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1st (5) Ebaziyan 40-1 40/1 Shot Ebaziyan wins Supreme Novices' Hurdle 13/03/07
Ebaziyan, returned at 40/1, became the t second-highest priced winner ever of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when prevailing by three lengths in the opening race of The Festival 2007. The 1994 victor Arctic Kinsman (50/1) was the biggest outsider while the 1986 winner River Ceiriog was also returned at 40/1. The winner, having only his third outing over hurdles, is owned by Dublin-based hotelier and businessman Peter Garvey, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Davy Condon, enjoying his first-ever Festival success on only his third ride at the event. Mullins was recording his 10th Festival success and his second victory in this race, following Tourist Attraction in 1995. Mullins said: “I am delighted. To be honest, I’d have been delighted if he’d finished in the first six to eight and have counted it as a win if he’d finished in the first three. “I had intended to run him last year, but he broke a pelvis. He ran well first time although he got beat, and then won at Thurles. “We thought he might have more than he has showed so far so that is why we thought he was worth taking a chance with today. “Davy has given him a great ride. He got caught up in the melee at the start and then did well to follow Amaretto Rose through. I thought he jumped well, although Davy said he wasn’t foot perfect at all of them. “Peter Garvey has been a tremendous owner. We will have to think about it, but he could go to Punchestown now.” The winning rider added: “Great - I can't believe it. I couldn't believe how well he was going. Coming here today, we didn't have much confidence, but he has done it really. “It's brilliant. I was too far back all together. I was happy to see as we ed the bend that Mick (Fitzgerald) was right there, so I thought I can't be doing too bad, I'll follow him through, and it all worked out in the end. It's a brilliant buzz. I thought I had got there a bit too soon because he doesn't do much in front, but luckily he battled really well." Placed horses bow to Ebaziyan Despite defeat at the hands of 40/1 outsider Ebaziyan in the opening race at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival, connections of the placed horses had no complaints. John Hales, owner of 15/2 runner-up Granit Jack, said: “It was a brilliant performance by the winner and we were beaten by a better horse on the day. But my horse is a chaser, he hasn’t been bought for hurdling. “Ruby said he jumped badly, but what he meant was he jumped big because all the horse knows from his time in is jumping fences.” Granit Jack suffered from stomach ulcers earlier this season, and Hales said: “When we bought him in , we had no reason to scope him because he was in such wonderful condition. He was eating up and there was no reason to suspect he had ulcers. “I sent him to Bristol [to the equine hospital] expecting him to need a soft-palate operation, but I was told he was way above the average horse in of his engine and oxygen intake. They couldn’t find anything wrong with him, other than the ulcers that were in an area of his stomach that caused him distress in a race.” Asked about future options for the grey, Hales said he would need to speak to trainer Paul Nicholls, and he added: “If he runs at Aintree or Punchestown I won’t be able to see him because I’m in Barbados for the Cricket World Cup - I’ll have to get to the nearest bookmaker.” Johnny Weatherby, head of the 120-strong Weatherbys Racing Club and Weatherbys, racing’s secretariat, said of their mare, third-placed Amaretto Rose, the hot 2/1 favourite: “Mick [Fitzgerald] said she just got a bit hampered coming down the hill after the second-last which just stopped her rhythm and put her back a bit. She battled on up the hill and he said she would have been closer but for that incident. “We’re all delighted and not deflated. Many owners strive all their lives to have a runner at Cheltenham, let alone a fancied one. We’ve achieved our objectives and she’s run a blinder.” Paul Webber, trainer of fourth-placed De Soto, said: “He stayed on so the two-and-a-half miler at Aintree might suit him now. The ground was a bit tacky for him today. He loves this place, but he didn’t quite get the break after the false start. The first time he had a lovely position, but was facing the other way on the second start - but I’m pleased he’s run a super race.”
ANGLO IRISH BANK SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE FACTS AND FIGURES 1. The Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was known as the Gloucestershire Hurdle until 1974. Capel Cure Sharp backed the contest for the first time in 2000 and the company, which became Gerrard Wealth Management, ed the race until 2003. Racecourse caterers Letheby & Christopher became the sixth sponsor since the initial backer Lloyds Bank in 1974 when ing the contest in 2004 and 2005. Anglo Irish Bank sponsors the race for the second time in 2007. 2. The Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the only race at The Festival to have been divided. From 1946-1971 when known as the Gloucestershire Novices’ Hurdle, it divided on no less than 25 occasions. In 1963 and 1946 there were even three divisions. 3. The oldest horse to have won was 12-year-old Beau Caprice in 1966 (Div One). Three eight-year-olds have also been successful; Like-A-Butterfly in 2002, Sondrio in 1989 and Boys Hurrah in 1956 (Div One). 4. The 1993 winner, Montelado, holds a unique position in the history of The Festival at Cheltenham. He is the only horse to have won consecutive Festival races, landing the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 1992, the last race of that year’s meeting, and returning to win the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1993, the first race12 months later. 5. The Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has thrown up one winner of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and three Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle heroes. L'Escargot won in 1968, before consecutive Gold Cup triumphs in 1970 and 1971. Bula scored in 1970, before Champion Hurdle victories in 1971 and 1972, while the 2002 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III took the race in 1999, and Brave Inca took the Champion Hurdle last year having landed the novice event in 2004. 6. The race has been won by Irish-trained raiders on no less than 35 occasions, and by the French once. Of the 16 divisions from 1952-59, Vincent O'Brien won 10. Ireland also kept a stranglehold on the race for seven years from 1977-83 and have won three of the last five runnings. 7. The smallest field was in 1950, with nine runners in Division 1, and the largest, 30 runners, for both Harry Hastings' win in 1985 and French Ballerina in 1998. The maximum field allowed is now 24. 8. Since the race ceased to be divided, big-name jockeys have found the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle difficult to win. Tony McCoy, successful on Hors La Loi III in 1999, is the only one of the last four champion jockeys to have scored in this particular contest, and only Charlie Swan (1993 and 2002), Tommy Carmody (1980 and 1983) and Niall Madden (1978 and 1981) have been successful twice. 9. The longest-priced winner was Arctic Kinsman at 50/1 in 1994. The shortest-priced winners at 4/9 were Tsaoko in 1950 and Flyingbolt in 1964. Favourites have been successful eight times in the 34 runnings since 1972, with three of the last five winning. 10. The fastest time for the winning horse was achieved by Montelado in 1993 at 3 mins 50.6 secs. French Ballerina came close to that record in 1998 when her time was 3 mins 50.9 secs. Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Analysis The Grade One 120,000 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has attracted a bumper 131-strong entry, the highest since 2002 and 18 more than in 2006, including a record 53 from Ireland. Irish-trained runners have landed four of the last six renewals but last year the Noel Meade-trained hot favourite Sweet Wake could manage only fifth behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Noland, with Sublimity the best of the Irish raiders in fourth. Michael O’Brien has entered current market leader De Valira, who defeated the Edward O’Grady-trained Catch Me by a neck in the Grade Two Paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, with Sizing Europe, Mickataine and Turtle Dubh behind. Meade took this race with Sausalito Bay in 2000 and he has seven entered, headed by Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle winner Aran Concerto, and also including dual hurdle winner Aitmatov, Casey Jones, and the former John Gosden-trained Signatory, who was bought for 90,000gns by J P McManus in October but is yet to race over hurdles and has not been seen since finishing last when favourite for the totesport Ebor at York in August. The Jessica Harrington-trained Hide The Evidence, winner of his first four starts over obstacles, was six lengths too good for the O’Grady-trained Grade Three scorer Clopf in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 3. Willie Mullins, successful with 25/1 shot Tourist Attraction in 1995, has more entries than any other trainer with his 10 including Davenport Democrat, who was runner-up to Iktitaf in the Grade Three Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal in November, the smart Financial Reward, as well as maiden hurdle winners Orge d’Ete, Deutschland, Dooneys Gate and Nay. The Irish contingent also includes Paul Nolan’s Galway Hurdle winner Cuan Na Grai and the same trainer’s Rhacophorus, winner of the Listed mares only bumper at Aintree in April and subsequently sold for 220,000 at Cheltenham in April, the record for a jumping mare in training. Tom Hogan has entered Grade Three winner Kalderon, while course and distance scorer Tipperary All Star could represent Michael Halford and Brian Hamilton has entered dual-bumper winner Amstecos. Niall ‘Boots’ Madden won the race twice as a jockey aboard Golden Cygnet in 1978 and Hartstown in 1981 and has entered Wins Now who has won both his starts since falling at the last behind De Valira in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. Tommy Stack could run Perce Rock who was a fine second to the Nicholls-trained Silverburn in the Grade One Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on January 6. Silverburn is one of the leading home-based novices and is part of Nicholls’ eight-strong entry. The Ditcheat handler also has Granit Jack who was runner-up to Labelthou in the Grade Two Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in December, last season’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper third Kicks For Free, unbeaten French import Oslot, classy Flat recruits Ouninpohja and Another Bottle, Pepporoni Pete and impressive Taunton winner Predateur. Nicky Henderson has entered the classy mare Amaretto Rose, who defeated Hobbs Hill at Ascot in December and had Leslingtaylor well behind on heavy ground when winning the Grade Two Anglo Irish Bank Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock recently, as well as Zebra Crossing, winner of the prestigious Group One J&B Met on the Flat in South Africa last year, and French import Monfils Monfils - who made a winning debut on Huntingdon on January 24. Howard Johnson saddled Arcalis to success in 2005 and he has entered Tidal Bay, who was second at Cheltenham on Saturday and had won his previous three starts over hurdles this term, as well as Cedrus Libani, and Flat Group Three winners Crocodile Dundee and Diktatorial. De Soto, runner-up to Missed That in the 2005 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival, won twice over hurdles this term before finishing fourth to Silverburn at Sandown on January 6.
The Charlie Mann-trained My Turn Now fell at the last when making headway in that Grade One contest and had won all his previous four starts over hurdles. Mann has also entered Cortinas and Moon Over Miami who was successful over two miles at Cheltenham in the Grade Two Anglo Irish Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle in November. The latter was subsequently held in second by the Ian Williams-trained Tagula Blue in the Grade Two Mitie Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot in December. Alan King has engaged Self Respect who defeated Moon Over Miami at Kempton in October, as well as King’s Revenge, My Petra, Onyx Bruere, Pouvoir, Pur de Sivola and Wyldello. David Pipe has entered Pauillac, unbeaten in two starts in Britain before running third at Cheltenham on Saturday, Kavatcha, My Immortal, Osana, Scotland Yard and Wise Owl. Venetia Williams has an interesting entry in the seven-year-old Tyson, a Grade Three winner on the Flat in South Philip Hobbs has engaged dual winner Liberate, Manhattan Boy, Snow Patrol, 200,000gns purchase Warsaw Pact, Odal d’Airy and Huntingdon winner French Saulaie. The James Fanshawe-trained Buster Hyvonen was useful on the Flat and made it two wins from three starts over hurdles when defeating Royal Ascot winner I’m So Lucky and Et Maintenant at Huntingdon on January 24. John Quinn has entered Blythe Knight, Pevensey and King’s Quay alongside Leslingtayor, while Brian Meehan has engaged Junior and Charles Egerton could run Pukka, who finished ninth in the 2004 Derby. Nigel Twiston-Davies is represented by Ouragan de Prairie and Platin Grounds, while Carl Llewellyn has entered Nightfly, Wind Instrument and Roll Along. Gary Moore could run Ameeq, who was runner-up to Detroit City in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham’s Open meeting, while Emma Lavelle has Rio De Janeiro engaged, and Alan Swinbank may run dual bumper winner Sir Boreas Hawk. The French entry consists of the Francois Doumen-trained Grand Bleu, who defeated the Francois De Chevigny-trained Kaldonn Speed at Fontainebleau in December. Previous results 2005-WINNER-ARCALIS 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee: SP-20/1 2004-WINNER-BRAVE INCA 6-11-07 Owner-Novices Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Barry Cash; SP-7/2 Fav 2003-WINNER-BACK IN FRONT 6-11-08 Owner-Dermot Cox; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-3/1 Fav 2002-WINNER-LIKE-A-BUTTERFLY 8-11-03 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-7/4 Fav 2001 - Cancelled (Foot and Mouth Disease) 2000-WINNER-SAUSALITO BAY 6-11-08 Owner-The High Street Racing Syndicate; Trainer- Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-14/1 1999-WINNER-HORS LA LOI III 4-11-00 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/2 1998-WINNER-FRENCH BALLERINA 5-11-03 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Pat Flynn IRE; Jockey-Graham Bradley; SP-10/1 1997-WINNER-SHADOW LEADER 6-11-08 Owner-James Blackshaw; Trainer-Charles Egerton; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-5/1 1996-WINNER-INDEFENCE 5-11-08 Owner-Indef Limited; Trainer-Jenny Pitman; Jockey-Warren Marston; SP-25/1 ANGLO IRISH BANK SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR (Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle since 2006, Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2004-2005, Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2003, Gerrard Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2001-02, Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2000, Citroen Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1994-99,Trafalgar House Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1991-93, Waterford Crystal Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1978-90, Lloyds Bank Champion Novice Hurdle 1974-1977, Gloucestershire Hurdle before 1974) Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran |
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