Tuesday 14th March - Champion Hurdle Day

[mayo]

Plus more Mark Walsh misery

That job seems to work better for the No2 at the fez.

[kinloch brae]

Well done KB and the Altior fan club.

I think OV advised Buveur straight after the Irish Champion Hurdle as a NRNB.

Yanworth ran rubbish and I remain concerned about Alan Kings ability to line them up for the festival - seems to have lost the knack about a decade ago.

Thanks.

Take your point he seems to be talking a much better game than he is delivering at the moment. Already lost on Master Blueyes because he turned out better than I expected but have backed Messire Des Obeaux (weak in market?) and added small bet on Dino Velvet. Had a couple of decent wins in Fred Winter with Silk Affair and What A Charm but pretty dire efforts the last few years. At least there are a couple of leave alone races tomorrow.

[Old Vic]

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT LEADING TRAINER AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL

Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Gordon Elliott IRE 3 - 1
Nicky Henderson 2 2 1
Alan Fleming IRE 1 - -
David Pipe 1 - -
Willie Mullins IRE - 2 2
Tom George - 1 -
Warren Greatrex - 1 -
Malcolm Jefferson - 1 -
Henry de Bromhead IRE - - 2
Dan Skelton - - 1

THE BOODLES LEADING JOCKEY AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL
Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Nico de Boinville 1 - 1
Bryan Cooper 1 - 1
Noel Fehily 1 - -
Jack Kennedy 1 - -
Ms Lisa O'Neill 1 - -
Denis O'Regan 1 - -
Tom Scudamore 1 - -
Ruby Walsh - 1 1
Aidan Coleman - 1 -
Adrian Heskin - 1 -
Brian Hughes - 1 -
Jeremiah McGrath - 1 -
Mr Noel McParlan - 1 -
Paul Townend - 1 -
Davy Russell - - 3
Mr Patrick Mullins - - 1

THE IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING LEADING OWNER AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL
Owner 1st 2nd 3rd
Gigginstown House Stud 2 - 1
J P McManus 1 1 -
Barry Connell 1 - -
Aidan O'Ryan 1 - -
Patricia Pugh 1 - -
Prof Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew 1 - -
Susannah Ricci - 1 1
John & Barbara Cotton - 1 -
Mrs J Donnelly - 1 -
N Griffith & H Haddock - 1 -
Trevor Hemmings - 1 -
Alan & Andrew Turner - 1 -
Chris Jones - - 2
Mike Grech & Stuart Parkin - - 1
Mrs M Hurley - - 1
Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter - - 1

[mayo]

The in running report

13:30 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Winner: Labaik
Betfair Starting Price: 42.00 (ISP 25/1)
Antepost High of Winner: 1000.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Labaik, matched at a high of 55.00 in-running, the runner-up, Melon, traded at a low of 1.90.
Comments: Notorious slow starter Labaik, who has refused to race three times in his last six runs, swoops late to land the spoils under Jack Kennedy. Long time antepost favourite Melon hit a low of 1.90 in running after travelling smoothly for most of the way but had no answer once the winner swept by.

14:10 - Arkle Challenge Trophy

Winner: Altior
Betfair Starting Price: 1.26 (ISP 1/4 Fav)
Antepost High of Winner: 10.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Altior, hit a high of 1.74 in-running, the late faller, Charbel, hit a low of 2.54.
Comments: Not the slickest round of jumping we've ever seen from last year's Supreme Novices' winner but he did the job nicely in the end. Front runner Charbel was in the process of running really well (hit 2.54 in running) when coming down two out.

14:50 - Ultima Handicap Chase

Winner: Un Temps Pour Tout
Betfair Starting Price: [11.6] (ISP 9/1)
Antepost High of Winner: 24.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Un Temps Pour Tout, was never matched higher than 21.00 before or during the run, the runner-up, Singlefarmpayment, hit a low of 1.36 and the third, Noble Endeavor hit a low of 2.20.
Comments: It's back to back wins in the Ultima for the well backed Un Temps Pour Tout who found plenty for pressure to win under Tom Scudamore. Strong-travelling favourite Singlefarmpayment hit a low of 1.36 in running and the well fancied Noble Endeavor hit 2.20.

15:30 - Champion Hurdle

Winner: Buveur D'Air
Betfair Starting Price: 6.35 (ISP 5/1)
Antepost High of Winner: 240.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: Petit Mouchoir touched 3.05 (BSP 8.00)
Comments: Buveur D'Air was always travelling well under Noel Fehily and was a ready winner. Petit Mouchoir jumped well from the front (hit 3.05 in running) but was no match for an easy winner. Strong favourite Yanworth didn't jump fluently and never had the pace to challenge. My Tent Or Yours has now been placed in three Champion Hurdles (place BSP 4.41).

16:10 - Mares' Hurdle

Winner: Apple's Jade
Betfair Starting Price: 4.52 (ISP 7/2)
Antepost High of Winner: 15.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Apple's Jade, hit a high of 80.00 in-running, the placed horses, Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini, were matched at lows of 1.53 and 1.55 respectively.
Comments: The market principals came to the fore turning for home and the gutsy Apple's Jade fought off all challengers to win. The well fancied Willie Mullins pair Vroum Vroum Mag (1.53 in running) and Limini (1.55 in running) filled the places.

16:50 - National Hunt Novices' Chase

Winner: Tiger Roll
Betfair Starting Price: 27.3 (ISP 16/1)
Antepost High of Winner: 48.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Tiger Roll, hit a high of 34.00 in-running, Edwulf, pulled-up in the closing stages, traded at a low of 1.52.
Comments: Tiger Roll, winner of the 2014 Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, tanked through the race under Lisa O'Neill and was an impressive winner. Edwulf (1.52 in running) and What A Moment (8.00 in running - BSP of 230.00) crept into contention and looked like playing a hand but the winner was too strong. The winner completed a magnificent treble on the day for Betfair Ambassador Gordon Elliott.

17:30 - Novices' Handicap Chase

Winner: Tully East
Betfair Starting Price: 9.32 (ISP 8/1)
Antepost High of Winner: 32.00
Notable In-Running Highs and Lows: The winner, Tully East, hit a high of 21.00, of the placed horses Powersbomb was matched the lowest in-running at 2.20.
Comments: Tully East, fourth in the Martin Pipe last year, stalked the pace and won really well. Powersbomb (2.2 in running), Two Taffs (3.5 in running) and Gold Present (3.1 in running) went well but were no match for the winner.