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Venetia Williams 1-2 in Freddie Williams Festival Plate
12/03/09

1st (12) Something Wells 33-1
2nd (23) Ping Pong Sivola 13-2 Fav
3rd (18) Notable D'Estruval 8-1
4th (7) Three Mirrors 9-1
5th (5) Cossack Dancer 100-1

Venetia Williams had the finish of the Freddie Williams Plate Chase to herself, as Something Wells, the eventual winner, and Ping Pong Sivola, both trained by Williams, pulled 18 lengths clear of the third horse Notable D’Estruval.

“They’ve both run their hearts out, I can’t be more pleased. Absolutely thrilled. Not a hair's breadth between them! We had hoped to get Ping Pong Sivola in the Jewson but unfortunately she didn't make the cut, but she just sneaked in this race,” said Williams, who also won the second race on the card, the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle with Kafy Aramis, and has now taken her total Cheltenham Festival winners to five.

“I thought our good run had come to an end but we have picked up some momentum now,” Williams added.

As well as having the first two home, Williams also had Stan in the race, so the jockey bookings needed some working out. “Adrian [Coleman] has always ridden Stan [who pulled up in the race] and Will [Biddick] couldn’t do the weight on Ping Pong Sivola, so that was how it worked out. And Will has ridden for the owners Favourites Racing before so they knew him,” said the trainer.

Biddick had left the Williams stable last autumn for a spell with at champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard, but returned to Williams in December. For the 22-year-old amateur jockey, victory on Something Wells was a Cheltenham Festival first.

“It's absolutely unbelievable! Something Wells fell here last year and he's come here in great form. Venetia has done what she's good at again and it's nice to have my first winner here for her. I thought that I would have more turn of foot than Ping Pong Sivola and all this fella does is stay. When she's kicked on I thought that was enough and I would leave her to do a bit more hard work before catching her.

"They went a really good gallop and they didn't stop either. Ping Pong forced a gallop but this horse has given me such a good ride. I'll never forget this,” said Biddick.

Liam Treadwell, who rode runner-up Ping Pong Sivola, beaten three quarters of a length, said: “She battled all the way to the line and did nothing wrong. She jumped from fence to fence - I knew it was Will alongside me going to the last, and when she picked up once more I was still hopeful, but he's outstayed me.”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Something Wells Miss V Williams	Mr W Biddick 10st 12lbs	33 - 1 Winner
2	Ping Pong Sivola Miss V Williams	L Treadwell 10st 0lbs	13 - 2 3/4 length
3	Notable D'Estruval A L T Moore	D N Russell 10st 7lbs	8 - 1 18 lengths
4	Three Mirrors Ferdy Murphy	G Lee 11st 1lbs	9 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
5	Cossack Dancer M Bradstock	Matthew Batchelor 10st 0lbs	100 - 1 8 lengths
6	Finger Onthe Pulse T J Taaffe	B J Geraghty 11st 9lbs	10 - 1 1 length
7	Or Bleu P J Hobbs	T J O'Brien 10st 11lbs	16 - 1 1 1/4 length
8	Akilak J Howard Johnson	Denis O'Regan 10st 13lbs	16 - 1 10 lengths
9	Buck The Legend N A Twiston-Davies	P J Brennan 11st 1lbs	20 - 1 1 1/2 length
10	Pablo Du Charmil D Pipe	T Scudamore 11st 12lbs	33 - 1 6 lengths
11	Boomshakalaka N J Henderson	Felix De Giles 10st 6lbs	50 - 1 6 lengths
12	Osako D'airy P F Nicholls	S Thomas 11st 1lbs	25 - 1 3 1/4 lengths
na	Le Burf G R I Smyly	M Bradburne 10st 4lbs	28 - 1
na	Silverburn P F Nicholls	Nick Scholfield 11st 0lbs	20 - 1
na	Turkish Surprise A King	W Hutchinson 10st 11lbs	25 - 1
na	Oslot P F Nicholls	R Walsh 11st 11lbs	25 - 1
na	Fier Normand Jonjo O'Neill	N Fehily 10st 7lbs	25 - 1
na	Pop H D Daly	A Tinkler 11st 1lbs	50 - 1
na	Perce Rock T Stack	A P McCoy 11st 3lbs	7 - 1
na	Oceanos des Obeaux P J Hobbs	R Johnson 10st 10lbs	20 - 1
na	Bible Lord Andrew Turnell	M D Grant 10st 9lbs	20 - 1
na	Stan Miss V Williams	A Coleman 11st 12lbs	33 - 1
na	Clarified A J Martin	P Townend 10st 11lbs	17 - 2
Non Runner	Borora R Lee	Mr O Greenall 10st 0lbs

MIRRORS A PET FOR MURPHY

Venetia Williams-trained horses Something Wells and Ping Pong Sivola came first and second in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate, but Sean and Ann Murphy were delighted with the performance of Three Mirrors, who finished fourth.

The Murphys, from Dublin, regard the nine-year-old as one of the family, and Sean Murphy said: “We’ve had marvellous fun with this guy and he’s won at Ayr for the last two years. He’s perfect. We adore the horse and will never sell him. He’s a pet.”

Murphy added (with tongue in cheek): “We bought him as a yearling and called him Three Mirrors because at that time we had been married 21 years - and I couldn’t remember breaking three mirrors!

“We now have a horse called Four Mirrors in training with David Myerscough - and we also owned a horse called New Alco, who was second here twice, but we’ve yet to have a winner at this course.

“The ground was against Three Mirrors and the trip probably too far. Graham Lee is so good with him - the horse always gives everything and doesn’t need any extra encouragement, so Graham rides him accordingly.

“He ran over two miles one furlong at Doncaster on his previous start, but that trip was too short. Ideal for him is two and a half miles at Ayr, so he could run there or at Aintree next time.”

Notable D’Estruval finished third, beaten just under 19 lengths, and his trainer Arthur Moore is now considering either the Irish Grand National or the Topham Chase at Aintree for thr eight-year-old.

Moore said of the 8/1 chance: "I was delighted with the run. The horse had every chance. Venetia has done brilliantly to have the first two horses home.

"The horse could now maybe go for the Irish Grand National and we will also have a look at the Topham Chase at Aintree."

FREDDIE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL PLATE - Previous Results

2008-WINNER-MISTER MCGOLDRICK

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
2008 Mister McGoldrick
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