Cheltenham 2006 / running order /

THE VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE

1st (15) Desert Quest 4-1 Jt Fav
2nd (13) Noble Request 25-1
3rd (9) Adamant Approach 50-1
4th (30) Pirate Flagship 10-1
29 ran
Also: 4-1 Jt Fav Studmaster
NR: Goldbrook

NICHOLLS ENDS WITH A WINNER

Trainer Paul Nicholls ended The Festival 2006 as he began it, with a winner, when Desert Quest landed the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle.

The winning came home two and a half lengths clear of Noble Request, giving the Ditcheat handler his third winner of The Festival. It was also the third winner over the four days for jockey Ruby Walsh.

Nicholls commented: “He did it nicely.

“He is a very good horse and is genuine.

“What he needs now is a nice summer break and then come back next season at somewhere like Wincanton. I think he could make up into a really decent hurdler and maybe even a Champion Hurdle contender.”

Looking back on the week, the handler added: “It’s been a great week with three winners.

“We’ve had one or two silly mishaps with things like Andreas falling early and Kauto Star is still a bit sore, but that is only to be expected.”

Harry Findlay, son of winning owner Maggie Findlay, added: “David Loder advised me to buy the horse and I said the deal was only on if Roger Federer wins the US Open and he won on the Sunday.

“It was a lot of money - I think about £100,000 bang on.”

Successful jockey Ruby Walsh said: “He’s a classy horse - well placed and well trained. I followed Mick Fitzgerald through and got a great run.

“There have been a few ups and downs this week - Andreas and Kauto Star hit the floor and Denman ran his heart out - but riding for a top yard makes it all easier.”

VINCENT O’BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE
Grade 3 (Class1) 2m 110y New Course, £65,000 guaranteed For 5yo+ which, before Feb 12, have been placed first second or third in a hurdle Minimum weight 10st Penalties after Feb 26, a winner of a hurdle 4lb (no penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb) Admiral’s handicap mark 147 Entries 129 pay £75 Confirmed 81 pay £225 Penalty value 1st £37,063; 2nd £13,903.50; 3rd £6,961.50; 4th £3,471; 5th £1,742; 6th £871

1 DESERT QUEST (IRE) (Maggie Findlay) Paul Nicholls 6-10-10 Ruby Walsh 4/1jf
2 NOBLE REQUEST (FR) (Karola Van) Philip Hobbs 5-10-11 Richard Johnson 25/1
3 ADAMANT APPROACH (IRE) (Greenstar Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 12-10-06 Richard Kiely (7) 50/1
4 PIRATE FLAGSHIP (FR) (Mr & Mrs Mark Woodhouse) Paul Nicholls 7-10-01 Paddy Brennan 10/1
5 KHETAAM (IRE) (Mrs J Hurley) Noel Meade IRE 8-10-04 Paul Carberry 10/1
6 BORORA (Mrs E Clarke) Richard Lee 7-10-06 Tom Doyle
7 LORD HENRY (IRE) (Karola Vann) Philip Hobbs 7-9-13 Mr Tom O'Brien (5)
8 BOB JUSTICE (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 10-10-09 Tony Dobbin
9 GRANDE JETE (SAF) (Lee Westwood A Chandler J J Hindley) Nicky Henderson 9-10-09 Mick Fitzgerald
10 STUDMASTER (Mothership Racing Club) Jessica Harrington IRE 6-11-08 Tom Treacy 4/1jf
11 HIGH DAY (Sean Murphy) Ferdy Murphy 6-10-02 Keith Mercer
12 CHIEF YEOMAN (B Moore & E Stephens) Venetia Williams 6-11-05 Sam Thomas
13 POWER ELITE (IRE) (Des Sharkey) Noel Meade IRE 6-11-05 Niall Madden
14 DUSKY WARBLER (Mike Charlton & Roger Sargent) Gary Moore 7-11-00 Jamie Moore
15 ARCH REBEL (USA) (Peter Garvey) Noel Meade IRE 5-10-11 Denis O'Regan
16 HOWLE HILL (IRE) (Mrs J Brown, R Benton, R Devereux, R Lucas) Alan King 6-11-03 Wayne Hutchinson
17 LUNAR CRYSTAL (IRE) (Teddington Racing Club) Martoin Pipe 8-10-06 Tom Scudamore
18 PERLE DE PUCE (FR) (Robert Waley-Cohen) Nicky Henderson 7-10-07 Mr Sam Waley-Cohen (7)
19 MISS ACADEMY (FR) (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 5-10-00 Andrew Glassonbury (7)
20 FONTANESI (IRE) (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 6-10-08 Rodi Greene
21 SPORAZENE (IRE) (Ged Mason) Paul Nicholls 7-11-12 Christian Williams
22 HAWADETH (Bill Hinge & Paul Jackson) Victor Dartnall 11-10-04 Mr J Doyle (7)
23 ACAMBO (GER) (David Johnson) Martin Pipe 5-10-07 Barry Geraghty
24 ADOPTED HERO (IRE) (Neil Jones) Howard Johnson 6-9-13 Brian Hughes (5)
25 ENHANCER (Gallagher Equine Ltd) M McGrath 8-10-03 David Casey
26 PUBLICAN (IRE) (J P McManus) Pat Fahy IRE 6-10-11 Tony McCoy
27 ADMIRAL (IRE) (Willie McKay) Richard Guest 5-11-02 John Flavin (10)
F BUCK WHALEY (IRE) (Barry Connell) Jonjo O'Neill 6-10-02 Davy Russell - deceased
P DALARAM (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Howard Johnson 6-10-13 Graham Lee
Non-runner: Goldbrook (vet’s certificate)
29 ran
Time: No official time
Distances: 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 1, 1 1/4, nk, 1 1/4, 1/2, 2 1/2, nk, 1 1/4, hd, 1/2, nk, hd, 1 1/2, 1, 1/2, sh, hd, nk, 2 1/2, 3, 10, 4, 4, 19
Breeder: Ballygallon Stud
Breeding: b g Rainbow Qquest (USA) - Jumilla (USA)
Tote: Win; £5.00 Places; £2.40, £6.30, £11.10, £2.80 Exacta; £117.60