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Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
Grade 1, Cheltenham 13:30
£135,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
2m 5f 26y, Class 1    
Wednesday 15th March 2023

QuinnBet

1 Impaire Et Passe 5/2
2 Gaelic Warrior 9/2
3 Champ Kiely 13/2
10 ran Distances: 6½l, 1l, 3¾l
Time: 5m 10.74s (slow by 10.74s)

Festival Wednesday began as Champion Day ended for The Festival’s most successful trainer Willie Mullins with Impaire Et Passe  leading home a 1-2-3 for the master of Closutton.

Willie Mullins said: “I was very impressed with that. I was looking at him  coming to the last going, ‘No, Danny [Mullins, on Champ Kiely], don’t pull in’, but Danny’s horse was hanging right the whole way down the back and Paul just said to himself that he could get through, and he did, but what happened when he got through was what blew me away. The change of pace down to the last and up the hill - wow. I think that was the horse’s fourth run in his life, so there’s huge improvement there. I’m looking at him as a chaser; you have to ask yourself now, do you stay hurdling? What would you do?

“You have to look at everything, including the Champion Hurdle. Yesterday I was telling Michael Buckley, we’ll have to go shopping again to find one to beat you [Constitution Hill], but maybe we haven’t yet! He’s in the same sort of mould with his speed, jumping and the way he came up the hill, so maybe we have one.

“Gaelic Warrior - he took out his earplugs on the way to the start and he didn’t settle as well as we’d want him to, but Patrick said he could go up to three miles - he’ll be a big, strong chaser down the line. And Champ Kiely surprised me by staying on so well. Danny said he hung terribly down the back - I don’t know why he did that, Danny doesn’t know either, we’ll see if there’s some problem - but he’s another one who will make a nice chaser.”

FormRatings

Winning jockey Paul Townend told ITV Racing: “He’s a dream ride. I was hoping coming here that he would be that ride. He’s shown me that in the couple of races he’s ran. It worked out brilliantly.

“From the first day at home, he showed us a lot on the track and not so much at home. But he’s turned a corner at home too and has been doing nice work. I was definitely delighted with him when I felt him taking off underneath me.”

Isaac Souede, joint-owner of the winner, said: “That was an amazing race. We had high expectations and he met them and superseded them. He was very impressive. Other than falling, I thought we had it.

“It did exceed our expectations as after two races you don’t know how good they truly are. We knew the competition coming here was going to be strong, and it was, especially from the other Mullins horses. I would have been happy today if he run well and was first, second, third or fourth but he exceeded our expectations especially with the ease of it.

“Once he decided to go it was race over. We felt this race was about discovering how good he is so we weren’t feeling pressure. The expectations weren’t the same for us as El Fabiolo. El Fabiolo losing would have been disappointing and there would have been no hiding it. In this case we were going to learn. We know how hard it is to do this so we are not complaining.”

Trainers Quotes

The other joint-owner of the winner, Simon Munir, said: “I’m in shock, really.

“He’s been working very, very well and he won his races in Ireland well but he was going up in distance, the ground was another question mark, so to win by six and a half lengths on his fourth run is breath-taking. Very exciting.

“The vibes have been strong about this horse, but it was quite a deep race - there was Champ Kiely, Gaelic Warrior, lots of horses with great form lines. It was competitive. Willie was right to go for the Ballymore and not the Supreme.

“He’s really a blank canvas; that was the fourth run of his life. He was extended today but he won by six and a half lengths, came over the last in the lead and so really the sky is the limit at the moment. The dream is very much alive.”

Barry Connell, owner-trainer of the fourth Good Land, said: “That was a good run in a really competitive race where the first four horses came well clear.

"Michael (O'Sullivan,jockey) said the horse felt a bit flat out there and spent a bit too long in the air at some of his hurdles so we will have his blood and everything else checked out.

"He is a chaser in the making so that will probably be it for this season and he will be turned out in the paddocks before going chasing next Autumn."

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan said of today’s ground conditions:" It's a lot more testing than yesterday and very tough out there as it's quite tacky."

QuinnBet

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
(registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle)
£135,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 5f 26y, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Impaire Et Passe 5 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend 5/2
2
Gaelic Warrior 5 11-7 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 9/2
3
1 Champ Kiely 7 11-7 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 13/2
4
Good Land 7 11-7 Barry Connell Michael O'Sullivan 9/2
5
Marble Sands 7 11-7 Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan 150/1
6
nse Hermes Allen 6 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 9/4F
7 ½ American Mike 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 28/1
8
9 Master Chewy 6 11-7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 200/1
9
Ho My Lord 5 11-7 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 50/1
PU Persian Time 5 11-7 Nicky Henderson A P Heskin 150/1

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Previous results - BALLYMORE NOVICES’ HURDLE

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

2022 Sir Gerhard 7 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend Cheveley Park Stud 8/11F 9

2021 Bob Olinger 6 11-07 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead Robcour 6/4F 7
2020 Envoi Allen 6 11-07 Davy Russell Gordon Elliott Cheveley Park Stud 4/7F 12
2019 City Island 6-11-07 Mark Walsh Martin Brassil IRE Bernardine Mulryan 8/1 16

2018-WINNER-SAMCRO 6-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Jack Kennedy; SP-8/11 Fav
2ND-Black Op 7-11-07 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-8/1
3RD-Next Destination 6-11-07 Owner-Malcolm Denmark; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Ruby Walsh; SP-4/1
14 runners, Time-5m 18.20s, Dist-2¾, 5

2017-WINNER-WILLOUGHBY COURT 6-11-07 Owner-Paul & Clare Rooney; Trainer-Ben Pauling; Jockey-David Bass; SP-14/1
2ND-Neon Wolf 7-11-07 Owner-Masterson Holdings Limited; Trainer-Harry Fry; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Messire Des Obeaux 6-11-07 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-8/1
15 ran, Time-5m 8.80s, Dist-hd, 33⁄4

2016-WINNER-YORKHILL 6-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-3/1
2ND-Yanworth 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer Alan King; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/10 Fav
3RD-Its’afreebee 6-11-07 Owner-Rebel Jumping; Trainer-Dan Skelton; Jockey-Ian Popham; SP-33/1
11 ran, Time-5m 0.89s; Dist-1¾, 7

2015-WINNER-WINDSOR PARK 6-11-07 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/2
2ND-Parlour Games 7-11-07 Owner-Bloomfields; Trainer-John Ferguson; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-13/2
3RD-Nichols Canyon 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/2 Fav
10 ran, Time-5m 7.40s; Dist-3¾, 1¼

2014-WINNER-FAUGHEEN 6-11-07 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/4 Fav
2ND-Ballyalton 7-11-07 Owner-John Westwood; Trainer-Ian Williams; Jockey-Will Kennedy; SP-20/1
3RD-Rathvinden 6-11-07 Owner-Ronnie Bartlett; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-11/2
15 ran, Time-4m 54.80s; Dist-4½, ½

2013-WINNER-THE NEW ONE 6-11-07 Owner-Sarah Such; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-7/2
2ND-Rule The World 5-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-5/1
3RD-Pont Alexandre 5-11-07 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/4 Fav
8 ran, Time-5m 16.60s; Dist-4, 4½

2012-WINNER-SIMONSIG 6-11-07 Owner-Ronnie Bartlett; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Felix Yonger 6-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-16/1
3RD-Monksland 5-11-07 Owner-Patricia Hunt; Trainer Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-11/2
17 ran, Time-4m 59.34s; Dist-7, 11

2011-WINNER-FIRST LIEUTENANT 6-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP- 7/1
2ND-Rock On Ruby 6-11-07 Owner-The Festival Goers; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-13/2 3RD-So Young 5-11-07 Owner-Mrs M McMahon; Trainer Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-2/1 Fav
12 ran, Time-5m 10.50s; Dist-sh, 41⁄2

2010-WINNER-PEDDLERS CROSS 5-11-07 Owner-Tim Leslie; Trainer-Donald McCain; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-7/1
2ND-Reve De Sivola 5-11-07 Owner-Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-15/2
3RD-Rite Of Passage 6-11-07 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Mr Robbie McNamara; SP-7/2 Fav
17 ran, Time-5m 2.77s Dist-1½, 3¾

2009-WINNER-MIKAEL D'HAGUENET 5-11-07 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-Karabak 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-4/1
3RD-Diamond Harry 6-11-07 Owner-Paul Duffy Diamond Syndicate; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-4/1
14 ran, Time-5m 17.10s Dist-1¾, 3¾

2008-WINNER-FIVEFORTHREE 6-11-07 Owner-Olde Crowbars Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/1
2ND-Venalmar 6-11-07 Owner-Michael O’Flynn; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Paddy Flood; SP-11/1
3RD-Trafford Lad 6-11-07 Owner-Butler Family Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon Sheehy IRE; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP-9/1
15 ran, Time-5m 2.20s Dist-nk, 4; 4/1 Fav Aigle D’Or (13th)

2007-WINNER-MASSINI’S MAGUIRE 6-11-07 Owner-Alan Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
2ND-Tidal Bay 6-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-10/1
3RD-Catch Me 6-11-07 Owner-J P O’Shea; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
15 ran, Time-5m 5.40s; Dist: nk, 1½; 5/2 Fav Aran Concerto (5th)

2006-WINNER-NICANOR 5-11-07 Owner-Des Sharkey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-17/2
2ND-Denman 6-11-07 Owner-Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/10 Fav
3RD-Refinement 7-11-00 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
17 ran, Time-5m 1.00s Dist: 2½, 6

2005-WINNER-NO REFUGE 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-17/2
2ND-Racing Demon 5-11-07 Owner-Camilla Radford; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-14/1
3RD-Our Ben 6-11-07 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-33/1
20 ran, Time-5m 00.00s Dist: ¾, 2½ 9/2 Jt Favs Gold Medalist (5th) & Royal Paradise (7th)

2004-WINNER-FUNDAMENTALIST 6-11-07 Owner-Gripen; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-12/1
2ND-Inglis Drever 5-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/4 Fav
3RD-Grey Report 7-11-07 Owner-Anne La Trobe; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-25/1
15 ran, Time-5m 1.90s, Dist-.5, 4

2003-WINNER-HARDY EUSTACE 5-11-07 Owner-Laurence Byrne; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Kieran Kelly; SP-6/1
2ND-Pizarro 6-11-07 Owner-Edward Wallace; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Lord Sam 7-11-07 Owner-Plain Peeps; Trainer-Victor Dartnall; Jockey-Warren Marston; SP-10/1
Coolnagorna, finished 2nd, placed last for causing interference 19 ran, Time-5m 5.70s, Dist (as they passed the post)-1¼, 1

2002-WINNER-GALILEO 6-11-07 Owner-Sharon Nelson, Allan Stennett, Terry Warner; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-12/1
2ND-Over The Bar 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-14/1
3RD-Lanzerac 5-11-07 Owner-Cleartherm Ltd; Trainer-John Harris; Jockey-Paul Flynn; SP-66/1
27 ran; Time-5m 19.70s, Dist-3½, sh; 5/1 Fav Classified (4th)

2001-Cancelled (Foot and Mouth Disease)

2000-WINNER-MONSIGNOR 6-11-07 Owner-Malcolm Denmark; Trainer-Mark Pitman; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-No Discount 6-11-06 Owner-Seamus Ross; Trainer-Charlie Swan IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-20/1
3RD-Gentle Rivage 6-11-07 Owner-Geoffrey and Donna Keeys; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; SP-50/1
14 ran, Time-4m 52.0s, Dist-8,5

1999-WINNER-BARTON 6-11-07 Owner-Stan Clarke; Trainer-Tim Easterby; Jockey-Lorcan Wyer, SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Artadoin Lad 6-11-07 Owner-Jim Shaw; Trainer-Jenny Pitman; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-28/1
3RD-Winston Run 7-11-07 Owner-Mr & Mrs John Poynton; Trainer-Ian Williams; Jockey-Glenn Tormey; SP-100/1
18 ran, Time-5m 5.6s, Dist-9, ½

1998-WINNER-FRENCH HOLLY 7-11-07 Owner-Kieran Flood; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Andrew Thornton; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND-Torboy 8-11-07 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-8/1
3RD-Cloone Bridge 6-11-07 Owner-Kathleen Gillane; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-8/1
18 ran, Time-4m 59.7s, Dist-14, 2½

1997-WINNER-ISTABRAQ 5-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-6/5 Fav
2ND-Mighty Moss 6-11-07 Owner-Ken Hutsby; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr Fred Hutsby; SP-11/1
3RD-Daraydan 5-11-07 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-16/1
17 ran, Time-4m 58.2s, Dist-1, ¾

Boylesports


NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

1996 Urubande 6-11-07 Charlie Swan Aidan O’Brien IRE Martin St Quinton 8/1 24
1995 Putty Road 5-11-07 Norman Williamson David Nicholson Lady Harris 7/1 21
1994 Danoli 6-11-07 Charlie Swan Tom Foley IRE Dan O’Neill 7/4F 23
1993 Gaelstrom 6-11-02 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies Jenny Powell 16/1 19
1992 Thetford Forest 5-11-07 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson Saeed Manana 7/1 27
1991 Crystal Spirit 4-10-12 Jimmy Frost Ian Balding Paul Mellon 2/1F 29
1990 Regal Ambition 6-11-07 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Skeltools Ltd 3/1F 22
1989 Sayfar’s Lad 5-11-07 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Arthur Whiting 12/1 22
1988 Rebel Song 6-11-07 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath 14/1 25
1987 The West Awake 6-11-07 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath 16/1 28
1986 Ten Plus 6-11-07 Kevin Mooney Fulke Walwyn Basil Thwaites 5/2F 28
1985 Asir 5-11-07 Mr Ronnie Beggan Paul Kelleway HH Prince Yazid Saud 9/1 27
1984 Fealty 4-10-12 Seamus O’Neill Peter Brookshaw Peter Brookshaw 33/1 29
1983 Sabin Du Loir 4-10-08 Graham Bradley Michael Dickinson Brian Kilpatrick 16/1 27
1982 Mister Donovan 6-11-08 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE J P McManus 9/2 21
1981 Gaye Chance 6-11-08 Sam Morshead Fred Rimell Mrs M Curtis 7/1 21
1980 Drumlargan 6-11-08 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE Mary Cuddy 5/2F 27
1979 Venture To Cognac 6-11-08 Mr Oliver Sherwood Fred Winter Nat Sherwood 4/1 29
1978 Mr Kildare 5-11-07 Tommy Carmody Liam Browne IRE Owen Canty 8/11F 20
1977 Counsel Cottage 6-11-08 Sean Treacy Paddy Mullins IRE Lady Elizabeth Byng 6/1 26
1976 Parkhill 5-11-07 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs J McGowan 4/1 21
1975 Davy Lad 5-11-07 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs J McGowan 5/2F 20
1974 Brown Lad 8-11-08 Ron Barry Paddy Osborne IRE J Osborne 2/1F 25
1973 Willie Wumpkins 5-11-06 Pat Colville Adrian Maxwell IRE Jane Pilkington 11/1 15
1972 Even Dawn 5-11-06 Ron Hyett Katie Gaze Katie Gaze 40/1 17
1971 Midsprite 5-11-12 Macer Gifford Tom Jones Mrs Ogden Phipps 7/1 20

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