Final entries for The Festival revealed
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 -
The final pieces of The Festival jigsaw fall into place today with the unveiling of the entries for the four remaining races at the meeting - the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices Hurdle and the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase.
There are 27 entries for the £65,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Ladies Day, Wednesday, March 15. Irish handler Enda Bolger, who has taken the unique contest five times, has five entries headed by Cantlow who scored over the course at The International in December. Cantlow was second over the course on Festival Trials Day in January, when the shock 50/1 winner was French challenger Urgent De Gregaine (Emmanuel Clayeux FR). There are three other potential French runners. This is the second year that the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is run as a conditions event, having been a handicap between 2005 and 2015.
Ladies Day comes to a close with the £75,000 G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, for which 36 entries have been received. Willie Mullins has saddled eight winners of this contest and has five to choose from in 2017, headed by current ante-post favourite Carter McKay, who is owned by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Pearl Bloodstock and could not have been more impressive when scoring at Leopardstown and Naas. The Weatherbys Champion Bumper is one of the few races at The Festival not to have been won by Nicky Henderson. The Festival's leading trainer has two entries in 2017 headed by the filly Daphne Du Clos, an impressive Listed scorer at Newbury in February.
Willie Mullins landed the first running of the £80,000 G2 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2016 and accounts for eight of the 31 entries this year. The Mullins-trained octet includes current market leader Airlie Beach, who is unbeaten in seven starts, headed by her victory in the G1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. Mullins' entries also include Let's Dance who is unbeaten in four starts this season, while the leading British-trained hopes include La Bague Au Roi (Warren Greatrex), who is three from three over hurdles. There are two French candidates, It's Jennifer (Louisa Carberry FR) and Titi De Montmarte (Robert Collet FR).
On The Fringe
(Enda Bolger IRE) could attempt to become the first triple winner of the £45,000 St James's Place Foxhunter Chase on Gold Cup Day, Friday, March 17. The J P McManus-owned 12-year-old is among 39 entries for the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase, where the leading British-trained contender could prove to be Ask The Weatherman (Jack Barber), an outstanding point-to-pointer who made the perfect start to hunter chasing when scoring at Wincanton on February 2.
Looking at the entries for all races at The Festival 2017, there has been a record total of 715 Irish entries, up from a previous best of 647 in 2015, and 601 last year.
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham.
The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting, The Festival, which happens in March over four days every year. The Festival 2017 takes place from Tuesday, March 14, to Friday, March 17 inclusive.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season. More information is available at
www.cheltenham.co.uk
and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook
www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing
and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).
About The Jockey Club
Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years.
Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2015: £174.2m) , courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; the National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare.
Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West, on 01242 537 683/07557 054 577 or
[email protected]
Total number of entries for the 2017 Festival
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle*
|
83
|
64
|
84
|
102
|
94
|
91
|
86
|
104
|
112
|
130
|
|
Racing Post Arkle Chase*
|
33
|
37
|
45
|
34
|
33
|
27
|
34
|
47
|
52
|
64
|
|
Ultima Handicap Chase
|
102
|
107
|
87
|
98
|
95
|
84
|
85
|
88
|
93
|
84
|
|
Stan James Champion Hurdle*
|
28
|
19
|
23
|
18
|
34
|
27
|
31
|
34
|
34
|
38
|
|
OLBG Mares' Hurdle
|
53
|
45
|
48
|
24
|
36
|
28
|
26
|
31
|
33
|
31
|
|
J T McNamara National Hunt Chase
|
71
|
89
|
58
|
69
|
85
|
79
|
76
|
80
|
85
|
56
|
|
Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
|
78
|
68
|
58
|
78
|
86
|
73
|
73
|
90
|
98
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neptune Investment Management N H*
|
118
|
78
|
110
|
104
|
119
|
118
|
96
|
112
|
125
|
156
|
|
RSA Chase*
|
55
|
50
|
54
|
54
|
49
|
36
|
51
|
71
|
72
|
78
|
|
Coral Cup
|
130
|
155
|
154
|
136
|
166
|
148
|
134
|
123
|
150
|
140
|
|
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase*
|
28
|
23
|
33
|
26
|
17
|
19
|
21
|
24
|
29
|
25
|
|
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
|
27
|
25
|
28
|
37
|
45
|
41
|
33
|
30
|
43
|
41
|
|
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
|
54
|
50
|
77
|
75
|
63
|
81
|
85
|
60
|
57
|
85
|
|
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
|
36
|
32
|
46
|
41
|
51
|
39
|
59
|
38
|
51
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JLT Novices' Chase*
|
66
|
64
|
60
|
53
|
65
|
56
|
65
|
|
|
|
|
Pertemps Network Final
|
54
|
55
|
60
|
70
|
94
|
92
|
95
|
85
|
79
|
53
|
|
Ryanair Chase*
|
48
|
48
|
39
|
43
|
39
|
38
|
46
|
43
|
48
|
57
|
|
Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle*
|
47
|
48
|
36
|
29
|
61
|
34
|
46
|
35
|
36
|
41
|
|
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plt
|
100
|
103
|
86
|
83
|
102
|
79
|
81
|
81
|
82
|
60
|
|
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir H'cap Ch
|
101
|
108
|
88
|
110
|
105
|
104
|
107
|
101
|
105
|
85
|
|
Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle
|
31
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JCB Triumph Hurdle*
|
55
|
54
|
70
|
65
|
58
|
77
|
77
|
77
|
83
|
91
|
|
Randox Health County H'cap H
|
100
|
96
|
120
|
117
|
121
|
109
|
111
|
109
|
122
|
127
|
|
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle*
|
103
|
73
|
97
|
81
|
107
|
95
|
103
|
91
|
102
|
106
|
|
Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup*
|
39
|
32
|
35
|
36
|
40
|
34
|
34
|
27
|
38
|
42
|
|
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase
|
39
|
41
|
45
|
34
|
39
|
44
|
53
|
49
|
43
|
43
|
|
Martin Pipe Cond H'cap Hurdle
|
164
|
158
|
181
|
168
|
197
|
193
|
164
|
179
|
216
|
|
|
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
|
77
|
65
|
62
|
66
|
71
|
49
|
58
|
58
|
52
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
1920
|
1823
|
1884
|
1851
|
2072
|
1895
|
1930
|
1867
|
2040
|
1785
|
*number of entries at time of closing
Total number of Irish-trained entries for the 2016 Festival
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle*
|
42
|
31
|
38
|
44
|
30
|
31
|
36
|
36
|
38
|
46
|
|
Racing Post Arkle Chase*
|
15
|
14
|
19
|
15
|
16
|
11
|
10
|
16
|
17
|
20
|
|
Ultima Handicap Chase
|
27
|
22
|
17
|
16
|
20
|
13
|
12
|
12
|
14
|
17
|
|
Stan James Champion Hurdle*
|
13
|
5
|
12
|
6
|
10
|
11
|
7
|
21
|
15
|
19
|
|
OLBG Mares' Hurdle
|
22
|
16
|
18
|
7
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
11
|
8
|
5
|
|
J T McNamara National Hunt Chase
|
26
|
35
|
22
|
27
|
28
|
33
|
27
|
32
|
29
|
18
|
|
Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
|
23
|
20
|
19
|
21
|
19
|
17
|
16
|
20
|
29
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neptune Investment Management N H*
|
57
|
41
|
44
|
38
|
35
|
37
|
39
|
37
|
46
|
57
|
|
RSA Chase*
|
26
|
24
|
27
|
22
|
22
|
19
|
23
|
26
|
26
|
22
|
|
Coral Cup
|
50
|
45
|
51
|
38
|
54
|
33
|
31
|
29
|
31
|
40
|
|
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase*
|
10
|
10
|
14
|
9
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
7
|
5
|
5
|
|
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
|
12
|
15
|
10
|
20
|
24
|
24
|
15
|
13
|
19
|
11
|
|
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
|
17
|
7
|
16
|
25
|
16
|
21
|
14
|
10
|
8
|
26
|
|
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
|
16
|
14
|
19
|
17
|
17
|
10
|
18
|
17
|
26
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JLT Novices' Chase*
|
31
|
24
|
28
|
23
|
27
|
23
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
Pertemps Network Final
|
9
|
8
|
11
|
11
|
19
|
17
|
16
|
14
|
11
|
12
|
|
Ryanair Chase*
|
18
|
22
|
16
|
20
|
15
|
14
|
18
|
18
|
13
|
18
|
|
Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle*
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
10
|
17
|
11
|
15
|
12
|
11
|
9
|
|
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plt
|
22
|
22
|
24
|
14
|
21
|
12
|
12
|
15
|
9
|
6
|
|
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir H'cap Ch
|
28
|
26
|
18
|
24
|
30
|
23
|
16
|
15
|
19
|
20
|
|
Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle
|
15
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JCB Triumph Hurdle*
|
21
|
11
|
15
|
24
|
15
|
28
|
23
|
21
|
20
|
32
|
|
Randox Health County H'cap H
|
37
|
31
|
41
|
36
|
34
|
22
|
26
|
32
|
35
|
41
|
|
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle*
|
47
|
32
|
42
|
30
|
31
|
32
|
33
|
30
|
37
|
38
|
|
Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup*
|
17
|
18
|
13
|
11
|
12
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
|
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase
|
16
|
11
|
15
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
7
|
9
|
10
|
|
Martin Pipe Cond H'cap Hurdle
|
59
|
51
|
62
|
36
|
54
|
37
|
34
|
26
|
38
|
0
|
|
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
|
20
|
16
|
19
|
16
|
11
|
8
|
5
|
9
|
8
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
715
|
601
|
647
|
568
|
599
|
518
|
500
|
494
|
529
|
527
|
*number of entries at time of closing
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
£65,000 Total Prize Fund
. Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, three miles and six furlongs (3m 6f 37yds). For five-year-olds & upwards. Weights: five-year-olds 11st 2lb, six-year-olds and up 11st 4lb, mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed February 28, entries revealed March 1 (27 entries). Six-day confirmations March 9, final declarations 10am, March 14. Maximum 16 runners.
|
Horse
|
Age
|
Owner
|
Trainer
|
|
ADAM DU BRETEAU (FR)
|
7
|
Gay Smith
|
Jonjo O'Neill
|
|
ALELCHI INOIS (FR)
|
9
|
L McMahon/Mrs F Murphy/F Mangan
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
AMAZING COMEDY (FR)
|
7
|
Miss M Vidal
|
Phillippe Cottin FR
|
|
ANY CURRENCY (IRE)
|
14
|
Cash Is King
|
Martin Keighley
|
|
AUVERGNAT (FR)
|
7
|
J P McManus
|
Enda Bolger IRE
|
|
BALLYBOKER BRIDGE (IRE)
|
10
|
James P Mckeon
|
Peter Maher IRE
|
|
BERTIE BORU (IRE)
|
10
|
Unity Farm Holiday Centre Ltd
|
Philip Hobbs
|
|
BLESS THE WINGS (IRE)
|
12
|
Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
BUDDY BOLERO (IRE)
|
11
|
Malcolm C Denmark
|
Tony Martin IRE
|
|
CANTLOW (IRE)
|
12
|
J P McManus
|
Enda Bolger IRE
|
|
CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA)
|
9
|
J P McManus
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
COLOUR SQUADRON (IRE)
|
11
|
J P McManus
|
Enda Bolger IRE
|
|
FEDERICI
|
8
|
Jon Glews
|
Donald McCain
|
|
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE)
|
12
|
Gigginstown House Stud
|
Mouse Morris IRE
|
|
GALLO'S STAR (FR)
|
7
|
Ecurie Des Dunes
|
Patrice Quinton FR
|
|
KINGSWELL THEATRE
|
8
|
John J Murray
|
Michael Scudamore
|
|
LOVE RORY (IRE)
|
9
|
J P McManus
|
Enda Bolger IRE
|
|
PARC MONCEAU (FR)
|
6
|
Mrs P Papot
|
Patrice Quinton FR
|
|
PECKHAMECHO (IRE)
|
11
|
G Thompson
|
Sophie Leech
|
|
QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE)
|
12
|
J P McManus
|
Enda Bolger IRE
|
|
ROCKY CREEK (IRE)
|
11
|
The Johnson & Stewart Families
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE)
|
9
|
Diana Whateley
|
Philip Hobbs
|
|
THIRD INTENTION (IRE)
|
10
|
Robert and Sarah Tizzard
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
URGENT DE GREGAINE (FR)
|
9
|
A Rasquier
|
Emmanuel Clayeux FR
|
|
USUEL SMURFER (FR)
|
9
|
Barry Connell
|
Alan Fleming IRE
|
|
VALADOM (FR)
|
8
|
Richard Hobson
|
Richard Hobson
|
|
VIVALDI COLLONGES (FR)
|
8
|
The Gi Gi Syndicate
|
Paul Nicholls
|
27 entries
12 Irish-trained
4 French-trained
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Grade 1, £75,000 total prize fund.
5.30pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, two miles and half a furlong (2m 87yds). For four, five and six-year-olds only which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing, except National Hunt Flat races, Irish National Hunt Flat races or French AQPS races. Horses are not to have run in more than four National Hunt Flat races and, before February 28, must have been placed first, second, third or fourth in such a race. Weights: 4-y-o: 10st 11lb, 5-y-o and 6-y-o: 11st 5lb, fillies and mares allowance 7lb. Entries closed February 28, entries revealed March 1 (36 entries), six-day confirmation stage March 9, final declaration stage 10.00am Tuesday, March 14. Maximum 24 runners.
|
Horse
|
Age
|
Owner
|
Trainer
|
|
AND THE NEW (IRE)
|
6
|
Johnny Farrelly
|
Johnny Farrelly
|
|
BAKMAJ (FR)
|
5
|
Barry Connell
|
Alan Fleming IRE
|
|
BALLYWARD (IRE)
|
5
|
Andrea & Graham Wylie
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
BETTER GETALONG (IRE)
|
6
|
David Wesley Yates
|
Nicky Richards
|
|
BLAZON
|
4
|
The Blazing Optimists
|
Kim Bailey
|
|
BORDERLINE CHATHO (FR)
|
6
|
Barry Connell
|
Alan Fleming IRE
|
|
BRECON HILL (IRE)
|
4
|
D J Todd Racing
|
Alan Swinbank
|
|
CARTER MCKAY
|
6
|
Pearl Bloodstock Ltd
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
CAUSE TOUJOURS (FR)
|
5
|
Carl Hinchy
|
Dan Skelton
|
|
CLAIMANTAKINFORGAN (FR)
|
5
|
Grech & Parkin
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
COPERNICUS (IRE)
|
5
|
Mrs J A Wakefield
|
Charlie Longsdon
|
|
DANS LE VENT (FR)
|
4
|
Marek Gumienny & Adam Signy
|
Jamie Snowden
|
|
DAPHNE DU CLOS (FR)
|
4
|
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
DEBUCHET (FR)
|
4
|
Force Eight Syndicate
|
Margaret Mullins IRE
|
|
DELIRANT (FR)
|
4
|
J P McManus
|
David Pipe
|
|
FAYONAGH (IRE)
|
6
|
Mrs M Gittins
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
FISHERMAN FRANK
|
6
|
Tim Suttle
|
Michael Blake
|
|
GO ANOTHER ONE (IRE)
|
5
|
Caroline Ahearn
|
John McConnell IRE
|
|
GOLDEN JEFFREY (SWI)
|
4
|
Markus Graff
|
Mark Johnston
|
|
IMPACT FACTOR (IRE)
|
5
|
P Twomey
|
Paddy Twomey IRE
|
|
IMPERIAL ELOQUENCE (IRE)
|
5
|
Imperial Racing Partnership
|
Fergal O'Brien
|
|
IRISH ROE (IRE)
|
6
|
P G Atkinson
|
Peter Atkinson
|
|
MOUNTAIN ROCK (IRE)
|
5
|
M Fitzgerald
|
Adrian Keatley IRE
|
|
MY MATE MARK
|
4
|
Strawberry Fields Stud
|
Martin Smith
|
|
MYSTIC THEATRE (IRE)
|
6
|
Rose Boyd
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
NELSON'S TOUCH
|
4
|
Mrs P de W Johnson
|
Denis Coakley
|
|
NEXT DESTINATION (IRE)
|
5
|
Malcolm C Denmark
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
PERFECT HARMONY (IRE)
|
5
|
Mrs Peter Prowting
|
Alan King
|
|
QUICK GRABIM (IRE)
|
5
|
Michael Worcester
|
Robbie McNamara IRE
|
|
REDHOTFILLYPEPPERS (IRE)
|
5
|
Coldunell Limited
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
ROBIN THE RAVEN (IRE)
|
5
|
S W Racing
|
Kim Bailey
|
|
SAM'S ADVENTURE
|
5
|
Mrs J A Martin
|
Brian Ellison
|
|
SOMEDAY
|
5
|
Howard Spooner/Ian Weaver
|
Jessica Harrington IRE
|
|
WEST COAST TIME (IRE)
|
5
|
Michael Tabor
|
Joseph O'Brien IRE
|
|
WESTERN RYDER (IRE)
|
5
|
The Albatross Club
|
Warren Greatrex
|
|
ZAHEER (FR)
|
5
|
Barry Connell
|
Alan Fleming IRE
|
36 entries
16 Irish-trained
