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| Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle - Fri March 14th 2008 |
Fiveforthree Leads Irish Clean Sweep in Ballymore
14/03/08
1st (3) Fiveforthree 7-1
2nd (15) Venalmar 11-1
3rd (14) Trafford Lad 9-1
15 ran
Also: 4-1 Fav Aigle D'or, 13-2 Forpadydeplasterer 4th
NR: Logans Run
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The red and white scarves were out in force to cheer home Forpadydeplasterer in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle but it was his compatriot Fiveforthree, also sporting red and white, who came home best of a clutch of strongly-fancied Irish raiders.
Outbattling Grade Two winner Venalmar up the hill, Fiveforthree, who was making his second Cheltenham Festival appearance after finishing fifth in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last year, won by a neck at odds of 7/1.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins, who took his sixth Champion Bumper yesterday with Cousin Vinny, said: “He’s never run over more than two miles before but looking at his pedigree, when we were making the decision between this race and the Supreme Novices’, he’s all stamina and that showed in the last two furlongs. He just had to stay every inch of that which he did so we’re delighted.”
Michael Hillary, who runs The Olde Crowbars Syndicate which owns the horse and is made up of friends from Dublin and Tipperary, said: “This is absolutely fantastic. The Crowbars is a name of a rugby club and he’s running in the colours of the club. Some of our winnings will be going to Camp Hill, which provides sheltered housing just outside Dublin.”
Ruby Walsh, the winning rider, said: “He was a bit novicey. He missed the second last and I had to use a bit to get into the race but by god he battled back from the last.
“It is in his pedigree that he stays, he’s a half brother to Celestial Gold and Escargot is in the pedigree and by god he did stay!
“I thought he might fold on me half way up but he’s stuck his head out. I’m glad he’s won because it was half my call that he ran in this race and not the other (the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’).”
The jockey of the second, Paddy Flood, was given a six-day ban for his use of the whip by the stewards.
HIGH HOPES FOR BALLYMORE SECOND VENALMAR
Trainer Mouse Morris was disappointed that Venalmar failed by a neck to match Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
“He’s as good as any horse I’ve brought to Cheltenham,” said
Morris. “He might go to Punchestown but he’s 17 hands and
crying out for fences. He is going to be a hell of a horse when he goes
chasing next season.”
Trafford Lad could never quite get to grips with the two leaders up the hill and trainer Eamonn Sheedy was particularly disappointed that his horse could not beat Venalmar.
“We were a head behind at Naas and the weights favoured us so I would have hoped we could beat him. The ground may not have favoured us,” said Sheehy.
“It was a hell of a race, though,” he added, “And he’s still a very immature horse, so he can only get better.”
Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle - Analysis
20/02/08
The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle, known for producing
future champions such as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace, has attracted a
huge entry of 156, including 57 from Ireland.
Nicky Henderson’s nine-strong entry is headed by the J P McManus-owned
Aigle D’Or. The five-year-old was an impressive winner over Hold
Em in the same sponsor’s trial race at Cheltenham on January 26,
in which last year’s Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle
winner Massini’s Maguire was third 12 months ago. This year’s
fourth, fifth and sixth from that race, Razor Royal, Gauvain and Flower
Haven, are also among the entries.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is also well-represented at this stage
with seven possibles, headed by this month’s Grade One Tolworth
Hurdle winner Breedsbreeze, who carries the famous Best Mate colours
of Jim Lewis. The Dicheat trainer’s team also includes I’msingingtheblues,
a winner of the Grade Two Anglo Irish Bank Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle
at Cheltenham on November 13 and Grade One Ballymore Properties Challow
Novices' Hurdle runner-up Elusive Dream.
Seeking a 14th win in the race, the raiding party from across the Irish
Sea looks to have a particularly strong hand in the two mile, five furlong
Grade One contest.
Among the Irish entries are Oliver McKiernan’s Whatuthink and
Tom Cooper’s Forpadydeplasterer, who filled the first two places
in the Grade Two Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in December
ahead of Majestic Concorde, Aranleigh and Antipode, are among the entries,
along with Eamonn Sheehy’s Grade One scorer Trafford Lad.
The last-named narrowly failed to defy a penalty when finishing second to Mouse Morris’ smart hurdle Venalmar in the Grade Two Slaney Novice Hurdle at Navan earlier this month.
Race sponsor Sean Mulryan may bid to get a portion of the £120,000
prize fund back with Brodimix, who has joined Martin Brassil after winning
three hurdles and a Flat race in France. Connections of Smurfit Kappa
Champion Hurdle favourite Sizing Europe are represented by stablemate
Sizing Africa in the entries.
Last year’s winning trainer Philip Hobbs has entered three, including
smart Flat recruit Cutting Crew, who has yet to make his hurdling debut,
and I Hear A Symphony, a bumper winner in Ireland for Mag Mullins who
could carry the colours of last year’s winner for owner Alan Peterson.
Hobbs is also represented by County Zen, who followed up a second to
I’msingingtheblues at Wincanton with two successes at the end of
last year.
With the most entries, Alan King’s 10 are topped by dual Cheltenham Grade Two scorer Franchoek, Group Captain, a smart Flat performer who has won both of his start over hurdles, and last year’s Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle fourth Zilcash.
Previous results - BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOVICES’ HURDLE
2007-WINNER-MASSINI’S MAGUIRE 6-11-07 Owner-Alan
Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
2ND-Tidal Bay 6-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard
Johnson; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-10/1
3RD-Catch Me 6-11-07 Owner-J P O’Shea; Trainer-Edward O’Grady
IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
15 ran, Time-5m 5.40s; Dist: nk, 1½; 5/2 Fav Aran Concerto (5th)
2006-WINNER-NICANOR 5-11-07 Owner-Des Sharkey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE;
Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-17/2
2ND-Denman 6-11-07 Owner-Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay; Trainer-Paul
Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/10 Fav
3RD-Refinement 7-11-00 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
17 ran, Time-5m 1.00s Dist: 2½, 6
2005-WINNER-NO
REFUGE 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham
Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-17/2
2ND-Racing Demon 5-11-07 Owner-Camilla Radford; Trainer-Henrietta Knight;
Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-14/1
3RD-Our Ben 6-11-07 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE;
Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-33/1
20 ran, Time-5m 00.00s Dist: ¾, 2½ 9/2 Jt Favs Gold Medalist
(5th) & Royal Paradise (7th)
2004-WINNER-FUNDAMENTALIST 6-11-07 Owner-Gripen; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies;
Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-12/1
2ND-Inglis Drever 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard
Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/4 Fav
3RD-Grey Report 7-11-07 Owner-Anne La Trobe; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-25/1
15 ran, Time-5m 1.90s, Dist-.5, 4
2003-WINNER-HARDY EUSTACE 5-11-07 Owner-Laurence Byrne; Trainer-Dessie
Hughes IRE; Jockey-Kieran Kelly; SP-6/1
2ND-Pizarro 6-11-07 Owner-Edward Wallace; Trainer-Edward O’Grady
IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Lord Sam 7-11-07 Owner-Plain Peeps; Trainer-Victor Dartnall; Jockey-Warren
Marston; SP-10/1
Coolnagorna, finished 2nd, placed last for causing interference 19 ran,
Time-5m 5.70s, Dist (as they passed the post)-1¼, 1
2002-WINNER-GALILEO 6-11-07 Owner-Sharon Nelson, Allan Stennett, Terry
Warner; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-12/1
2ND-Over The Bar 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O’Grady
IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-14/1
3RD-Lanzerac 5-11-07 Owner-Cleartherm Ltd; Trainer-John Harris; Jockey-Paul
Flynn; SP-66/1
27 ran; Time-5m 19.70s, Dist-3½, sh; 5/1 Fav Classified (4th)
2001-Cancelled (Foot and Mouth Disease)
2000-WINNER-MONSIGNOR 6-11-07 Owner-Malcolm Denmark; Trainer-Mark Pitman;
Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-No Discount 6-11-06 Owner-Seamus Ross; Trainer-Charlie Swan IRE;
Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-20/1
3RD-Gentle Rivage 6-11-07 Owner-Geoffrey and Donna Keeys; Trainer-Nigel
Twiston-Davies; SP-50/1
14 ran, Time-4m 52.0s, Dist-8,5
1999-WINNER-BARTON 6-11-07 Owner-Stan Clarke; Trainer-Tim Easterby;
Jockey-Lorcan Wyer, SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Artadoin Lad 6-11-07 Owner-Jim Shaw; Trainer-Jenny Pitman; Jockey-Mick
Fitzgerald; SP-28/1
3RD-Winston Run 7-11-07 Owner-Mr & Mrs John Poynton; Trainer-Ian
Williams; Jockey-Glenn Tormey; SP-100/1
18 ran, Time-5m 5.6s, Dist-9, ½
1998-WINNER-FRENCH HOLLY 7-11-07 Owner-Kieran Flood; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy;
Jockey-Andrew Thornton; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Torboy 8-11-07 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-8/1
3RD-Cloone Bridge 6-11-07 Owner-Kathleen Gillane; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-8/1
18 ran, Time-4m 59.7s, Dist-14, 2½
1997-WINNER-ISTABRAQ 5-11-07 Owner-J P McManus;
Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-6/5 Fav
2ND-Mighty Moss 6-11-07 Owner-Ken Hutsby; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr
Fred Hutsby; SP-11/1
3RD-Daraydan 5-11-07 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Richard
Hughes; SP-16/1
17 ran, Time-4m 58.2s, Dist-1, ¾
BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOVICES’ HURDLE
ROLL OF HONOUR
(Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle since 2007, Royal & SunAlliance
Novices’ Hurdle 1998-2006, Royal Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle
1997, Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle 1974-96, Aldsworth Hurdle 1971-73)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2007 Massini’s Maguire 6-11-07 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Alan
Peterson 20/1 15
2006 Nicanor 5-11-07 Paul Carberry Noel Meade IRE Des Sharkey 17/2 17
2005 No Refuge 5-11-07 Graham Lee Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham
Wylie 17/2 20
2004 Fundamentalist 6-11-07 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Gripen
12/1 15
2003 Hardy Eustace 6-11-07 Kieran Kelly Dessie Hughes IRE Laurence Byrne
6/1 19
2002 Galileo 6-11-07 Jason Maguire Tom George Sharon Nelson, Allan Stennett,
Terry Warner 12/1 27
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Monsignor 6-11-07 Norman Williamson Mark Pitman Malcolm Denmark
5/4F 14
1999 Barton 6-11-07 Lorcan Wyer Tim Easterby Stan Clarke 2/1F 18
1998 French Holly 7-11-07 Andrew Thornton Ferdy Murphy Kieran Flood 2/1F
18
1997 Istabraq 5-11-07 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE J P McManus
6/5F 17
1996 Urubande 6-11-07 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE Martin St
Quinton 8/1 24
1995 Putty Road 5-11-07 Norman Williamson David Nicholson Lady Harris
7/1 21
1994 Danoli 6-11-07 Charlie Swan Tom Foley IRE Dan O’Neill 7/4F
23
1993 Gaelstrom 6-11-02 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Jenny Powell
16/1 19
1992 Thetford Forest 5-11-07 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Saeed Manana
7/1 27
1991 Crystal Spirit 4-10-12 Jimmy Frost Ian Balding Paul Mellon 2/1F
29
1990 Regal Ambition 6-11-07 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Skeltools Ltd
3/1F 22
1989 Sayfar’s Lad 5-11-07 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Arthur Whiting
12/1 22
1988 Rebel Song 6-11-07 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath 14/1
25
1987 The West Awake 6-11-07 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath
16/1 28
1986 Ten Plus 6-11-07 Kevin Mooney Fulke Walwyn Basil Thwaites 5/2F 28
1985 Asir 5-11-07 Mr Ronnie Beggan Paul Kelleway HH Prince Yazid Saud
9/1 27
1984 Fealty 4-10-12 Seamus O’Neill Peter Brookshaw Peter Brookshaw
33/1 29
1983 Sabin Du Loir 4-10-08 Graham Bradley Michael Dickinson Brian Kilpatrick
16/1 27
1982 Mister Donovan 6-11-08 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE J P McManus
9/2 21
1981 Gaye Chance 6-11-08 Sam Morshead Fred Rimell Mrs M Curtis 7/1 21
1980 Drumlargan 6-11-08 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE Mary Cuddy
5/2F 27
1979 Venture To Cognac 6-11-08 Mr Oliver Sherwood Fred Winter Nat Sherwood
4/1 29
1978 Mr Kildare 5-11-07 Tommy Carmody Liam Browne IRE Owen Canty 8/11F
20
1977 Counsel Cottage 6-11-08 Sean Treacy Paddy Mullins IRE Lady Elizabeth
Byng 6/1 26
1976 Parkhill 5-11-07 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs J McGowan
4/1 21
1975 Davy Lad 5-11-07 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs J McGowan
5/2F 20
1974 Brown Lad 8-11-08 Ron Barry Paddy Osborne IRE J Osborne 2/1F 25
1973 Willie Wumpkins 5-11-06 Pat Colville Adrian Maxwell IRE Jane Pilkington
11/1 15
1972 Even Dawn 5-11-06 Ron Hyett Katie Gaze Katie Gaze 40/1 17
1971 Midsprite 5-11-12 Macer Gifford Tom Jones Mrs Ogden Phipps 7/1 20
BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOVICES’ HURDLE
FACTS AND FIGURES
1. The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle was introduced to
The Festival in 1971 as the Aldsworth Hurdle. Sun Alliance, who merged
with Royal Insurance in 1996, took it on in 1974, together with the Sun
Alliance Chase, having previously sponsored the Foxhunter Chase. Ballymore
Properties sponsored the contest for the first time in 2007.
2. The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle, along with the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, are acknowledged as championship races for the staying novice hurdler and chaser.
3. Only one horse has won both the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle
and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. The West Awake took the hurdle
race in 1987 and the chase event a year later.
4. The smallest field for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle was
14 in 2000, when there were three non-runners. Previously the lowest
number of runners was 15 in 1973, the year of Willie Wumpkins, who later
dominated the Coral Golden Hurdle Final at The Festival with three straight
wins from 1979-81. There were also 15 runners in 2004 and 2007. The largest
field was 29, achieved in 1979, 1984 and 1991. The current safety limit
is 24.
5. The Irish-trained 1994 winner, Danoli, was the subject of a massive
gamble and was sent off the 7/4 favourite. The shortest-priced winner
was another Irish victor, Mr Kildare, at 8/11 in 1978. Favourites have
been successful in 12 of the 36 runnings. The longest-priced winner was
40/1 chance Even Dawn in the second running in 1972.
6. The Irish have an excellent record in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle
with 13 wins, including six consecutive victories from 1973-78. Nicanor,
trained by Noel Meade, scored for the Irish in 2006 when upsetting hot
favourite Denman.
7. Aidan O’Brien, Martin Pipe, Oliver Sherwood, Mick O'Toole,
Edward O'Grady and Nigel Twiston-Davies have each won two Ballymore Properties
Novices’ Hurdles. Oliver Sherwood and Dessie Hughes are the two
trainers to have also won the race as jockeys. Sherwood was in the saddle
on Venture To Cognac in 1979, while his training wins were with The West
Awake (1987) and Rebel Song (1988). Dessie Hughes was twice successful
as a jockey with Davy Lad (1975) and Parkhill (1976) and sent out Hardy
Eustace (2003) to victory as a trainer.
8. The fastest time for the winning horse was 4m 52.0s set by Monsignor
in 2000, beating the 4m 56.2s of Regal Ambition in 1990.
9. Istabraq (1997) and Hardy Eustace (2003) both won this race en route to victory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle while Davy Lad (1975) went on to take the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
