1
3RD-Mariah Rollins 9-10-07 Owner-Paul Murphy; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-20/1
4TH-Le Volfoni 6-11-02 Owner-A Banks; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Joe
Tizzard; SP-16/1
23 ran, Time-5m 11.40s, Dist-4, 1¼, hd 7/2 Fav Opera Mundi (19th)
2006-WINNER-NON
SO 8-11-03 Owner-ROA Dawn Run Partnership; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-14/1
2ND-Kelrev 8-11-01 Owner-Len Jakeman, Flintham, King & Roberts; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Sam Thomas; SP-50/1
3RD-Graphic Approach 8-11-06 Owner-Mr & Mrs Peter Orton; Trainer-Charles
Egerton; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/1
4TH-Roman Ark 8-10-12 Owner-Richard Collins; Trainer-Malcolm Jefferson;
Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-5m 05.20s, Dist-9, 7, hd 5/1 Fav Ross River (Fell)
2005-WINNER-LIBERTHINE 6-10-01 Owner-Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mr Sam Waley-Cohen; SP-25/1
2ND-Banker Count 13-10-12 Owner-Mrs Hector Brown; Trainer-Venetia Williams;
Jockey-Sam Thomas; SP-16/1
3RD-Simply Gifted 10-11-01 Owner-Steve Hammond; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-14/1
4TH-Brooklyn Breeze 8-11-00 Owner-Ashleybank Investments Limited; Trainer-Len
Lungo; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-9/2 Fav 22 ran, Time-5m 15.60s, Dist-7,
3, 2
2004-WINNER-TIKRAM 7-10-00 Owner-Mike Charlton and Rodger Sargent; Trainer-Gary
Moore; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP- 12/1
2ND-Iznogoud 8-10-03 Owner-Country Stores/Avalon Surfacing; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/2 Fav
3RD-Fondmort 8-11-12 Owner-Bill Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick
Fitzgerald; SP-9/1
4TH-Kelrev 6-9-11 Owner-Len Jakeman, Flintham, King and Roberts; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Sam Thomas; SP-16/1 16 ran, Time-4m 59.80s; Dist-2.5,
1.5, 2
2003-WINNER-YOUNG SPARTACUS 10-10-09 Owner-Bart Hellyer; Trainer-Henry
Daly; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-16/1
2ND-Fondmort 7-10-13 Owner-Bill Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick
Fitzgerald SP-11/2
3RD-Scots Grey 8-9-07 Owner-Henry Ponsonby; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Mr Andrew Tinkler; SP-16/1
4TH-Cregg House 8-9-09 Owner-Kathleen Kennedy; Trainer-Paddy Mullins
IRE; Jockey-Robert Power; SP-25/1
19 ran, Time-5m 5.00s; Dist-4, 4, 33 5/1 Fav Go Roger Go (UR)
2002-WINNER-BLOWING WIND 9-10-09 Owner-Peter Deal; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-25/1
2ND-Lady Cricket 8-11-12 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Its Time For A Win 10-10-00 Owner-John Kenny; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-David Casey; SP-16/1
4TH-Strong Run 9-10-00 Owner-Michael D McGrath; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE;
Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-14/1
21 ran, Time-5m 22.30s; Dist-1.25, 1.25, 1
2001 - No Race (Foot and Mouth Disease)
2000-WINNER-DARK STRANGER 9-10-03 Owner-Terry Neill; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-14/1
2ND-Native Charm 8-11-00 Owner-Pell-Mell Partners; Trainer-Charlie Morlock;
Jockey-Jimmy McCarthy; SP-13/2 Fav
3RD-Inn At The Top 8-10-08 Owner-Sylvia Blakely; Trainer-Jim Turner;
Jockey-Robbie Supple; SP-7/1
4TH-Sir Dante 9-10-07 Owner-Peter Wilby; Trainer-Richard Rowe; Jockey-Barry
Fenton; SP-10/1
18 ran, Time-4m 49.60s, Dist-7, 1, 3
1999-WINNER-MAJADOU 5-11-00 Owner-Chris, Basil & Rosie
Batterham II; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-King Of Sparta 6-10-00 Owner-Mrs Richard Tice; Trainer-Jonny Portman;
Jockey-Chris Maude; SP-33/1
3RD-Wayward King 7-11-01 Owner-Fieldspring Racing; Trainer-Ron Hodges;
Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-25/1
4TH-The Outback Way 9-10-12 Owner-Mrs B Grainger, S Bell & D Boocock;
Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-10/1 18 ran, Time-5m
9.8s, Dist-16, nk, nk
1998-WINNER-SUPER COIN 10-10-0 Owner-George Brookes; Trainer-Richard
Lee; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-7/1
2ND-Sparky Gayle 8-10-09 Owner-Ray and Anita Anderson Green; Trainer-Colin
Parker; Jockey-Brian Storey; SP-3/1 Fav
3RD-Monnaie Forte 8-10-0 Owner & Trainer-James Adam; Jockey-Brendan
Powell; SP-5/1
14 ran, Time-4m 58.8s, Dist-2,1.5
1997-WINNER-TERAO 11-10-07 Owner-Brian Kilpatrick; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-20/1
2ND-All The Aces 10-10-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-14/1
3RD-Air Shot 7-11-07 Owner-Mrs Peter Prowting; Trainer-David Nicholson;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-15/2
13 ran, Time-5m 1.2s, Dist-1.25, hd 100/30 Fav As Du Trefle (6th)
1996-WINNER-OLD BRIDGE 8-9-07 Owner-K C B Mackenzie; Trainer-Andrew
Turnell; Jockey-Gary Crone; SP-14/1
2ND-Call It A Day 6-10-01 Owner-Jane Lane; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Charlie
Swan;SP-9/2
3RD-Postage Stamp 9-10-00 Owner-Paddy O’Donnell; Trainer-Ferdy
Murphy; Jockey-Lorcan Wyer; SP-20/1
13 ran, Time-5m 12.5s, Dist-.5, 6 100/30 Fav Big Matt (6th)
RACING POST PLATE ROLL OF HONOUR
(First run in 1951)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2007 Idole First 8-10-07 Alan O’Keeffe Venetia Williams D and J
Racing 12/1 23
2006 Non So 8-11-03 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson Roa Dawn Run Partnership
14/1 24
2005 Liberthine 6-10-01 Mr Sam Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen
25/1 22
2004 Tikram 7-10-00 Timmy Murphy Gary Moore Mike Charlton and Rodger
Sargent 12/1 16
2003 Young Spartacus 10-10-09 Richard Johnson Henry Daly Bart Hellyer
16/1 19
2002 Blowing Wind 9-10-09 Ruby Walsh Martin Pipe Peter Deal 25/1 21
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Dark Stranger 9-10-03 Richard Johnson Martin Pipe Terry Neill 14/1
18
1999 Majadou 5-11-00 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe Chris, Basil & Rosie
Batterham II 7/4F 18
1998 Super Coin 10-10-00 Norman Williamson Richard Lee George Brookes
7/1 14
1997 Terao 11-10-07 Timmy Murphy Martin Pipe Brian Kilpatrick 20/1 13
1996 Old Bridge 8-9-07 Gary Crone Andrew Turnell K C B Mackenzie 14/1
13
1995 Kadi 6-10-04 Norman Williamson David Nicholson Jim Brown 11/2 12
1994 Elfast 11-11-04 Graham McCourt John Webber John Webber 8/1 18
1993 Sacre D’Or 8-11-00 Graham McCourt Nigel Tinkler Isobel Wright
7/1 11
1992 Elfast 9-11-00 Martin Lynch John Webber John Webber 10/1 19
1991 Foyle Fisherman 12-11-00 Eamon Murphy Josh Gifford J N Hutchinson
33/1 15
1990 New Halen 9-9-07 Eamon Tierney Paul James Sally Siviter 66/1 14
1989 Paddyboro 11-10-07 Richard Rowe Josh Gifford Captain F Tyrwhitt-Drake
9/2 10
1988 Smart Tar 7-10-02 Carl Llewellyn Mark Wilkinson Hermione Courage
11/1 15
1987 Gee-A 8-9-10 Miss Gee Armytage Geoff Hubbard Geoff Hubbard 33/1
18
1986 The Tsarevich 10-11-05 John White Nicky Henderson Major Ivan Straker
8/1 16
1985 The Tsarevich 9-11-07 John White Nicky Henderson Mrs Judy Henty
5/1F 16
1984 Half Free 8-11-06 Richard Linley Fred Winter Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin
16/1 16
1983 Mr Peapock 7-9-07 Leslie Bloomfield Trevor Hallett Mrs B Collins
20/1 15
1982 Doubleuagain 8-10-00 Frank Berry Andy Geraghty IRE P McBennett 11/1
13
1981 Political Pop 7-10-00 Robert Earnshaw Michael Dickinson Mrs A Starkie
15/8F 12
1980 Snowshill Sailor 8-10-04 Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Snowshill Farms
and Stud Ltd 8/1 14
1979 Brawny Scot 9-10-00 Ridley Lamb George Fairbairn Mrs M Corrie 10/1
15
1978 King Or Country 7-10-09 Paul Leach David Barons Brook Hire Ltd 7/1
16
1977 Uncle Bing 8-12-05 John Francome Richard Head Mrs J Mildmay-White
9/2 7
1976 Broncho II 7-11-01 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson Frank Tyldesley
7/2 14
1975 Summerville 9-10-13 Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Jim Joel 4/1 13
1974 Garnishee 10-10-10 David Mould Tom Jones James Goldsmith 9/2 7
1973 Vulgan Town 7-10-00 Johnnie Haine Toby Balding Brigadier-General
Preston Gilbride 9/2 15
1972 Mocharabuice 9-10-07 Graham Thorner Tim Forster Mrs Plum Carew Pole
11/2 17
1971 Hound Tor 7-10-02 Macer Gifford Guy Harwood John Tilling 14/1 10
1970 Verona Forest 7-11-00 Gerry Scott Neville Crump Lord Cadogan 25/1
19
1969 Specify 7-11-02 Bob Davies Denis Rayson F W Rogers 5/1 8
1968 Merry Court 7-10-03 Josh Gifford Bobby Renton Lurline Brotherton
20/1 14
1967 French March 7-9-09 Mr Ben Hanbury Tom Hanbury Mrs Tom Hanbury 25/1
14
1966 Tibidabo 6-10-04 Jeff King Arthur Freeman Mrs A M Gibson 7/1 12
1965 Snaigow 6-10-03 Johnny Lehane Verly Bewicke Lord Cadogan 100/6 15
1964 Take Plenty 8-10-01 Ron Vibert Tim Forster Hugh Summer 100/9 12
1963 Milo 8-10-04 Josh Gifford Herbert Blagrave Herbert Blagrave 11/2
19
1962 Spring Greeting 7-10-06 Johnny Lehane Verly Bewicke Brigadier A
E V Brumell 100/8 19
1961 Malting Barley 6-10-04 Owen McNally Toby Balding Bruce Turner 5/1
8
1960 Devon Customer 8-10-04 Joe Guest Syd Bowler Lady Gunter 100/7 12
1959 Siracusa 6-10-12 Jumbo Wilkinson Bobby Renton Mrs E Truelove 9/4F
12
1958 Caesar’s Helm 7-11-06 Fred Winter Bobby Renton Jim Joel 9/2
14
1957 Madras 7-10-02 Johnny Bullock Michael Marsh Michael Marsh 100/7
12
1956 Pondapatarri 7-11-00 Rene Emery George Beeby Late Lord Bicester
100/6 21
1955 Mont Tremblant 9-12-07 Dave Dick Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget 11/2F
19
1954 Tudor Line 9-10-12 George Slack Bobby Renton Mrs E Truelove 11/4
11
1953 Sy Oui 8-10-03 Fred Winter Ryan Price P Hatvany 100/8 17
1952 Portarlington 7-10-08 Ken Mullins Willie Stephenson Willie Stephenson
8/1 10
1951DH Slender 9-10-11 Fred Winter Ryan Price W Harris 7/1 9
1951DH Canford 9-12-02 Glen Kelly Ivor Anthony Mrs E du Pont Weir 100/8
9
