New Year's Day, Cheltenham Racecourse - Full Article

Good morning all,

Here is the full, finished article from the above meeting. Hope you all enjoy!

There was nothing lost about the performance as Lostintranslation scored his first win over fences in the Grade 2 Betbright Dipper Novices Chase for trainer Colin Tizzard and jockey Robbie Power.

Sent off at odds of 3/1, he battled back to collar Defi Du Seuil close home after a stellar round of jumping to win by 1 length, the pair drawing away from Black Op in third.

Black Op and Lostintranslation led at the start, the latter getting a better leap and going on by a few lengths. Black Op was high at the first and slow at the second, while favourite and chase debutant On The Blind Side was not fluent over the first and slow at the second.

Coming into the straight Defi Du Seuil jumped alongside Black Op at the third and outjumped him at the fourth as Black Op hit the fourth, seemingly taking a while to warm up. Not as much as the favourite though, who was drifting a little further back with each passing obstacle, though only 5 lengths off Black Op going into the country.

Defi Du Seuil gave a great leap at the first down the back, but once again On The Blind Side was slow, drifting to 10-12 lengths off the tail of the trio in front, the lack of a recent run and the gravity of his task beginning to tell.

Lostintranslation flew the first ditch, better than Defi Du Seuil, and again Black Op hit the fence, not quite making it as good a round as many of his supporters and trainer would have been hoping for. Lostintranslation and Defi Du Seuil both flew the ditch going up the hill, and put some more distance between them and their two rivals. Black Op again hit a fence, this time 4 out at the top of the hill, but On The Blind Side was dropping further and further back and not at all in any contention.

Coming down the hill both the two leaders were swinging on the bit as the pace increased, jumping 3 out with aplomb. Defi Du Seuil went on at two out, Barry sending him on to seal the race at the last. He jumped the last well and started off up the hill, but Lostintranslation wasn't done for yet, and pegged him back in a dogged, determined fashion up the hill to win by a length. Black Op was third, and On The Blind Side was a very remote last.

His supporters would have been with very much hope going into the race, buoyed by the fact his two time conqueror last month at Newbury, La Bague Au Roi, had just won the Feltham Novices Chase on Boxing Day at Kempton. They hoped he could at least show a good performance to back that piece of form up, and he certainly did to continue the good run of form of trainer Colin Tizzard.

Trainer Colin Tizzard stated after the race that "I was worried when we were headed as we all know what Defi Du Seuil has done before, but Lostintranslation definitely looks like a stayer now. He is a beautiful, big old-fashioned chaser and I am sure we will be going up in distance with him now.”

He added that he was "amazed” when he was beaten by La Bague Au Roi at Newbury. Referring to the mistake he made at Newbury that day, he noted that his charge was “good and accurate today”.

Jockey Robbie Power noted that "Barry (Geraghty, on runner-up Defi Du Seuil) was a bit quicker than me at the second last, but I knew going to the last if I got a good jump, I would get back at him. All four of the very good runners could have won”.

“He is still learning, and a big baby. Today was his ideal trip and, if there had been something there towing him along at a better gallop, it would have suited him better. He would have a chance in the JLT, as it is over the same course and distance, while there is also the RSA to consider too”.

Defi Du Seuil and Barry Geraghty jump the last in the lead, only to be collared close home by Lostintranslation and Robbie Power.

Rest of the action

The meeting started off with a 12/1 victory in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle for local trainer Fergal O’ Brien with Jarvey’s Plate, scoring for owners TheYesNoWaitSorries under jockey Paddy Brennan.

Having been showing good form behind a leading novice in Elixir De Nutz, who has since gone on to win the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park, he benefitted from a step up in trip to defeat leading rivals I Can't Explain, the 4/5 Favourite and Anemoi, who was also stepping up in trip.

Darlac took the field on at the start, going 2 lengths clear of Rocco and Sam Twiston-Davies. He was slick at the third, with Anemoi a little awkward. Favourite I Can't Explain was held up at the rear by Nico De Boinville as the field swung round into the country with a circuit to run.

Rocco lost out at the sixth, with the favourite circling the field as they approached the seventh. Here Mr Pumblechook made an error and dropped to the rear of the field.

3 out Anemoi moved up to eyeball Darlac and take him on. He led at 2 out, with Jarvey's Plate coming up the inside to take close order as the leaders swung around the home turn and approached the hill. Jarvey's Plate kicked on and started to pull clear approaching the last, Anemoi and I Can't Explain not being able to pick up and close in on the leader. He flew the last and careered away under Paddy Brennan to score by 13 lengths to I Can't Explain, who was a further head in front of Anemoi.

Trainer Fergal O'Brien said afterwards that it was all credit to Ally who looks after and rides him everyday. He added that he and the team will enjoy tonight, and then look at coming back for Festival Trials Day at the end of the month, presumably for the race of the same name.

He also added that the head of the syndicate who owns the horse, Chris Coley “has put a lot into the sport, he loves Cheltenham and is local - living half-a-mile or so from here. It is great to come here for him”.

Reflecting on the race, he stated that "Paddy was a bit negative about coming here today, but he has dug me out of a hole to be fair. I am delighted with the victory. I was not confident, but hopeful. The favourite had looked very impressive at Sandown and we were here to pick up the pieces”.

"We could not envisage Jarveys Plate doing it the way he did. He is a lovely horse - anybody rides him at home - my eldest daughter Fern rides him quite a bit and my brother David too. He is just a lovely horse to do anything with - he is so straightforward and he is very easy to train - we are very lucky to have him”.

Second race of the day was the Join The Betbright Racing Club Handicap Chase, and was won in fine style by top weight Beware The Bear for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Jeremiah McGrath.

Dropping down in class after a fourth on his reappearance in the Ladbrokes Trophy, he stayed on tenaciously up the Cheltenham hill to defeat the rallying Shanroe Santos, with a local legend in Perfect Candidate a valiant third, continuing trainer Fergal O'Brien's great start to the day after his winner in the first.

Winning jockey Jeremiah McGrath remarked: "The first-time blinkers have been a massive asset. We always knew the ability was there - we just needed to eke something more out of him. Thankfully, the blinkers have worked today.

"He was just stargazing into the stands after the last, and I had probably gone quick enough, but thankfully he had enough class and energy to last up the hill.

"He is a very big horse - about 17.2 - but he does not shorten very well. I was confident of a big run today."

The big disappointment of the race was The Druid's Nephew, a previous Cheltenham Festival winner. It would appear he couldn't go a yard after nearly two years off, and may have needed the pipe opener, but was pulled up with a circuit to run. It transpired that he had injured a tendon in the race, and as a result the owners decided to call time on his career.

Just after the race was concluded, further news began to emerge that the legend of Fergal O'Brien Racing Alvarado, who finished sixth in the race, had also been retired. We would like to wish them all the best for the future, and know that they will go to a home who love them as much as those at the yard do. Happy Retirement to the both of them!

Charlie Deutsch was enjoying a fine run of form coming into the meeting, and made it 4 wins in 6 rides with victory aboard top weight Aso in the Grade 3 “Download the BetBright App” Handicap Chase.

Sent off the 3/1 Favourite, the nine year old wandered about after the last a little, but held on up the Cheltenham hill by 2 lengths from Happy Diva, a further 2 lengths back to Ballyhill, last year’s winner, in third.

Foxtail Hill took the field along at flagfall along with Born Survivor. Divine Spear settled in third, whilst Aso was slightly hampered at the first. Dustin Des Mottes made a blunder at the second fence, jockey Charlie Hammond doing well to keep the partnership intact.

Coming down the hill Foxtail Hill led by 4 lengths over the third, extending this to 7 lengths by the sixth, though slightly jinking to his left when jumping. Heading into the country Aso pulled himself through to join the leader and outjumped him at the eighth.

Divine Spear began to struggle as the race heated up, losing touch at the 11th, whilst up ahead Aso was quick and accurate at the 13th. Another great leap at 3 out saw him see off all but two of his rivals as Happy Diva and last year’s winner Ballyhill began to close on him. At 2 out he was still 2 lengths up on the field, Ballyhill not being able to go with the two up ahead. Another good leap at the last kept Aso at the head of affairs, and despite all of Happy Diva’s efforts, she couldn’t overhaul him.

Trainer Venetia Williams said after the race that “It was a superb performance by Aso. They went a really good gallop to begin with.”

"I would say we could look at going for the Ryanair. I talked with the owners about possible races for him and quite a bit of the conversation had to be shelved until after today.

"There are other races and in a week or two we will be making entries for back here in March."

Winning Jockey Charlie Deutsch added that "Aso was very impressive today. I just thought I would let him stride on down the back straight.

"Down the back straight he really grabbed hold of the bridle. His jumping was very good.

"Just coming to the line, he was having a look around at the crowd. He was always likes to have a look around, but has luckily held on. I have a soft spot for him. I love this horse to bits and Venetia is an amazing trainer”.

A former Cheltenham Festival winner was back in the winner’s enclosure on the day as Aux Ptits Soins took the “Simplify Horse Racing Selections With BetFinder At BetBright” Handicap Hurdle under jockey Harry Skelton for Dan Skelton, the former assistant of his previous trainer Paul Nicholls.

Taking up the lead between the last two flights of hurdles, he powered away up the hill to score by 7 lengths to the locally trained De Name Evades Me for Fergal O’ Brien, a short head back to The Eaglehaslanded in third.

Dan stated to the assembled press that "The horse is fragile, but with the greatest respect for what we have done, Paul won the Coral Cup with him on his UK debut.

"I was so lucky to be there and learn from Paul and to get this horse and Al Ferof from John when I started training. John has always been a great supporter of my dad's showjumping and my training from when I started.

"It has been a great team effort to get the horse back and it is humbling - it makes it easy when you have horses like that. John, Pat and Lisa have also spent a lot of time with the horse."

Bridget Andrews told the assembled media that "I ride Aux Ptits Soins every day. When he came back to us last year, he went lame two days before he was going to run.

"We were just praying this season that we would get him to the track. I am so glad he has won today. He is a great old horse and great for the Hales. John always says he could win a Stayers' Hurdle.

"He has definitely still got all his ability.”

John Hales, owner, noted that "It has taken a long time, but that was Aux Ptits Soins' best performance since he won the Coral Cup”, whilst winning jockey Harry Skelton added "It has been a whole big team effort and Bridget ( his girlfriend ) who rides him every day told me he would win today. I have got to thank her as she does everything with him”.

Midnight Shadow continued his upward trend when raised in trip when taking the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle for trainer Sue Smith and jockey Danny Cook.

Midnight Shadow and Danny Cook ( left ) jump the last before taking the Relkeel Hurdle

He was sent off at 15/2 after a career best victory at Aintree on Becher Chase Day when stepped up to 2m 4f after being well beaten when 14th out of 18 in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at the November Meeting, and in the process took the scalps of Old Guard and Wholestone, who was attempting to defend the title he won 12 months ago.

Clyne led at the start, and over the first Wholestone slightly dived at it, whilst Old Guard and Thomas Campbell were content to settle in behind.

Wholestone took on the lead going round the bend and led at the fourth. Clyne was still up the inside and wouldn't let him have it all his own way however. Midnight Shadow improved to join Old Guard in behind, with Thomas Campbell and Cyrius Darius bringing up the rear.

Wholstone missed 4 out, whilst Thomas Campbell was ridden along to maintain his position. He missed 3 out as Wholestone had missed the previous flight, but the latter was fluent at 3 out, flying over it and show no ill effects from the hurdle beforehand.

Old Guard was ridden to join issue with the two leaders coming down the hill, Midnight Shadow also taking closer order. Clyne missed 2 out and began to backpedal as the remaining 3 moved on to dispute the lead turning in for home. At the last the three jumped it together, and it was Old Guard who first began to cry enough as they ran up the run in and ascended the Cheltenham hill. Midnight Shadow found plenty for pressure, defying Wholestone who tried to rally in a vain, gallant attempt to defend his title, winning by 2 lengths at the line. Old Guard was third, Thomas Campbell coming home for fourth.

Speaking after the race, winning trainer Sue Smith explained: "Midnight Shadow is a great jumper and has improved all the whole time we have had him, from his bumpers, novice hurdles and handicaps. He is still improving.

"He has got a big engine. He is a little bit bull-headed at home and we don't have a horse in the yard that can work with him. He has had to do a lot of things a little bit on his own, but he has come here and won. He is tough and brave.

" He belongs to Cyril and Aafke Clarke. Cyril always wanted to go for the Champion Hurdle, but I don't think the Champion Hurdle is on the agenda because of the trip. They are away in Spain and we will discuss what to do with him when they return.

"We are going to have to sit down because obviously with his rating we have to sift through and see where we can go next."

Jockey Danny Cook declared: "Luckily, I had enough horse to push my way up there. He was travelling well everywhere and I was just getting there a bit soon jumping two out. I took him back and rode him with loads of confidence.

"He won the Scottish Champion Hurdle last year as a four-year-old. We always thought a lot of him and it is good for him to prove us all right.

"We have schooled him over fences and he jumped beautifully. He is a horse to look forward to for the future. Next season I think there will be lots of races for him when he goes chasing. This season, we will pick our races. It was a good performance today and he has so many gears.

"Maybe now he has won at Cheltenham, he will have an entry for the Stayers' Hurdle."

He is being talked up as a potential for the Stayers Hurdle at The Festival in March, and can be backed at between 12/1 and 16/1 for the race.

The concluding EBF Stallions & Cheltenham Pony Club NH Flat Race (Listed) went to the Tom Lacey trained Glory And Fortune, owned by Mr J Hinds and ridden by Richard Johnson.

He may have a smart performer on his hands, as he quickly and comprehensively put daylight between himself and his rivals when asked to go by Richard Johnson at just over two furlongs out, staying on stoutly in the last 100 yards to win by 4 ½ lengths.