THE FESTIVAL 2017 MEDIA GUIDE

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His winning sequence ended on his 1953-54 seasonal debut at Uttoxeter, when the Maurice Kingsley-owned horse finished third to Impney, later runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, and Rif II, at odds of 1/7. The successful streak of 16 over Jumps has been bettered only by Big Buck’s, who recorded 18 successive victories between 2009 and 2012. Sir Ken’s odds of 2/5 for his middle title in 1953 remain the shortest Champion Hurdle winning price. It was his most impressive display; though fog shrouded the course and denied the crowds the spectacle of his slick, powerful technique. Rider Tim Molony and his rivals reported that he was not off the bit for a single stride. Sir Ken’s third victory gave Molony, who rode Hatton’s Grace in 1951, a unique fourtimer in the race. He won the Cotswold (now Arkle) Chase two years later and was strongly fancied when falling in the 1957 Gold Cup. The biggest shocks in Champion Hurdle history were provided by Kirriemuir (1965) and Beech Road (1989), who were both returned at 50/1. Hurdling’s next golden era – and one which has, for sheer strength in depth, yet to be surpassed - was ushered in by the next hat-trick hero, Persian War. In the 14 years between 1968 and 1981, only seven different horses – Persian War, Bula, Comedy Of Errors, Lanzarote, Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon - won the Champion Hurdle, but all were top-class. Which was the best will always be the subject of spirited debate. Persian War (1968-70) set a high standard; as well as his three Cheltenham titles, his 18 hurdle victories also included the Triumph Hurdle at The Festival, the Schweppes Gold Trophy (under 11st 13lb) and the Irish Sweeps Hurdle. Despite wind problems, he was utterly resolute. He also had to overcome the whims of his owner Henry Alper, who kept changing his trainer. Colin Davies, who saddled Persian War for his three Champion Hurdle wins with Jimmy Uttley in the saddle, once memorably said: “When we put the tongue strap on the horse a few said it was a pity we didn’t put it on the owner.” Persian War lost his crown when second to Bula in 1971, but did best of all the triple winners who attempted a fourth success. Hatton’s Grace finished fifth in 1952, Sir Ken came fourth in 1955, See You Then was 16th in 1990 (three years after his third success) and Istabraq was pulled up in 2002. Bula’s trademark was his thrilling charge from off the pace under Paul Kelleway. His finishing speed brought him 21 victories from 26 hurdles starts, including a winning sequence of 13, and he blasted the 1972 Champion Hurdle field by eight lengths. Owned by Bill Edwards-Heathcote and trained by Fred Winter, Bula became a high-class chaser; he was third in the 1975 Gold Cup but two years later sustained ultimately fatal injuries in the Champion Chase. At the same meeting his stablemate Lanzarote, winner of the 1974 Champion Hurdle and another high-class chasing recruit, broke a hind leg in the Gold Cup. In winning his hurdling title, Lanzarote beat the reigning champion Comedy Of Errors, who won the 1973 renewal under Bill Smith, then became the first horse to regain the crown in 1975 when Ken White took the mount - with Hurricane Fly being the second in 2013. Comedy Of Errors, trained by Fred Rimell and owned by Ted Wheatley, was one of the handsomest horses ever to wear a racing bridle and had ability to match his looks. He was imperious when coming home eight lengths clear of Flash Imp in the 1975 Champion Hurdle and his career spanned 23 hurdle victories from 48 runs. In retirement, he was used as a hack by his trainer’s widow Mercy until his death at the age of 23. “He was as perfect a ride as he was in appearance,” she said. Night Nurse, trained by Peter Easterby in Yorkshire for Reg Spencer, picked up the baton of excellence in 1976, and arguably was the best of the lot. He was a top juvenile hurdler and made a seamless transition to senior company, winning all eight of his races in the 1975-76 season. A bold frontrunner - a style which endeared him to the public - with a usually flawlessly fluent technique, he became the first Champion Hurdle winner to lead all the way since Victor Norman in 1936. Partnered by Paddy Broderick, 36 at the time of the 1976 Champion Hurdle success, Night Nurse was followed home in 1976 by Birds Nest (perhaps the best horse to run in but never win a Champion), Flash Imp, Comedy Of Errors and Lanzarote, and the following year by Monksfield, Dramatist, Sea Pigeon, Birds Nest and Beacon Light. Monksfield and Sea Pigeon won the next four Champion Hurdles between them. But the best performance of Night Nurse’s career was yet to come; in the 1977 Templegate Hurdle at Aintree when he gave 6lb to Monksfield and forced a dead-heat after an epic duel from the third-last, with neither horse flinching for a single stride. Night Nurse also became a high-class chaser, finishing second to his stablemate Little Owl in the 1981 Gold Cup. He lived in retirement with Easterby until he was 28. Monksfield, trained by Des McDonough in Ireland, was the rising star; he was only small but extraordinarily tough and his battles with Sea Pigeon became the stuff of legend. The photos of them in the air together at the last in 1979 and 1980, ridden by Dessie Hughes and Jonjo O’Neill respectively, are among the Festival’s most iconic. Monksfield beat Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse in 1978; the following year he and Sea Pigeon were split by just three quarters of a length in a driving finish. Hughes became only the fourth Champion Hurdle winning jockey to also achieve success in the hurdling championship as a trainer with Hardy Eustace (2004 & 2005) The other three riders to do this were Gerry Wilson (rode Lion Courage (1935) and trained Brains Trust (1945)); Fred Rimell (rode Brains Trust (1945) and trained Comedy Of Errors (1973 & 1975)) and Fred Winter (rode Clair Solei (1955), Fare Times (1959) & 34
Eborneezer (1961) and trained Bula (1971 & 1972), Lanzarote (1974) and Celtic Shot (1988). In 1980 Sea Pigeon flew the last and sped seven lengths clear under O’Neill, and secured his second title at the age of 11 in 1981, with John Francome up, against lesser opposition. Another Easterby inmate, he also won two Chester Cups and an Ebor Handicap on the Flat. He lived until he was the grand old age for a horse of 30; he and Night Nurse are both buried at Great Habton where Easterby trained with a plaque simply reading “Legends in their lifetimes”. Monksfield, an entire, cost only 740 guineas (a guinea is a £1.05) as a yearling. He sired nothing as good as himself at stud, but became damsire of high-class performers like Alexander Banquet, Harbour Pilot, Ollie Magern and Grand National winner Monty’s Pass. See You Then’s three victories (1985- 87) were testament not only to his talent, but also the skill of his trainer Nicky Henderson. The gelding was desperately difficult to keep sound earned the soubriquet “See You When?” His first Champion Hurdle win in 1985 came as a five-year-old, while he put the 1983 champion Gaye Brief – the first champion hurdler trained by a woman, Mercy Rimell - in his place in 1986. Cheltenham Media Guide <strong>2017</strong> STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR (Stan James Champion Hurdle from 2011, Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle 2006-2010, Smurfit Champion Hurdle 1991-2005, Waterford Crystal Champion Hurdle 1978-1990, no sponsor before 1978). No race 2001, 1931, 1943, 1944. YEAR WINNER AGE/WT JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER SP RAN 2016 Annie Power 8-11-03 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins IRE Susannah Ricci 5/2F 12 2015 Faugheen 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins IRE Susannah Ricci 4/5F 8 2014 Jezki 6-11-10 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE J P McManus 9/1 9 2013 Hurricane Fly 9-11-10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins IRE George Creighton & Rose Boyd 13/8F 9 2012 Rock On Ruby 7-11-10 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls The Festival Goers 11/1 10 2011 Hurricane Fly 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins IRE George Creighton & Rose Boyd 11/4F 11 2010 Binocular 6-11-10 A P McCoy Nicky Henderson J P McManus 9/1 12 2009 Punjabi 6-11-10 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Raymond Tooth 22/1 23 2008 Katchit 5-11-10 Robert Thornton Alan King D S J P Syndicate 10/1 15 2007 Sublimity 7-11-10 Philip Carberry John Carr IRE Bill Hennessy 16/1 10 2006 Brave Inca 8-11-10 Tony McCoy Colm Murphy IRE Novices Syndicate 7/4F 18 2005 Hardy Eustace 8-11-10 Conor O’Dwyer Dessie Hughes IRE Lar Byrne 7/2JF 14 2004 Hardy Eustace 7-11-10 Conor O’Dwyer Dessie Hughes IRE Lar Byrne 33/1 14 2003 Rooster Booster 9-12-00 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Terry Warner 9/2 17 2002 Hors La Loi III 7-12-00 Dean Gallagher James Fanshawe Paul Green 10/1 15 2000 Istabraq 8-12-00 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE J P McManus 8/15F 12 1999 Istabraq 7-12-00 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE J P McManus 4/9F 14 1998 Istabraq 6-12-00 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE J P McManus 3/1F 18 1997 Make A Stand 6-12-00 A P McCoy Martin Pipe Peter Deal 7/1 17 1996 Collier Bay 6-12-00 Graham Bradley Jim Old Wally Sturt 9/1 16 1995 Alderbrook 6-12-00 Norman Williamson Kim Bailey Ernie Pick 11/2 14 1994 Flakey Dove 8-11-09 Mark Dwyer Richard Price John Price 9/1 15 1993 Granville Again 7-12-00 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Eric Scarth 13/2 18 1992 Royal Gait 9-12-00 Graham McCourt James Fanshawe Sheikh Mohammed 6/1 16 1991 Morley Street 7-12-00 Jimmy Frost Toby Balding Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd 4/1F 24 1990 Kribensis 6-12-00 Richard Dunwoody Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed 95/40F 19 1989 Beech Road 7-12-00 Richard Guest Toby Balding Tony Geake 50/1 15 1988 Celtic Shot 6-12-00 Peter Scudamore Fred Winter David Horton 7/1 21 1987 See You Then 7-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud Ltd 11/10F 18 1986 See You Then 6-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud Ltd 5/6F 23 1985 See You Then 5-12-00 Steve Smith Eccles Nicky Henderson Stype Wood Stud Ltd 16/1 14 1984 Dawn Run 6-11-09 Jonjo O’Neill Paddy Mullins IRE Charmian Hill 4/5F 14 1983 Gaye Brief 6-12-00 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin 7/1 17 1982 For Auction 6-12-00 Mr Colin Magnier Michael Cunningham IRE F Heaslip 40/1 14 1981 Sea Pigeon 11-12-00 John Francome Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 7/4F 14 1980 Sea Pigeon 10-12-00 Jonjo O’Neill Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 13/2 9 1979 Monksfield 7-12-00 Dessie Hughes Des McDonogh IRE Dr Michael Mangan 9/4F 10 1978 Monksfield 6-12-00 Tommy Kinane Des McDonogh IRE Dr Michael Mangan 11/2 13 1977 Night Nurse 6-12-00 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby Reg Spencer 15/2 10 1976 Night Nurse 5-12-00 Paddy Broderick Peter Easterby Reg Spencer 2/1F 8 1975 Comedy Of Errors 8-12-00 Ken White Fred Rimell Ted Wheatley 11/8F 13 1974 Lanzarote 6-12-00 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Lord Howard de Walden 7/4 7 1973 Comedy Of Errors 6-12-00 Bill Smith Fred Rimell Ted Wheatley 8/1 8 1972 Bula 7-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Bill Edwards-Heathcote 8/11F 12 1971 Bula 6-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Bill Edwards-Heathcote 15/8F 9 1970 Persian War 7-12-00 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 5/4F 14 1969 Persian War 6-12-00 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 6/4F 17 1968 Persian War 5-11-12 Jimmy Uttley Colin Davies Henry Alper 4/1 16 1967 Saucy Kit 6-12-00 Roy Edwards Peter Easterby K F Alder 100/6 23 1966 Salmon Spray 8-12-00 Johnnie Haine Bob Turnell Mrs John Rogerson 4/1 17 1965 Kirriemuir 5-12-00 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn Mrs Dorothy Beddington 50/1 19 1964 Magic Court 6-12-00 Pat McCarron Tommy Robson J McGhie 100/6 24 1963 Winning Fair 8-12-00 Mr Alan Lillingston George Spencer IRE George Spencer 100/9 21 1962 Anzio 5-11-12 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn Sir Thomas Ainsworth 11/2 14 1961 Eborneezer 6-12-00 Fred Winter Ryan Price Dr B N Pajgar 4/1 17 1960 Another Flash 6-12-00 Bobby Beasley Paddy Sleator IRE J J Byrne 11/4F 12 1959 Fare Time 6-12-00 Fred Winter Ryan Price Gerry Judd 13/2 14 1958 Bandalore 7-12-00 George Slack Stan Wright Mrs Dorothy Wright 20/1 18 1957 Merry Deal 7-12-00 Grenville Underwood Arthur Jones Arthur Jones 28/1 16 1956 Doorknocker 8-12-00 Harry Sprague Charlie Hall Clifford Nicholson 100/9 14 35
Page 1 and 2: THE FESTIVAL 2017 MEDIA GUIDE
Page 3 and 4: WELCOME The build-up to this year
Page 5 and 6: A general view of the Vestey Bar at
Page 7 and 8: BRITISH RACING HAS A DUTY OF CARE T
Page 9 and 10: BETBRIGHT PRESTBURY CUP BRITAIN VER
Page 11 and 12: THE MCCOYS RECOGNISING JUMP RACING
Page 13 and 14: Cheltenham Media Guide 2017 mile co
Page 15 and 16: JON RICHARDSON THE OLD MAN 7th OCTO
Page 17 and 18: ARKLE FACTS Form figures; 341104-11
Page 19 and 20: Cheltenham Media Guide 2017 1997 A
Page 21 and 22: INCREDIBLE UNMISSABLE £10 FREE NO
Page 23 and 24: laying plans for the 12 months ahea
Page 25 and 26: THE FESTIVAL IN FIGURES Cheltenham
Page 27 and 28: Cheltenham Media Guide 2017 and tur
Page 29 and 30: CALL US FOR CHELTENHAM BETTING NEWS
Page 31 and 32: Cheltenham Media Guide 2017 TIMICO
Page 33: Queen’s Prize at Kempton Park and
Page 37 and 38: Cheltenham Media Guide 2017 37
Page 39 and 40: THE FIRST RACE AT THE CHELTENHAM FE
Page 41 and 42: The only horse since to have won th
Page 43 and 44: CHELTENHAM & SOUTH WEST SYNDICATE S
Page 45 and 46: ecognised start of the race that is
Page 47 and 48: WE ’ RE NOT HORSING AROUND PROUD
Page 49 and 50: short history, with three wins apie
Page 51 and 52: LEADING JOCKEYS AT THE FESTIVAL Rub
Page 53 and 54: William Alexander Baring Bingham, w
Page 55 and 56: at Cheltenham for 26 years altogeth
Page 57 and 58: of supporting races. The first Coun
Page 59 and 60: Bookmakers in front of the See You

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