MAGIC SEASONS HOLIDAYS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE IN PROSPECT - RECORD 57 IN FIRST GRADE ONE RYANAIR CHASE

Twist Magic heads a powerful four-strong entry for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in what promises to be an outstanding renewal of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 12.

The six-year-old most recently beat last year’s Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes in the paddypower.com Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and could be joined in the £310,000 event by stablemates Andreas, winner of last season’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup, French import Master Minded, a facile handicap winner at Sandown on Saturday, and Hoo La Baloo.

My Way De Solzen  and Fair Along, who were first and second in The Irish Independent Arkle Chase last season, as well as Kevin Bishop’s stable star Ashley Brook  are also entered.

A five-strong entry from Ireland includes the 2006 winner Newmill as well as Mansony, Nickname and Schindlers Hunt who filled the first three places in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

A number of rapidly-improving chasers have been given entries including the Ferdy Murphy-trained Another Promise, winner of the Grade One Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April, Jack The Giant, who scored easily at Leicester on Tuesday, Boylesports.com Gold Cup winner Tamarinbleu and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It, who made a winning return over hurdles at Chepstow in October.

The fourth running of the Ryanair Chase and the first carrying Grade One status has attracted a biggest-ever 57-strong initial entry including an unprecedented 18 from Ireland.

Last season’s Irish Independent Arkle Chase winner My Way De Solzen, who also has a Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase entry, is among those engaged as is King George VI Chase runner-up Our Vic while the Michael Hourigan-trained Mossbank chased home Denman in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on January 28.

Other Irish-trained entries include Michael O’Brien’s pair In Compliance and Forget The Past, the Jessica Harrington-trained Knight Legend, a 20-length winner at Tramore on January 1, novice Sky’s The Limit, the 2006 Coral Cup hero and winner of his last three starts for trainer Edward O’Grady, last season’s John Smith’s Grand National third Slim Pickings and Newmill.

Another Promise and his stablemates Aces Four and L’Antartique are also engaged as is Jack The Giant, Hobbs Hill, winner of all his four starts over fences, The Listener, a dual Grade One winner for Robert Alner, David Pipe’s in-form pair Tamarinbleu and Vodka Bleu, as well as Faasel and  Monet’s Garden, trained by Nicky Richards.

Paul Nicholls - who has won two of the three Ryanair Chases to date - has five chances of adding to that record via 2006 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Star De Mohaison, Master Minded, New Little Bric, Sporazene and Turko.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: “The Ryanair Chase has been a huge success since it was added to The Festival in 2005 and we are delighted to see such an outstanding entry for this year’s race, when it will be run as a Grade One for the first time. The Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion is long-established as one of the most exciting events of the season and - with the last two winners set to be taken on by a whole host of up-and-coming performers - the 2008 race is every bit as eagerly-awaited as past renewals.”

For further information, please contact Cheltenham Racecourse’s Communications Manager Andy Clifton on 01242 513 014 or 07876 330 090

THE SEASONS HOLIDAYS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

Class 1, Grade 1, £310,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.15pm, Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 12, 2008. For 5yo+ which are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including March 5 - horses which are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including March 5 would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final), two miles. Weights: 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 8, entries revealed January 10 (25 entries), forfeit stage February 12, £15,500 supplementary entry stage March 6, six-day confirmation stage March 6. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10am, March 10. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, January 9. 

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer

3/3331F- ANDREAS (FR) 8 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls

F21151- ANOTHER PROMISE (IRE) 9 Geoff Hubbard Racing Ferdy Murphy

2/12F-F5 ASHLEY BROOK (IRE) 10 Elizabeth Ellis Kevin Bishop

P//415/-2P AZULEJO (FR) 10 Judith & T J Wilson Michael Scudamore

2P0450- CONTRABAND 10 Fergus Wilson Paul Murphy

211F5-1 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

11202-3 FAIR ALONG (GER) 6 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs

0/1P061/- FUSTRIEN DU PAON (FR) 12 Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard

FR 413142 HOO LA BALOO (FR) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

1136-11 JACK THE GIANT (IRE) 6 Hanbury Syndicate Nicky Henderson

252-120 JUSTIFIED (IRE) 9 Braybrook Syndicate Eamon Sheehy IRE

1041-36 LENNON (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

0P-14F0 MAJADAL (FR) 10 Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard FR

1211-21 MANSONY (FR) 9 M Mulholland Arthur Moore

IRE F1F-2U1 MASTER MINDED (FR) 5 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls

2111-5P MY WAY DE SOLZEN (FR) 8 B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton Alan King

F145-6P NEWMILL (IRE) 10 Mary Hayes John Murphy

IRE 11111-2 NICKNAME (FR) 9 Claudia Jungo-Corpataux Martin Brassil

IRE 20F6-60 ONEWAY (IRE) 11 Mark Rimell Mark Rimell

1110-16 PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 7 Joe Moran David Pipe

113532 PATMAN DU CHARMIL (FR) 6 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

1F25-53 SCHINDLERS HUNT (IRE) 8 Slaneyville Syndicate Dessie Hughes

IRE 1P6-311 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 8 The Arthur White Partnership David Pipe

12F1-11 TWIST MAGIC (FR) 6 Barry Fulton, Tony Hayward, Michael Lynch Paul Nicholls

1U1-221 VOY POR USTEDES (FR) 7 Sir Robert Ogden Alan King

25 entries

5 Irish-trained

2 French-trained

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE SEASONS HOLIDAYS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

4 Entries

Paul Nicholls (1999 Call Equiname, 2004 Azertyuiop)

2 Entries

Richard Chotard FR

Alan King (2007 Voy Por Ustedes)

David Pipe

1 Entry

Kevin Bishop

Martin Brassil IRE

Nicky Henderson (1992 Remittance Man)

Philip Hobbs (2002 Flagship Uberalles)

Dessie Hughes IRE

Howard Johnson

Arthur Moore IRE (1996 Klairon Davis, 1981 Drumgora)

Ferdy Murphy

John Murphy IRE (2006 Newmill)

Paul Murphy

Jonjo O’Neill

Mark Rimell

Michael Scudamore

Eamon Sheehy IRE

Nigel Twiston-Davies

Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase - Analysis

The 2007 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Voy Por Ustedes is among a tremendous 25-strong entry for this year’s renewal of the prestigious Grade One event, which takes place on day two of The Festival, Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

Entries for the thrilling championship contest, worth £310,000, also include 2006 victor Newmill, as well as the rising star of the two-mile chase division, Twist Magic, who has won his last three starts over fences.

The Alan King-trained Voy Por Ustedes took the prize last term with a length and a half victory over Dempsey. He landed the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on December 27 last time out, but was previously no match for the Paul Nicholls-trained Twist Magic, who was three lengths superior when the pair met in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 8.

Alongside the reigning champion, King has entered last season’s impressive Grade One Irish Independent Arkle Trophy hero My Way De Solzen, who has disappointed in two starts over three miles this term at Haydock and Kempton.

A classy Irish quintet has been entered, including Newmill, who took the prize for trainer John Murphy two years ago. The Arthur Moore-trained Mansony held a fast-finishing Nickname to take the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27, with Schindler’s Hunt third. Moore won the prize in 1981 with Drumgora and in 1996 with Klairon Davies. The progressive Mansony also saw off the Eamon Sheehy-trained Justified when taking the Grade One Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown in April, while the top-class Nickname won six of seven starts last term for trainer Martin Brassil.

Champion trainer Nicholls won the prestigious contest in 1999 with Call Equiname and again in 2004 with Azertyuiop. His four-strong entry this season also includes French import Master Minded, successful in a two-mile Sandown handicap chase on January 5, last season’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase victor Andreas and Desert Orchid Chase runner-up Hoo la Baloo.

Ferdy Murphy has engaged the classy Another Promise, winner of the Grade One Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April, while Kevin Bishop could run Ashley Brook, who was runner-up in the 2005 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy to Contraband, now trained by Paul Murphy.

Philip Hobbs was successful in 2002 with Flagship Uberalles and he has entered Fair Along, who was five-lengths second in last season’s The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy in which the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It fell when in contention two out.

Nicky Henderson saddled the brilliant Remittance Man to take the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1992 and he has entered 2007 The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy third Jack The Giant, winner of the The Ladbroke over hurdles in December and impressive when returned to chasing at Leicester on January 8.

David Pipe could saddle Grade Three Boylesports.com Gold Cup winner Tamarinbleu and Grade Two William Hill Gold Cup victor Pablo Du Charmil, while the latter’s half-brother, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Patman Du Charmil, is also entered.

Howard Johnson has entered the smart Lennon, while Oneway, fourth in 2005, could take his chance for trainer Mark Rimell and Michael Scudamore has engaged Azulejo.

The French challenge consists of the Richard Chotard-trained pair Fustrien Du Paon and Majadal.

THE RYANAIR CHASE

Class 1, Grade 1, £200,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.35pm, Cheltenham, Thursday, March 13, 2008. For 5yo+ which are allotted a  rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including March 5 - horses which are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including March 5 would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final), two miles & five furlongs. Weights: 5yo: 11st 9lb; 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 8, entries revealed January 10 (57 entries), forfeit stage February 12, £10,000 supplementary entry stage March 7, six-day confirmation stage March 7. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, March 11. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, January 9.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer

1241F-P ACES FOUR (IRE) 9 The DPRP Aces Partnership Ferdy Murphy

060F33 ADAMANT APPROACH (IRE) 14 Greenstar Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

1F1-001 ALEXANDER TAIPAN (IRE) 8 Noel O'Callaghan Willie Mullins IRE

F21151- ANOTHER PROMISE (IRE) 9 Geoff Hubbard Racing Ferdy Murphy

U/513P-P BILLYVODDAN (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Henry Daly

21-0010 BLACK HILLS 9 The Kingfisher Partnership Jonathan Geake

2P0450- CONTRABAND 10 Fergus Wilson Paul Murphy

211F5-1 DON'T PUSH IT (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

16/-11FF DRUNKEN DISORDERLY (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

422-245 FAASEL (IRE) 7 Jim Ennis Nicky Richards

11202-3 FAIR ALONG (GER) 6 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs

33501/-P FINAL ACT (IRE) 12 George Ross John Murphy IRE

33//4/100- FLEET STREET 9 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson

1/23P-36 FOREMAN (GER) 10 J P McManus Charlie Swan IRE

4030-14 FORGET THE PAST 10 Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien IRE

56P-241 FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 10 C Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies

11P/1-PP HARD ACT TO FOLLOW (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

5P-2625 HI CLOY (IRE) 11 Susan McCloy Michael Hourigan IRE

10-1111 HOBBS HILL 9 Sue & Exors of late Peter Orton Charles Egerton

04/11-14 HOWLE HILL (IRE) 8 The Brown Family, R Benton & R Lucas Alan King

23/113-4 IN COMPLIANCE (IRE) 8 Sean Mulryan Michael O'Brien IRE

1r416F IRON MAN (FR) 7 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen

1136-11 JACK THE GIANT (IRE) 6 Hanbury Syndicate Nicky Henderson

252-120 JUSTIFIED (IRE) 9 Braybrook Syndicate Eamon Sheehy IRE

021B21 KNIGHT LEGEND (IRE) 9 Lynn Wilson Jessica Harrington IRE

0U-135P KNOWHERE (IRE) 10 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

21U-116 L'ANTARTIQUE (FR) 8 Mrs A N Durkan Ferdy Murphy

1041-36 LENNON (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

F1F-2U1 MASTER MINDED (FR) 5 Clive Smith Paul Nicholls

F16-301 MISTER TOP NOTCH (IRE) 9 Marie Cronin Davy Fitzgerald IRE

P6-2003 MODEL SON (IRE) 10 P J Hughes Developments Ltd Alison Thorpe

6141-13 MONET'S GARDEN (IRE) 10 David Wesley Yates Nicky Richards

12-5141 MOON OVER MIAMI (GER) 7 Ann Fulton & Michael Lynch Charlie Mann

F0P-112 MOSSBANK (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Michael Hourigan IRE

2111-5P MY WAY DE SOLZEN (FR) 8 B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton Alan King

11-P141 NACARAT (FR) 7 Simon Clarke Tom George

3110-4P NEW LITTLE BRIC (FR) 7 Kathy Stuart Paul Nicholls

F145-6P NEWMILL (IRE) 10 Mary Hayes John Murphy IRE

1111-U2 OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 8 Brian Polly Charlie Swan IRE

1-6211F OKAIDO (FR) 6 Okaido Associates Arnaud Chaille-Chaille FR

1/1223-2 OUR VIC (IRE) 10 David Johnson David Pipe

1110-16 PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 7 Joe Moran David Pipe

113532 PATMAN DU CHARMIL (FR) 6 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

3F54-14 RACING DEMON (IRE) 8 Camilla Radford Henrietta Knight

2114-02 REGAL HEIGHTS (IRE) 7 Janet Heler Donald McCain Jnr

1F25-53 SCHINDLERS HUNT (IRE) 8 Slaneyville Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE

0/1120P- SIR JIMMY SHAND (IRE) 7 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson

620-111 SKY'S THE LIMIT (FR) 7 Raymond Rooney Edward O'Grady IRE

F53-62F SLIM PICKINGS (IRE) 9 Doubtful Five Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE

124-F11 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 8 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

30/114F- SPORAZENE (IRE) 9 Ged Mason Paul Nicholls

111/11-3 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 7 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls

1P6-311 TAMARINBLEU (FR) 8 The Arthur White Partnership David Pipe

120-U13 THE LISTENER (IRE) 9 Old Moss Farm Robert Alner

0102-P4 TOO FORWARD (IRE) 12 T L Gibson & D Mathias Carl Llewellyn

210P-P1 TURKO (FR) 6 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

400-011 VODKA BLEU (FR) 9 David Johnson David Pipe

57 entries

18 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE RYANAIR CHASE

5 Entries

Paul Nicholls (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis)

4 Entries

David Pipe

3 Entries