Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20 £350,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
Wednesday 11th March 2015

1 Dodging Bullets 9/2
2 Somersby 33/1
3 Special Tiara 18/1
NR: Champagne Fever (IRE), Clarcam (FR)
9 ran Distances: 1¼l, 1¾l, 7l
TIME 3m 53.00s (slow by 1.00s)

Dodging Bullets an early contender for horse of the season as he wins the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase in great battling style

Dodging Bullets
© Racehorse Photos

The race was billed in some quarters as a duel between past winners Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy but neither proved a match for improving Dodging Bullets.

Sire De Grugy finished fourth and Sprinter Sacre pulled up as Dodging Bullets gave trainer Paul Nicholls a fifth victory in the two-mile contest.

"I know the other two were past champions but I couldn't see why they were behind us in the betting, it must have been on sentiment," said Nicholls. "Dodging Bullets was the progressive young horse and it's them that usually come out on top, he should have been favourite on form. He confirmed the Tingle Creek form with Somersby.

"He would have liked the ground a bit slower and I thought Sam (Twiston-Davies) gave him a fantastic ride. Sam is so much more confident this season, it all just takes a bit of bedding in but he's been awesome this year. He rides really well and we're all very fond of him.

"The horse won't run again this season and I expect we'll be dreaming all summer. The whole aim will be to come here again in a year's time. We might take in the Tingle Creek along the way.

"The horse has always had breathing issues and we've run him three times with a tongue tie and three times he has won. Two years ago he ran a shocking race in the Supreme and we didn't know why. Today's win is so good for the whole team because we have had a few little issues with the horse. It takes forever to learn how to train these horses and we have got him right now. Harry Derham rides him every single day, knows him better than anybody and he will be made up.

"I never thought he was a Master Minded or an Azertyuiop but he's winning the same races as they did now.

"It's great for the whole team and great to win the Champion Chase again - I really love this race. We know where we are going with Dodging Bullets now and I expect the lads will be dreaming all summer. He is such a special horse to all the team that own him and I think it's the first proper championship race winner that Tom Malone bought."

Dodging Bullets was bred by Frankie Dettori and made just 8,000gns as a yearling when originally sold to race on the Flat with Andy Oliver in Ireland. He was subsequently bought privately by Tom Malone to join Nicholls.

Dettori was on hand to watch the race and said: "Sam gave him a fantastic ride - he jumped like a stag and was gutsy all the way to the line. He was bred to win the Derby but this is second best. It's the equivalent of the 100m final at the Olympics and what a horse. You have to give credit to Dodging Bullets, he did all the work.

"He didn't make very much as a yearling as his legs were pointing in the wrong direction although they got better with time

"I watched it with the owners and my legs were shaking a little bit walking down the steps, I was so excited. It's completely different and unusual to have those feelings when I don't have anything to do with it. I'm so pleased for Martin (Broughton, owner) and Paul.

"Sam was tactically very astute and gave the horse a great ride. I didn't cheer too early but I did a bit once he'd pinged the second last. Riding is all about confidence and for a young man you've got to say that Sam is top-class.

Dettori was wearing a blue three-piece suit and trilby and added: "I've been watching Mr (Rich) Ricci on television and thought I'd give him a run for his money! Barry Hills gave me the trilby and told me that if I didn't wear it he wanted it back."

BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
£350,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

Sam dodges the Bullet and lands biggest win

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies cemented a superb first season as first jockey at Paul Nicholls' yard when landing racing's two-mile championship.

Riding 9/2 chance Dodging Bullets for a syndicate called Martin Broughton and Friends, Twiston-Davies drove the winner to victory by a length and a quarter from Somersby (33/1), with front-running Special Tiara (18/1) a length and three-quarters back in third. Last year's winner, Sire De Grugy (5/2) was fourth, while former champion Sprinter Sacre (9/4 favourite) was pulled up.

The winning jockey said: "It feels unbelievable, but I have to say it's a great effort by Harry Derham [Nicholls' nephew] who rides him every day and has done all the hard work - Frankie [Dettori, the Flat jockey who bred Dodging Bullets] came to the yard and Harry wouldn't let him near the horse!

"If Harry ever takes out a trainers' licence I'd be happy to ride for him. All credit to the team at Ditcheat and to the horse. The plan was to sit third or fourth, let him travel down the hill and kick from there to the line, hoping Sprinter Sacre might not find much and make it hard work for Sire De Grugy to get to us - the plan worked great.

"This fellow jumps, stays and gallops which is the perfect combination for this race. I wanted to get as close as possible to [pace-setter] Special Tiara after three out with the intentions of whipping off the last bend, and my horse was very brave.

"I've always said my dad [Nigel] is the best trainer I've ridden for, but Paul Nicholls is some man - I don't know how he does it. After Dodging Bullets' run in the Arkle last year if I'd said he was going to win three Grade One races this season you would have called me a moon man. It's a great training performance.

"It is a massive win and hopefully means I keep hold of the job for years to come. Big winners make up for the days when things don't go so well - we didn't have a great day yesterday, but Paul said 'I'll leave it to you so get on with it'. It eases the pressure and hopefully I'll ride better and better as the week goes on."

Winning co-owner Martin Broughton said: "It's fantastic - would you believe it? The anticipation is almost too much, and when you get to the race itself you just want the horse to come back safely. Sam rode that exactly the way he said he was going to, and all the way round I got more and more confident - it was going to plan.

"In business you don't have instant moments - things go right or wrong over a long period of time. This has been a while coming, but in business you don't get a moment like this. I'm ecstatic, and I was very happy being under the radar in advance as everyone was talking about Sprinter versus Sire."

So near yet so far for Somersby

Connections of Somersby were understandably proud following his fine run in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase but were left wondering what might have been after the 33/1 shot finished the one and a quarter length runner-up behind Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Somersby
© Racehorse Photos

The 11-year-old has now been placed at four Festivals (including behind Sire De Grugy in this race last year) and was yet again just denied as the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding stormed up the hill to land his third Grade One success.

"Brian's given him a great ride and he's jumped well today as well," said trainer Mick Channon.

"He's probably run pound for pound against the winner of the Tingle Creek but unfortunately he doesn't give himself much of a chance to win does he? There's sadly always something to beat him. Sire De Grugy (4th this year) beat him last year and he's been beaten by some good horses in his time - maybe he's been born in the wrong generation! The public love him - he got a great reception when he came in. Henrietta (Knight - Somersby's former trainer) has looked after him for years, I've just got the easy bit now. I'm just pleased he's had a great season but he's not won a race."

Hughes said: "For a second going to the last, I maybe thought that I had a small chance. I got to Sam's quarters 50 yards after the last and his horse picked up again, with his younger legs. He jumped great all the way. He has his own technique when he gets in a bit deep and he got a bit deep at the second last and the last with a circuit to go. He's got his own way but he has been around long enough to know what he is doing. He jumped away great down the back and I was fairly confident running down the hill. He probably got into three out a little bit and the boys were kicking on in front of me. I was just hanging on, trying to nick as much money as I could, but I thought I had half a chance going to the last. He is a big scopey horse and probably knows more about jumping than I do. I would have taken second this morning, I suppose, and it looked a better race than last year. He ran well and I am happy with him."

Knight, who is assistant to Channon for the trainer's jumpers, said: "Mick is not doing too badly for a beginner! I am very proud of the horse - he is fantastic. It just shows how tough he is because he has kept going so long and he is 11 years old now."

The owner's husband Tim Radford said: "It was his seventh Festival - everybody had written him and he was 33/1. Second in the Tingle Creek two years running and second in this wonderful race two years running. He will be back here next year for his eighth time all being well."

Special Tiara
© Caroline Norris

Trainer Henry De Bromhead was also delighted with the run of Special Tiara, who finished a further length and three quarters back in third.

"Noel (Fehily - jockey) gave him a super ride," said the trainer. "He said he got a chance to fill him turning in and thought when he got to the second last that he had a chance of winning but his run has just petered out. He's run brilliantly though. He's only eight so hopefully we'll be back for a few more years yet.

De Bromhead also had news of Sizing Europe, who finished 7th. "Sizing Europe is fine, I saw him when he came in but it just wasn't happening today. It's probably just his old legs catching up with him."

Sprinter fine

Trainer Nicky Henderson had news of Sprinter Sacre after the former winner was pulled up at the end of this year's race.

Sprinter Sacre
© Caroline Norris

Henderson told Radio 5 Live: "I would be very surprised if Sprinter Sacre's heart was wrong since that has never been an issue since the day it happened at Kempton.

"Things have been going so well with him since Christmas and we have been very happy with him. Last year we knew he wasn't himself and at the beginning of this season it wasn't happening but it gradually came together.

"He will be scoped now and I suspect something will come to light in that department. It is not his heart. As we know, there was a trace a blood after he ran at Ascot so you have to be suspicious in that department. It will be half an hour before we know that.

"No predictions can be made today about what his future will be. He has been a great horse and if it is wrong to go on I am sure we won't do that. But if we can find a switch to get rid of whatever is wrong with him today, then who knows. There are still technically years in him."

Sprinter Sacre's jockey Barry Geraghty said: "We'll let the vets check him over and see what they say. I knew at the first down the back so we'll just have to wait and see. He seemed to still enjoy his racing."

Sire de Grugy
© Racehorse Photos

Last year's winner Sire De Grugy put in a laboured performance in finishing fourth and jockey Jamie Moore thought the ground was to blame.

"I thought the ground was plenty quick enough for him really," said Moore.

"I thought before the race the ground was ok but I do think it is quicker than last year. That was seen by the fact that the horses at the front end have been able to keep going on that bit longer because the ground was that bit quicker.

"He'll run again this season. He'll be alright. Look he has been beaten but it happens."

Trainer Gary Moore also thought the ground was to blame.

"I'm trying hard not to make excuses but I do think the ground was too quick," said Moore.

"Jamie walked the course this morning and said it was definitely quicker than last year. The quick ground is coming down the hill and that's where he began to struggle. I'd be tempted to run at Punchestown now if the ground is a little softer. If it was quick there, we could wait for the Celebration Chase at Sandown."

BetVictor QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR

(Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase since 2007, Queen Mother Champion Chase 1980-2006, previously National Hunt Two Mile Champion Chase from when first run in 1959)

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

2014 Sire De Grugy 8-11-10 Jamie Moore Gary Moore The Preston Family & Friends Ltd 11/4F 11
2013 Sprinter Sacre 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty N J Henderson 1/4 7
2012 Finian's Rainbow 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty N J Henderson 4/1 6
2011 Sizing Europe 9-11-10 Andrew Lynch Henry de Bromhead IRE Ann & Alan Potts 10/1 11
2010 Big Zeb 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty Colm Murphy IRE Pat Redmond 10/1 9
2009 Master Minded 6-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Clive Smith 4/11F 12
2008 Master Minded 5-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Clive Smith 3/1 8
2007 Voy Por Ustedes 6-11-10 Robert Thornton Alan King Sir Robert Ogden 5/1 10
2006 Newmill 8-11-10 Andrew McNamara John Murphy IRE Mary Hayes 16/1 12
2005 Moscow Flyer 11-11-10 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE Brian Kearney 6/4F 8
2004 Azertyuiop 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls John Hales 15/8 8
2003 Moscow Flyer 9-12-00 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE Brian Kearney 7/4F 11
2002 Flagship Uberalles 8-12-00 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Elizabeth Gutner/Michael Krysztofiak 7/4F 12
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Edredon Bleu 8-12-00 Tony McCoy Henrietta Knight Jim Lewis 7/2 9
1999 Call Equiname 9-12-00 Mick Fitzgerald Paul Nicholls Mick Coburn,Paul Barber,Colin Lewis 7/2 13
1998 One Man 10-12-00 Brian Harding Gordon Richards John Hales 7/2 8
1997 Martha’s Son 10-12-00 Rodney Farrant Tim Forster Paddy Hartigan/Michael Ward-Thomas 9/1 6
1996 Klairon Davis 7-12-00 Francis Woods Arthur Moore IRE Chris Jones 9/1 7
1995 Viking Flagship 8-12-00 Charlie Swan David Nicholson Roach Foods Ltd 5/2F 10
1994 Viking Flagship 7-12-00 Adrian Maguire David Nicholson Roach Foods Ltd 4/1 8
1993 Deep Sensation 8-12-00 Declan Murphy Josh Gifford Robin Eliot 11/1 9
1992 Remittance Man 8-12-00 Jamie Osborne Nicky Henderson Jim Collins Evs F 6
1991 Katabatic 8-12-00 Simon McNeill Andrew Turnell Pell-Mell Partners 9/1 7
1990 Barnbrook Again 9-12-00 Hywel Davies David Elsworth Mel Davies 11/10F 9
1989 Barnbrook Again 8-12-00 Simon Sherwood David Elsworth Mel Davies 7/4F 8
1988 Pearlyman 9-12-00 Tom Morgan John Edwards Valerie Shaw 15/8F 8
1987 Pearlyman 8-12-00 Peter Scudamore John Edwards Valerie Shaw 13/8F 8
1986 Buck House 8-12-00 Tommy Carmody Mouse Morris IRE Mrs Phil Purcell 5/2 11
1985 Badsworth Boy 10-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Monica Dickinson Doug Armitage 11/8 5
1984 Badsworth Boy 9-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Michael Dickinson Doug Armitage 8/13F 10
1983 Badsworth Boy 8-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Michael Dickinson Doug Armitage 2/1 6
1982 Rathgorman 10-12-00 Kevin Whyte Michael Dickinson J Lilley 100/30 9
1981 Drumgora 9-12-00 Frank Berry Arthur Moore IRE D Monahan 25/1 9
1980 *Another Dolly 10-12-00 Sam Morshead Fred Rimell Ian Urquhart 33/1 7
1979 Hilly Way 9-12-00 Mr Ted Walsh Peter McCreery IRE J W Sweeney 7/1 9
1978 Hilly Way 8-12-00 Tommy Carmody Peter McCreery IRE J W Sweeney 7/1 10
1977 Skymas 12-12-00 Mouse Morris Brian Lusk IRE Mathew Magee 7/2 8
1976 Skymas 11-12-00 Mouse Morris Brian Lusk IRE Mathew Magee 8/1 7
1975 Lough Inagh 8-12-00 Sean Barker Jim Dreaper IRE A Martin 100/30 8
1974 Royal Relief 10-12-00 Bill Smith Edward Courage Edward Courage 6/1 6
1973 Inkslinger 6-12-00 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore IRE Mrs M Jenney 6/1 6
1972 Royal Relief 8-12-00 Bill Smith Edward Courage Edward Courage 15/8 5
1971 Crisp 8-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Sir Chester Manifold 3/1 8
1970 Straight Fort 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 7/4F 6
1969 Muir 10-12-00 Ben Hannon Tom Dreaper IRE Waring Willis 15/2 11
1968 Drinny’s Double 10-12-00 Frank Nash Bob Turnell Paul Mellon 6/1 5
1967 Drinny’s Double 9-12-00 Frank Nash Bob Turnell Paul Mellon 7/2 8
1966 Flyingbolt 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Mrs Jean Wilkinson 1/5F 6
1965 Dunkirk 8-12-00 Dave Dick Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 8/1 6
1964 Ben Stack 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Anne, Duchess of Westminster 2/1 5
1963 Sandy Abbot 8-12-00 Stan Mellor George Owen Mrs J D McKechnie 5/1 5
1962 Piperton 8-12-00 Dave Dick Archie Thomlinson Archie Thomlinson 100/6 7
1961 Fortria 9-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 2/5F 5
1960 Fortria 8-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 15/8F 7
1959 Quita Que 10-12-00 Bunny Cox Dan Moore IRE Mrs D R Brand 4/9F 9

*Another Dolly finished second to Chinrullah, who was subsequently disqualified after failing a post-race urine test