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**mayo** · 27 January 2015, 04:28 PM

Anyone else think Gilgamboa could end up running here ?

JP has some record in this race.

All the talk is of JLT ( see clips below) but I am not sure

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Matt Tombs

Gilgamboa (10/1) was demolished by Un De Sceaux in the Irish Arkle on Sunday, his jumping becoming a bit ragged when taken out of his comfort zone. AP McCoy sensibly didn’t give him a hard race there and I think he’ll be much better suited by 2m4f. I think he could still be a Grade 1 horse and it might just have been that he was beaten by a future great in Un De Sceaux, but it was hardly the ideal prep. He does seem to like really bad ground and if it came up testing for the JLT I could see myself backing him on the day

David Cleary

The visual impression was backed up by an overall time that was ridiculously fast in relation to the handicap half an hour later, though it should be stressed that most of the difference came before halfway, the handicap slowly run early on, and shouldn't be taken at face value. Added to that, second favourite Gilgamboa made a serious mistake five out and was very sympathetically handled once it was clear he wasn't going to land a blow. Clarcam, the eventual runner-up, did try and land a blow after two out and wasn't able to, but perhaps he just wasn't in the same form as at Christmas, when winning under much more gruelling conditions.

Un de Sceaux deserves to be favourite for Cheltenham, but looks too short at 1.87. Gilgamboa remains a horse of some potential and while connections probably won't want to take on the winner again in the Arkle, his smart win over 19 furlongs at Limerick last time suggests a horse that still merits serious consideration for the JLT/Golden Miller.
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Minella Foru was another that might be plotted for this.

**mayo** · 28 January 2015, 10:24 PM

Mr Mole and Bold Henry also quoted in market for JP so probably best to ignore my last post.

**Morning Glory** · 29 January 2015, 05:39 AM

Henderson loves this race too. Finians Rainbow being kept in training for it ?

**Morning Glory** · 1 February 2015, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by mayo View Post

Mr Mole and Bold Henry also quoted in market for JP so probably best to ignore my last post.

Ned Buntline is going there fresh according to Noel Meade.

Minella Foru could be another laud out for it,

**Old Vic** · 5 February 2015, 09:10 PM

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mentioned a while back id like to see Grumeti in the Grand Annual off 142. Well, dropped to 141 and may be heading to that race says King.</p>— Ed Quigley (@Longshot_Ted) <a href="https://twitter.com/Longshot_Ted/status/563048998014287873">February 4, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**loveracing** · 5 February 2015, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by mayo View Post

Anyone else think Gilgamboa could end up running here ?

JP has some record in this race.

All the talk is of JLT ( see clips below) but I am not sure

------------
Matt Tombs

Gilgamboa (10/1) was demolished by Un De Sceaux in the Irish Arkle on Sunday, his jumping becoming a bit ragged when taken out of his comfort zone. AP McCoy sensibly didn�t give him a hard race there and I think he�ll be much better suited by 2m4f. I think he could still be a Grade 1 horse and it might just have been that he was beaten by a future great in Un De Sceaux, but it was hardly the ideal prep. He does seem to like really bad ground and if it came up testing for the JLT I could see myself backing him on the day

David Cleary

The visual impression was backed up by an overall time that was ridiculously fast in relation to the handicap half an hour later, though it should be stressed that most of the difference came before halfway, the handicap slowly run early on, and shouldn't be taken at face value. Added to that, second favourite Gilgamboa made a serious mistake five out and was very sympathetically handled once it was clear he wasn't going to land a blow. Clarcam, the eventual runner-up, did try and land a blow after two out and wasn't able to, but perhaps he just wasn't in the same form as at Christmas, when winning under much more gruelling conditions.

Un de Sceaux deserves to be favourite for Cheltenham, but looks too short at 1.87. Gilgamboa remains a horse of some potential and while connections probably won't want to take on the winner again in the Arkle, his smart win over 19 furlongs at Limerick last time suggests a horse that still merits serious consideration for the JLT/Golden Miller.
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Minella Foru was another that might be plotted for this.

This was my concern. As mentioned in the JLT thread he has drifted to 14's with PP??
I backed Gilgamboa for the JLT after the demolition in the Irish Arkle. He is way better than that and don't think AP did him any justice. He previously ran a good field to the ground over 2m 3 with his usual pilot on board (MW record 4/5) and two and half looked more suited.

I hope they stick with the JLT as I think he is still a Grade 1 horse and has a big chance. I am tempted to go in again with 14's!

Advise anyone? What's the odds he will run in the JLT?

**Morning Glory** · 6 February 2015, 06:07 AM

Hard to call....they play their cards very close. Binocular and Moreofthat were either out or at best unconfirmed contenders before they won !

In same vein would be shocked if the AV "gamble" is not a bookies move.

Think someone posted on the JLT thread that gilgamboa could end up in the Powers Gold Cup - The 2 1/2 miles grade 1 won by Rebel Fitz last year. Think that is more likely than the grand annual. I think Minella Foru is the plot horse this year.

**Old Vic** · 19 February 2015, 05:02 PM

JP/AP Shortlist

ALDERWOOD (IRE) 11 J P McManus Thomas Mullins IRE
BOLD HENRY 9 J P McManus Philip Hobbs
BYERLEY BABE (IRE) 8 J P McManus Robert Tyner IRE
CHRISTOPHER WREN (USA) 8 J P McManus Nick Gifford
EASTLAKE (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
FESTIVE AFFAIR (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
FLORISHWELLS D'ETE (FR) 5 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
JARRY D'HONNEUR (FR) 6 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
NED BUNTLINE 7 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE

**Old Vic** · 25 February 2015, 11:03 AM

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup (Handicap)

Grade 3, �90,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 5.15pm, Friday, March 13, 2015, two miles and half a furlong. For five-year-old and upwards. Penalties: after February 22, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 17 (62 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 24.

Horse	Age	Wgt	Owner	Trainer
SAVELLO (IRE)	9	11-12	Gigginstown House Stud	Tony Martin IRE
DESERT CRY (IRE)	9	11-11	NYPD Racing	Donald McCain
CAMPING GROUND (FR)	5	11-11	G L Porter	Robert Walford
CLARCAM (FR)	5	11-10	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE
TURBAN (FR)	8	11-10	E O'Connell	Willie Mullins IRE
CLARET CLOAK (IRE)	8	11-10	Hawksmoor Partnership	Emma Lavelle
MOUNT COLAH (IRE)	9	11-09	Thomas Walsh	Jerry Cosgrave IRE
ALDERWOOD (IRE)	11	11-09	J P McManus	Thomas Mullins IRE
GREY GOLD (IRE)	10	11-07	Mrs M A Boden	Richard Lee
BALLYCASEY (IRE)	8	11-07	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
BRICK RED	8	11-07	Julian Taylor & Andrew Brooks	Venetia Williams
SOLAR IMPULSE (FR)	5	11-06	Andrea & Graham Wylie	Paul Nicholls
CROCO BAY (IRE)	8	11-06	Lady Jane Grosvenor	Ben Case
FRENCH OPERA	12	11-06	Mrs Judy Wilson & Martin Landau	Nicky Henderson
DUNRAVEN STORM (IRE)	10	11-05	Mrs Karola Vann	Philip Hobbs
EASTLAKE (IRE)	9	11-02	J P McManus	Jonjo O'Neill
DARE ME (IRE)	11	11-02	Shire Birds	Venetia Williams
UN ACE (FR)	7	11-01	Ace In The Pack Partnership	Kim Bailey
ROYAL REGATTA (IRE)	7	11-01	J C Murphy & Mrs L Field	Philip Hobbs
TED VEALE (IRE)	8	11-01	John Breslin	Tony Martin IRE
KARINGA DANCER	9	11-01	H B Geddes	Harry Fry
CHRIS PEA GREEN	6	11-00	C Green & Galloping On The South Downs	Gary Moore
NEXT SENSATION (IRE)	8	11-00	Mark Blandford	Michael Scudamore
NED BUNTLINE	7	10-13	J P McManus	Noel Meade IRE
SEW ON TARGET (IRE)	10	10-13	A Selway	Colin Tizzard
RAWNAQ (IRE)	8	10-12	Kevin John Smith	Matthew Smith IRE
CHAMPION COURT (IRE)	10	10-12	M Boothright	Martin Keighley
JARRY D'HONNEUR (FR)	6	10-12	J P McManus	Willie Mullins IRE
GRUMETI	7	10-12	McNeill Family	Alan King
BLOOD COTIL (FR)	6	10-12	Susannah Ricci	Willie Mullins IRE
DARNA	9	10-11	Mrs Julie Martin and David R Martin	Kim Bailey
OSCAR HILL (IRE)	9	10-11	K W Bradley	David Bridgwater
SRAID PADRAIG (IRE)	9	10-11	Barry Connell	Tony Martin IRE
MY BROTHER SYLVEST	9	10-10	Teddington Racing Club	David Pipe
BYERLEY BABE (IRE)	8	10-10	J P McManus	Robert Tyner IRE
TURN OVER SIVOLA (FR)	8	10-10	International Plywood (Importers) Ltd	Alan King
ANQUETTA (IRE)	11	10-10	Robert Waley-Cohen	Nicky Henderson
BALLYGARVEY (FR)	9	10-09	The Dark Horse Syndicate	Philip Hobbs
MONETAIRE (FR)	9	10-09	Allan Stennett	David Pipe
TANKS FOR THAT (IRE)	12	10-08	Bridget Hanbury	Nicky Henderson
BELLENOS (FR)	7	10-08	John & Barbara Cotton	Dan Skelton
ART OF PAYROLL (GER)	6	10-08	Bishopsgate Syndicate	Sandra Hughes IRE
VIVACCIO (FR)	6	10-08	Boultbee Brooks Ltd	Venetia Williams
FIRTH OF THE CLYDE	10	10-08	Robert H Goldie	Malcolm Jefferson
KIE (IRE)	7	10-08	Allan Stennett	Donald McCain
DICK DUNDEE	10	10-08	Declan Brennan/Paul Nolan	Paul Nolan IRE
BOLD HENRY	9	10-08	J P McManus	Philip Hobbs
ASTRACAD (FR)	9	10-06	H R Mould	Nigel Twiston-Davies
LE BACARDY (FR)	9	10-06	Carl Hodgson	Tony Carroll
GORES ISLAND (IRE)	9	10-05	Collins, Horsfall, Michael & O'Sullivan	Gary Moore
MISTER GREZ (FR)	9	10-04	Gilmans Point Racing Syndicate	Dan Skelton
BOBCATBILLY (IRE)	9	10-04	P J Vogt	Ian Williams
MISTER HOTELIER (IRE)	8	10-03	Mark McDonagh	Colm Murphy IRE
ROCKY WEDNESDAY (IRE)	8	10-02	Gigginstown House Stud	Gordon Elliott IRE

ONE COOL SHABRA (IRE)	7	10-02	Rita Shah	Anthony McCann IRE
FESTIVE AFFAIR (IRE)	7	10-01	J P McManus	Jonjo O'Neill
DEFINITE DREAM (IRE)	8	10-01	Robin Geffen	Evan Williams
DRESDEN (IRE)	7	10-01	Dan Lloyd	Henry Oliver
CHRISTOPHER WREN (USA)	8	9-12	J P McManus	Nick Gifford
DE FAOITHESDREAM (IRE)	9	9-10	R Abbott & M Stavrou	Evan Williams
KUMBESHWAR	8	9-09	The Twentyfivers	Lucinda Russell
FLORISHWELLS D'ETE (FR)	5	0 0	J P McManus	Willie Mullins IRE

62 entries
19 Irish-trained

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Johnny Henderson: "Astracad on 10st6lbs. It is pretty unlikely anything below him with get a run."</p>— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570569053741420546">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**Old Vic** · 25 February 2015, 12:55 PM

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Hcp Chs (24)

Savello (155) 9-11-12 Tony Martin IRE

**mayo** · 28 February 2015, 02:34 PM

I think Dresden now moves above Astracad and might get in as bottom weight in Grand Annual with the 5 lb penalty.

33s NRNB with Betfair Sportsbook taken.

**Honholywell** · 28 February 2015, 10:52 PM

Eastlake is the one. Ran well last time up until two out, didnt see out 2 and a half

**Old Vic** · 8 March 2015, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Honholywell View Post

Eastlake is the one. Ran well last time up until two out, didnt see out 2 and a half

I think Ned is overbet at this stage. AP may not even ride him. Bold Henry anyone ?

**Old Vic** · 14 March 2015, 10:23 AM

RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
GOLD CUP DAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Next Sensation lands the last

A P McCoy was out of luck in his final race at The Festival as a jockey, the A P McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase (for the Johnny Henderson Trophy), as his mount, Ned Buntline, could only finish fourth behind 16/1 winner Next Sensation.

The eight-year-old finished fourth behind Savello in this race last year after going off too quickly under Richard Johnson but his jockey this time around, Tom Scudamore, gave him a perfect ride as the pair recorded a four length victory.

"It's great to ride a winner at The Festival for my brother (trainer Michael Scudamore) but also because we lost Granny and Granddad (former jockey and trainer Michael Scudamore) within a short space of each other over the summer," said the jockey.

"Granddad had been such an integral part of our lives for so long obviously and, if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here. It's a shame he's not here but he'll definitely be having a Scotch or two with the likes of Terry Biddlecombe and all the other old jockeys up in heaven.

"Any winner here is extraordinary and I've very lucky to ride for David (Pipe) and my brother. It's great for Mark Blandford (owner) too as he's Michael's godfather and we're all good friends.

"Someone is definitely looking down on us, especially as he tried to take the fourth fence with him and if I'd have come off him there, I'd have got a holy rollicking off Granny.

"He does like to be headstrong up front but I think too much was made of that last year as there was a false start which lit him up and he went off too fast.

"Luckily today, I managed to relax him at the start as he was very keen going down. He settled after he hit the fourth and now he's grown up a bit.

Scudamore also paid tribute to the soon to be retired A P McCoy.

"I don't mind sharing the stage with A P," said Scudamore.

"The cheers when he came in said it all. I'll miss riding against him enormously. I'm not going to miss being beaten by him though! To have had the pleasure of riding against him and competing against him has been an absolute privilege."

James Davies, whose mount Dresden fell four out, has been taken to Cheltenham Hospital following his fall. He was conscious.

Scudamore steals McCoy's thunder for first win

Next Sensation's victory in the A P McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase gave trainer Michael Scudamore his first Festival victory.

Scudamore said: "We were worried about whether to run him on this ground; I had a long chat to Tom [his brother, who rode Next Sensation] after the Gold Cup, because we do feel he's much better on better ground.

"It's funny, two weeks ago he suddenly came to himself. He wasn't right all over Christmas. Credit to the owner Mark Blandford, because without him we wouldn't be here at all."

Next Sensation was fourth in this race last year.

"He was clear jumping the last fence last year and got caught," said Scudamore.

Commenting on the fact that A P McCoy finished fourth in the race on what was his final Festival ride, Scudamore said: "A P is an absolute legend and we'll never see the likes of him again. It would have been a lovely story if he'd won this - I've just glad he didn't finish second. We wouldn't have been very popular if he had, I think!

"It was lovely to have [brother] Tom on board, very special. He's done so well. He's improved so much in the past four or five years.

"Driving here in the rain this morning, all your expectations disappear, so it's very special."

5.15pm A P McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase
(Grade 3)
�90,000 guaranteed For 5yo+ Minimum weight 10-0 Penalties after February 22nd, a winner of a chase 5lb. Penalty value 1st �51,255.00 2nd �19,233.00 3rd �9,630.00 4th �4,797.00 5th �2,412.00 6th �1,206.00

1) NEXT SENSATION (IRE) (Mark Blandford) Michael Scudamore t8-11-02 Tom Scudamore 16/1
2) EASTLAKE (IRE) (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 9-11-04 Paul Carberry 12/1
3) CROCO BAY (IRE) (Lady Jane Grosvenor) Ben Case 8-11-08 Kielan Woods 14/1
4) NED BUNTLINE (J P McManus) Noel Meade IRE h7-11-01 A P McCoy 4/1 jf
5) TURN OVER SIVOLA (FR) (International Plywood Ltd) Alan King 8-10-12 Denis O'Regan
6) DICK DUNDEE (Declan Brennan & Paul Nolan) Paul Nolan IRE b10-10-10 Mikey Fogarty
7) TED VEALE (IRE) (John Breslin) Tony Martin IRE 8-11-03 Bryan Cooper
8) MY BROTHER SYLVEST (Teddington Racing Club) David Pipe b9-10-05 Michael Heard (7)
9) FESTIVE AFFAIR (J P McManus) Jonjo O'Neill 7-10-3 Richie McLernon
10) TURBAN (FR) (Edward O'Connell) Willie Mullins IRE 8-11-12 Paul Townend
11) ASTRACAD (FR) (Raymond Mould) Nigel Twiston-Davies t9-10-03 Ryan Hatch (5)
12) FIRTH OF THE CLYDE (Robert Goldie) Malcolm Jefferson 10-10-10 Brian Hughes
13) BELLENOS (FR) (John & Barbara Cotton) Dan Skelton t7-10-10 Harry Skelton
14) BOLD HENRY (J P McManus) Philip Hobbs 9-10-10 Richard Johnson
DNF) GRUMETI (McNeill Family) Alan King b7-11-00 Wayne Hutchinson
DNF) CHRIS PEA GREEN (C Green & Galloping On The South Downs) Gary Moore 6-11-02 Joshua Moore
DNF) BRICK RED (Julian Taylor & Andrew Brooks) Venetia Williams 8-11-09 Aidan Coleman
DNF) MOUNT COLAH (IRE) (Thomas Walsh) Jerry Cosgrave IRE h9-11-06 Mr Noel McParlan (5)
DNF) BLOOD COTIL (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-00 Ruby Walsh 4/1jf
DNF) TANKS FOR THAT (IRE) (Christopher Hanbury) Nicky Henderson 12-10-10 Barry Geraghty
Fell) DRESDEN (IRE) (Dan Lloyd) Henry Oliver 7-10-08 (inc 5lbex) James Davies

21 ran
Non-runners: Claret Cloak (going), Karinga Dancer (going), Solar Impulse (withdrawn)
Distances: 4, 1, 1�, �, 5, 8, �, 2�, hd, 2�, 1�, 1�, 25
Breeder: Regina McAuliffe
Breeding: b g Brian Boru - Road Trip (IRE) (Anshan)
Tote Win �20.50 Place �3.50 �3.20 �2.80 �1.80 Exacta �239.20

Winning Trainer: Scudamore, Michael J Based: Eccleswall Court, Bromsash, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Background: Son of eight-time national hunt champion jockey Peter Scudamore and grandson to Michael snr, who rode the winner of the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup. Brother Tom is also a successful Cheltenham Festival winning jockey. Michael jnr grew up surrounded by horses but he initially chose to become a rugby player, and was a flanker for the Wales U-19's, Ebbw Vale and Gloucester. Realising he wouldn't make it at the highest level, Tom instead tried his luck as a point-to-point jockey, riding three winners in a season. After quitting the saddle with weight problems, Michael became assistant to his grandfather before taking over the reins on April 30, 2008. First Winner (Flat): Directa's Digger, Showers & Eyebaths Handicap, Haydock, May 30, 2008 First Winner (Jumps): Fourpointone, Magpas Lifesavers Handicap Hurdle, Huntingdon, August 25, 2008 Cheltenham Festival wins (1): A P McCoy Grand Annual Chase (2015 Next Sensation) Jump Wins (2008/09-2013/14): 12; 12; 9; 9; 7; 8 Jump Wins This Season: 12

Winning Jockey: Tom Scudamore Born: May 22, 1982 Background: Appointed stable jockey to David Pipe for the 2006/07 season, marking a return to Pond House in Somerset where he began his career as an amateur for Pipe's father Martin. Tom comes from an illustrious line of jockeys. His great-grandfather Geoffrey rode winners as an amateur, grandfather Michael was Oxo's pilot when winning the 1959 Grand National and his father Peter was eight-times champion jockey. Tom has made a big impression since leaving Cheltenham College after A-levels in 2000. He won the amateur riders' title in the 2000/01 season and also landed the 2001 Flat amateur championship. He turned professional in October, 2001. Cheltenham Festival Wins (7): A P McCoy Grand Annual Chase (2015 Next Sensation), Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (2008 An Accordion), Brown Advisory & Merribelle Stable Plate (2012 Salut Flo, 2014 Ballynagour), Racing Post Arkle (2014 Western Warhorse), Ryanair Chase (2014 Dynaste), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2015 Moon Racer) First Professional Ride: Naughty Dandy (West Midland Light Kit Selling Handicap Chase, Hereford, Thursday, October 4, 2001 (6th)) First Professional Victory: Belle D'Anjou(ladbrokes.com Free Handicap Hurdle, Chepstow, Saturday, October 6, 2001) - only second ride since joining paid ranks Wins (2001/2002-2013/14): 32; 32;27; 47; 35; 59; 51; 62; 73; 63; 65; 85; 100 Wins This Season: 130

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2015 AP McCoy Grand Annual Chase

2015 AP McCoy Grand Annual Chase

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