Racing Post Arkle Chase |
|
| Grade 1, Cheltenham 14:05 £150,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1  |
|
| Tuesday 10th March 2015 | |
1 Un De Sceaux 4/6F
2 God's Own 33/1
3 Josses Hill 12/1
11 ran Distances: 6l, 2l, 5l
TIME 3m 51.40s (fast by 0.60s)
Un De Sceaux hacks up to win the Arkle
 |
Willie Mullins made it two-from-two with a 4/1 double when landing the second race at the Festival, the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy, with Un De Sceaux.
Mullins is making Festival-winning look easy, but this was his first victory in this particular race with his twelfth runner - his Champagne Fever was a close second 12 months ago.
Un De Sceaux was ridden by Ruby Walsh in the colours of Cork's Eddie O'Connell, who was absent, but represented by his son Colm and other family members.
God's Own, trained in Gloucestershire by Tom George, finished six lengths behind in second after powering up to briefly eyeball the winner in the home straight, while Josses Hill took third a further two lengths back.
The winning trainer said: "I thought they were getting to him before the last, but he just seemed to prick his ears going into the fence and pulled clear again. He is racing a lot more settled now - Ruby didn't build up the sort of big lead he's been getting at home, but perhaps that's just the strength of opposition here. Ruby didn't have to fight him.
"He was good at the water and brilliant at the open ditch and I thought 'Wow, if he can just keep him jumping from here'. I thought he might be beaten going to the last but when the other horse [God's Own] came to him he picked up and went away again.
"It shows how much he has matured as a jumper - he just looks at fences and measures them up. Ruby doesn't have to do much but hang on.
"I'm not thinking about how many winners we might have [today] - I'm just looking forward to seeing my favourite horse, Hurricane Fly [who runs in the Stan James Champion Hurdle]."
This was the first time a horse has made all in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy since Anaglogs Daughter in 1980.
The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase
£150,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey /Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Un De Sceaux (FR) 4/6f | R Walsh 11-4 |
W P Mullins | 7 | |
| 2nd | 6 | God's Own (IRE) 33/1 | P J Brennan 11-4 |
T R George | 7 |
| 3rd | 2 | Josses Hill (IRE) 12/1 | B J Geraghty 11-4 |
N J Henderson | 7 |
| 4th | 5 | Vibrato Valtat (FR) 7/1 | S Twiston-Davies 11-4 |
P F Nicholls | 6 |
| 5th | 6 | Court Minstrel (IRE) 20/1 | Paul Moloney 11-4 |
Evan Williams | 8 |
| 6th | 4½ | Sgt Reckless 20/1 | B Hughes 11-4 |
M R Channon | 8 |
| 7th | 6 | Smashing (FR) 20/1 | J J Burke 11-4 |
H De Bromhead | 6 |
| 8th | 2 | Clarcam (FR) 16/1 | B J Cooper 11-4 |
G Elliott | 5 |
| 9th | 10 | Three Kingdoms (IRE) 14/1 | A P McCoy 11-4 |
J P Ferguson | 6 |
| PU | Dunraven Storm (IRE) 40/1 | R Johnson 11-4 |
P J Hobbs | 10 | |
| PU | Sail By The Sea (IRE) 33/1 | T Scudamore 11-4 |
D Pipe | 7 |
Sceaux Macho
Un De Sceaux pummelled his rivals into submission with a powerful front running performance to record a six length victory.
The 4/6 favourite travelled supremely well under Ruby Walsh and was almost foot perfect with his jumping, producing a fine leap at the last to see off the challenge of God's Own.
Walsh was full of praise for the seven-year-old following the race and feels he could be as good as some of the best two-mile chasers he has ridden. It was Walsh's first victory over fences at The Festival since partnering Kauto Star to victory in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2009.
"He was very good," said the jockey.
"He settled very well which he didn't do at Leopardstown last time out. He jumped super considering he was going so fast but he's more careful now. He's looking where he's going and is looking what he's doing - he doesn't want to fall. He was neat when he had to be.
"He was going a good gallop to the third last but he set himself up nicely, jumped it well. When Paddy (Brennan - rider of runner-up God's Own) joined me on the turn, I knew I had plenty of horse underneath me. It was similar to Auteuil when I rode him there last year. I grabbed hold of him that day and he sprinted up to the last so when Paddy came to me today, I'd saved a bit and I knew when I landed over the last he was going to go and he stretched from there to the post.
"He has very, very high cruising speed - that's what two milers do isn't it? He's a bit like 800 metre runners, he just keeps going.
"He's a very, very talented horse and Willie has done a great job with him. He got a bit of stick for not coming here last year but I think that was the right call.
"He reminds me of Azertyuiop (winner of the 2004 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase) when he was a novice and it would be wonderful if he could do on and reach the heights that he did.
"The dream is alive, isn't it?"
Mullins Delivers With Festival Winner For The O'Connells
Colm O'Connell, son of Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy winner Un De Sceaux's owner Eddie O'Connell, said: "It's incredible. It's what makes the dream alive. We've only got two horses with Willie [Mullins]. We asked Willie to find this horse for us - Eddie my father did - and by God he delivered with a Festival horse."
Asked how he felt when God's Own loomed up in the latter stages of the race, O'Connell said: "It's the Arkle, something always appears. It's a Grade One."
Commenting on what went through his mind at that moment, O'Connell said: "My mind doesn't work that fast. Tomorrow I will be able to answer your questions. For now my brain is burnt!"
Twenty-five of the O'Connells' friends and family travelled over from Ireland, wearing scarves in Un De Sceaux's pale blue and orange colours.
George delighted with God's Own
Trainer Tom George beamed with pride after 33/1 chance God's Own came home a very creditable six-length second to Un De Sceaux in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.
The seven-year-old jumped and travelled smoothly throughout, travelling in behind the winner for the duration of the race before keeping on up the hill to hold onto second place.
George said: "He was the only horse who could keep up with Un De Sceaux. He stayed with Un De Sceaux all the way, jumped super and has run a brilliant race. I'm so proud of the horse."
The trainer suggested that the better ground may have brought a return to form for God's Own. He remarked: "He loves good/good to soft ground. Next winter we'll put him away as he doesn't like heavy ground, and then we will bring him back when the ground improves. If it's nice weather and the ground is good that is when we want to run him.
"We'll enjoy today first and see how he comes out of the race. However, we may keep ourselves busy and go to Aintree and then possibly on to Punchestown."
Paddy Brennan, the jockey of God's Own, added: "He has run an absolute cracker. I'm so pleased with him. He jumped well and I'm really proud of him. I'm glad for Tom as it is a fantastic training performance, many people had written this horse off but his quality has shown and we've been proved right.
Barry Geraghty, aboard the third-placed Josses Hill, said: "He's ran a great race. He jumped better like we hoped with the faster pace and has run well."
THE RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
Previous Results
2014-WINNER-WESTERN WARHORSE 6-11-04 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-33/1
2ND-Champagne Fever 7-11-04 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/4 Jt-Fav
3RD-Trifolium 7-11-04 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-11/4 Jt-Fav
9 ran, Time-3m 47.04s Dist-hd, 4
2013-WINNER-SIMONSIG 7-11-07 Owner-Ronnie Bartlett; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-8/15 Fav
2ND-Baily Green 7-11-07 Owner-Adam Scott; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-David Casey; SP-33/1
3RD-His Excellency 5-11-07 Owner-Jo Tracey; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-80/1
7 ran, Time 4m 1.64s Dist-2¼, 13
2012-WINNER-SPRINTER SACRE 7-11-07 Owner-Caroline Mould; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-8/11 Fav
2ND-Cue Card 6-11-07 Owner-Jean Bishop; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-13/2
3RD-Menorah 7-11-07 Owner-Diana Whateley; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-10/1
6 ran, Time 3m 51.10s Dist-7, 22
2011-WINNER-CAPTAIN CHRIS 7-11-07 Owner-Diana Whateley; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-6/1 2ND-Finian’s Rainbow 8-11-07 Owner-Michael Buckley; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/2 3RD-Realt Dubh 7-11-07 Owner-Des Sharkey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-17/2
10 ran, Time 3m 51.68s Dist-2 3⁄4, 6 11/4 Fav Medermit (4th)
2010-WINNER-SIZING EUROPE 6-11-07 Owner-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-6/1 2ND-Somersby 6-11-07 Owner-Camilla Radford; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-4/1 3RD-Osana 8-11-07 Owner-Thomas Barr; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-14/1 12 ran, Time-3m 52.60s Dist-•, 1 • 5/2 Fav Captain Cee Bee (8th)
2009-WINNER-FORPADYDEPLASTERER 7-11-07 Owner-Goat Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Tom Cooper IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-8/1
2ND-Kalahari King 8-11-07 Owner-Mrs J Morgan; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-8/1
3RD-Planet Of Sound 7-11-07 Owner-Charles Lloyd-Baker; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-10/1
17 ran, Time-4m 1.00s Dist-sh, 5 4/1 Fav Tatenan (Fell)
2008-WINNER-TIDAL BAY 7-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-6/1
2ND-Kruguyrova 5-11-00 Owner-Ronald Brimacombe; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/1
3RD-Noland 7-11-07 Owner-John Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/4 Fav
14 ran, Time-4m 3.40s Dist- 13, 1½
2007-WINNER-MY
WAY DE SOLZEN 7-11-07 Owner-Ben
Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert
Thornton; SP-7/2
2ND-Fair Along 5-11-02 Owner-Alan Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-100/30 Fav
3RD-Jack The Giant 5-11-02 Owner-Hanbury Syndicate; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-14/1
13 ran, Time-3m 51.70s Dist-5, 1
2006-WINNER-VOY
POR USTEDES 5-11-02 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Alan
King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-15/2
2ND-Monet’s Garden 8-11-07 Owner-David Wesley Yates; Trainer-Nicky
Richards; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-8/1
3RD-Foreman 8-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Thierry Doumen FR; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-5/1
14 ran, Time-3m 52.30s Dist-1¼, 4 9/2 Fav Racing Demon (7th)
2005-WINNER-CONTRABAND 7-11-07 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-7/1
2ND-Ashley Brook 7-11-07 Owner-Elizabeth Ellis; Trainer-Kevin Bishop;
Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-20/1
3RD-River City 8-11-07 Owner-Mrs S Rowley-Williams & Partners; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP- 10/1 19 ran, Time-3m 53.10s Dist-1, 4 11/4 Fav War Of Attrition (7th)
2004-WINNER-WELL CHIEF 5-11-03 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/1
2ND-Kicking King 6-11-07 Owner-Conor Clarkson; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/2
3RD-Le Duc 5-11-03 Owner-Judy Stewart; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Joe
Tizzard; SP-25/1
16 ran, Time-3m 55.80s Dist-1, 7 5/2 Fav Thisthatantother (f)
2003-WINNER-AZERTYUIOP 6-11-08 Owner-John & Lisa
Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-Impek 7-11-08 Owner-Jim Lewis; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jim
Culloty; SP-6/1
3RD-Isio 7-11-08 Owner-Sir Peter & Lady Gibbings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-10/1
9 ran, Time-3m 56.70s Dist-11, 1
2002-WINNER-MOSCOW FLYER 8-11-08 Owner-Brian Kearney; Trainer-Jessica
Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/2
2ND-Seebald 7-11-08 Owner-The Macca and Growler Partnership; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Armaturk 5-11-03 Owner-Barry Marshall; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Timmy
Murphy; SP-8/1
12 ran, Time-3m 50.50s Dist-4, 13
2001 - Cancelled
2000-WINNER-TIUTCHEV 7-11-08 Owner-The Liars Poker Partnership; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-8/1
2ND-Cenkos 6-11-08 Owner-Judy Stewart; Trainer-Oliver Sherwood; Jockey-David
Casey; SP-10/1
3RD-Decoupage 8-11-08 Owner-Decoupage Partnership; Trainer-Charles Egerton;
Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-7/4 Fav 12 ran, Time-3m 46.5s Dist-8, 8
1999-WINNER-FLAGSHIP UBERALLES 5-11-00 Owner-Elizabeth
Gutner & Michael
Krysztofiak Racing; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-11/1
2ND-Tresor De Mai 5-11-00 Owner-Joe Moran; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Richard
Dunwoody; SP-14/1
3RD-Nipper Reed 9-11-8 Owner-Graham Piper; Trainer-Rod Simpson; Jockey-Adrian
Maguire; SP-10/1
14 ran, Time-3m 58.1s Dist-2½, 14 4/1 Fav His Song (5th)
1998-WINNER-CHAMPLEVE 5-11-00 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-13/2
2ND-Hill Society 6-11-08 Owner-Pat Garvey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-
Richard Dunwoody; SP-8/1
3RD-Mandys Mantino 8-11-08 Owner-John Plackett ; Trainer-Josh Gifford;
Jockey-Philip Hide; SP-25/1
16 ran Time-3m 55.1s Dist-sh, 1½ 11/2 Fav Kadastrof (10th)
1997-WINNER-OR ROYAL 6-11-08 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
2ND-Squire Silk 8-11-08 Owner-Robert Ogden; Trainer-Andrew Turnell; Jockey-Jamie
Osborne; SP-11/2
3RD-Celibate 6-11-08 Owner-Stamford Bridge Partnership; Trainer-Charlie
Mann; Jockey-Jamie Railton; SP-13/2
9 ran Time-3m 52.5s Dist-½, 6 11/10 Fav Mulligan (f)
1996-WINNER-VENTANA CANYON 7-11-08 Owner-Philip
Myerscough; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody;
SP-7/1
2ND-Arctic Kinsman 8-11-08 Owner-Rosie Hambro and D Milne; Trainer-Nigel
Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-13/2
3RD-Super Coin 8-11-08 Owner-George and Joan Brookes; Trainer-Richard
Lee; Jockey-Pat McLoughlin; SP-66/1 16 ran, Time-4m 0.5s Dist-20, 8 7/2
Fav Draborgie (p.u.)
THE RACING POST ARKLE CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR
(The Irish Independent Arkle Chase 2000-2011, Guinness Arkle Chase 1994-99,
Waterford Crystal Arkle Chase 1991-93, no sponsor 1969-90, Cotswold Chase
before 1969)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
1995 Klairon Davis 6-11-08 Francis Woods Arthur Moore IRE Chris Jones
7/2F 11
1994 Nakir 6-11-08 Jamie Osborne Simon Christian Jim Lewis 9/1 10
1993 Travado 7-11-08 Jamie Osborne Nicky Henderson Mrs Michael Ennever
5/1 8
1992 Young Pokey 7-11-08 Jamie Osborne Oliver Sherwood Maurice Oberstein
4/1 11
1991 Remittance Man 7-11-08 Richard Dunwoody Nicky Henderson Jim Collins
85/40 F 14
1990 Comandante 8-11-08 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford Maurice Pinto 9/2 14
1989 Waterloo Boy 6-11-08 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Michael Deeley
20/1 14
1988 Danish Flight 9-11-08 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald A F Budge (Equine)
Ltd 11/2 12
1987 Gala’s Image 7-11-08 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell Sheikh Ali
Abu Khamsin 25/1 19
1986 Oregon Trail 6-11-08 Ronnie Beggan Simon Christian Henry Ponsonby
14/1 14
1985 Boreen Prince 8-11-08 Niall Madden Andrew McNamara IRE William Lenehan
15/2 16
1984 Bobsline 8-11-08 Frank Berry Francis Flood IRE R H Kelsey 5/4F 8
1983 Ryeman 6-11-08 Alan Brown Peter Easterby D Slater 16/1 16
1982 The Brockshee 7-11-08 Tommy Carberry Arthur Moore IRE T Murray 12/1
19
1981 Clayside 7-11-08 Alan Brown Peter Easterby Mrs D Grant 5/2F 13
1980 Anaglogs Daughter 7-11-08 Tommy Carberry Bill Durkan IRE A Durkan
9/4 9
1979 Chinrullah 7-11-08 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs R Eastwood
10/11F 8
1978 Alverton 8-11-08 Graham Thorner Peter Easterby Snailwell Stud Co
Ltd 5/2 12
1977 Tip The Wink 7-11-08 Dessie Hughes Pat Taylor Michael Simmonds 15/2
10
1976 Roaring Wind 8-11-08 Reg Crank Roy Cambidge S Jones 11/1 16
1975 Broncho II 6-11-11 Colin Tinkler Tony Dickinson Frank Tyldesely
8/1 12
1974 Canasta Lad 8-11-11 Jeff King Peter Bailey Mrs R Hague 2/1F 10
1973 Denys Adventure 8-12-01 Graham Thorner Tim Forster Mrs Robert Henriques
8/1 10
1972 Pendil 7-12-01 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Mrs C Kinney 10/11F 10
1971 Alpheus 6-11-08 Eddie Wright Tom Dreaper IRE Lord Donoughmore 15/1
11
1970 Soloning 5-11-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Mrs C E Thornton 4/1
13
1969 Chatham 5-11-00 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell C Knott 10/1 10
1968 The Hustler 6-11-12 Barry Brogan Earl Jones Mrs D E Crouch 20/1
11
1967 Arctic Stream 7-12-02 Ben Hannon P Rooney IRE J A Duffy 8/1 9
1966 Arctic Sunset 6-12-06 George Milburn Ken Oliver J R McNair 3/1 9
1965 Flyingbolt 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Mrs Jean Wilkinson
4/9F 13
1964 Greektown 8-11-08 Michael Scudamore Willie Stephenson Lionel Ensten
13/2 16
1963 Ben Stack 6-12-01 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Duchess of Westminster
13/8F 17
1962 Prudent Barney 8-12-01 Johnny East Bobby Renton Lurline Brotherton
20/1 9
1961 Mountcashel King 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE John Glyn 2/5F
12
1960 Mazurka 6-11-12 Ron Harrison Ron Smyth Mrs Chris Barnes 10/1 25
1959 Flame Gun 8-12-04 Fred Winter Charlie Mallon Michael Sobell 7/2
14
1958 Fortria 6-12-01 Tom Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE A Craigie 7/2 17
1957 Ballyatom 5-11-04 Mr Bob McCreery George Beeby David Evans-Bevan
8/1 13
1956 Sir Ken 9-12-03 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson Maurice Kingsley 5/4F
17
1955 Manuscrit 5-11-00 Johnny Bullock Fulke Walwyn Mme Peggy Hennessy
10/1 20
1954 Armorial III 5-11-05 Rene Emery Fulke Walwyn Mrs M de Pret-Roose
7/2F 17
1953 Bramble Tudor 5-11-12 Tim Molony Stewart Wight Lord Joicey 11/4
9
1952 Nautical Print 5-11-00 Tommy Cusack Gerry Wilson Lt Col J F Harrison
6/1 15
1951 Red Steel 5-11-00 Dick Francis Frank Cundell Hugh Sumner 4/1F 15
1950 High Level 5-11-04 Johnny Bullock Fred Rimell T E Ward 9/2 14
1949 Grand Refrain 5-11-05 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Abergavenny 9/4F
12
1948 Top Cash 6-12-05 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Abergavenny 3/1 9
1947 No race (abandoned due to snow and frost)
1946 Bright Penny 6-11-12 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris Lord Penrhyn 5/1 15
