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Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
13/03/09

1st (10) Andytown 25/1
2nd 24 Midnight Chase 100/1
3rd 11 Big Eared Fran 7/2 fav
4th 22 Font 14/1

Gaspara - fell
© racing-images.co.uk

Andytown gave Nicky Henderson his third winner of The Festival 2009 when landing the inaugural running of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Felix de Giles, who was enjoying his first Festival success. It was Festival win number 34 for Henderson, which rather ironically given the race title means he has now equalled the number of winners trained at The Festival by Martin Pipe.

The winner, a 25/1 chance, saw off the challenge of 100/1 outsider Midnight Chase to prevail by nine lengths. Andytown is a graduate of the Brightwells sale held at Cheltenham in April, 2007, when he was sold for £40,0000.

Henderson said: “To be honest, this horse was bought as a chaser but absolutely hated jumping fences.

“We ran him twice over fences but he absolutely hated it which is surprising as he is built, bred to be and looks like a chaser.

“When we schooled him back over fences and he was much happier. He was my ‘dark horse’ of the week really. The only problem is now his mark over hurdles will have gone up! Nobody’s complaining though.

“The ground and trip were just right for him today and Felix has ridden him very well. It is also great for his owners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin Hughes who have been big investors in Jump racing and this is their first win at the festival.”

Felix de Giles, the successful rider, commented: "It's my first winner here at The Festival so I'm delighted.

"I won in him here at The Open and he's a funny old horse because he doesn't seem to travel particularly strongly and always finishes nicely."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Andytown N J Henderson	Felix De Giles 11st 5lbs	25 - 1 Winner
2	Midnight Chase N P Mulholland	M M O'connor 11st 0lbs	100 - 1 9 lengths
3	Big Eared Fran D Pipe	J W Farrelly 11st 5lbs	7 - 2 7 lengths
4	Font P F Nicholls	Harry Skelton 11st 0lbs	14 - 1 2 lengths
5	Presenting Copper P J Hobbs	R Flint 11st 7lbs	16 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
6	Coq Hardi P Bowen	J Reveley 11st 4lbs	66 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
7	Leamington Lad N A Twiston-Davies	David England 11st 0lbs	100 - 1 5 lengths
8	Oscatello P J Hobbs	D P O'Dwyer 11st 0lbs	16 - 1 4 1/2 lengths
9	Khachaturian D McCain Jnr	Paul Benson 11st 2lbs	40 - 1 1 1/4 length
10	Faltering Fullback Eric McNamara	A P Cawley 11st 7lbs	22 - 1 1 1/4 length
11	Piraya D Pipe	L Heard 11st 9lbs	20 - 1 6 lengths
12	Little Shilling Tim Vaughan	B Wharfe 11st 2lbs	16 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
13	Caracciola N J Henderson	R J Killoran 11st 5lbs	16 - 1 Nose
14	Mamlook D Pipe	H Frost 11st 8lbs	15 - 2 1 1/2 length
15	Hangover C O'Dwyer	P Townend 11st 3lbs	17 - 2 1 3/4 length
16	Penn Da Benn A King	Charlie Huxley 11st 7lbs	10 - 1 1 3/4 length
17	Pauillac D Pipe	Donal Fahy 11st 2lbs	33 - 1 1 length
18	Carrickboy Miss V Williams	A Coleman 11st 4lbs	12 - 1 1/2 length
19	Quartz De Thaix Miss V Williams	Nick Scholfield 11st 0lbs	20 - 1 2 lengths
20	Prince De Bersy D Pipe	T Molloy 11st 0lbs	100 - 1 9 lengths
21	Carrick Oscar Tim Vaughan	Gerard Tumelty 11st 1lbs	33 - 1 distance
22	Acambo D Pipe	J Kington 11st 12lbs	66 - 1 20 lengths
na	Gaspara D Pipe	A Glassonbury 11st 12lbs	25 - 1
Non Runner	Buena Vista D Pipe	Jack Doyle 11st 5lbs