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| Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - Fri March 19th 2010 |
cheltenham festival / 2010 news /
Berties Dream On Cloud Nine at 33-1
19/03/10
1 Berties Dream 33/1
2 Najaf 25/1
3 Kennel Hill 66/1
19 ran
 |
The winner was Andrew Lynch’s second winner of the meeting, and rewarded his backers at 33-1 - from the scenes of jubilation it seems likely members of the Half A Keg Syndicate who own him had availed themselves of bookmakers’ cash.
Paddy Power gave Bertie’s Dream a 33-1 quote for next year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but Gilligan was living for the day, and said: “I’m speechless and cannot believe it. We really did think he would run well, but Cheltenham is Cheltenham and you don’t come here thinking you are going to win.
“I did fancy him because the horses are flying at home and we were unlucky not to have a double last Sunday. Things had kicked into gear and to have a winner here - money can’t buy it.
“The rain didn’t matter to him because he goes on any ground. Good horses go on any ground and he’s a good horse. He never runs a bad race and ran a super race here in November [when third to Tell Massini who was pulled up in today’s race] and was just behind Reve De Sivola who ran a good race here earlier this week [second in the Neptune Investment Management Novice’s Hurdle].
“AP rode him that day and he felt that without another 50 yards he would have been second.
“I don’t know whether he’ll run again this season, I just want to enjoy today.”
|
Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
|
1 |
Berties Dream P J Gilligan |
A E Lynch 11st 7lbs |
33 - 1 Winner |
|
2 |
Najaf P F Nicholls |
T J Murphy 11st 7lbs |
25 - 1 6 lengths |
|
3 |
Kennel Hill W K Goldsworthy |
J M Maguire 11st 7lbs |
66 - 1 8 lengths |
|
4 |
Arvika Ligeonniere W P Mullins |
D J Condon 11st 7lbs |
28 - 1 13 lengths |
|
5 |
Possol H D Daly |
R Johnson 11st 7lbs |
28 - 1 7 lengths |
|
6 |
Quel Esprit W P Mullins |
R Walsh 11st 7lbs |
11 - 2 4 lengths |
|
7 |
Silver Kate D M Richards |
A Coleman 11st 0lbs |
14 - 1 5 lengths |
|
8 |
Premier Victory T Hogan |
J Cullen 11st 0lbs |
33 - 1 18 lengths |
|
9 |
Chartreux D Pipe |
T Scudamore 11st 7lbs |
28 - 1 22 lengths |
|
10 |
Watamu Bay C J Mann |
D Jacob 11st 7lbs |
66 - 1 5 lengths |
|
na |
The Betchworth Kid A King |
R Thornton 11st 7lbs |
16 - 1 |
|
na |
Cappa Bleu Evan Williams |
Paul Moloney 11st 7lbs |
18 - 1 |
|
na |
The Hurl M F Morris |
A P McCoy 11st 7lbs |
25 - 1 |
|
na |
Restless Harry R Dickin |
H Oliver 11st 7lbs |
8 - 1 |
|
na |
Bostons Angel Mrs J Harrington |
R M Power 11st 7lbs |
50 - 1 |
|
na |
Enterprise Park W P Mullins |
Paul Townend 11st 7lbs |
11 - 1 |
|
na |
Fionnegas W P Mullins |
D J Casey 11st 7lbs |
16 - 1 |
|
na |
Shinrock Paddy P Nolan |
A P Cawley 11st 7lbs |
8 - 1 |
|
na |
Tell Massini T R George |
P J Brennan 11st 7lbs |
10 - 3 |
|
Non Runner |
Wayward Prince Ian Williams |
D C Costello 11st 7lbs |
|
BERTIES FULFILS ULTIMATE DREAM FOR DUBLIN SYNDICATE
Victory at the Cheltenham Festival was a dream come true for the members of the Half A Keg Syndicate from Dublin, which is run by Conor Broderick, who named the horse after his late father.
The delighted co-owner of Berties Dream said: “This is our first horse with Paul (Gilligan). We bought him the April before last - he didn’t even have a shoe on him, he was straight from the field.
“I named him after my father, Bertie Broderick. He died three days after we bought the horse. When I told him I’d bought him, he said, ‘I always dreamed you’d own a racehorse’.”
For jockey Andrew Lynch, Berties Dream’s victory gave him yet more reason for celebration as the young jockey also won the Irish Independent Arkle Chase on Sizing Europe on Tuesday.
He said: “All he does is stay. He’s won over shorter trips in Ireland but on heavier ground. Coming down the hill I thought we had a chance. We just missed the last a bit. I couldn’t believe it really. I’ve been lucky to be on two really genuine horses.
“I’m delighted for the lads who own him, they’ve all come over from Dublin.”
NICHOLLS LOOKS FORWARD TO CHASING WITH NAJAF
Paul Nicholls was delighted with the effort of Najaf to finish second to Berties Dream in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the seven-year-old will not be seen out again this season.
“He’ll be going chasing in the autumn, that was what he was bought for and he won’t run again this season. I was delighted with his run there,” said Nicholls.
Najaf was bought for 250,000 euros at Arqana’s sale at Saint-Cloud in November by Highflyer Bloodstock and is owned jointly by the families of leading owners David Johnson and Andy Stewart.
Fourth-placed Arvika Ligeonniere is also set for a chasing career.
“He’s still a big raw horse and I was delighted with that run, especially as a five-year-old,” said trainer Willie Mullins. “He’s going to improve a lot and go chasing next year but if the weather breaks at home we might go to Punchestown.”
DOGGED KENNEL HILL TAKES THIRD
Kennel Hill, trained by Keith Goldsworthy, claimed third place in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Though Robin Dickin’s Restless Harry, who fell at the last when he was ahead of Kennel Hill, was clearly unlucky, Goldsworthy thought his horse may have got up anyway.
“He was still galloping all the time. He was closing them down and looked like he was going into a place anyway,” said the trainer.
“He’s an experienced novice, he’s entitled to be galloping on at the end because he’s a bit more mature and he’s kept on to the line. He travelled well but he never looks like he’s doing anything, does he?” he added.
The horse had started at 66/1, but the trainer had taken 200/1 this morning. “His reputation said, ‘Be Careful’, but the price was ridiculous. Bit if it was all about favourites, we wouldn’t bother, would we?” he said.
“If we could get him to win a little maiden now that may put his confidence up,” said Goldsworthy.
Kennel Hill, who has form on both good to firm and heavy ground, was unaffected by the going, but jockey Jason Maguire said he felt that the rain was getting into the ground.
Goldsworthy thought that it was still quick enough though: “But there’s not much grass out there. With the rain on it, there’s a bit of slap in the ground. There’s no cushion.”
PREVIOUS RESULTS
2009-WINNER-WEAPON'S AMNESTY
2008-WINNER-NENUPHAR COLLONGES 7-11-07 Owner-Top Brass Partnership; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-9/1
2ND-Liskennett 5-11-00 Owner- Patrick Pierce; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Niall Madden; SP-16/1
3RD-The Tother One 7-11-07 Owner-Graham Roach; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Thomas; SP-9/2 Jt Fav
18 ran, Time-6m 0.20s; Dist-2¾, ½ 9/2 Jt Fav Carruthers (11th)
2007-WINNER-WICHITA LINEMAN 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Air Force One 5-11-07 Owner-Brian Walsh (Co Kildare); Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-25/1
3RD-Itsa Legend 8-11-07 Owner-The We’re A Legend Partnership; Trainer-The We’re A Legend Partnership; SP-100/1
20 ran Time-5m 43.60s; Dist-12, 6
2006-WINNER-BLACK
JACK KETCHUM 7-11-07 Owner-Gay Smith; Trainer-Jonjo
O'Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-Evens Fav
2ND-Powerstation 6-11-07 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Charles Byrnes
IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/1
3RD-Travino 7-11-07 Owner-P Kilroy; Trainer-Mags Mullins IRE; Jockey-Barry
Geraghty 6/1
19 ran Time-5m 43.6s; Dist-12,6
2005-WINNER-MOULIN
RICHE 4-11-00 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Alan
King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-9/1
2ND-Faasel 4-11-00 Owner-Jim Ennis; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Tony
Dobbin; SP-7/1
3RD-Akilak 4-11-00 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson;
Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/2 Fav
23 ran. Time-4m 3.60s; Dist-hd, 8
FACTS AND FIGURES ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
1. The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle was added to The Festival in 2005 and provides a valuable opportunity for staying novice hurdlers as it is run over three miles. Initially sponsored by Brit Insurance, it was backed by Albert Bartlett for the first time in 2008, coinciding with its upgrade to Grade One status.
2. The inaugural running went to Moulin Riche, trained by Francois Doumen in France and partnered to success by Robert Thornton. Thornton enjoyed a second success aboard the Alan King-trained Nenuphar Collonges in 2008.
3. Trainer Jonjo O’Neill and jockey Tony McCoy have combined to take the two of the last three runnings with impressive winners – Wichita Lineman, who scored by 12 lengths in 2007, and Black Jack Ketchum, a nine-length winner in 2006. Both started favourite.
