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Bolger Believes Swordsman Can Take The Three Musketeers at Goodwood 08/10/09

Jump jockey Colin Bolger is looking forward to a rare foray on the Flat when Goodwood Racecourse hosts its final meeting of a tremendous 2009 season on Sunday, October 11.

A popular feature of Sunday’s season finale, the opening two-mile handicap, which this year takes place under its new title, the Three Musketeers Trophy Handicap (2pm), is a Flat race exclusive to jockeys who hold a licence to ride over jumps.

Bolger made his race debut last year, finishing seventh aboard Salute, behind the Paddy Brennan-ridden Munlochy Bay. He will be aiming to join a roll of honour that includes leading lights from the jumps scene such as Timmy Murphy, Paul Carberry, Richard Johnson and Robert Thornton.

Bolger partnered the Chris Gordon-trained Swordsman to clinch third in a beginners’ chase at Worcester on September 25, and is hoping the seven-year-old can land the spoils in Sunday’s feature, which is a popular distraction for the jump jockeys involved.

The rider commented: “I rode in the race last year and finished seventh, it’s good fun. I really look forward to it, as do all the boys. Goodwood look after us very well, they put on a nice spread with food and drink and we can relax and watch the rest of the racing all afternoon.

“Swordsman ran really well to finish third in a beginners’ chase at Worcester last time. He was in pretty good form on the Flat back in the summer and won a race at Lingfield. He was also placed a couple of times and definitely has a squeak on Sunday.

“He’s been around the course before and ran well at the Glorious Goodwood festival. He was well-beaten behind Sweetheart when Catherine Gannon rode him in the Goodwood Stakes but it wasn’t a bad run because he did too much early on. He’s quite a strong horse and he just pulled too hard, but he was still there three furlongs out.

“I definitely think I’m going there with a chance. The horse is in great form and his run at Worcester last time was one of his best to date. I rode him the other morning and he felt in really good order.”

Swordsman, trained in Hampshire, is one of 33 entries for the popular race which has a maximum field size of 16.

Sponsored by successful owner the Marquesa de Moretalla, the race honours her three star steeplechasers, Ucello II, Ubu III and The Fellow, who the Marquesa affectionately referred to as her Three Musketeers. Prior to this year, the race was known as the Ucello II and Ubu III Trophy.

The Fellow, winner of the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup and twice successful in the King George VI Chase, passed away in August, 2008, and now takes his place in the race title alongside his owner’s Grand Steeplechase de Paris victors.

Goodwood’s popular final fixture of the season also includes the day’s feature contest, the £12,000 Jenny Allen Birthday Celebration Handicap (3.10pm) over six furlongs, as well as the seven-furlong EBF RUK Nursery (2.35pm), Table Six Handicap (3.45pm) over a mile, the six-furlong Celer Et Audax Median Auction Maiden (4.20pm), the nine-furlong EBF Goodwood Racehorse Owners’ Group Maiden (4.55pm) and the Last Chance Toteexacta Handicap (5.30pm) over a mile and a half, with a massive total of 243 entries received.

The going is currently good to soft and should be perfect on Sunday, with the weekend forecast to be dry.

HANNON AND MOORE SET TO CLINCH GOODWOOD TITLES

Richard Hannon is already assured of the Dick Hern Award as Goodwood’s leading trainer for the 2009 campaign but Sunday’s competitive seven-race card will confirm whether Ryan Moore will be crowned the outright top jockey at the course this year.

Richard Hannon, who also clinched the coveted award in 2008, has enjoyed fantastic success this season and his 15 Goodwood victories make him the course’s champion trainer for 2009. The veteran handler saddled Dick Turpin to triumph in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at the Glorious meeting, while Monsieur Chevalier won the Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes at the same prestigious fixture.

Hannon is assured of the Goodwood trainers’ title as his nearest rival, Mark Johnston, with eight victories, will be represented in no more than five of the seven races on Sunday. Sir Michael Stoute is third in the standings with seven Goodwood wins in 2009.

Champion jockey Ryan Moore has a fantastic record at Goodwood and has an almost unassailable lead in the race to be leading jockey at the course. With six races open to Flat jockeys, it will take an effort of historic proportions for his nearest rival, Frankie Dettori, to draw level with Moore, who has 15 wins to his credit at the track in 2009. Dettori has nine wins, while Richard Hughes and Tom Queally have both registered eight successes.

RACEGOERS TO MEET JOCKEYS AT CELEBRITY LUNCHEON

Goodwood Racecourse invites the public to a celebrity lunch before racing when Richard Hannon jr, assistant trainer to his father, and jockey Richard Hughes will review the highlights of the 2009 season and discuss the prospects of the Hannon stable stars Monsieur Chevalier, Dick Turpin, 2000 Guineas hope Canford Cliffs and Group One winner Paco Boy.

Also in attendance at the star-studded lunch will be the jump jockeys who are due to ride in their annual challenge at 2pm.

The exceptional racing experience, which includes three courses and afternoon tea, costs £79 or £59 for Goodwood members. Numbers will be restricted so early booking is recommended on 01243 755027.