Ladbrokes World Hurdle |
 |
| Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20 £300,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1  |
|
| Thursday 12th March 2015 | |
1 Cole Harden 14/1
2 Saphir Du Rheu 5/1F
3 Zarkandar 6/1
4 At Fishers Cross 14/1
NR: Dedigout (IRE)
16 ran Distances: 3¼l, 3¼l, nk
TIME 5m 40.70s (fast by 0.30s)
Cole Harden makes all to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. A winner for Gavin Sheehan and Warren Greatrex.
 |
Cole Harden made all in a stunning display to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle by three and a quarter lengths from Saphir Du Rheu, giving both trainer Warren Greatrex and jockey Gavin Sheehan their first Festival victory.
The six-year-old Cole Harden, a son of Westerner, had an operation on his soft palate to correct a wind problem after a disappointing run in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle in January.
An emotional Greatrex said: "I believed in the horse, but I was struggling with him early season. When he came back in I was having trouble with him with his wind, and I sent him away to be tested, and he then went and won at Wetherby and won well. So I thought the people who were looking at his wind didn't know what they were on about.
"After that I struggled with him and I thought we'd go to the Cleeve and we'd see, and he wasn't right. So we had it done. I'd like to say a big thank you to my head lad Graham Bains, who does everything with this horse. We knew he was spot-on. But I'm small. I've got 75 horses in the yard and we're breaking through.
"It makes a big difference that Gavin [Sheehan] knows him, and I told him to look after this horse, he's the real deal.
"We've just won a Grade One and beat the best. That's why we're here.
"Coming down the hill, I thought, they're really going to have to do it because he's a free-wheeler and he's so tough. He wouldn't have stopped, he's fit. I've never had him better, but you just don't believe you are going to win a race like this.
"Anyone that knows me, I can talk all day long, and I'm stuck for words! Hopefully, there'll be many more."
Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)
£300,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1
16 ran
Going: Good
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey /Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cole Harden (IRE) 14/1 | G Sheehan 11-10 |
W Greatrex | 6 | |
| 2nd | 3¼ | Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 5/1f | S Twiston-Davies 11-10 |
P F Nicholls | 6 |
| 3rd | 3¼ | Zarkandar (IRE) 6/1 | N D Fehily 11-10 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| 4th | nk | At Fishers Cross (IRE) 14/1 | A P McCoy 11-10 |
Miss R Curtis | 8 |
| 5th | 3¾ | Whisper (FR) 8/1 | B J Geraghty 11-10 |
N J Henderson | 7 |
| 6th | ½ | Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 9/1 | T Scudamore 11-10 |
D Pipe | 6 |
| 7th | 1¼ | Seeyouatmidnight 16/1 | B Hughes 11-10 |
A M Thomson | 7 |
| 8th | 5 | Zaidpour (FR) 66/1 | P Townend 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 9 |
| 9th | 2½ | Jetson (IRE) 14/1 | D N Russell 11-10 |
Mrs J Harrington | 10 |
| 10th | 9 | Lieutenant Colonel 7/1 | B J Cooper 11-10 |
Ms S Hughes | 6 |
| 11th | ¾ | Reve de Sivola (FR) 20/1 | D A Jacob 11-10 |
Nick Williams | 10 |
| 12th | 2½ | Blue Fashion (IRE) 20/1 | D Bass 11-10 |
N J Henderson | 6 |
| 13th | 7 | Tiger Roll (IRE) 50/1 | D J Condon 11-10 |
G Elliott | 5 |
| 14th | 6 | Monksland (IRE) 14/1 | P Carberry 11-10 |
N Meade | 8 |
| 15th | 2¼ | Aubusson (FR) 50/1 | Lizzie Kelly 11-10 |
Nick Williams | 6 |
| 16th | 9 | Abbyssial (IRE) 14/1 | R Walsh 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| NR | Dedigout (IRE) | D F O'Regan 11-10 |
A J Martin | 9 |
Sheehan gets Harden up the hill
Jockey Gavin Sheehan was wreathed in smiles after he recorded his first ever Festival success aboard Cole Harden this afternoon.
Sheehan gave the 14/1 shot a bold ride from the front and the pair were still travelling sweetly on the bridle as the field turned for home.
There were plenty still in with a chance as the field approached the last but a fine leap from the Warren Greatrex-trained gelding sealed the victory and the six-year-old powered up the hill to record a three and a quarter length success.
Sheehan was visibly happy after the race and declared the Grade One victory a dream come true.
"It was amazing," Sheehan said of the race.
"That is what dreams are made of. He jumped off well but I had to get at him just to get my way so I could get in front. He jumped brilliant and did everything right. He was full of running and I didn't know whether to squeeze on earlier as he had so much running in him. He's done everything right but I was just waiting for a horse to fly past me and beat me.
"It's very special, very, very special. Warren has given me the lecture beforehand and he was psyching me up. He was making sure that they weren't going to go and make it a war but, with fractions, you can't get them right all of the time but you can only feel what the horse is giving. He gave me an exceptional ride. His jumping was brilliant - in and pop - he was very quick, did everything right and I was just very nervous coming down the hill. I was holding on to him but it was one of those where should you be sending him on or not?
"The minute I've turned in though, he's picked up. If you've got a good enough horse like that, front running doesn't bother me as you know you can hold on and if they do come past you, it's not your fault. Today, better ground and the recent wind operation has helped massively.
"He's got so much spark. He hasn't really given me that feel all season, even when he won at Wetherby, I was just coming into today thinking we were a big player.
"He's done nothing wrong today in my eyes. He pings off this sort of ground. When I pulled him up after the race, he still had more running in him. He doesn't know he's had a race even though this is a World Hurdle.
"We are having a flyer. I am based with Warren and the yard has gone from strength to strength. I think I have improved from strength to strength as well and riding good horses like this and a boss like that. It means everything, especially coming from a yard that I lost my claim with.
"A big shout out to Graham Baines, who rides him out every day. He has got his wind done a small bit and, when you see him at home, he really does spark you. A lot of the lads were giving grief about this horse but I knew there was improvement."
"This is definitely my dream come true. I had my head down going for home and I didn't know where the good horses were but I wasn't going to look round. When we hit the line, my heart sunk you know? It means a lot to me, to Warren and everyone at home. It's what dreams are made of."
Second and third leaves Nicholls rueing mistake
 |
The distances were three and a quarter lengths and the same, with At Fishers Cross - who was third last year - a neck further back in fourth.
One moment that jockey Noel Fehily will not want to relive came at the second-last hurdle, when Zarkandar blundered and lost several places. Reflecting on the race, Nicholls said: "Zarkandar was very unlucky - he was travelling really well and that mistake cost him any chance.
"Saphir Du Rheu [ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies] was just going flat out on that ground and couldn't go any quicker, which was a concern for me before the race. He travelled okay, but just lacks a gear on ground like today's.
"It's great for the lads that have won the race, but I think we were unlucky with Zarkandar. Ask Noel what he thinks - the horse was travelling so well and then that happens."
Trainer Rebecca Curtis was pleased to see the A P McCoy-ridden At Fishers Cross put up an improved performance after some lacklustre efforts this season. Curtis said: "He's run a blinder and it was lovely to see him finish his race today. He ran on up the hill despite bumping into a bit of trouble a couple of times, and A P said if he had known the horse was going to stay on so well he would have kept him a bit handier.
"It's nice to see him back and showing enthusiasm. He loves Cheltenham but also seems to be more of a spring horse. He always has little problems. The first-time blinkers have done him no harm - they may have helped a bit."
LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE PAST RESULTS
2014-MORE OF THAT 6-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-15/2
2ND-Annie Power 6-11-03 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/8 Fav
3RD-At Fishers Cross 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Rebecca Curtis; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-9/1
10 ran, Time-5m 49.50s; Dist-1½, 5
2013-WINNER-SOLWHIT 9-11-10 Owner-Top Of The Hill Syndicate; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-17/2
2ND-Celestial Halo 9-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-40/1
3RD-Smad Place 6-11-10 Owner-Mrs Peter Andrews Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-9/1
13 ran, Time-6m 24.94s; Dist-2½, 3 9/4 Fav Oscar Whisky (PU)
2012-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 9-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 5/6F
2ND-Voler La Vedette 8-11-03 Owner-Mrs M Brophy; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-20/1
3RD-Smad Place 5-11-10 Owner-Mrs Peter Andrews; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-20/1
11 ran, Time-5m 44.20s; Dist-1¾, 7
2011-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 8-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 10/11F
2ND-Grands Crus 6-11-10 Owner-Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-7/2 3RD-Mourad 6-11-10 Owner Teahon Consulting Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-8/1
13 ran, Time-5m 50.80s; Dist-13⁄4, 23⁄4
2010-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 7-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nichols; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Time For Rupert 6-11-10 Owner-Littlecote Racing Partnership; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Will Kennedy; SP-16/1
3RD-Powerstation 10-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-33/1
14 ran, Time-5m 49.40s; Dist-3.25, 11
2009-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 6-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/1
2ND-Punchestowns 6-11-10 Owner-Judy Wilson; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-100/30
3RD-Powerstation 9-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-25/1
14 ran, Time 5m 57.00s; Dist 1.75, 17 10/11 Fav Kasbah Bliss (4th)
2008-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 9-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Kasbah Bliss 6-11-10 Owner-Henri De Pracomtal; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Christophe Pieux; SP-9/1
3RD-Kazal 7-11-10 Owner- Joseph Comerford; Trainer-Eoin Griffin IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-12/1
17 ran, Time-5m 52.90s; Dist-1, 7
2007-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 8-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham
Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-5/1
2ND-Mighty Man 7-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-100/30
3RD-Blazing Bailey 5-11-10 Owner-Three Line Whip; Trainer-Alan King;
Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
14 ran, Time-5m 46.50s; Dist-3/4, 4 2/1 Fav Black Jack Ketchum (Fell)
2006-WINNER-MY WAY DE SOLZEN 6-11-10 Owner-B Winfield,
A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert
Thornton; SP-8/1
2ND-Golden Cross 7-11-10 Owner-P Johnson; Trainer-Michael Halford IRE;
Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/1
3RD-Mighty Man 6-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-4/1 Fav
20 ran, Time-5m 38.40s; Dist-hd, 4
2005-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 6-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham
Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-5/1
2ND-Baracouda 10-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-6/5 Fav
3RD-Rule Supreme 9-11-10 Owner-John Fallon; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE;
Jockey-David Casey; SP-4/1
12 ran, Time-5m 48.40s; Dist-3, 3/4
2004-WINNER-IRIS’S GIFT 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo
O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2
2ND-Baracouda 9-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR;
Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-8/11 Fav
3RD-Crystal D’Ainay 5-11-10 Owner-Tony & Jeni Fisher; Trainer-Alan
King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 49.80s; Dist-1½, 13
2003-WINNER-BARACOUDA 8-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen
FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Iris’s Gift 6-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD-Limestone Lad 11-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE;
Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
11 ran, Time-5m 41.25s; Dist- 3/4, 5
2002-WINNER-BARACOUDA 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen
FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-13/8 Fav
2ND-Bannow Bay 7-11-10 Owner-Linda Shanahan and Sue Magnier; Trainer-Christy
Roche IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1
3RD-It Takes Time 8-11-10 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-12/1
16 ran, Time-6m 01.70s; Dist-nk, 13
2001 Cancelled
2000-WINNER-BACCHANAL 6-11-10 Owner-Lady Lloyd-Webber; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-11/2
2ND-Limestone Lad 8-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE; Jockey-Shane
McGovern; SP-3/1
3RD-Behrajan 5-11-10 Owner-The Behrajan Partnership; Trainer-Henry Daly;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 36.60s; Dist-1, 3 5/2 Fav Lady Rebecca (6th)
1999-WINNER-ANZUM 8-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters Partnership; Trainer-David
Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-40/1
2ND-Le Coudray 5-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1 Jt-Fav
3RD-Lady Rebecca 7-11-05 Owner-Kinnersley Optimists; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-3/1
12 ran, Time-5m 51.7s; Dist-nk, 2½ 2/1 Jt-Fav Deano’s Beeno
(9th)
1998-WINNER-PRINCEFUL 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Hitchins; Trainer-Jenny Pitman;
Jockey-Rodney Farrant; SP-16/1
2ND-Splendid Thyne 6-11-10 Owner-John Glavanoni; Trainer-Terry Casey;
Jockey-Warren Marston; SP-10/1
3RD-Ocean Hawk 6-11-10; Owner-Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst; Trainer-Nigel
Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-5/1 9 ran, Time-5m 45.9s; Dist-2,
4 6/4 Fav Paddy’s Return (5th)
1997-WINNER-KARSHI 7-11-10 Owner-Lord Vestey; Trainer-Henrietta Knight;
Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-20/12ND-Anzum 6-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters
Partnership; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-25/1
3RD-Paddy’s Return 5-11-10 Owner-Paddy O’Donnell; Trainer-Ferdy
Murphy; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-20/1
17 ran, Time-5m 43.9s, Dist-2½, 2 9/2 Fav Escartefigue (5th)
1996-WINNER-CYBORGO 6-11-10 Owner-County Stores (Somerset) Ltd; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-David Bridgwater; SP-8/1
2ND-Mysilv 6-11-05 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Charlie Egerton;
Jockey-Jimmy McCarthy; SP-16/1
3RD-What A Question 8-11-05 Owner-Joy Valentine; Trainer-Mouse Morris
IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time-5m 47.3s, Dist-3/4, 10 4/1 Fav Derrymoyle (4th)
LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR
(Ladbrokes World Hurdle from 2005, bonusprint.com
Stayers’ Hurdle
2004, Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle 1991-2003, Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle
1978-90, Lloyds Bank Hurdle 1972-77)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
1995 Dorans Pride 6-11-10 Shane Broderick Michael Hourigan IRE Tom Doran
11/4F 11
1994 Balasani 8-11-10 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Mark Smith 9/2JF 14
1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh7-11-05 Charlie Swan Paddy Kiely IRE Mrs Paddy Kiely
20/1 12
1992 Nomadic Way 7-11-10 Jamie Osborne Barry Hills Robert Sangster 15/2
17
1991 King’s Curate 7-11-10 Mark Perrett Stan Mellor C J Ells 5/2F
15
1990 Trapper John 6-11-10 Charlie Swan Mouse Morris IRE Jill Fanning
15/2 22
1989 Rustle 7-11-10 Michael Bowlby Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen
4/1 21
1988 Galmoy 9-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell
2/1F 16
1987 Galmoy 8-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell
9/2 14
1986 Crimson Embers 11-11-10 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart
12/1 19
1985 Rose Ravine 6-11-05 Ricky Pusey Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart 5/1F 22
1984 Gaye Chance 9-11-10 Sam Morshead Mercy Rimell Mary Curtis 5/1 14
1983 A Kinsman 7-11-12 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank
50/1 21
1982 Crimson Embers 7-11-12 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart
2/1F 11
1981 Derring Rose 6-11-12 John Francome Fred Winter Peter Savill 3/1
14
1980 Mountrivers 6-11-12 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE B Burser
7/1 19
1979 Lighter 6-11-12 Philip Blacker John Edwards G Smith 14/1 14
1978 Flame Gun 6-11-12 Mr Niall Madden Edward O’Grady IRE Mary
Kenny 14/1 13
1977 Town Ship 6-11-12 Tommy Carberry Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 5/2
11
1976 Bit Of A Jig 8-11-12 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs Mick
O’Toole 2/1F 12
1975 Brown Lad 9-11-12 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Mrs Peter Burrell
7/4F 12
1974 Highland Abbe 8-11-12 Richard Smith Les Kennard Mrs K Hankey 15/2
15
1973 Moyne Royal 8-11-12 David Mould Arthur Pitt E Cook 10/1 8
1972 Parlour Moor 8-11-12 Macer Gifford Tom Jones Charlotte Monckton
13/2 11
