Order of Merit

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Azertyuiop's 2nd at Sandown secures top chaser prize
23/04/05

Martin Pipe's Well Chief overturned Paul Nicholls' Azertyuiop to take the Betfred Celebration Chase.

The 9-4 second favourite crept into the race under Timmpy Murphy and took the lead from his great rival at the final fence before running on for a four-length win.

Azertyuiop, sent off the well-backed 11-10 favourite, had to settle for second place, with Pipe's Contraband taking third.

Ruby Walsh had sent Azertyuiop to the front heading out of the back straight and looked to be heading for victory, with Murphy just beginning to niggle at Well Chief.

However, a less than fluent jump from Azertyuiop at the second-last allowed Well Chief to eat into his rival's lead, before he sailed past him over the final obstacle.

Pipe told Channel 4: "He is super, just a fantastic horse.

"Timmy gave him a peach of a ride, he really did. Azertyuiop is a very good horse too, but I am delighted with Well Chief.

"He jumped well, Timmy produced him at a perfect time and he won well, so I am delighted.

"It (the trainers' title) means so much to everybody, to all of the stable staff, and they need the credit as they do all of the hard work."

Joe's Edge Denies Walsh The Grand Slam Of Nationals
16/04/05

The £200,000 Order of Merit has gone to the brilliant Inglis Drever but the race for £50,000 top chaser honours is still very much alive and today saw the next two races in the Order of Merit.

In the Grade 2 Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle, race 60 of 63 in the Order of Merit, the Peter Bowen-trained Genghis completed a four timer for connections with another excellent run under Tony McCoy. The Champion jockey hit the front four flights from the finish and the result was never in doubt. Royal Shakespeare ran on to finish second and pick up another 12 points in the Order of Merit moving the six-year-old gelding onto 42 points.

In the Grade 3 Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National, race 61 of 63 in the Order of Merit, the Ferdy Murphy-trained Joe’s Edge just out battled the Paul Nicholls-trained Cornish Rebel in an absolute thriller with both horses alternating the lead in the fight to the line. With just 50 yards to run it looked as though Ruby Walsh would complete the Grand Slam of Grand Nationals aboard Cornish Rebel but it was in the shadows of the post that Keith Mercer cajoled one last effort and that was enough to take the honours by a short head.

The race for the £50,000 top chaser award is still tightly contested with Azertyuiop currently in the lead with 70 points, Moscow Flyer on 60 points and Well Chief on 55 points. Azertyuiop and Well Chief are both expected to run at Sandown Park on 23 April, the final day of the inaugural series, in the Grade Two Betfred Celebration Chase.

Inglis Drever will parade on Betfred Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park on Saturday 23 April 2005.

Highlight of Graham Wylie's season winning Order Of Merit
13/04/05
Following yesterday’s five day entries for Ayr, Inglis Drever has been confirmed as the 2004/2005 Order of Merit Champion after amassing an amazing 94 points over the season. His second place in the Grade One Scottish & Newcastle Aintree Hurdle behind Al Eile ensured the series victory for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner. Victory has secured connections £200,000 for winning the Order of Merit outright and a further £50,000 for being the top hurdler.

Graham Wylie, owner of Inglis Drever, commented: “I am thrilled as all we wanted to do on Saturday was to get a place to win the Order of Merit and we did. The Order of Merit has been the plan all season and I am delighted to have won it, he is a very good horse. It is a fantastic achievement and a particular well done to Howard and the stable staff. Winning the Order of Merit has been the highlight of my season.”

Howard Johnson, trainer of Inglis Drever, commented: “Everyone in the yard was flying on air in the local pub on Saturday night. Winning the Order of Merit has given everyone in the yard a real buzz and we are looking forward to having another crack at it next season.”

The £250,000 prize money is split, with £187,500 going to Graham Wylie, £31,250 to Howard Johnson and a further £31,250 to the 30 stable staff.

The race for the £50,000 top chaser award is still tightly contested with Azertyuiop currently in the lead with 70 points, Moscow Flyer on 60 points and Well Chief on 55 points. Azertyuiop is expected to run at Sandown Park on the final day of the inaugural series in the Grade Two Betfred Celebration Chase.

Inglis Drever will parade on Betfred Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park on Saturday 23 April 2005.

Moscow Flyer jumps into 4th place
07/04/05
The second day of the John Smith’s Grand National race meeting saw race 56 of 63 in the inaugural £300,000 Order of Merit series. The Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase was won in scintillating fashion by the brilliant Moscow Flyer who produced another faultless jumping display. Victory earned the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding another 20 points in the Order of Merit and he has now moved into 4th place on the Order of Merit leaderboard with 60 points.

Crystal D'Ainay moves into second place in Order of Merit
07/04/05
The first day of the John Smith’s Grand National race meeting saw races 53, 54 and 55 in the inaugural £300,000 Order of Merit series. There are 63 races in total in the series which finishes with the Betfred Gold Cup on Saturday 23 April 2005.

The Grade 2 John Smith’s and Batleys Liverpool Hurdle was won in battling fashion by the Nicky Richards-trained Monet’s Garden. The favourite, Rule Supreme, was hampered and unseated Ruby Walsh early on, much to the groans of favourite backers around the racecourse. Monet’s Garden took up the running two hurdles from home and despite the persistent challenge from Mr Ed, who was ridden by Tony McCoy, the seven-year-old grey gelding dug deep to secure victory. Monet’s Garden now has 48 points in the Order of Merit.

The Grade 2 Betfair Bowl Chase was won with another superb front running display by the brilliant Grey Abbey, providing Howard Johnson with his first victory of the race meeting. First Gold was second with Crystal d’Ainay finishing third in his first run over fences in England, which earned him another 10 points in the Order of Merit and moved him into second place on the Order of Merit leaderboard. Grey Abbey has now moved onto 53 points and lies in outright seventh place.

The Grade 3 John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase was won by the Mouse Morris-trained Fota Island, completing the elusive Cheltenham/Aintree double and doubling his Order of Merit points tally which now totals 20. Kadount battled on well to finish second earning himself his first Order of Merit points.