2015 Champion Chase

[mayo]

O'Leary also revealed Tony Martin's Savello, winner of last year's Grand Annual and in contention for a number of handicaps at this year's Festival, will instead take on the best in the two-mile division in Wednesday's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

[Hoof]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Cheltenham Preview: Sprinter Sacre or Sire De Grugy in Champion Chase?
Ted Walsh, <a href="https://twitter.com/_Davy_Russel_">@_Davy_Russel_</a> , <a href="https://twitter.com/gelliott_racing">@gelliott_racing</a> <a href="https://t.co/pW8QSpwgba">https://t.co/pW8QSpwgba</a></p>&mdash; Anaglogs Daughter (@AnaglogsDaughtr) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnaglogsDaughtr/status/573941902833250304">March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Ted hates Sprinter


Mouth says one thing about CF body language that he wins

SDG beats them all.

[Yeehaa]

[Old Vic]

[Old Vic]

The Champion Chase looks much more open than might have been anticipated at one stage. Dodging Bullets was slightly underwhelming, in time terms, in winning the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December but quite a bit more convincing in beating Sprinter Sacre in a truly-run Clarence House Chase at Ascot last time. Champagne Fever’s win at Gowran last time was in a poor overall time and not especially impressive sectional.

What should not be overlooked is that Sire de Grugy’s recent success at Chepstow had a good deal of substance on the clock, worthy of a rating in the high-160s judged by a comparison with the other C&D handicap on the card. Sectionals showed that Sire de Grugy’s race was more strongly-run than ideal, which will have harmed that overall time somewhat, so there is every reason to think the horse is back to the level which saw him win 12 months ago. In a race with “ifs” and “buts” about some of the contenders, he looks solid.

[mayo]

Ian McClean

Wednesday

Champion Chase

Possibly the most fascinating event of the entire Festival, it features the previous two winners, both with something to prove. Ironically I want to be against both on opposite grounds.

The bounce factor is a real fear for Sprinter Sacre after Ascot, where not only was he totally empty from the second last, but also bled to boot. Sire de Grugy's potential downfall is three quick races in a month after a lengthy absence.

Dodging Bullets is undoubtedly the form horse this year but has a horrible record during the spring and is disturbingly weak in the market lately. While Champagne Fever has an admirable record at the Festival (should be 3-3), the yard has been trying to make a three-miler of him all year and it's not a preparation blueprint I'd seek for this race.

If you had told me I'd be tipping Mr Mole for this race a year ago when his attitude stank and he was decanting AP McCoy at the last off 147 in the Grand Annual, I'd have been calling the white-coats.

However, beyond the routine Ditcheat wind op, he's had (it appears) a heart and an engine transplant this campaign and four wins on the bounce, including the same handicap Master Minded won as well as a career-best Game Spirit, make him very attractive at double figures in places.

Selection: Mr Mole

[Morning Glory]

Ted had no love for Sprinter

[Old Vic]

THE FESTIVAL 2015, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
LADIES DAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase Paul Nicholls Press Conference

Nicholls has Bullets firing on all cylinders

Paul Nicholls said he had realised how to train Dodging Bullets in the press conference following the horse's game success in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. The seven-year-old son of Dubawi completed a hat-trick of Grade One wins over fences this season with a length and a quarter success from Somersby. Nicholls said: "I've learnt how to train him really. He has mentally grown up. He had a few issues but he has had a tongue-tie on the last three times which has made him finish his races."

After finishing third on his first start this season at Cheltenham in November, Nicholls suggested that he was finally able to train the horse properly. This had helped see a marked improvement in the horse's form. Nicholls remarked: "I thought, his first run at Cheltenham this season that he couldn't get beat. However, he jumped the last and got tired on the run-in, he blew up. I didn't have him right. We had treated him for gastric ulcers in the spring and I began to think that I was being too easy on him because he is a bit buzzy, so I wasn't able to train him hard enough. Before the Tingle Creek, I was able to stoke the work into him and I saw a lot of improvement in him. He is now a lot fitter and more relaxed. Today he was as big and strong as I have seen him looking."

Nicholls praised the ride given to Dodging Bullets by Sam Twiston-Davies: "Sam gave him a fantastic ride. He has settled into the job very nicely and done extremely well. Someone said he will last me till I retire! He is a very good lad who I hope will be part of the team for a long time."

Nicholls also couldn't fathom why Dodging Bullets had only gone off third favourite in the betting because of the risks that were attached to both Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy following disappointing results this season. Nicholls said: "I think my horse on form should've been favourite. He won the Tingle Creek at Sandown and then the Clarence House at Ascot beating Sprinter Sacre, I couldn't see that horse turning around the form with us. However, we saw the sentiment with those two horses which we also had with Big Bucks. I learnt that lesson with Big Bucks that those horses who were good but have been off the track a long time don't come back quite as good.

"With all due respect to Gary Moore, I thought Sire De Grugy had it all to do this year. They had a rushed preparation after having a problem with him. I wasn't impressed with him at Newbury and whilst mathematically, it was a good performance at Chepstow I thought I could have beaten him that day with Far West. My horse was getting two stone but bled jumping the third so the race to me turned into one where he just had to jump round and win. Therefore, I was fairly confident I had those two covered."


Nicholls also confirmed that Dodging Bullets would not run again this year: "Dodging Bullets won't run again this year. The big aim will be to try and defend his crown here next year. He needs to be fresh and I've been quite hard on him. I have learned that over the years, the worst thing you can do after winning one of these championship races is to run again and almost sort of ruin what they have done. He is a champion and we can dream about that all summer and then get him right to defend his crown next year. He definitely won't run again."

Nicholls also tasted success in the Coral Cup, saddling the winner Aux Ptits Soins, who was having his first start in Britain. The Ditcheat trainer added: "He jumped quite green and I was worried his inexperience would get him beat but he is a very nice horse for the future."

Having seen Willie Mullins take Champion Day by storm on day one of The Festival, Nicholls was keen to emphasise the difficulties of keeping up with the Irish handler. He remarked: "Willie is always going to be hard to beat with the ones he has at the moment but you just have to do your best with what you have at your disposal.

"It depends on the horses you have and you can only win with what you have. When we had Neptune Collonges, Kauto Star, Master Minded and Big Bucks all running at the same time it was awesome but that doesn't always happen. If you have a great team it's easier and we have a nice team coming through.

"It's astounded me how well we have done. I said to Sam Twiston-Davies that it might take us a year or two to get back to where we were, but we have a good team. The horses have run really well, look well and I am thrilled with the way everything has gone."

Nicholls has more riches to look forward to during the remainder of The Festival. That includes tomorrow's Ladbrokes World Hurdle in which he saddles Zarkander and Saphir Du Rheu, two fancies for the race. He said: "Looking forward to the World Hurdle. Like any race it will be tough but we have two good chances with Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkander. I think they are both in good form and good order."

Britain's champion trainer also has the ante-post favourite for Friday's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in Silviniaco Conti. He said: "It was frustrating me why Silviniaco Conti wasn't finishing out his races last year. However, he had the same problem as Dodging Bullets with gastric ulcers and he has now had the same treatment and looks really well. I'd say he is a better horse than last year. It isn't because he doesn't act at Cheltenham, he has just had his problems."

[Old Vic]

LADIES DAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

Bullets is Champion

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase was billed in some quarters as a duel between past winners Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy but neither proved a match for improving Dodging Bullets.

Sire De Grugy finished fourth and Sprinter Sacre pulled up as Dodging Bullets gave trainer Paul Nicholls a fifth victory in the two-mile contest.

"I know the other two were past champions but I couldn't see why they were behind us in the betting, it must have been on sentiment," said Nicholls. "Dodging Bullets was the progressive young horse and it's them that usually come out on top, he should have been favourite on form. He confirmed the Tingle Creek form with Somersby.

"He would have liked the ground a bit slower and I thought Sam (Twiston-Davies) gave him a fantastic ride. Sam is so much more confident this season, it all just takes a bit of bedding in but he's been awesome this year. He rides really well and we're all very fond of him.

"The horse won't run again this season and I expect we'll be dreaming all summer. The whole aim will be to come here again in a year's time. We might take in the Tingle Creek along the way.

"The horse has always had breathing issues and we've run him three times with a tongue tie and three times he has won. Two years ago he ran a shocking race in the Supreme and we didn't know why. Today's win is so good for the whole team because we have had a few little issues with the horse. It takes forever to learn how to train these horses and we have got him right now. Harry Derham rides him every single day, knows him better than anybody and he will be made up.

"I never thought he was a Master Minded or an Azertyuiop but he's winning the same races as they did now.

"It's great for the whole team and great to win the Champion Chase again - I really love this race. We know where we are going with Dodging Bullets now and I expect the lads will be dreaming all summer. He is such a special horse to all the team that own him and I think it's the first proper championship race winner that Tom Malone bought."

Dodging Bullets was bred by Frankie Dettori and made just 8,000gns as a yearling when originally sold to race on the Flat with Andy Oliver in Ireland. He was subsequently bought privately by Tom Malone to join Nicholls.

Dettori was on hand to watch the race and said: "Sam gave him a fantastic ride - he jumped like a stag and was gutsy all the way to the line. He was bred to win the Derby but this is second best. It's the equivalent of the 100m final at the Olympics and what a horse. You have to give credit to Dodging Bullets, he did all the work.

"He didn't make very much as a yearling as his legs were pointing in the wrong direction although they got better with time

"I watched it with the owners and my legs were shaking a little bit walking down the steps, I was so excited. It's completely different and unusual to have those feelings when I don't have anything to do with it. I'm so pleased for Martin (Broughton, owner) and Paul.

"Sam was tactically very astute and gave the horse a great ride. I didn't cheer too early but I did a bit once he'd pinged the second last. Riding is all about confidence and for a young man you've got to say that Sam is top-class
Dettori was wearing a blue three-piece suit and trilby and added: "I've been watching Mr (Rich) Ricci on television and thought I'd give him a run for his money! Barry Hills gave me the trilby and told me that if I didn't wear it he wanted it back."

Sam dodges the Bullet and lands biggest win

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies cemented a superb first season as first jockey at Paul Nicholls' yard when landing racing's two-mile championship, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Riding 9/2 chance Dodging Bullets for a syndicate called Martin Broughton and Friends, Twiston-Davies drove the winner to victory by a length and a quarter from Somersby (33/1), with front-running Special Tiara (18/1) a length and three-quarters back in third. Last year's winner, Sire De Grugy (5/2) was fourth, while former champion Sprinter Sacre (9/4 favourite) was pulled up.

The winning jockey said: "It feels unbelievable, but I have to say it's a great effort by Harry Derham [Nicholls' nephew] who rides him every day and has done all the hard work - Frankie [Dettori, the Flat jockey who bred Dodging Bullets] came to the yard and Harry wouldn't let him near the horse!

"If Harry ever takes out a trainers' licence I'd be happy to ride for him. All credit to the team at Ditcheat and to the horse. The plan was to sit third or fourth, let him travel down the hill and kick from there to the line, hoping Sprinter Sacre might not find much and make it hard work for Sire De Grugy to get to us - the plan worked great.

"This fellow jumps, stays and gallops which is the perfect combination for this race. I wanted to get as close as possible to [pace-setter] Special Tiara after three out with the intentions of whipping off the last bend, and my horse was very brave.

"I've always said my dad [Nigel] is the best trainer I've ridden for, but Paul Nicholls is some man - I don't know how he does it. After Dodging Bullets' run in the Arkle last year if I'd said he was going to win three Grade One races this season you would have called me a moon man. It's a great training performance.

"It is a massive win and hopefully means I keep hold of the job for years to come. Big winners make up for the days when things don't go so well - we didn't have a great day yesterday, but Paul said 'I'll leave it to you so get on with it'. It eases the pressure and hopefully I'll ride better and better as the week goes on."

Winning co-owner Martin Broughton said: "It's fantastic - would you believe it? The anticipation is almost too much, and when you get to the race itself you just want the horse to come back safely. Sam rode that exactly the way he said he was going to, and all the way round I got more and more confident - it was going to plan.

"In business you don't have instant moments - things go right or wrong over a long period of time. This has been a while coming, but in business you don't get a moment like this. I'm ecstatic, and I was very happy being under the radar in advance as everyone was talking about Sprinter versus Sire."

So near yet so far for Somersby

Connections of Somersby were understandably proud following his fine run in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase but were left wondering what might have been after the 33/1 shot finished the one and a quarter length runner-up behind Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham this afternoon.

The 11-year-old has now been placed at four Festivals (including behind Sire De Grugy in this race last year) and was yet again just denied as the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding stormed up the hill to land his third Grade One success.

"Brian's given him a great ride and he's jumped well today as well," said trainer Mick Channon.

"He's probably run pound for pound against the winner of the Tingle Creek but unfortunately he doesn't give himself much of a chance to win does he? There's sadly always something to beat him. Sire De Grugy (4th this year) beat him last year and he's been beaten by some good horses in his time - maybe he's been born in the wrong generation! The public love him - he got a great reception when he came in. Henrietta (Knight - Somersby's former trainer) has looked after him for years, I've just got the easy bit now. I'm just pleased he's had a great season but he's not won a race."

Hughes said: "For a second going to the last, I maybe thought that I had a small chance. I got to Sam's quarters 50 yards after the last and his horse picked up again, with his younger legs. He jumped great all the way. He has his own technique when he gets in a bit deep and he got a bit deep at the second last and the last with a circuit to go. He's got his own way but he has been around long enough to know what he is doing. He jumped away great down the back and I was fairly confident running down the hill. He probably got into three out a little bit and the boys were kicking on in front of me. I was just hanging on, trying to nick as much money as I could, but I thought I had half a chance going to the last. He is a big scopey horse and probably knows more about jumping than I do. I would have taken second this morning, I suppose, and it looked a better race than last year. He ran well and I am happy with him."

Knight, who is assistant to Channon for the trainer's jumpers, said: "Mick is not doing too badly for a beginner! I am very proud of the horse - he is fantastic. It just shows how tough he is because he has kept going so long and he is 11 years old now."

The owner's husband Tim Radford said: "It was his seventh Festival - everybody had written him and he was 33/1. Second in the Tingle Creek two years running and second in this wonderful race two years running. He will be back here next year for his eighth time all being well."

Trainer Henry De Bromhead was also delighted with the run of Special Tiara, who finished a further length and three quarters back in third.

"Noel (Fehily - jockey) gave him a super ride," said the trainer. "He said he got a chance to fill him turning in and thought when he got to the second last that he had a chance of winning but his run has just petered out. He's run brilliantly though. He's only eight so hopefully we'll be back for a few more years yet.

De Bromhead also had news of Sizing Europe, who finished 7th. "Sizing Europe is fine, I saw him when he came in but it just wasn't happening today. It's probably just his old legs catching up with him."

Sprinter fine

Trainer Nicky Henderson had news of Sprinter Sacre after the former winner of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase was pulled up at the end of this year's race.

Henderson told Radio 5 Live: "I would be very surprised if Sprinter Sacre's heart was wrong since that has never been an issue since the day it happened at Kempton.

"Things have been going so well with him since Christmas and we have been very happy with him. Last year we knew he wasn't himself and at the beginning of this season it wasn't happening but it gradually came together.

"He will be scoped now and I suspect something will come to light in that department. It is not his heart. As we know, there was a trace a blood after he ran at Ascot so you have to be suspicious in that department. It will be half an hour before we know that.

"No predictions can be made today about what his future will be. He has been a great horse and if it is wrong to go on I am sure we won't do that. But if we can find a switch to get rid of whatever is wrong with him today, then who knows. There are still technically years in him."

Sprinter Sacre's jockey Barry Geraghty said: "We'll let the vets check him over and see what they say. I knew at the first down the back so we'll just have to wait and see. He seemed to still enjoy his racing."

Last year's winner Sire De Grugy put in a laboured performance in finishing fourth and jockey Jamie Moore thought the ground was to blame.

"I thought the ground was plenty quick enough for him really," said Moore.

"I thought before the race the ground was ok but I do think it is quicker than last year. That was seen by the fact that the horses at the front end have been able to keep going on that bit longer because the ground was that bit quicker.

"He'll run again this season. He'll be alright. Look he has been beaten but it happens."

Trainer Gary Moore also thought the ground was to blame.

"I'm trying hard not to make excuses but I do think the ground was too quick," said Moore.

"Jamie walked the course this morning and said it was definitely quicker than last year. The quick ground is coming down the hill and that's where he began to struggle. I'd be tempted to run at Punchestown now if the ground is a little softer. If it was quick there, we could wait for the Celebration Chase at Sandown."


3.20pm Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
£350,000 total prize fund. For 5yo+, 2m. Weights 11st 10lb. Allowances mares 7lb. Penalty value 1st £199,325.00 2nd £74,795.00 3rd £37,450.00 4th £18,655.00 5th £9,380.00 6th £4,690.00

1) DODGING BULLETS (Martin Broughton & Friends) Paul Nicholls t7-11-10 Sam Twiston-Davies 9/2
2) SOMERSBY (IRE) (Camilla Radford) Mick Channon p11-11-10 Brian Hughes 33/1
3) SPECIAL TIARA (Sally Rowley-Williams) Henry De Bromhead IRE 8-11-10 Noel Fehily 18/1
4) SIRE DE GRUGY (FR) (The Preston Family & Friends) Gary Moore 9-11-10 Jamie Moore 5/2
5) SIMPLY NED (IRE) (David & Nicky Robinson) Nicky Richards 8-11-10 Brian Harding
6) SAVELLO (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Tony Martin IRE h9-11-10 Bryan Cooper
7) SIZING EUROPE (IRE) (Ann & Alan Potts Partnership) Henry De Bromhead IRE p13-11-10 Johnny Burke
8) MR MOLE (IRE) (J P McManus) Paul Nicholls t7-11-10 A P McCoy
PU) SPRINTER SACRE (FR) (Caroline Mould) Nicky Henderson 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty 9/4f

9 ran
Non-runners: Champagne Fever (self cert - injured in box), Clarcam (self cert - stiff)
Distances: 1¼, 1¾, 7, 7, 4½, 9, 7
Breeder: Frankie Dettori
Breeding: b g Dubawi (IRE) - Nova Cyngi (USA) (Kris S (USA))
Tote Win £4.60 Place £1.80 £6.80 £3.80 Exacta £167.80

Winning Trainer: PAUL NICHOLLS Date of birth: 17/05/62 Based: Heighes House, Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Background: Paul Nicholls has been training at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, Somerset, since taking out a licence on November 1, 1991. He started out as a jump jockey and twice rode the winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, in 1986 and 1987. He partnered 119 winners between 1980 and 1989. He was assistant trainer to former Devon-based David Barons, who sent out Seagram to win the 1991 Grand National at Aintree during that time. Having strongly challenged Martin Pipe for the jump trainers' championship for several years, most notably when pushing his great rival right to the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, he claimed his first of eight titles in the 2005/06 season. Cheltenham Festival Wins (36): Coral Cup (2015 Aux Ptits Soins), Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2010 Sanctuaire), Ladbrokes World Hurdle (2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Big Buck's), CHAPS Restaurants Barbados Novices' Handicap Chase (2009 Chapoturgeon), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2008 Celestial Halo, 2011 Zarkandar), Racing Post Arkle Novices' Chase (1999 Flagship Uberalles, 2003 Azertyuiop), Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded, 2015 Dodging Bullets), Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999 See More Business, 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star, 2008 Denman), CGA Foxhunter Chase (2004 Earthmover, 2005 Sleeping Night), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2004 St Pirran, 2007 Andreas), Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest, 2009 American Trilogy, 2014 Lac Fontana), Ryanair Chase (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis), Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2006 Noland, 2011 Al Ferof), RSA Chase (2006 Star De Mohaison, 2007 Denman), Stan James Champion Hurdle (2012 Rock On Ruby), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2013 Salubrious) Number of Winners (1992/03-2013/14): 20; 29; 28; 53; 56; 82; 110; 71; 83; 136; 152; 127; 152; 148*; 124*; 151* (first trainer to win more than £4 million in prize money in a season);155*;115*, 134*, 138*, 131, 118**Champion Trainer Wins this Season: 94