2016 Festival Plate

[Lester]

Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase)
Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Thursday, March 17, two miles and five furlongs (2m 4f 166yds). For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 23 (103 entries), entries released February 25, weights revealed March 2. Six- day confirmation stage March 11, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 16. Maximum field of 24.

Horse Age Owner Trainer
AL ALFA 9 James Drummond Philip Hobbs
ALOOMOMO (FR) 6 The Large G & T Partnership Warren Greatrex
ALTIEPIX (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
ANAY TURGE (FR) 11 Mrs K Hawke Nigel Hawke
ANNACOTTY (IRE) 8 Mrs Peter Prowting Alan King
ARGOCAT (IRE) 8 Fitri Hay Nicky Henderson
ART MAURESQUE (FR) 6 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls
ASO (FR) 6 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
ASTIGOS (FR) 9 A Brooks Venetia Williams
ASTRACAD (FR) 10 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
ATIRELARIGO (FR) 6 Mrs Karola Vann Philip Hobbs
BAILY GREEN (IRE) 10 R A Scott Mouse Morris IRE
BALLYCASEY (IRE) 9 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 10 Allan Stennett David Pipe
BEAR'S AFFAIR (IRE) 10 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson
BENENDEN (IRE) 8 Mark Blandford Michael Scudamore
BLOOD COTIL (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
BOONDOOMA (IRE) 9 P Jenkins & C E Stedman Dr Richard Newland
BRIDGETS PET (IRE) 9 Barry Connell Alan Fleming IRE
BUCKERS BRIDGE (IRE) 10 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
CAPTAIN VON TRAPPE (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
CERNUNNOS (FR) 6 J P McManus Tom George
CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) 8 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs
COCKTAILS AT DAWN 8 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson
COLD MARCH (FR) 6 A Brooks Venetia Williams
DARE ME (IRE) 12 Shire Birds Venetia Williams
DARNA 10 Mrs Julie Martin and David R Martin Kim Bailey
DE KERRY MAN (IRE) 8 In It For The Crack David Bridgwater
DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) 8 The Johnson Family David Pipe
DROMNEA (IRE) 9 Mrs A M Daly Mouse Morris IRE
EASTLAKE (IRE) 10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
EMILY GRAY (IRE) 8 J Perriss Kim Bailey
EMPIRE OF DIRT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Colm Murphy IRE
ERICHT (IRE) 10 Bridget Hanbury Nicky Henderson
FAIRY RATH (IRE) 10 Mrs C L Kyle Nick Gifford
FINGAL BAY (IRE) 10 Mrs R J Skan Philip Hobbs
FIRTH OF THE CLYDE 11 Robert H Goldie Malcolm Jefferson
FOLLOWMEUPTOCARLOW (IRE) 13 Tom Donohue Tom Donohue IRE
FORT SMITH (IRE) 7 John Beswick Sam Thomas
FOURTH ACT (IRE) 7 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard
FREE EXPRESSION (IRE) 7 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
FRENCH OPERA 13 Mrs Judy Wilson & Martin Landau Nicky Henderson
FULL SHIFT (FR) 7 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
GENEROUS RANSOM (IRE) 8 Sir Christopher & Lady Wates Nick Gifford
GITANE DU BERLAIS (FR) 6 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE
HALO MOON 8 Level Par Racing Neil Mulholland
IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) 7 A McIver Rebecca Curtis
JOHNS SPIRIT (IRE) 9 Christopher W T Johnston Jonjo O'Neill
KILLER CROW (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
KINGS LAD (IRE) 9 G F Gingell Colin Tizzard
KING'S ODYSSEY (IRE) 7 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
KINGS PALACE (IRE) 8 Drew, George & Johnson Family David Pipe
LA VATICANE (FR) 7 Ms Maria Bukhtoyarova David Pipe
LITTLE JON 8 R Frosell & Mrs L Taylor Nigel Twiston-Davies
LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
MA FILLEULE (FR) 8 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
MARCILHAC (FR) 7 A Brooks Venetia Williams
MIDNIGHT APPEAL 11 J O'Brien, C J Leech & R S Liddington Sophie Leech
MINELLA RECEPTION (IRE) 10 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies
MONETAIRE (FR) 10 Allan Stennett David Pipe

MOUNTAIN KING 7 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
NICEONEFRANKIE 10 Miss V M Williams Venetia Williams
NICKNAME EXIT (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
NO BUTS 8 Wontcostalot Partnership David Bridgwater
NOBLE ENDEAVOR (IRE) 7 Chris Jones Gordon Elliott IRE
O MAONLAI (IRE) 8 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tom George
OFF THE GROUND (IRE) 10 Off The Ground Charlie Longsdon
ORBASA (FR) 5 Potensis Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls
OSCAR ROCK (IRE) 8 & Mrs G Calder Malcolm Jefferson
OUR FATHER (IRE) 10 The Ives & Johnson Families Gordon Elliott IRE
OUT SAM 7 Swanee River Partnership Warren Greatrex
PRESSURIZE (IRE) 10 Mrs Sarah Williams Venetia Williams
PUMPED UP KICKS (IRE) 9 Grech & Parkin Dan Skelton
QUINCY DES PICTONS (FR) 12 Burnham P & D Ltd Alan Jones
QUITE BY CHANCE 7 T Hamlin,J M Dare,J W Snook,J T Warner Colin Tizzard
RED SPINNER (IRE) 6 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey
REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 8 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball
ROC D'APSIS (FR) 7 David Rea & Miss Diane Fudge Tom George
ROYAL MACNAB (IRE) 8 The Extra Time Partnership Rebecca Menzies
ROYAL REGATTA (IRE) 8 Mrs Lesley Field & Mrs Eileen Murphy Philip Hobbs
RUBI LIGHT (FR) 11 W Hennessy Robbie Hennessy IRE
SALUBRIOUS (IRE) 9 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
SAMETEGAL (FR) 7 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
SEVENTH SKY (GER) 9 John Heron Charlie Mann
SEW ON TARGET (IRE) 11 A Selway Colin Tizzard
SHANAHAN'S TURN (IRE) 8 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
SOLAR IMPULSE (FR) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
SPLASH OF GINGE 8 J D Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies
STILLETTO (IRE) 7 Roger Brookhouse Paul Nicholls
TANGO DE JUILLEY (FR) 8 Muhammad Nadeem Khan Venetia Williams
TAQUIN DU SEUIL (FR) 9 Martin Broughton & Friends 1 Jonjo O'Neill
TENNIS CAP (FR) 9 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 9 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams
THE SAINT JAMES (FR) 5 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
TOP GAMBLE (IRE) 8 Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter Kerry Lee
TURBAN (FR) 9 E O'Connell Willie Mullins IRE
TWELVE ROSES 8 Jones Broughtons Wilson Weaver Kim Bailey
ULIS DE VASSY (FR) 8 Len&White,Hewlett,Robinson,Banyard&Booth Dan Skelton
ULTRAGOLD (FR) 8 Brocade Racing J P Romans Terry Warner Colin Tizzard
UN BEAU ROMAN (FR) 8 John H W Finch & The Romans Paul Henderson
UNIC DE BERSY (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
VILLAGE VIC (IRE) 9 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs
VOIX D'EAU (FR) 6 Harry Fry Racing Club Harry Fry
103 entries
22 Irish-trained

[Morning Glory]

Doctor Harper runs here and is his best chance of the week according to Pipe.

[Old Vic]

The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase)
Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Thursday, March 17, two miles and five furlongs (2m 4f 166yds). For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 23 (103 entries), entries released February 25, weights revealed March 2. Six-day confirmation stage March 11, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 16. Maximum field of 24.

Horse Age Wgt Owner Trainer
TOP GAMBLE (IRE) 8 11-12 Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter Kerry Lee
TAQUIN DU SEUIL (FR) 9 11-10 Martin Broughton & Friends 1 Jonjo O'Neill
VILLAGE VIC (IRE) 9 11-10 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs
BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 10 11-10 Allan Stennett David Pipe
ANNACOTTY (IRE) 8 11-10 Mrs Peter Prowting Alan King
ARGOCAT (IRE) 8 11-09 Fitri Hay Nicky Henderson
CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) 8 11-07 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs
BOONDOOMA (IRE) 9 11-07 P Jenkins & C E Stedman Dr Richard Newland
BLOOD COTIL (FR) 7 11-06 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
OSCAR ROCK (IRE) 8 11-06 Mr & Mrs G Calder Malcolm Jefferson
IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) 7 11-06 A McIver Rebecca Curtis
SHANAHAN'S TURN (IRE) 8 11-06 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
COCKTAILS AT DAWN 8 11-06 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson
ROYAL REGATTA (IRE) 8 11-05 Mrs Lesley Field & Mrs Eileen Murphy Philip Hobbs
TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 9 11-05 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams
BAILY GREEN (IRE) 10 11-03 R A Scott Mouse Morris IRE
TURBAN (FR) 9 11-03 E O'Connell Willie Mullins IRE
KINGS PALACE (IRE) 8 11-03 Drew, George & Johnson Family David Pipe
SEVENTH SKY (GER) 9 11-03 John Heron Charlie Mann
LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE) 7 11-02 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
TANGO DE JUILLEY (FR) 8 11-02 Muhammad Nadeem Khan Venetia Williams
GITANE DU BERLAIS (FR) 6 11-01 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE
BEAR'S AFFAIR (IRE) 10 11-01 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson
RUBI LIGHT (FR) 11 11-01 W Hennessy Robbie Hennessy IRE
COLD MARCH (FR) 6 11-01 A Brooks Venetia Williams
EMILY GRAY (IRE) 8 11-01 J Perriss Kim Bailey
MA FILLEULE (FR) 8 11-00 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
KING'S ODYSSEY (IRE) 7 11-00 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams
BALLYCASEY (IRE) 9 11-00 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
JOHNS SPIRIT (IRE) 9 10-12 Christopher W T Johnston Jonjo O'Neill
TENNIS CAP (FR) 9 10-12 Violet O'Leary Willie Mullins IRE
NICEONEFRANKIE 10 10-12 Miss V M Williams Venetia Williams
ASO (FR) 6 10-12 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
DARE ME (IRE) 12 10-12 Shire Birds Venetia Williams
ART MAURESQUE (FR) 6 10-11 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls
DARNA 10 10-11 Julie & David Martin Kim Bailey
VOIX D'EAU (FR) 6 10-11 Harry Fry Racing Club Harry Fry
LITTLE JON 8 10-10 R Frosell & Mrs L Taylor Nigel Twiston-Davies
RED SPINNER (IRE) 6 10-10 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey
EASTLAKE (IRE) 10 10-10 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
FREE EXPRESSION (IRE) 7 10-10 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
SAMETEGAL (FR) 7 10-10 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls
FRENCH OPERA 13 10-09 Judy Wilson & Martin Landau Nicky Henderson
EMPIRE OF DIRT (IRE) 9 10-09 Gigginstown House Stud Colm Murphy IRE
REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 8 10-09 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball
STILLETTO (IRE) 7 10-09 Roger Brookhouse Paul Nicholls
FIRTH OF THE CLYDE 11 10-09 Robert H Goldie Malcolm Jefferson
THE SAINT JAMES (FR) 5 10-09 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
SPLASH OF GINGE 8 10-08 J D Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies
FINGAL BAY (IRE) 10 10-08 Mrs R J Skan Philip Hobbs
NOBLE ENDEAVOR (IRE) 7 10-08 C Jones Gordon Elliott IRE
BUCKERS BRIDGE (IRE) 10 10-08 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) 8 10-08 The Johnson Family David Pipe
SALUBRIOUS (IRE) 9 10-07 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
ANAY TURGE (FR) 11 10-07 Mrs K Hawke Nigel Hawke
SEW ON TARGET (IRE) 11 10-07 A Selway Colin Tizzard
SOLAR IMPULSE (FR) 6 10-07 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls
KINGS LAD (IRE) 9 10-07 G F Gingell Colin Tizzard
BRIDGETS PET (IRE) 9 10-07 Barry Connell Alan Fleming IRE

ALOOMOMO (FR) 6 10-07 The Large G & T Partnership Warren Greatrex
OUT SAM 7 10-06 Swanee River Partnership Warren Greatrex
NICKNAME EXIT (FR) 6 10-06 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
FOLLOWMEUPTOCARLOW (IRE) 13 10-06 Tom Donohue Tom Donohue IRE
OUR FATHER (IRE) 10 10-06 The Ives & Johnson Families Gordon Elliott IRE
TWELVE ROSES 8 10-05 Jones Broughtons Wilson Weaver Kim Bailey
UNIC DE BERSY (FR) 8 10-05 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
MONETAIRE (FR) 10 10-05 Allan Stennett David Pipe
UN BEAU ROMAN (FR) 8 10-04 John H W Finch & The Romans Paul Henderson
O MAONLAI (IRE) 8 10-04 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tom George
QUINCY DES PICTONS (FR) 12 10-04 Burnham P & D Ltd Alan Jones
OFF THE GROUND (IRE) 10 10-04 Off The Ground Charlie Longsdon
FOURTH ACT (IRE) 7 10-04 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard
CAPTAIN VON TRAPPE (IRE) 7 10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
KILLER CROW (IRE) 7 10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
ROC D'APSIS (FR) 7 10-03 David Rea & Miss Diane Fudge Tom George
GENEROUS RANSOM (IRE) 8 10-03 Sir Christopher & Lady Wates Nick Gifford
ERICHT (IRE) 10 10-02 Bridget Hanbury Nicky Henderson
MINELLA RECEPTION (IRE) 10 10-02 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies
FORT SMITH (IRE) 7 10-02 John Beswick Sam Thomas
FULL SHIFT (FR) 7 10-02 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
ASTRACAD (FR) 10 10-02 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies
QUITE BY CHANCE 7 10-01 T Hamlin, J M Dare, J W Snook, J T Warner Colin Tizzard
NO BUTS 8 10-01 Wontcostalot Partnership David Bridgwater
DROMNEA (IRE) 9 10-01 Mrs A M Daly Mouse Morris IRE
MOUNTAIN KING 7 10-00 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
LA VATICANE (FR) 7 10-00 Ms Maria Bukhtoyarova David Pipe
ORBASA (FR) 5 9-13 Potensis Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls
CERNUNNOS (FR) 6 9-13 J P McManus Tom George
FAIRY RATH (IRE) 10 9-12 Mrs C L Kyle Nick Gifford
ULTRAGOLD (FR) 8 9-12 Brocade Racing J P Romans Terry Warner Colin Tizzard
MARCILHAC (FR) 7 9-10 A Brooks Venetia Williams
PUMPED UP KICKS (IRE) 9 9-10 Grech & Parkin Dan Skelton
AL ALFA 9 9-10 James Drummond Philip Hobbs
PRESSURIZE (IRE) 10 9-09 Mrs Sarah Williams Venetia Williams
MIDNIGHT APPEAL 11 9-08 J O'Brien, C J Leech & R S Liddington Sophie Leech
ULIS DE VASSY (FR) 8 9-08 Len, White, Hewlett, Robinson, Banyard & Booth Dan Skelton
HALO MOON 8 9-08 Level Par Racing Neil Mulholland
ASTIGOS (FR) 9 9-06 A Brooks Venetia Williams
ALTIEPIX (FR) 6 9-06 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
ATIRELARIGO (FR) 6 9-04 Mrs Karola Vann Philip Hobbs
ROYAL MACNAB (IRE) 8 9-03 The Extra Time Partnership Rebecca Menzies
DE KERRY MAN (IRE) 8 9-01 In It For The Crack David Bridgwater
102 entries remain
22 Irish-trained
BENENDEN IS NOT QUALIFIED

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/FatJockeyTips">@FatJockeyTips</a> Preview of *everyone&#39;s* favourite race: Brown Advisory &amp; Merriebelle Stables Plate <a href="https://t.co/ibcGWJ6hbn">https://t.co/ibcGWJ6hbn</a> Please RT</p>&mdash; Cpt Neville Cazalet (@BBH74) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBH74/status/706094936353955840">March 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Old Vic]

Empire of Dirt

“He has been unlucky. He has just been making silly novicey mistakes. It was frustrating when he fell at the third last fence in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November. He was travelling so well. And he hardly made a mistake at the fence, he just didn’t seem to get his landing gear sorted on time. It was frustrating at the time, but Leopardstown made up for it. I loved the manner in which he galloped to the line at Leopardstown.”

All going well, the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham is on Empire Of Dirt’s radar.

“I have been very happy with him since Leopardstown,” says Murphy. “He came out of the race well. The handicapper raised him 7lb for that, which was fair enough. That should leave him with a nice weight for the Cheltenham race. I don’t think he is finished improving yet.”

[HardyEustace]

Been reading for a while but first time posting.

I've been looking at this and although an obvious choice, Monetaire looks fairly decent value at 16s and should go close off the same mark as last year - add that to Pipe's record in the race and that it seems to have been laid out for another crack at this. My only worry would be, it needs a fair few to come out to make the final cut.

[BJK]

Oh Monetaire, the horse that got away last March!

I have followed this horse this term, and has looked very lethargic in his races. I wouldn't be rushing to back him this time at the festival

[Statto]

Avoid the Irish

Irish trained runners (0-4-27) have gained 4 places from 27 runners in the past 10 runnings and have not won the race since 1982. Gordon Elliot (0-1-2) trained the 3rd in 2011.

[mayo]

Avoid the Irish

Irish trained runners (0-4-27) have gained 4 places from 27 runners in the past 10 runnings and have not won the race since 1982. Gordon Elliot (0-1-2) trained the 3rd in 2011.

I think this is the big one that will go down this year

[loveracing]

Is Kings Palace DP's plot horse this year and which race?

Last years RSA fav now carrying 11st 3lbs.

[Cashew King]

Is Kings Palace DP's plot horse this year and which race?

Last years RSA fav now carrying 11st 3lbs.

I've heard the pipe plot horse is Doctor Harper and he's desperate to get it in the Ultima on day 1 - been running it over 2 miles despite it being a 3 mile hurdle winner.

[loveracing]

I've heard the pipe plot horse is Doctor Harper and he's desperate to get it in the Ultima on day 1 - been running it over 2 miles despite it being a 3 mile hurdle winner.

Thats right CK about DH.

KP reminds me of Ballynagour from last year.

[MrMcGoldrick]

I will back DH wherever he runs but the money seems more significant in the Kim Muir

[loveracing]

I will back DH wherever he runs but the money seems more significant in the Kim Muir

I am with you on that one. His price won't change much now so will wait.

[kinloch brae]

Kings Odyssey not declared. Very strange unless the horse is injured. Trainer initially against running but Racing Post ran a feature only a few days ago which seemed to suggest he would be running. Nicely weighted, course form, progressive. So many pluses but fortunately I would have thought most punters were on NRNB.