Horse Racing UK » Cheltenham Gold Cup

Diamond Harry Tackles 2011 King George VI Chase

sarah — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:08:54 +0000

Owner Paul Duffy is thrilled to have fierce competition for his talented jumper Diamond Harry in the 2011 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Racecourse on Boxing Day.

Diamond Harry is in the midst of a campaign that Duffy is hopeful will culminate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The owner’s only query going into the King George VI Chase on December 26, 2011, is the way of going.

“The question is will he go right-handed round Kempton as he’s always gone left-handed before,” said Duffy.

“That’s not because we’ve avoided going the other way round. That’s the way it’s turned out.

“We don’t know the answer. He jumps straight enough, but he might prefer a galloping track like Haydock and Newbury. Kempton’s a tighter track.”

Duffy is hoping the track will have a bit of give come Saturday’s King George VI Chase.

“He’d obviously like the ground to be soft. If it is, it would suit him. The ground might be good to soft, I’d expect, but we don’t know,” he said.

“Ultimately if he gets placed behind horses like Kauto Star, Master Minded and Long Run, and if he finishes close up to them, then you’d say he’s run well.”

The owner said he was extremely grateful to have a horse as talented as Diamond harry.

“It’s a dream having a horse good enough to run in races like this. Anything he does is a bonus because we are still aiming at the Gold Cup,” Duffy said.

“We still hope to go for that, but we’re taking one race at a time for our old friend and let’s just hope he gets around safely and does himself justice.”

You will find all the best odds for the 2011 King George VI Chase at Bet365.

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Cheltenham Festival 2011

Shad — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:00:48 +0000

Cheltenham Festival 2011 is finally here, with Tuesday revolving around the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle. Read on as we take a quick look at the schedule for Cheltenham Festival 2011.

Join Bet365 now to bet on all the major Cheltenham Festival 2011 races at competitive prices.

Tuesday Cheltenham Festival 2011 Schedule

1:30PM Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – 4YO+, 2 miles 110 yards
2:05PM Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy – 5YO+, 2 miles
2:40PM Grade 3 Festival Trophy Handicap Chase – 5YO+, 3 miles 110 yards
3:20PM Grade 1 Champion Hurdle – 4YO+, 2 miles 110 yards
4:00PM Glanfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase – 5YO+, 3 miles 7 furlongs
4:40PM Grade 2 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle – 4YO+ f&m, 2 miles 4 furlongs
5:15PM Listed Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase – 5YO+, 2 miles 5 furlongs

You can bet on all the Tuesday Cheltenham Festival 2011 races now at Bet365.

Wednesday Cheltenham Festival 2011 Schedule

1:30PM National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – 5YO+, 4 miles
2:05PM Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle – 4YO+, 2 miles 5 furlongs
2:40PM Grade 1 RSA Chase – 5YO+, 3 miles 110 yards
3:20PM Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase – 5YO+, 2 miles
4:00PM Grade 3 Coral Cup – 4YO+, 2 miles 5 furlongs
4:40PM Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – 2 miles 110 yards
5:15PM Grade 1 Champion Bumper – 4 to 6YO, 2 miles 110 yards

Bet on the Wednesday Cheltenham Festival 2011 events at early odds on Bet365 now!

Thursday Cheltenham Festival 2011 Schedule

1:30PM Grade 2 Jewson Novices’ Chase – 5YO+, 2 miles 4 furlongs
2:05PM Listed Pertemps Final – 5YO+, 3 miles
2:40PM Grade 1 Ryanair Chase – 5YO+, 2 miles 5 furlongs
3:20PM Grade 1 World Hurdle – 4YO+, 3 miles
4:00PM Grade 3 Byrne Group Plate – 5YO+, 2 miles 5 furlongs
4:40PM Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – 5YO+, 3 miles 1.5 furlongs

You can bet on all the major Thursday Cheltenham Festival 2011 races at Bet365 by joining now!

Friday Cheltenham Festival 2011 Schedule

1:30PM Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle – 4YO+, 2 miles 1 furlong
2:05PM Grade 3 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle – 5YO+, 2 miles 1 furlong
2:40PM Grade 1 Spa Novices’ Hurdle – 4YO+, 3 miles
3:20PM Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup – 5YO+, 3 miles 2.5 furlongs
4:00PM Christie’s Foxhunter Chase – 5YO+, 3 miles 2.5 furlongs
4:40PM Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 4YO+, 2 miles 4.5 furlongs
5:15PM Grade 3 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – 5YO+, 2 mile 0.5 furlongs

Join Bet365 now to bet on the Friday Cheltenham Festival 2011 races plus every other race at the Cheltenham Festival 2011 as well as in Great Britain and Ireland!

Top 10 Horse Racing Moments Of All Time

Jessica — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:48:22 +0000

Nominating the Top Ten in any category is an almost impossible task; especially when it comes to a sport that delivers as many regular highlights as horse racing. Nonetheless, Top Ten Horse Racing Moments sounds a lot better than Ten Pretty Good Horse Racing Moments, so we have decided to go with this theme. And who knows, you might discover some new great moments on the track to add to your personal list.

Appearing on this HorseRacing.co.uk Top Ten are (in no particular order – it was hard enough choosing the moments, don’t make us rank them!):

- Crisp VS Red Rum – The Aintree Grand National, 1973
- Kauto Star VS Denman – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 2008 & 2009
- Grundy VS Bustino – King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1975
- Mine That Bird – Kentucky Derby, 2009
- Mon Mome – The Aintree Grand National, 2009
- Monksfield VS Sea Pidgeon – Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, 1979
- Quashed VS Omaha – Ascot Gold Cup, 1936
- Secretariat – Belmont Stakes, 1973
- Arkle VS Mill House – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 1964
- Mandarin – Grand Steeplechase De Paris, 1962

To view the reasons why we think these occasions have made it to the list? Pop over to our Top Ten Horse Racing Moments page.

Speed Loves Company – Kauto Star To Join Triple Gold Cup Winners?

Jessica — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:46:50 +0000

With the Cheltenham Festival only days away, the tension surrounding the totesport Gold Cup in becoming increasingly unbearable. All eyes, it seems, are on previous Gold Cup winner Kauto Star who is fighting for the honour to join the small circle of triple Gold Cup winners.

In 2007 Kauto Star, teamed with champion jockey Ruby Walsh, won his first Gold Cup with a performance strong enough to start murmurs about a possible repetition of the feat in the racing community. However, in spite of being handled a hot favourite when he returned to the event in 2008, Kauto Star’s winning streak was interrupted by his stable-mate Denman who snatched the victory in a dramatic finish. While this put an unpleasant dent in Kauto Star’s smooth winning record, it also allowed the Nicholls-trained (then) nine-year-old to become the first horse in Gold Cup history to reclaim the blue riband prize when he defeated Denman in 2009.
2010 is the year which will either put Denman in the running to become a triple Gold Cup Champion in 2011, or cement Kauto Star’s reputation as a truly outstanding competitor. If he races to win this Friday he will become only the fifth horse in the event’s history to win the race three times or more.

The first contender to achieve this outstanding feat was the legendary Golden Miller, who still holds the record of winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham five consecutive years. The seemingly invincible thoroughbred dominated the event from 1932 to 1936, winning under four different jockeys; Ted Leader (’32), Billy Stott (’33), Geryy Wilson (’34,’35) and Evan Williams (’36).
Cottage Rake, and regular jockey Aubrey Brabazon, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1948, 1949 and 1950; making a name not only for himself and his rider, but also shining the spotlight on trainer Vincent O’Brien.
The next horse to crack the magic code of a triple Gold Cup was the still revered and fondly remembered Arkle, who was led to victory from 1964 to 1966 by equally legendary jockey Pat Taaffe. Taaffe, incidentally, stands to lose his title of winningmost jockey of the Cheltenham Festival to Kauto Star’s jockey Ruby Walsh – should Walsh win more than one race this week.
The latest contender to reach the elusive third win of the Gold Cup was Best Mate, who won consecutively from 2002 to 2004. All his winning Gold Cup rides were under jockey Jim Culloty.

This Friday, 19th March, at 15.20, the moment of truth the racing community – punters, spectators and connections alike – has so keenly awaited for the entire season will finally come. It may leave us with a new triple Gold Cup winner, or it may leave us with a whole new champion to cheer for. The only thing guaranteed is that the 2010 totesport Gold Cup will be one of the most exciting races of the season.

Odds For the Fab Four – Feature Races At The Cheltenham Festival

Jessica — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:54:38 +0000

With the Cheltenham Festival less than a week away – finally – it is high time to start following the rollercoaster of the odds. Seeing as the horses' every move leading up to the big event can set off another re-shuffle of the board, the odds still stand to change around more until the starting prices are announced. However, we have compiled the latest odds on the major Cheltenham races and will keep an eye out to keep them up to date for your convenience. Check them out – you might be surprised how much has happened in the last few days.

All odds current as of the 11th March 2010 and courtesy of William Hill.

Tuesday, March 16th – Champion Hurdle Day – Champion Hurdle Odds
Wednesday, March 17th – St. Patricks Day Day – Coral Cup Odds
Thuesday, March 18th – Ladies’Day – Ryanair Chase Odds
Friday, March 19th – Gold Cup Day – Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds

Tuesday, March 16th – Champion Hurdle Day

Champion Hurdle Odds – 15:20

Horse	Odds
Go Native	10/3
Solwhit	6/1
Punjabi	7/1
Medermit	15/2
Zaynar	15/2
Binocular	8/1
Khyber Kim	9/1
Celestial Halo	12/1
Starluck	12/1
Donnas Palm	50/1
Won In The Dark	66/1
Ebadiyan	100/1
Jumbo Rio	100/1
Muirhead	100/1
Royal And Regal	100/1
Raise Your Heart	200/1
Kargali	250/1

All odds current as of the 11th March 2010 and courtesy of William Hill.

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March 17th – St. Patricks Day

Coral Cup Odds – 16:00

Horse	Odds
Mourad	9/1
Beshabar	10/1
Quantitativeeasing	10/1
Spirit River	12/1
Lake Legend	14/1
Wishfull Thinking	14/1
Ainama	16/1
C’Est Ca	16/1
Dorset Square	16/1
James De Vassy	16/1
Mamlook	16/1
Qozak	16/1
Shadow Dancer	16/1
Sir Harry Ormesher	16/1
Smoking Aces	16/1
Andytown	20/1
City Theatre	20/1
Deutschland	20/1
Micheal Flips	20/1
Rahan De Marcigny	20/1
Silk Affair	20/1
Sway	20/1
Trenchant	20/1
Arctic Magic	25/1
Ashkazar	25/1
Born Again	25/1
Boulavogue	25/1
Chicago Grey	25/1
For The Staff	25/1
Fredo	25/1
Hampshire Express	25/1
Hollo Ladies	25/1
Inventor	25/1
J’y Vole	25/1
Jumbo Rio	25/1
Montan	25/1
Moskova	25/1
My Petra	25/1
Naiad Du Misselot	25/1
Northern Alliance	25/1
On Borrowed Wings	25/1
On Raglan Road	25/1
Sonowyouno	25/1
Souffleur	25/1
Takeroc	25/1
Time Electric	25/1
Erzen	28/1
Kicks For Free	28/1
Mr Thriller	28/1
Realt Dubh	28/1
Aachen	33/1
Any Given Day	33/1
Bahrain Storm	33/1
Ballyvoile	33/1
Busker Royal	33/1
Consigliere	33/1
Fairyland	33/1
Fruity O’Rooney	33/1
Golan Way	33/1
Gold Award	33/1
Pause And Clause	33/1
Sarando	33/1
Silk Hall	33/1
Silverhand	33/1
Stravinsky Dance	33/1
Tanks For That	33/1
Tasheba	33/1
Tender Falcon	33/1
Thousand Stars	33/1
Woolfall Treasure	33/1
Bruslini	40/1
Chief Yeoman	40/1
Dantari	40/1
Eleazar	40/1
Montana Slim	40/1
Nintytwo Team	40/1
Prince Taime	40/1
Saticon	40/1
Scriptwriter	40/1
Shuil Aris	40/1
Silver Jaro	40/1
Stradbrook	40/1
Superior Wisdom	40/1
Always Bold	50/1
Buena Vista	50/1
Bugsy’s Boy	50/1
Caracciola	50/1
Dansimar	50/1
De Soto	50/1
Dr Livingstone	50/1
Earth Magic	50/1
Echo Point	50/1
El Dancer	50/1
Elusive Dream	50/1
Finzi Contini	50/1
Four Strong Winds	50/1
Gee Dee Nen	50/1
Glingerbank	50/1
Good Old Thyme	50/1
Halla San	50/1
I Hear A Symphony	50/1
Kennel Hill	50/1
Merrydown	50/1
Pigeon Island	50/1
Quartano	50/1
Racing Demon	50/1
Ring The Boss	50/1
Silverburn	50/1
Sir Tantallus Hawk	50/1
The Giant Bolster	50/1
Tullamore Dew	50/1
Callisto Moon	66/1
Dabaratsa	66/1
Secret Tune	66/1
Simarian	66/1
Tilt	66/1
Tobago Bay	66/1
Tyson	66/1
War Party	66/1
Warne’s Way	66/1
Whatsabillion	66/1

All odds current as of the 11th March 2010 and courtesy of William Hill.

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March 18th – Ladies’ Day

Ryanair Chase Odds – 14:40

Horse	Odds
Poquelin	4/1
Tranquil Sea	4/1
Barbers Shop	6/1
Schindlers Hunt	11/1
Petit Robin	12/1
Planet Of Sound	12/1
J’y Vole	14/1
Voy Por Ustedes	14/1
Albertas Run	20/1
Deep Purple	25/1
Scotsirish	25/1
Barker	33/1
Chapoturgeon	33/1
Golden Silver	33/1
Jack The Giant	33/1
Master Medic	50/1
Tartak	50/1
Watch My Back	50/1
Aran Concerto	66/1
Deutschland	66/1
Glencove Marina	66/1
Made In Taipan	66/1
Newmill	66/1
Our Vic	66/1
The Fonze	66/1
Consigliere	100/1
Gwanako	100/1
Herecomesthetruth	100/1
Snowy Morning	100/1
Something Wells	100/1
Panjo Bere	150/1

All odds current as of the 11th March 2010 and courtesy of William Hill.

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March 19th – Gold Cup Day

Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds – 15:20

Horse	Odds
Kauto Star	4/5
Denman	4/1
Imperial Commander	10/1
Cooldine	11/1
Tricky Trickster	20/1
What A Friend	33/1
Carruthers	50/1
Albertas Run	100/1
Calgary Bay	100/1
Casey Jones	100/1
Madison Du Berlais	100/1
My Will	100/1
Schindlers Hunt	100/1
Mon Mome	150/1
Aran Concerto	200/1
Cerium	500/1
Mr Pointment	500/1

All odds current as of the 11th March 2010 and courtesy of William Hill.

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Saddle Up! – Nicholls announces Gold Cup Jockeys

Jessica — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:23:47 +0000

Star-trainer Paul Nicholls has nominated the jockeys for three of his four charges entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. As two of the most-watched contenders in the Gold Cup, Kauto Star and Denman, are stable mates at Nicholls’ training facility, the official announcement of the jockeys has been long and eagerly anticipated. Telling from his selection of riders, Nicholls will only have the best for the best.

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star will enter the race under the direction of Ruby Walsh. The pair have a well-established partnership; Walsh rode Kauto Star to victory at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009. Thirty-year-old Walsh has been performing solidly over the season, heightening confidence in his ability with his most recent win at the Kingston Veterinary Group ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton on 4th March, on Nicholls-trained King’s Legacy.

Denman, winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, remains paired with Tony McCoy despite unseating him during the Aon Chase at Newbury on 13th February this year. Although the muddled performance caused a minor stir in the racing community, Nicholls insists that McCoy is indeed the man for the job – and the jockey’s proved his worth winning five races between the 1st and 4th of March.

Sam Thomas has been booked to take the leads of Tricky Trickster. The jockey has fared well with Nicholls’ stable students in the past; winning the 2007 Betfair Chase on Kauto Star and racing Denman first across the line at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008.