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Byrne Group Plate Springs a Legend
17/03/11

1 Holmwood Legend 25/1
2 Aimigayle 25/1
3 Beautiful Sound 9/2 Fav
4 Consigliere 20/1
NR: Crescent Island (IRE)
20 ran Distances: 3½l, 1¾l, 5l
TIME 5m 8.17s (slow by 1.17s)

Pat Rodford, whose carp fishery keeps him in business as a racehorse trainer, landed a Festival victory in what is likely to be his final season with a licence when 25/1 shot Holmwood Legend landed the Grade Three Byrne Group Plate.

Holmwood Legend
© racing-images.co.uk

Stable jockey Kieran Burke, Rodford’s heir apparent as trainer at the 10-horse Somerset yard, survived a last fence blunder to drive the 10-year-old to a three and a half-length triumph in the two-mile, five-furlong handicap chase.

The 70-year-old trainer’s biggest hope of the week had been Sparky May, runner-up to Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, leaving Holmwood Legend to take his chance without any hype.

Rodford, whose first Festival runner was Oats N’ Barley in 1995, exclaimed: “What a week - to have a winner at The Festival, it’s incredible - unbelievable.

“We’ve come under the radar with this one. There was a lot of pressure with Sparky May and this one won at Sandown and just got in the handicap. He won on Saturday, which has put us in this race. I don’t know what to say, it’s brilliant. I’ve only had one runner here before this year and that fell at the first.

“Kieran is incredible. He’s like another son to me. It seems so young to stop being a jockey but we’ll talk about it later. Kieran has great ambitions to becoming a trainer. He basically trains them already, my wife and I do just do a lot of the back-up.

“It’s the way to go out at the top, isn’t it? My wife is at home looking after the horses but I am sure that she will enjoy this.”

Rodford hinted in an interview with Festival Radio that he might continue to be the trainer for another year but he said he would discuss the matter with Burke.

Burke, 25, was having only his second Festival ride after finishing runner-up on Sparky May.

He said: “We’ve come here with a horse that we just hoped might be in the first 10 and he’s gone and won it nicely.

“It’s my second Festival ride and probably my last. Pat says I should probably keep on going riding and training but I don’t know.

“I was able to sit really handy and coming to the last I had visions of me standing right up in the irons. I just kept on driving and he didn’t really see a stride but he’s a big tank of a horse and he just ploughed on through it and up the hill.

“It’s every jockeys’ dream! This horse was an absolute legend today - he travelled and jumped and was absolutely brilliant.

“We only have 10 horses in at the moment and we had two that were good enough for Cheltenham this year. Hopefully, we will have 10 good ones to come to Cheltenham next year, but it is a big ask.

“I have been riding for a few years and even to get a ride at The Festival is special, but I’ve had a second and a winner, so I can’t complain.

“He ran five races in five weeks last year so we knew that he can take his races well. We just chucked him in the race when the entries closed, thinking it was a bit of a dream and that he might squeeze in and have a nice run around. He’s come here and won now, which is even better.

“Sparky May is absolutely fine. She has been turned out in her paddock for the past two days. We are just trying to wrap her up in cotton wool but you can’t do that with all of the horses. I think Mr Muddyman is coming down next week and we will sit down and think about what we are going to do next.

“Obviously, we need more horses - everybody does - but this could be a dream start for me as a trainer as well.”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Holmwood Legend P R Rodford	K Burke 10st 9lbs	25 - 1 Winner
2	Aimigayle Miss S Smith	C Bolger 10st 6lbs	25 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
3	Beautiful Sound G Elliott	J M Maguire 10st 6lbs	9 - 2 1 3/4 length
4	Consigliere D Pipe	T Scudamore 11st 10lbs	20 - 1 5 lengths
5	Call Me A Legend A King	R Thornton 11st 0lbs	20 - 1 2 lengths
6	Matuhi D Pipe	Conor O'Farrell 11st 0lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
7	Quartz De Thaix Miss V Williams	A Coleman 11st 2lbs	7 - 1 3 lengths
8	Bible Lord Andrew Turnell	Nick Scholfield 10st 5lbs	20 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
9	Edgbriar P R Webber	D Elsworth 11st 6lbs	14 - 1 5 lengths
10	Storymaker Miss S E Forster	Paddy Aspell 10st 5lbs	100 - 1 5 lengths
11	Tatenen R Rowe	A Thornton 11st 12lbs	33 - 1 1 3/4 length
12	Gansey Mrs S J Smith	P Buchanan 11st 0lbs	25 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
13	Aigle D'or N J Henderson	A P McCoy 11st 3lbs	11 - 2 26 lengths
14	Hollo Ladies Ferdy Murphy	G Lee 11st 4lbs	9 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
15	I'm A Legend N P Mulholland	M J Quinlan 10st 4lbs	20 - 1 5 lengths
Pulled Up	Piraya D Pipe	J W Farrelly 11st 3lbs	33 - 1
Fell	You're The Top N J Henderson	B J Geraghty 11st 2lbs	16 - 1
Pulled Up	Peplum G L Moore	J E Moore 10st 8lbs	18 - 1
Fell	Just Smudge Miss V Williams	S Thomas 10st 7lbs	33 - 1
Pulled Up	Plein Pouvoir Miss V Williams	R T Dunne 10st 6lbs	50 - 1
Non Runner	Crescent Island N A Twiston-Davies	P J Brennan 11st 6lbs	-

AMIGAYLE CONCLUDES GREAT WEEK FOR HER FAMILY

The Suzy Smith-trained Amigayle put in a brave front-running effort for much of the race, eventually going down to Holmwood Legend by three and a half lengths.

“She’s seriously tough. We had hoped we would get into the Kim Muir and three miles is really her trip - she was staying on but just at one pace.

“We knew she was going to run well today and thought she’d be in the first three, she’s a really great mare.”

Amigayle’s Grade 3 second capped a great week for her owner/breeder Pete Mercer after her full-sister Emmas Legend won by 14 lengths at Huntingdon yesterday.
She is also trained by Smith, who added: “Her full-sister has won twice in the last week so it’s fantastic for their owner but sadly he’s not here as he had a stroke eight weeks ago. But he’ll have been watching and he still has the dam. We have their full-brother coming in next year, it’s a wonderful family.”

Gordon Elliott, who sent out two winners, Chicago Grey and Carlito Brigante, yesterday at the Festival came close again when Beautiful Sound ran a good race to finish third for Carlito Brigante’s owner, Gigginstown House Stud. Beautiful Sound had also been eliminated from the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Elliott said: “The horse ran a great race but this race wasn’t the plan. It was an after-thought really. The Irish National is his aim.”

BYRNE GROUP FESTIVAL PLATE - Previous Results

2010-WINNER-GREAT ENDEAVOUR 6-10-01 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Danny Cook; SP-18/1
2ND-Sunnyhillboy 7-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Richie McLernon; SP-6/1 Fav
3RD-From Dawn To Dusk 11-10-03 Owner-Charles Lloyd-Baker; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
4TH-Mister McGoldrick 13-10-11 Owner-Richard Longley; Trainer-Sue Smith; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-33/1 24 ran, Time-5m 8.30s, Dist-1¼, ¾, 3½

2009-WINNER-SOMETHING WELLS 8-10-07 Owner-Favourites Racing XVIII; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-William Biddick; SP-33/1
2ND-Ping Pong Sivola 6-10-00Owner-Jean Yeomans; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Liam Treadwell; SP-13/2 Fav
3RD-Notable D’Estruval 8-10-07 Owner-P J McCarthy; Trainer-Arthur Moore IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-8/1
4TH-Three Mirrors 9-11-01 Owner-Sean Murphy; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-9/1 23 ran, Time-5m 17.70s, Dist-¾, 18, 2¾

2008-WINNER-MISTER MCGOLDRICK 11-11-07 Owner-Richard Longley; Trainer-Sue Smith; Jockey-Dominic Elsworth; SP-66/1
2ND-Gwanako 5-10-12 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/1
3RD-Fundamentalist 10-11-10 Onwer-Colin Cornes; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-28/1
4TH-Bible Lord 7-10-12 Owner-Martin Tedham; Trainer-Andrew Turnell; Jockey-Mark Grant; SP-6/1 22 ran, Time-5m 9.40s, Dist 13, 11, 4½ 5/2 Fav Don’t Push It (Fell 2 out)

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

2010 Great Endeavour 6-10-01 Danny Cook David Pipe David Johnson 18/1 24
2009 Something Wells 8-10-07 William Biddick Venetia Williams Favourites Racing XVIII 33/1 23
2008 Mister McGoldrick 11-11-07 Dominic Elsworth Sue Smith Richard Longley 66/1 22
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