Sport The Cheltenham Festival

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1 64 Monday 14 March 2016 evening standard Follow us on Sport The Cheltenham Festival Here s looking at you: Paul Nicholls with Dodging Bullets at his Manor Farm stable in Somerset last month Paul Nicholls big ambition will have to wait for I would dearly love, more than anything else, to train another Gold Cup winner SWNS.com Mihir Bose exclusive Paul Nicholls is aware Cheltenham could decide whether he claims his 10th champion jump trainers title. Nicholls s winnings of 1.64million this season leave him 466,000 ahead of his nearest rival, Philip Hobbs, but the man the Somerset trainer fears most is Willie Mullins. The Irishman has never won the title and is 17th in the table, 1.2m adrift of the leader. However, there is 4.1m on offer at this week s Festival and Nicholls is sure a significant slice of that will be heading to Mullins, who claimed a record eight wins last year to be crowned Cheltenham champion trainer. Willie is my biggest danger in the trainers championship, says Nicholls. He s a certainty to be champion trainer at Cheltenham. If he won all the big races, he could come out of the Festival in a very good position, which would make an interesting end of the season. It s clear the bookmakers expect Mullins to make up ground as he is 1-20 to retain his Cheltenham crown while Nicholls is I should be 100-1, says Nicholls with a laugh. I won t win the Cheltenham title this year. If we have a winner or two great [he had three last year], but this year we will struggle, we haven t got our strongest team. Willie Mullins will be nearly impossible to beat. He could have four winners on the first day starting with the first race, the Supreme Novice, and then the Champion Hurdle. Willie has the best horses without a shadow of a doubt, an awesome team. It s like in football why has a certain team got the best squad of players: because they have bought well and he s been buying well. So we have all got to pull our fingers out and try and find horses to beat him. Until three years ago Nicholls and Mullins shared a link in that they both used Ruby Walsh. However, the County Kildare jockey then decided he would ride only for his compatriot, leaving Nicholls to select his new No1 jockey.

2 evening standard Monday 14 March The Cheltenham Festival Sport another year but his Festival fortunes will still play a key role in whether he can end the season with the trainers title Jumping for joy: (far left) Sam Twiston-Davies rides Aux Ptits Soins, who Paul Nicholls has compared to Kauto Star. Nicholls (far right) and jockey Ruby Walsh celebrate Kauto Star s 2009 Gold Cup triumph Willie Mullins will be nearly impossible to beat. He has the best horses an awesome team Nicholls picks the horses to watch Tuesday I think Willie Mullins Douvan will win the Arkle and another Mullins horse, Min, has a chance in the Supreme Novice Hurdle. Nicky Henderson has got two really good horses in there called Altior and Buveur D air. Min has got a big reputation, but I think Altior will go well. There s a lot of talk about Annie Power in the Champion Hurdle but she s had problems, so I m not sure. Wednesday In the Champion Chase I think Un De Sceaux, another of Mullins horses, is the one we have got to beat. Thursday In the World Hurdle, a horse I m so impressed with is Thistlecrack. Trained in Somerset by Colin Tizzard, he s the one to beat without a doubt. Friday In the Gold Cup, I d really like to see Tizzard s Cue Card win. He s a good horse, he won the King George at Kempton, but if Mullins Vautour runs, that might be another one to watch. Nicholls initially chose Daryl Jacob before turning to Sam Twiston-Davies, then 21, to lead the team. He says: Sam is not in Ruby s class. But Ruby was 10 years older than Sam is at the moment. Ruby was in his early thirties when he started riding for us. You have to invest for the future. A similar investment for the future is also being made in horses. Nicholls trains 125 and, lapsing into footballmanager speak, the Manchester United fan and friend of Sir Alex Ferguson says: We are in a bit of a transitional period having had all those good stars: Kauto Star, Big Buck s, Master Minded, Denman. They are horses of a lifetime, I don t know if we will get anything as good as them again. Two-time Gold Cup champion Kauto Star was put down last year after suffering pelvis and neck injuries in a fall. The gelding retired from racing in 2012 and a board at Nicholls s Manor Farm Stables lists Kauto Star s triumphs. He was the greatest of his generation without a doubt. To get another Kauto Star would be in the lap of the gods. But we have one very special one who possibly could be another Kauto Star, Aux Ptits Soins. He won at Cheltenham last year, he s going back for the World Hurdle. But it would be his first run of the season because he s had three lots of surgery which isn t ideal. He s got a huge amount of talent. He s got to be lucky, injury free. Injury has also afflicted Dodging Bullets, last year s Champion Chase winner, who came back from a splint problem at Newbury last month to finish second in a four-horse field. Bookmakers immediately lengthened his odds for this year s Festival but Nicholls argues that only in racing are such instant judgments made. Harry, my nephew, rides him every day and we were saying this morning very much what Fergie would say. If that was Wayne Rooney who had had an injury, he d come back and play 45 minutes, then perhaps 60 minutes, then 90 minutes and build the fitness up over three or four games. We expect these horses to go and perform at their best first time out. I always reckon you need 12 weeks to get them fit enough to win which is what he will have before he runs at Cheltenham. Dodging Bullets is a good, tough workmanlike horse. Last year might have been the To get another Kauto Star would be in the lap of the gods. But Aux Ptits Soins is very special cream. Whether he is good enough to win this year, I don t know. Nicholls is as forthright on his other horses. Probably the World Hurdle is our best chance of winning a Grade 1 with Ptits Soins and Saphir Du Rheu and Dodge in the Championship. You have to be realistic. The streak of realism is why he does not have a horse in the Gold Cup. I haven t got a horse that is good enough this year and there s no point in running one just for the sake of it. He could have run Silviniaco Conti the favourite last year only to finish seventh but decided to keep him for Aintree. Winning the Gold Cup means more than the trainer s title. I ve won four Gold Cups. To win five would equal a Cheltenham record [set by Tom Dreaper]. That s what I would dearly love to do more than anything to produce a horse again that would win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls s other long-term aim is to become the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history, a title held by Nicky Henderson with 53 wins. He is some way down the order with 37 victories and Mullins, who is sure to bag plenty of winners this week, also has 41 successes. Nicky has been training 13 years longer than me but I have always got in my mind to catch him up one day. But with Nicholls expecting Henderson and Mullins to add to their totals that goal must wait. The priority is to make sure Mullins does not return to Ireland with too much of the Festival prize

3 66 Monday 14 March 2016 evening standard Follow us on Sport The Cheltenham Festival Queen Vic follows path set by Prince Charles The Festival is four fabulous days of sporting theatre. Andy Stephens highlights this year s key storylines Festival folk: Going, gone Prince Charles is a faller in 1981 (above); Victoria Pendleton is making her debut this year (centre); the Irish are always out in force punters, connections, trainers, horses and jockeys (top right) and Sprinter Sacre (bottom right) in better times, winning the 2013 Champion Chase VICTORIA FALLS, OR QUEEN VICTORIA? FlashbAck to the 1981 Festival and the surprise appearance of an A-lister in an amateur riders race. It s too risky, he s a danger to himself, shouldn t be allowed were popular cries. Sounds familiar, doesn t it? Prince Charles was the jockey in question. Having had only a handful of rides, the future monarch partnered his own horse, Good Prospect, and the combination safely negotiated the first nine fences. Then, at the 10th, they went their separate ways and Charlie, who threw down his whip in disgust, was left with a bloodied nose. Zip forward 35 years and the prince has been replaced by Queen Vic. Depending on your viewpoint, Victoria Pendleton is either cashing in on a publicity stunt or is one brave woman who has quickly become addicted to the thrill of leaving the ground on a half-tonne animal travelling at 35mph. There have been far worse riders than her contest the Foxhunter Chase but the cycling champion will need luck to complete the course on Friday, let alone be competitive. In the past 10 renewals there have been 236 runners and 116 of those failed to finish. Good luck to her and the others in the race who do not have a couple of Olympic gold medals on their shelf. CUE the TEARS OF JOY AND PAIN Owners are notoriously superstitious and Bob Bishop was no exception. Determined not to jinx Cue Card, the horse of his dreams, he and his wife Jean would wear the same outfit whenever he ran. The former Crystal Palace player and vice-chairman confessed to looking like a bloody old tramp but the formula is working, and Cue Card kept his connections on course for a 1million bonus should he win the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday when he triumphed in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Sadly, Bishop and his familiar attire will not be there. Just four days on from that Kempton triumph, aged 83, he died after suffering kidney failure. All of racing was stunned by his sudden passing. Jean, from Croydon and married to Bob for 62 years, is bound to be a whirl of emotions this week. She will not be alone, though, in cheering home a horse who has been capturing hearts ever since first winning at the Festival six years ago. RUNNING UP THAT HILL Every aspiring young trainer needs a quality act to help put them on the map, and Ben Pauling has high hopes that Barters Hill will provide him with a breakthrough Festival triumph in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle. Some horses have their connections dreaming of big-race glory from the moment they step on the gallops but Barters Hill was different. At best, Pauling, who is in his early 30s and began training in 2013, believed he was going to be a long-term project. He s gone from being the worst work horse we have, to a horse that nothing can live with, he said after the gelding won at the Grand National meeting last year. At the start of the season I thought he wouldn t be winning for two years. Since then, Barters Hill has extended his unbeaten record to seven running rivals into submission from the front. He s a horse that keeps giving and Cheltenham s gruelling uphill finish, which sorts the men from the boys, is made for him. THE IRISH ARE NO ONE-MAN TEAM Ireland are 5-2 with Paddy Power to achieve the most winners this week and lift the Prestbury Cup. It could be the best bet of the four days because the Irish have the ante-post favourite in 18 of the 28 races eight being shorter than 3-1. Willie Mullins will again be their principal player, with Min, Douvan, Annie Power, Vroum Vroum Mag, Yorkhill, Un De Sceaux and Long Dong among his outstanding squad. Their combined form figures are F F1111F That s a lot (52) of 1s. And they are no one-man team. Henry De Bromhead and Enda Bolger have aces up their sleeve, while Gordon Elliott is sending over a formidable team of 25. Get on. EQUINE STARS CAN QUICKLY FADE Racehorses can be like fruit: one day all shiny and satisfying, the next bruised and past their best. Sprinter Sacre, Sire De Grugy and Dodging Bullets are cases in point. The trio have all won a Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and are on course to collide in Wednesday s latest running but each, while still muchloved, has become vulnerable. Sprinter Sacre is no longer invincible, Sire De Grugy could be equipped with blinkers, and Dodging Bullets looked out of ammunition on his return. Un De Sceaux is deservedly odds-on to brush aside all three. Savour the equine brilliance over the coming days. Tomorrow, the stars may have dimmed. Get ready for the roar then settle in for the compulsory hangover Emma Spencer 888sport ambassador IT S BEEN a long wait, but the Cheltenham Festival, jump racing s Olympics, World Cup and Super Bowl rolled into one, is finally upon us. At 1.30pm tomorrow, when the field is given starter s orders in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, a year s worth of anticipation will erupt from the grandstands in an almighty roar. I ll be there, and there is nothing like it. One of my greatest ever experiences was when my parents, both former trainers, won with Top Cees in one of the big handicaps in 1998 the cacophony when he was led in front of the stands, with me by his side, will stay with me forever. Cheltenham wouldn t be a Festival without a hangover, and those without the constitution of a Gold Cup-winning gelding may not last the pace. The Irish used to trounce the Brits emma s fancy A moment to remember: Top Cees (second left) wins at the 1998 Festival for my mother and father ALTIOR 7-2 Supreme Novices Hurdle 1.30pm, tomorrow Won four in a row, including a key trial at Cheltenham in November, and top trainer Nicky Henderson rates it his best chance of the week only in the drinking department, but now they are doing the same on the track as well, largely thanks to Willie Mullins. The master trainer had eight winners last year and this year s Festival looks like being another benefit in his name, with over 60 of his mounts going into battle. That he s 1-20 to be top trainer says it all. Of his many hotpots, the one I cannot see being beaten is Douvan in tomorrow s Arkle (2.10pm) but 1-3 is hardly value, though it really does look a case of buying money. Annie Power, his favourite for the Champion Hurdle, doesn t look as secure, with the memory of her crunching final flight fall last year still painfully fresh in the memories of many (especially mine it cost me a fortune!), and I fancy Nicky Henderson s My Tent or Yours to take advantage. When I spoke to him at a preview at the Sydney Arms in Chelsea last week, Hendo sounded bullish, and the horse is a class act. Second in 2014; he s good each way value at The Festival void left by the great AP McCoy will be huge but one jockey who s going to provoke more intrigue than any other will be Victoria Pendleton. Just referring to this Olympic cycling legend as a jockey is fairly remarkable in itself but if she could shut up the doubters and complete the course when she rides Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase on Friday, let alone win the thing, it would be astounding. I m firmly in her camp. Let the madness begin! Emma Spencer is an ambassador for 888sport and will be giving updates from Cheltenham throughout the week. Join 888sport today and get Douvan at 5/1 to win the Arkle Chase! New customers. Bet at normal odds. Extra winnings paid in Free Bet Tokens. Max See site for full T+Cs Gambleaware.co.uk

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5 68 Monday 14 March 2016 evening standard Follow us on Sport The Cheltenham Festival top TRAINER saddled eight winners HERE last year and is 6-5 to repeat or better that Mullins can be the main man for fortune seekers >> The trainer who is fixated on winning a fifth Gold Cup Mihir Bose meets Paul Nicholls Pages 64&65 The day Prince Charles played the role of Queen Vic Andy Stephens picks the best festival storylines Page 67 Andy Stephens Racing writer The highlight of the National Hunt season, the Cheltenham Festival, gets under way tomorrow, when an estimated 150million will be bet. Here, I guide you through the four-day meeting and try to find a few winners. Head to head: Trainer Colin Tizzard with his Festival hopes Thistlecrack (left) and Cue Card TOMORROW HoRSES trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh will be the main focus. Mullins, the serial Irish champion, saddled a record eight winners here last year and, with a squad of 60, is tempting at 6-5 with Boylesports to equal that tally at least. He has trained the winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle (3.30) three times since 2011 and can again land the feature through Annie Power. She has fluffed the Festival for the past two years but is a class act in what looks an average field. Min, twice an effortless winner at Punchestown this winter, can get Mullins off to a flyer by landing the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.30), while Douvan, dazzling in that race last year and unbeaten in three starts over fences, is difficult to oppose in the Racing Post Arkle Chase (2.10). Vroum Vroum Mag, winner of her last eight races, looks another ace for Mullins (left) and Walsh in the OLBG Mares Hurdle (4.10). At bigger odds, consider the Ben Pauling-trained Local Show in the fourmile National Hunt Chase (4.50). He is bred to stay all day by Oscar out of a Ro s e l i e r a n d jumped well to win at Kempton last time. WEDNESDAY The Mullins-trained Un De Sceaux, who has won all 14 of his races when completing, is the most likely winner of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30). However, he is odds-on and I d prefer to have a few quid eachway on Special Tiara. The RSA Chase (2.10) is often a pointer to the following year s Gold Cup and No More Heroes looks to have all the attributes to excel at the top level. He ran well in defeat over hurdles at the Festival 12 months ago but, in keeping with his pedigree, has looked even better over the larger obstacles. Yanworth has not been extended in any of his four races over jumps and will take a lot of beating in the Neptune Novices Hurdle (1.30), while the vibes have been strong for Paul Nichollstrained Diego Du Charmil, who could be favourably treated in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.50). THURSDAY Thistlecrack has been dominant and looks a banker in the Ryanair World Hurdle (3.30). The Ryanair Chase (2.50) looks trickier but Valseur Lido, set to run in the race instead of the Timico Gold Cup, seems certain to give a good account. He was unlucky not to win the Irish Gold Cup last time, unseating Walsh at the final fence. Richard Johnson is finally going to be crowned champion jockey this term and Garde La Victoire, who runs in the JLT Novices Chase (1.30), represents one of his best chances. The seven-year-old seems to relish Cheltenham and his seven-length defeat of Bristol De Mai at Uttoxeter in October, when conceding 9lb, is the best bit of form on offer. Our Kaempfer, third to Thistlecrack at Aintree last season, looks on a handy mark in the Pertemps Network Final (2.10) while Limini can land the Trull House Stud Mares Novices Hurdle (4.50). FRIDAY The highlight of the meeting, the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30), promises to be a cracker. Connections of Cue Card will pick up a 1million bonus if he follows up his victories in the Betfair Chase and King George but the principal British FESTIVAL YANKEE Tomorrow 4.10 Vroum Vroum Mag Wednesday 2.10 No More Heroes Thursday 3.30 Thistelecrack Friday 3.30 Vautour hope faces no easy task against Don Cossack, Road To Riches and Smad Place, plus three strong contenders from the Mullins yard Don Poli, Vautour and Djakadam. Victoria Pendleton is 5-4 with Coral to complete the St. James s Place Foxhunter Chase (4.10) on Pacha Du Polder, and not to at bet365.

6 evening standard Monday 14 March The Cheltenham Festival Sport For a horse who has won 13 of her 15 races, you wouldn t think that Annie Power owes punters any favours in tomorrow s Stan James Champion Hurdle, writes Andy Stephens. But she does. Big time. Two years ago the flashy chestnut arrived at the Cheltenham Festival unbeaten in 10 starts and was backed as if defeat were out of the question. She was betrayed by a lack of stamina in the World Hurdle, though, and bookies spent that evening thumbing through exotic brochures at holidays they could now afford with the money she had saved them. Last year was worse; much worse. Three of her stablemates Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen had won at short odds earlier on the opening day of the meeting and a legion of gamblers had put them, plus her, in accumulators. All that was required of Annie Power to become the ultimate punters pal was to justify odds-on favouritism in the OLBG Mares Hurdle. Galloping towards the final flight she powered clear of toiling rivals under a motionless Ruby Walsh. The packed stands at Cheltenham let out an exultant roar they had the enemy pinned to the ropes and were about to enjoy a knockout blow. But then, inexplicably, Annie Power took off a couple of strides too soon, clipped the last obstacle and crashed head-first into the turf. Bookmakers estimated that the fall had saved them a 50million payout. It would have been their most costly day since Frankie Dettori rode all seven winners at Ascot in So, can Annie Power make amends? A month ago you would have got long odds against her even running in the two-mile showpiece, let alone winning it. At that time, Faugheen, in the same ownership and the reigning champ, looked a certainty to defend his title successfully, only for injury to rule him out. That left his American owner, Rich Ricci surveying possible substitutes. He wasted no time summoning the exuberant Annie Power, supplementing her at a cost of 20,000 last week. Some question whether his understudy has the requisite speed. Fall from grace: Annie Power, with Ruby Walsh on board, hits the deck last year Annie is seeking to make amends for her 50m fall She has, after all, spent much of the past three years running over further. Others point out that no mare has won the race since And, after events of the past two years, there is a nagging worry that she is destined to be one of those brilliant horses who simply is not going to be blessed with a day in the sun at National Hunt s most treasured meeting. Shortly after 3.30pm we will get the answer. Just don t count your money until it s all over. take A MIN OR TWO TO CHECK OUT THESE OFFERS MIN is many people s idea of a banker and you can get 50-1 on the Willie Mullins hotpot or any other runner winning tomorrow s curtain raiser if you sign up with BetBright. New 888sport customers can get an enhanced 14-1 on Min and stablemate Douvan winning on the opening day, while Paddy Power are offering money back as a free bet if your horse finishes second in any race on any day of the Festival. (Terms and conditions apply to all offers). CHELTENHAM 3.30 CH4 STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY (GRADE 1) (1) 4yo+ 436,000 2m 87y Timeform View: Annie Power is a high-class substitute to replace the sidelined Faugheen for same connections and she can become the first mare since Flakey Dove in 1994 to win the Champion Hurdle, with the drop back in trip unlikely to be a problem. It s an open contest behind her, with The New One, Identity Thief and Nichols Canyon all closely matched, while Camping Ground makes each-way appeal at bigger odds. 1 1/14-U15 CAMPING GROUND (45) Robert Walford Leighton Aspell t Smart form over hurdles/fences in France and looked potentially top class when routing opposition in Grade 2 (20f) here on New Year s Day. Failed to stay next time and worth another go at this trip HARGAM (80) Nicky Henderson Mark Walsh Useful on Flat in France and quickly developed into a smart hurdler for current yard, third in Triumph Hurdle. Good efforts in defeat this season, though limitations rather exposed at this level. 3 P IDENTITY THIEF (77) Henry de Bromhead Bryan Cooper Progressive sort. Edged out Top Notch in Fighting Fifth despite a couple of scrappy jumps, and made Nichols Canyon pull out all the stops in Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown. Has to be respected LIL ROCKERFELLER (16) Neil King Trevor Whelan s Likeable type who looked better than ever when winning Grade 2 at Fontwell (19f) last month, but drop back in trip is a big concern, especially at this level / MY TENT OR YOURS (703) Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty h Fighting Fifth/Christmas Hurdle winner in 2013/14 before just denied in Champion Hurdle. Has to prove he retains ability after 23 months off and settling him could be tricky (headstrong type) NICHOLS CANYON (51) Willie Mullins Paul Townend Six-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles, including 3 this season. Not at best in Irish Champion last time but has been freshened up since and likely to go well. Prominent runner OLD GUARD (80) Paul Nicholls NON RUNNER Useful juvenile hurdler last season and big improvement to win all 3 starts at Cheltenham this term, including Grade 2 International. However, well held in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day PEACE AND CO (38) Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville Last year s leading juvenile, winning 4 times, including Triumph Hurdle. Far too fresh on return but only third of 4 in listed race at Sandown last month. In danger of becoming disappointing SEMPRE MEDICI (31) Willie Mullins David Mullins t Runner-up to Old Guard in the International over C&D in December before landing the odds in a couple of graded events in Ireland. Plenty to find with the principals. Tongue tied SIGN OF A VICTORY (80) Nicky Henderson Andrew Tinkler Smart hurdler on his day but shaped as if amiss when last seen on Boxing Day and is firmly up against it at this level THE NEW ONE (52) Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies High-class hurdler with an excellent strike rate. Unlucky not to finish closer when third in this 2 years ago and has landed the odds in 2 of his 3 outings this season. Can make his presence felt TOP NOTCH (26) Nicky Henderson Daryl Jacob Unbeaten in 5 starts over hurdles prior to excellent second in Triumph Hurdle. Finally off the mark this term when landing the odds at Kelso last month and makes some appeal as an each-way contender /1F-11 ANNIE POWER (27) Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh Unbeaten in 13 starts away from the Festival, but no disgrace in finishing second in 2014 World Hurdle and looked certain winner of Mares Hurdle last year when falling at last. Has the pace for 2m DECLARED - Timeform 1-2-3: 1. ANNIE POWER 2. THE NEW ONE 3. IDENTITY THIEF Betfair Betting Forecast: 9-4 Annie Power, 6-1 The New One, Nichols Canyon, 7-1 Identity Thief, 12-1 My Tent Or Yours, 20-1 Top Notch, 25-1 Peace And Co, Camping Ground, Hargam, 28-1 Sempre Medici, 33-1 Lil Rockerfeller, Sign of A Victory FORM AND ANALYSIS SUPPLIED BY TIMEFORM Get 10 free at timeform.com. Enter voucher code ES10 when you register. Place three 10 bets on the day s racing and get a 10 Free Bet Available every day of the Cheltenham Festival *Min stake per bet 10. Max free bet 10 per customer, per day. Free Bet is credited the next day and expires within 24 hours. Customer must place 3 eligible bets in one day to qualify for each free bet. Bets must be placed on races at Cheltenham Festival. Min odds of each bet must be at least 1/2 (1.50). Only bets placed after 09:00 are valid. Bets placed on markets with the same outcome in the same race will not qualify. 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