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Old Roan Chase 2011 |
Master Minded Heads Classy Entry for Old Roan Chase
18/10/11
Star chaser Master Minded (11st 10lb) could return to Aintree for a crack at the £50,000 Grade Two Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase, highlight of the opening day of Aintree’s first meeting of the new season, Saturday, October 22.
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A total of nine horses have been entered in the two and a half-mile limited handicap chase, which is this year named in honour of three-time winner Monet’s Garden, who took the spoils in 2007, 2009 & 2010 and will parade before the rig race.
Dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded won four of his five starts last season, culminating in a stunning nine-length verdict over Albertas Run (11st) in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase over the same course and distance on April 8.
Owner Clive Smith revealed: “I have talked with Paul about running Master Minded at Aintree and it’s a possibility at the moment.
“We think that it will be a nice race for him and we have won it before with Kauto Star (2006), but it will depend on the going and how well the horse is.
“We are trying to avoid having him and Kauto Star running on the same day, which would happen if we went to Ascot for the Grade Two chase on the day of the Betfair Chase - Haydock looks the best option for Kauto Star and we want Ruby (Walsh) to be able to ride both horses whenever possible.
“Master Minded was very impressive when he beat Albertas Run at the course in April but he would be giving him weight this time and it’s never as straightforward as converting lengths into pounds.
“The King George VI Chase is the obvious aim for him in the first half of the season but we have just got to see how he is and whether he will definitely stay the trip. “
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Irish handler Tom Taaffe has entered Finger Onthe Pulse (10st 4lb), winner of the Galway Plate in 2010, while Nicky Richards, who sent out Monet’s Garden to his three victories, is set to be represented this year by Noble Alan (10st 4lb), a Grade Two scorer over hurdles.
Charlie Mann may be represented by Grade Three handicap chase victor Fine Parchment (10st 4lb), while the entry is completed by the Peter Bowen-trained pair of Pure Faith (10st 4lb) and Rio Gael (10st 4lb) plus Havingotascoobydo, who is not qualified to run.
Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase Day features a quality seven-race card that also includes the £19,800 Betfred 10 Best Odds In Shops Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2.55pm) and the 13 entries feature several old favourites including the evergreen 14-year-old Mister McGoldrick and Ballyholland, who triumphed in the Galway Plate in 2009.
Aintree hosts Matalan Freaky Family Funday on Sunday, October 23 - a day of racing with a host of free Halloween-themed entertainment for all ages.
Highlights of a seven-race card include the £15,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm), which has last season’s Welsh National victor Synchronised featuring among the 28 entries, and the £17,000 Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase (for the John Parrett Memorial Trophy) (3.45pm, 15 entries).
Away from the racing action, children can get up close to a pony and take a pony ride or groom one of the miniature Groovy Hooves ponies in the equestrian centre. There will be a host of indoor activities, including Halloween crafts and colouring, face painting and Halloween shows plus a fancy dress contest for all of the family.
Former leading amateur rider Carrie Ford, who partnered Forest Gunner to win the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase and finished fifth on the same horse in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, will be on hand to give advice and encouragement to budding young jockeys by offering rides on an Equicizer.
Aintree will unveil its new grey horse mascot on Matalan Freaky Family Funday which children will be able to give a name to.
Outside, hair-raising spooky funfair rides are guaranteed to keep anyone warm and there will also be free Halloween goody bags for the children.
GROUND
The going at Aintree is currently Good, Good to Soft in places.
Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, said today: “We had three millimetres of rain overnight and it looks like the weather will continue to be unsettled this week. We are anticipating a dry Thursday with further showers on Friday and Saturday.
“The grass is in great condition and we are looking forward to getting our season underway this weekend.”For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree's Marketing and PR Manager.
