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Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup H’cap Chase 14/03/07

1st (23) Cloudy Lane 15-2 Fav
2nd (17) Parsons Legacy 12-1
3rd (24) Cheeky Lady 20-1
4th (16) Ponmeoath 16-1
24 ran

Richard Burton Sees Cloudy Lane Home 14/03/07

Cloudy Lane achieved something for trainer Donald McCain that his legendary father never accomplished - a Cheltenham Festival winner - when holding off the fast finishing Parsons Legacy to land the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

Indeed Trevor Hemmings’ home-bred, partnered by three-time champion point-to-point rider Richard Burton, was McCain junior’s very first runner at the Festival.

“That’s 46 wins (including his father’s tally at the start of this season) for the season, but that doesn’t really matter now,” said McCain jnr. “And it’s a bit ridiculous to do that with my first Festival runner.

“He was the first horse that Mr Hemmings sent to me and we’d never really had big plans for him. He’s done nothing other wrong other than I shouldn’t probably have run him at Haydock last time.

“The drying ground really helped him and the only times he has had it was today and when winning the Red Square at Haydock.

“He could easily be an Aintree horse but I don’t know if next year is too soon. He has the make and shape of Amberleigh House. He’ll probably run.

“He's a very talented little horse. I really fancied him and I just thought I was a bit naughty fancying him as I did, coming to Cheltenham with my first runner. He's just a smashing horse. I've not been here for about 10 years, and I turned up and thought shit, I shouldn't be getting this carried away! I was getting a bit animated in the last 50 yards!

"Burty's' great - he does everything right, is a great horseman and he's given him a fantastic ride. I couldn't quite believe it when the two of them were coming clear down the hill, and we thought he'd stay. He's still a novice and at the last [slight mistake] that's probably what he did when he came down at Newcastle, he's just a little bit too careful.”

Burton commented: “He stumbled slightly on the other side and I lost momentum on the run-in, I think it was when he heard the crowd. I had to waste hard to do the weight but enjoyed this even more than when I won the race two years ago on Juveigneur.

“I can't believe how straight forward it was. I was meant to be a bit handier, and perhaps go wide for a bit of light, but we took plan B in the end. The horse was brilliant and jumped superbly. I just kept my head and [was] wishing for the line to come.

“Pointing is the bread and butter, but riding a winner here is second to none, and I'm lucky enough to have had two now. I think I enjoyed it even more this time!”

Ginger McCain added: “I’m delighted for Donald, he’s worked so hard and always wanted to train since his school days. He doesn’t womanise and drink, unlike his father!

“He's the bollocks! No question! How he can do that, bred as he is, I do not know! It's magical, tremendous. He might make a trainer one day. I'll congratulate his father when I meet him!”

HOBBS AND MURPHY LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Trainer Philip Hobbs was more than satisfied with the performance of Parsons Legacy, a fast-finishing three-quarters-of-a-length runner-up behind Cloudy Lane in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase.

The Minehead trainer said: “He just needed another 50 yards. It was a bit frustrating but he’s run well.

“I thought today’s trip might have been a bit short for him although the drying ground was perfect for him.

“He is in the John Smith’s Grand National, but I think he will struggle to get in off 9st 12lb, so we will also look at the Scottish and Irish Nationals and the Betfred Gold Cup.”

Cheeky Lady also stayed on well, finishing a further two lengths back in third.

Her trainer, Colm Murphy, said: “I’m thrilled to bits.

“She stays well and jumps for fun.

“I thought she had a chance coming down the hill and she really kept on.

“I would hope there is a big pot to be won with her somewhere - maybe she will go for the Irish Grand National.”

Liberthine, who is fancied for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next month, lost a front shoe and spread a hind shoe.

Facts and Figures:

1. The Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Steeplechase was introduced to the National Hunt Meeting in 1946 by Mrs Evan Williams, sister of Kim Muir, a young cavalry officer who lost his life in the early years of the Second World War.

2. The addition of Fulke Walwyn to the title of the race occurred in 1991, reflecting the career of Cheltenham's most successful trainer. Walwyn trained 211 winners at Cheltenham and a record 40 at The Festival - his haul included four Gold Cups, two Champion Hurdles and seven Cathcart Challenge Cups.

3. Cool Ground is the only horse to have progressed from this race to a totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup victory.

4. Most of the top amateur riders appear in the winners’ list, including some subsequently well-known professionals. Gay Kindersley, John Oaksey, Nick Gaselee, Michael Dickinson, Ridley Lamb, Ted Walsh, Jim Wilson, Simon Sherwood, Gee and Marcus Armytage, Robert Thornton, Adrian Maguire, Seamus Durack, Ken Whelan, David Crosse and Robert Walford are among the familiar names, while Grand National winning jockey Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden pulled up in the race in 2004.

FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP HANDICAP CHASE PREVIOUS RESULTS

2006-WINNER-YOU’RE SPECIAL 9-10-12 Owner-Diane O’Rourke; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Mr Richard Harding; SP-33/1
2ND-Mon Mome 6-10-05 Owner-Vida Bingham; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Mr William Biddick; SP-11/1
3RD-Undeniable 8-10-09 Owner-Keith Nicholson; Trainer-Sue Smith; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-16/1
4TH-Bee An Bee 9-10-03 Owner-Carol Jobburns; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Mr Robert McCarthy; SP-25/1
21 ran, Time-6m 09.80s; Dist-3.5 , 8, 1.5 7/1 Jt Favs Liberthine (8th), Parsons Legacy (9th)

2005-WINNER-JUVEIGNEUR 8-11-07 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Richard Burton; SP-12/1
2ND-Lord Of The River 13-11-05 Owner-Brian Stewart-Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Aidan Fitzgerald; SP-50/1
3RD-Parsons Legacy 7-11-06 Owner-R A S Offer; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Mr Derek O’Connor; SP-16/1
4TH-Persian Waters 9-11-12 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Mr Tom Greenall; SP-11/1
24 ran, Time-6m 16.70s; Dist-1.25, 1, 6 9/2 Fav Oh Be The Hokey (8th)

2004-WINNER-MAXIMIZE 10-10-06 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Darren Edwards; SP-40/1
2ND-Merchants Friend 9-10-11 Owner-Magic Moments; Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Mr Paul Cashman; SP-20/1
3RD-Ibis Rochelais 8-10-04 Owner-Andrew Wates; Trainer-Albert Ennis; Jockey-Mr Tom Greenall; SP-7/1 Fav
4TH-Dominikus 7-10-01 Owner-The Aarons Archer Partnership ; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Mr Keith Mercer; SP-20/1
22 ran, Time-6m 17.60s; Dist-1, 9, 10

2003-WINNER-ROYAL PREDICA 9-10-13 Owner-Peter Deal, J Dale & Allan Stennett; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Saul McHugh; SP-33/1
2ND-Ibis Rochelais 7-10-05 Owner-Andrew Wates; Trainer-Albert Ennis; Jockey-Mr Larry McGrath; SP-4/1 Fav
3RD-Rathbawn Prince 11-11-08 Owner-Tom Culhane; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Mr Roger Loughran; SP-40/1
4TH-Montreal 6-10-12 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Jamie Moore; SP-12/1
23 ran, Time-6m 23.00s; Dist-10, .75, .5

2002-WINNER-THE BUSHKEEPER 8-11-02 Owner-Brian Stewart-Brown; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr David Crosse; SP-9/2 Fav
2ND-Ceanannas Mor 8-10-07 Owner-Major Christopher Hanbury; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Harry Fowler; SP-20/1
3RD-Cadougold 11-11-03 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Gordon Elliott; SP-25/1
4TH-Phar From A Fiddle 6-10-11 Owner-Judy Stewart; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Miss Polly Gundry; SP16/1
23 ran, Time-6m 18.60s; Dist-7, 3.5, 1

2001- No Race (Foot and Mouth Disease)

2000-WINNER-HONEY MOUNT 9-09-12 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Robert Alner; Jockey; Mr Robert Walford; SP-8/1
2ND-Marching Marquis 9-10-00 Owner-Ramsay Donald Brown; Trainer-Gary Brown; Jockey-Mr Tom Gibney; SP-33/1
3RD-Supreme Charm 8-10-09 Owner-P J Vogt; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Mr Des Flavin; SP-16/1
4TH-Clifton Set 9-9-11 Owner-Christine Fennell; Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Mr Ben Hitchcott; SP-20/1
23 ran, Time-6m 5.40s; Dist-8, hd, hd 9/2 Fav Shannon Gale (Fell)

1999-WINNER-CELTIC GIANT 9-10-00 Owner-Richard Gilbert; Trainer-Len Lungo; Jockey-Mr Bruce Gibson; SP-20/1
2ND-Tell The Nipper 8-10-03 Owner-Joe Craig; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Kevin O’Sullivan; SP-16/1
3RD-Orswell Lad 10-10-06 Owner-R M E Wright; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Mr Paul Flynn; SP-25/1
4TH-Strong Tel 9-10-10 Owner-Terry Neill; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr Les Jefford; SP-33/1
22 Ran, Time-6m 28.0s, Dist-14, 1.75, Nk 6/1 Fav Linden’s Lotto (7th)

1998-WINNER-IN TRUTH 10-09-09 Owner-Mrs E Houlton; Trainer-Steve Gollings; Jockey-Mr Seamus Durack; SP-20/1
2ND-Cariboo Gold 9-10-04 Owner-Sharon Nelson; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Mr Rupert Wakley;SP-11/1
3RD-Time for a Run 11-11-01 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Mr Philip Fenton; SP-11/4 Fav 14 Ran, Time-6m 15s, Dist-3.5,1.25

1997-WINNER-KING LUCIFER 8-11-05 Owner-A J Davies; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr Robert Thornton; SP-7/2
2ND-Time For A Run 10-11-08 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Mr Philip Fenton; SP-15/8 Fav
3RD-Lucky Dollar 9-09-07 Owner-G P D Milne; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Mr Oliver McPhail; SP-16/1
11 ran, Time-6m 9.6s, Dist-nk, 15

1996-WINNER-STOP THE WALLER 7-09-11 Owner-Ray Burgan and Nicky Tanner; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Mr Ken Whelan; SP-16/1
2ND-Encore Un Peu 9-11-10 Owner-Vincent Nally; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Mr J Dempsey; SP-14/1
3RD-Run Up The Flag 9-11-00 Owner-Pell-Mell Partners; Trainer-Josh Gifford; Jockey-Mr Chris Bonner; SP-14/1
4TH-Ciel de Brion 6-10-13 Owner-Henri de Pracomtal; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Mr Thierry Doumen; SP-16/1 22 ran, Time-6m 36.3s, Dist-.5, 17, 3 7/2 Fav General Wolfe (fell)