2015 Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle

[dazzler]

Nicholls leaning towards coral cup for aux Petit soins , says calipto should go well in county.

[Old Vic]

@BetfairRacing: . @DanielFarrant "What do you rate as your best chance in any of the handicaps" I think Calipto will go very well in the County #AskPaul

[loveracing]

@BetfairRacing: . @DanielFarrant "What do you rate as your best chance in any of the handicaps" I think Calipto will go very well in the County #AskPaul

PN said the same thing about Lac Fontana for the same race last year (robbed arctic fire. I followed every horse possible a month prior to this race due to a hefty bet on AF. I wish I listened to PN and done a r/f. Could he win it twice✌in a row? He meant it last year!

[Lessey]

Calipto is a bookies favourite, encouraging runs, looks good on the eye but never quite lands the big prize. Plus cannot trust him after last years Triumph. Similar story to Kings Palace, look top drawer until you put them on the big stage

[loveracing]

Calipto is a bookies favourite, encouraging runs, looks good on the eye but never quite lands the big prize. Plus cannot trust him after last years Triumph. Similar story to Kings Palace, look top drawer until you put them on the big stage

Thats why I did not cover bet with Lac. Previous year he was a fence away from Our Conner in the Triumph and thought he just didn't like the track. Don't get me wrong, AF should have won but he got blind sided, but can't knock the winner. I will probably have a go on Calipto on the day as he won't be favourite.

[Old Vic]

Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle

Grade 3, £80,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 2.05pm, Friday, March 13, 2015, two miles and one furlong. For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 22, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 17 (121 entries), entries released February 19, weights revealed February 25. Six-day confirmation stage March 7, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 12. Maximum field of 26.

Horse	Age	Wgt	Owner	Trainer
KILCOOLEY (IRE)	6	11-12	J H & S M Wall	Charlie Longsdon
IRVING	7	11-08	Axom XLIX	Paul Nicholls
ABBYSSIAL (IRE)	5	11-07	Violet O'Leary	Willie Mullins IRE
GARDE LA VICTOIRE (FR)	6	11-05	Diana Whateley	Philip Hobbs
LAC FONTANA (FR)	6	11-02	Potensis Bloodstock Limited	Paul Nicholls
TIGER ROLL (IRE)	5	11-01	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
VULCANITE (IRE)	8	11-01	J P McManus	Charlie Longsdon
TED VEALE (IRE)	8	11-00	John Breslin	Tony Martin IRE
SEEDLING	6	11-00	Equis & Christopher Spence	Warren Greatrex
SEA LORD (IRE)	8	10-13	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
SIGN OF A VICTORY (IRE)	6	10-12	Matt & Lauren Morgan	Nicky Henderson
ACTIVIAL (FR)	5	10-12	Potensis Bloodstock Limited	Harry Fry
HAWK HIGH (IRE)	5	10-11	Trevor Hemmings	Tim Easterby
CHELTENIAN (FR)	9	10-11	Roger Brookhouse	Philip Hobbs
ARBRE DE VIE (FR)	5	10-10	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
ROLLING STAR (FR)	6	10-10	Michael Buckley & The Vestey Family	Nicky Henderson
DELL' ARCA (IRE)	6	10-09	Prof Caroline Tisdall	David Pipe
SGT RECKLESS	8	10-09	Camilla Radford	Mick Channon
SEMPRE MEDICI (FR)	5	10-09	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
LOCAL HERO (GER)	8	10-09	Irvin Naylor	Steve Gollings
PINE CREEK	7	10-09	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
CALIPTO (FR)	5	10-08	Chris Giles & Ian Fogg	Paul Nicholls
ANALIFET (FR)	5	10-08	Gigginstown House Stud	Willie Mullins IRE
BENTELIMAR (IRE)	6	10-08	J Ryan	Shay Barry IRE
GOODWOOD MIRAGE (IRE)	5	10-07	Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford	Jonjo O'Neill
RUACANA	6	10-07	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
RICH COAST	7	10-06	Philip J Reynolds	Noel Meade IRE
DESERT CRY (IRE)	9	10-06	NYPD Racing	Donald McCain
ORGILGO BAY (IRE)	5	10-06	D Kierans	John McConnell IRE
MODEM	5	10-06	Turlough Blessing	Jessica Harrington IRE
CHESTERFIELD (IRE)	5	10-06	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
THE GAME CHANGER (IRE)	6	10-06	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
VIOLET DANCER	5	10-06	D Bessell & Galloping On The South Downs	Gary Moore
BALLYGLASHEEN (IRE)	5	10-06	R J Gambarini	Evan Williams
LIGHTENING ROD	10	10-05	N W A Bannister	Michael Easterby
ROMAN FLIGHT (IRE)	7	10-05	Favourites Racing (Syndication) Ltd	David Dennis
VASCO DU RONCERAY (FR)	6	10-05	Simon Munir & Isaac Souede	Nicky Henderson
JOLLY'S CRACKED IT (FR)	6	10-05	GDM Partnership	Harry Fry
COMMISSIONED (IRE)	5	10-05	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
ROYAL IRISH HUSSAR (IRE)	5	10-05	Triermore Stud	Nicky Henderson
AUX PTITS SOINS (FR)	5	10-04	John Hales	Paul Nicholls
MACNICHOLSON (IRE)	6	10-04	J P O'Flaherty	Jessica Harrington IRE
MIJHAAR	7	10-04	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
RED MERLIN (IRE)	10	10-04	Matthew Taylor	Donald McCain
LUCKY BRIDLE (IRE)	6	10-04	Andrea & Graham Wylie	Willie Mullins IRE
SAVELLO (IRE)	9	10-04	Gigginstown House Stud	Tony Martin IRE
ARZAL (FR)	5	10-04	The Hennessy Six	Harry Whittington
DANEKING	6	10-03	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
ASO (FR)	5	10-03	The Bellamy Partnership	Venetia Williams
SIZING CODELCO (IRE)	6	10-03	Ann & Alan Potts Partnership	Henry de Bromhead IRE
WICKLOW BRAVE	6	10-03	Wicklow Bloodstock Limited	Willie Mullins IRE
BALTIMORE ROCK (IRE)	6	10-03	Roger Brookhouse	David Pipe
HEATH HUNTER (IRE)	8	10-03	The Heath Hunter Partnership	David Pipe
MAX DYNAMITE (FR)	5	10-02	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
PRINCELY CONN (IRE)	6	10-02	J P McManus	Thomas Mullins IRE

WAXIES DARGLE	6	10-01	J P McManus	Noel Meade IRE
QUICK JACK (IRE)	6	10-01	John Breslin	Tony Martin IRE
MR DIABLO (IRE)	6	10-01	Aidan Glynn	J P Dempsey IRE
FETHARD PLAYER (IRE)	8	10-01	W F Treacy	William Treacy IRE
VELVET MAKER (FR)	6	10-01	Barry Connell	Tony Martin IRE
PASS THE TIME	6	10-01	Dajam Ltd	Neil Mulholland
BALGARRY (FR)	8	10-00	Brocade Racing	David Pipe
BORDONI (USA)	6	10-00	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
DORMELLO MO (FR)	5	10-00	The Kyle & Stewart Families	Paul Nicholls
DOYLY CARTE	7	10-00	Elite Racing Club	Donald McCain
SOME BUCKLE (IRE)	6	10-00	Roger Brookhouse	Tom George
LASER HAWK (IRE)	8	10-00	W J Evans	Evan Williams
THISTLECRACK	7	10-00	John and Heather Snook	Colin Tizzard
MINELLA PRESENT (IRE)	6	10-00	Lady Clarke	Neil Mulholland
SORT IT OUT (IRE)	6	9-13	J P McManus	Eddie Harty IRE
CHIEFTAIN'S CHOICE (IRE)	6	9-13	Carl Hinchy	John Quinn
FORCED FAMILY FUN	5	9-13	The Top Silk Syndicate	John Quinn
PINK COAT	8	9-13	Eileen Hughes	Sandra Hughes IRE
AKLAN (IRE)	6	9-12	Coach Partnership	Willie Mullins IRE
TANDEM	6	9-12	Bellamy Syndicate	Dermot Weld IRE
PURE STYLE (IRE)	7	9-12	Mark E Smith	Charlie Longsdon
SHADOW CATCHER	7	9-12	Mrs Pat Sloan	Gordon Elliott IRE
KATGARY (FR)	5	9-11	Andrea & Graham Wylie	Paul Nicholls
STREETS OF NEWYORK	8	9-11	Koo's Racing Club	Brian Ellison
NATHANS PRIDE (IRE)	7	9-11	Paul Bowtell	Tim Vaughan
COOL MACAVITY (IRE)	7	9-11	Triermore Stud	Nicky Henderson
GASSIN GOLF	6	9-11	Will Roseff	Richard Lee
EBONY EXPRESS	6	9-10	ValueRacingClubcouk	Dr Richard Newland
KNIGHT'S PARADE (IRE)	5	9-10	Bodhran Makers Syndicate	Gordon Elliott IRE
RAYVIN BLACK	6	9-10	R White & V J Walsh	Oliver Sherwood
MIDNIGHT GAME	8	9-09	Mrs J A Martin	Brian Ellison
HANDIWORK	5	9-09	C Johnstone	Steve Gollings
KAZLIAN (FR)	7	9-09	Twelve Pipers Piping	Johnny Farrelly
AUVERGNAT (FR)	5	9-09	J P McManus	Jonjo O'Neill
RAVEN'S TOWER (USA)	5	9-08	Faithful Friends	Ben Pauling
SWING BOWLER	8	9-08	K Alexander	David Pipe
BALLYBOLLEY (IRE)	6	9-08	Simon Munir & Isaac Souede	Nigel Twiston-Davies
ZIP TOP (IRE)	6	9-08	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
ROCK ON ROCKY	7	9-08	Jan Johnson & Terry Harman	Matt Sheppard
A BOY NAMED SUZI	7	9-07	ABS Partnership	Lucy Wadham
DUSKY LARK	5	9-07	Sara Biggins & Celia Djivanovic	Colin Tizzard
RADMORES REVENGE	12	9-07	C Leech & R Liddington	Sophie Leech
VICONTE DU NOYER (FR)	6	9-07	Ann & Alan Potts Partnership	Henry de Bromhead IRE
SNAKE EYES (IRE)	7	9-07	J P McManus	Nicky Henderson
FATCATINTHEHAT	6	9-07	G M Spencer	Emma Baker
RETRIEVE (AUS)	8	9-06	Bloomfields	John Ferguson
WILLEM (FR)	5	9-06	Mrs D Thompson	David Pipe
CLONDAW WARRIOR (IRE)	8	9-06	Act D Wagg Syndicate	Willie Mullins IRE
CAPE GLORY (IRE)	5	9-06	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
TWENTYTWO'S TAKEN (IRE)	7	9-06	K Alexander	David Pipe
KYLESTYLE (IRE)	6	9-06	John Nestor	Francis Flood IRE
WAR SINGER (USA)	8	9-05	The War Cabinet	Johnny Farrelly
LA VATICANE (FR)	6	9-05	Scuderia del Bargello	Francois-Marie Cottin FR
FORT SMITH (IRE)	6	9-05	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
PAIROFBROWNEYES (IRE)	6	9-04	Fibbage Syndicate	Liz Doyle IRE
I SHOT THE SHERIFF (IRE)	8	9-04	Malcolm Denmark	Tony Martin IRE
THUNDERING HOME	8	9-04	Mrs Katy Boughey	Richard Mitchell
LOUGH KENT	6	9-03	Caroline Mould	Nicky Henderson
COMMUNICATOR	7	9-01	Lady Davis	Jonjo O'Neill
ROCKY WEDNESDAY (IRE)	8	9-01	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
CAPTAIN CARLETON (IRE)	6	8-12	M Flinter	Cormac Farrell IRE
SHABRA'S BERTOLINI (IRE)	6	8-12	Rita Shah	Anthony McCann IRE

SKY KHAN	6	8-12	The Ormello Way	Lucinda Russell
MIKE MCCANN (IRE)	7	8-11	Tracey O'Hare	Michael O'Hare IRE
REVAADER	7	8-06	Kay Russell	Mark Gillard

120 entries (A COR ET A CRI (FR) scratched 41 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Vincent O&#39;Brien: You need to be rated 132, which in 9st11lbs. If Kilcooley comes out, then everything will run from in the handicap.</p>&mdash; Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570569224185372674">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[mayo]

NJH if he gets in and ground is good he will be very competitive. He is a good-ground horse but very talented.

Looks like he might scrape in.

40/1 taken on Cool mac cavity.

Arzal might have a nice weight ?

[dazzler]

Come across this one from the donn, I think he,s got this race covered��

Rich Coast

Rich Coast put up a nice performance to win the Grade 3 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday, and he could now begin to translate his good form on the flat to hurdles.

Settled just behind the two leaders by Paul Carberry through the early stages of the race, the Noel Meade-trained gelding travelled and jumped well to the home straight. Moved towards the outside as they straightened up for home, he joined the leader Macnicholson at the second last flight, went about a length clear by the time he reached the final flight, popped over that obstacle and cleared away to win by four lengths, with the favourite Macnicholson finishing two and a half lengths ahead of the third horse Storm Away. It was a nice performance.

It has taken him a few runs, but Philip Reynolds’ horse appears to be getting his act together now over hurdles. Well beaten on his first two runs over hurdles last December, when he raced keenly without a hood, he shaped a little better on his return in June at Roscommon with a hood re-fitted. It wasn’t certain that a hood was going to have any effect, as on the only occasion on which he wore it on the flat, he finished last of 14 runners in the Ulster Derby, but he did settle a little better than he had been, and he kept on well over the final two flights to finish third behind Ballychorus. He improved from that to win his maiden hurdle at Tipperary in July, and he stepped forward again on that to finish third behind Sheild in a decent novices’ hurdle at the Galway Festival.

Sunday’s run was his first run since Galway, and he was better again. He settled well just behind the pace, he jumped the Easyfix hurdles well, and he stayed on powerfully all the way to the line.

A son of King’s Best, he was a high-class horse on the flat. Winner of a good handicap at Listowel and a listed race at Cork – both races run over an extended mile on soft ground – on his last two runs on the flat for Johnny Murtagh in the autumn of 2013, he has lots of scope as a hurdler even off his new mark of 138, 15lb higher than his mark before Sunday. He could be better than a handicapper though, and it was interesting that Meade mentioned the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle as a possible target. That is how highly his trainer regards him. He has won on heavy ground on the flat, so there is every chance that he will handle soft ground over hurdles during the winter as well as on Sunday’s good ground, and, after just six races over hurdles now, he still has plenty of scope for progression.

[Old Vic]

Come across this one from the donn, I think he,s got this race covered��

Rich Coast

Rich Coast put up a nice performance to win the Grade 3 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday, and he could now begin to translate his good form on the flat to hurdles.

Settled just behind the two leaders by Paul Carberry through the early stages of the race, the Noel Meade-trained gelding travelled and jumped well to the home straight. Moved towards the outside as they straightened up for home, he joined the leader Macnicholson at the second last flight, went about a length clear by the time he reached the final flight, popped over that obstacle and cleared away to win by four lengths, with the favourite Macnicholson finishing two and a half lengths ahead of the third horse Storm Away. It was a nice performance.

It has taken him a few runs, but Philip Reynolds’ horse appears to be getting his act together now over hurdles. Well beaten on his first two runs over hurdles last December, when he raced keenly without a hood, he shaped a little better on his return in June at Roscommon with a hood re-fitted. It wasn’t certain that a hood was going to have any effect, as on the only occasion on which he wore it on the flat, he finished last of 14 runners in the Ulster Derby, but he did settle a little better than he had been, and he kept on well over the final two flights to finish third behind Ballychorus. He improved from that to win his maiden hurdle at Tipperary in July, and he stepped forward again on that to finish third behind Sheild in a decent novices’ hurdle at the Galway Festival.

Sunday’s run was his first run since Galway, and he was better again. He settled well just behind the pace, he jumped the Easyfix hurdles well, and he stayed on powerfully all the way to the line.

A son of King’s Best, he was a high-class horse on the flat. Winner of a good handicap at Listowel and a listed race at Cork – both races run over an extended mile on soft ground – on his last two runs on the flat for Johnny Murtagh in the autumn of 2013, he has lots of scope as a hurdler even off his new mark of 138, 15lb higher than his mark before Sunday. He could be better than a handicapper though, and it was interesting that Meade mentioned the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle as a possible target. That is how highly his trainer regards him. He has won on heavy ground on the flat, so there is every chance that he will handle soft ground over hurdles during the winter as well as on Sunday’s good ground, and, after just six races over hurdles now, he still has plenty of scope for progression.

Dazzler - is the horse Ok ? No run since October ?

[dazzler]

“We were hoping to run him in the For Auction Novice Hurdle back in the autumn, but he had some trouble with a joint and needed some time off. I took him out of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as I didn’t think he’d be ready in time, but he’s surprised me at how quickly he has come along. Being realistic, he is still probably unlikely to go to Cheltenham, but given how quickly he has started to come to hand, I wouldn’t rule it out just yet. We’ll see what weight he gets in the County Hurdle, a lot depends on how they treat him

[Lessey]

I really liked the look of John Fergusons Chesterfield for this race. In my opinion he was going to win lto until falling at the last with his nose in front at Kempton giving weight away to Violet Dancer who finished second in the end. VD has obviously gone on to show that's a reasonably smart piece of form in the Betfair Hurdle. To add to his chances he had also won around this distance at Chelt this season and seems to be progressing nicely. My only concern is he seems to of gone up a further 7lbs for his final flight fall and so now may not be well treated. Could someone else have a look at this for me please to see if I've got that wrong or not. Thanks

[loveracing]

Well spotted Lessey. I remember watching that race and he was all over the eventual winner. He doesn't seem to badly treated and worth a go. Could he be Bloomsfield's dark horse?

Looks like better ground will suit.

[mayo]

Jonjo mentions Goodwood Mirage as one he is hopeful for at the fez

[Lessey]

Goodwood mirage will win one one day but you never know what you're going to get and he's certainly not cheap to follow!

LR do you or anyone for that matter have any insights on Furgesons runners at the festiva?. This is Chesterfields only target so may chance the 20s with PP over the 14s NRNB but cant find any info anywhere on what Bloomfields runners are going where...