1 Lord Windermere 8/1
2
Lyreen Legend 10/1
3
Hadrian's Approach 7/1 11 ran Distances: 1¾l, 6l, 1¼l
TIME 6m 25.80s (slow by 22.80s)
Jim Culloty, who as a rider won three Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cups aboard Best Mate, enjoyed his first Festival winner as a trainer when Lord Windermere landed the RSA Chase.
"It was a peach of a ride by Davy (Russell). He wasn't getting any light and the horse jumped brilliantly - he actually tripped over the road and I thought that it might have cost us," said Culloty.
"He is a good horse. We took the chance of not running over three miles all season because I didn't want to tire him out - I wanted a horse with experience but hadn't been bottomed - and it has worked.
"I knew that he would like Cheltenham. I could have brought him here last year and he would have run a big race in a hurdle but we minded him because we wanted a big chaser, which is what he is now.
"(Owner) Dr Lambe has been waiting a long time for this and, from my point of view, it's unbelievable. This is what it's all about.
"It's very different from riding. As a jockey you get nervous half an hour before the race but as a trainer you are nervous for six months beforehand. You get up and feed the horses at 6am every morning and I always look to see how he is as he is the best horse I have.
"I was a nervous wreck watching that. I was pacing and I went out to walk the course on my own earlier because I didn't want to talk to anybody.
"I fancied this horse like mad and thought he would love it around here. I thought they would go a right gallop and I told Davy to hang on to him and ride him to get the trip, and if he got it I thought he would take all the beating.
"They went quite steady and that probably suited us, but he was in a pocket and got no light throughout the race. He acted on the course and jumped well. He has the experience and I gave him a good few runs during the winter over shorter distances because I wanted to get the experience into him without bottoming him out.
"Dr Lambe, who owns him, has been a massive supporter. My training career got off to a pretty slow start - it took me a while to get the hang of it - but he has been incredibly loyal and supportive. If I ever go and get a horse, he pays for it and he wanted a Cheltenham winner and we gave him one.
"We'll celebrate tonight and then we'll think about the future. Where he'll start in the autumn I don't know, I suppose he could go for something like the Hennessy."
Owner Dr Ronan Lambe added: "It's absolutely fantastic. It's my first ever winner here and I am delighted. Jim struggled a little bit to begin with but he has been doing fantastic recently with a small string.
"It was a beautiful ride by Davy - the horse was cantering the whole way - and although he got tightened up rounding the bend, he kept calm and it was a wonderful ride.
"I asked Davy if he was a Gold Cup horse for next year but he didn't answer. I would think that will be his target next year and Jim has always maintained he is a three-miler."
Lord Windermere was quoted at 16/1 by Boylesporrts for next year's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
RUSSELL QUICK TO PRAISE CULLOTY AFTER WINDERMERE WIN
Jockey Davy Russell took his tally at The Festival to double-figures after he guided 8/1 shot Lord Windermere to victory in the RSA Steeple Chase.
Russell had to switch to the outside turning for home after being briefly boxed in but his horse responded well following the fall of Boston Bob to record a length and three quarters victory.
"All credit to Jim Culloty and the lads. They have done a marvellous job with this horse and I only had to steer him today - he was in super order," said Russell.
"I had loads of horse left under me and he just idled in front a bit as the line approached. I was almost upsides Boston Bob when he fell and I'm pretty sure we would have got past him. The race panned out fine but I had a couple of scary moments as he took a false step over the road out the back and then I was behind Tom (Scudamore) a bit longer than I would have liked turning for home.
"I only sat on him for the first time last week and he schooled excellently. I didn't know his ability but Jim kept building me with confidence. Even this morning we had a little chat and he gave me free rein - he just felt that the horse was spot on.
"Jim is a confidence guy. I have only ridden two horses for him on the racecourse and he has been spot on with both on them. His horses are in good health, he has wonderful facilities and he knows what it takes to win round here. He has a good way of thinking about things, which is a plus."
Owner Dr Ronan Lambe was celebrating after his first ever Festival winner and could not praise his jockey enough.
"It's absolutely fantastic. It's my first ever winner here and I am delighted. Jim struggled a little bit to begin with but he has been doing fantastic recently with a small string.
"It was a beautiful ride by Davy - the horse was cantering the whole way - and although he got tightened up rounding the bend, he kept calm and it was a wonderful ride.
"I asked Davy if he was a Gold Cup horse for next year but he didn't answer. I would think that will be his target next year and Jim has always maintained he is a three-miler."
RSA Chase (Grade 1) £150,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 110y, Class 1 11 ran
Going: Good to soft, soft in places
Position
Horse
Trainer
Jockey
Weight
Starting Price
Beaten Distance
1
Lord Windermere
J H Culloty
D N Russell
11st 4lbs
8 - 1
Winner
2
Lyreen Legend
D T Hughes
B J Cooper
11st 4lbs
10 - 1
1 3/4 length
3
Hadrian's Approach
N J Henderson
B J Geraghty
11st 4lbs
7 - 1
6 lengths
4
Unioniste
P F Nicholls
R Walsh
11st 2lbs
5 - 2
1 1/4 length
5
Terminal
W P Mullins
D J Casey
11st 4lbs
14 - 1
1 length
6
Goulanes
D Pipe
T Scudamore
11st 4lbs
8 - 1
Short Head
7
Houblon Des Obeaux
Miss V Williams
Aidan Coleman
11st 4lbs
8 - 1
1/2 length
8
Real Milan
D McCain Jnr
J M Maguire
11st 4lbs
20 - 1
59 lengths
Fell
Boston Bob
W P Mullins
P Townend
11st 4lbs
5 - 1
PulledUp
Theatrical Star
C L Tizzard
J Tizzard
11st 4lbs
40 - 1
PulledUp
Vintage Star
Mrs S J Smith
Ryan Mania
11st 4lbs
50 - 1
LYREEN A FUTURE LEGEND
Lyreen Legend's length and a three-quarters defeat in the RSA Chase by Lord Windermere put trainer Dessie Hughes in the runner-up spot for the second time in the afternoon. But though there were thoughts of what might have been for Tofino Bay in the opener, there were no regrets over Lyreen Legend's performance.
"No excuses," said Hughes of the six-year-old. "We were beaten by a better horse on the day this time and we were absolutely delighted with ours. He's one of the youngest in the field and its all in front of him next year. In the shorter term we'll see how he comes out of today and maybe go to Punchestown."
Rider Bryan Cooper was equally pleased with the son of Saint Des Saints. "He jumped and travelled great," he said, "and was just outstayed up the hill. But he's only a baby and he'll be better with another year on him."
NICHOLLS PHILOSOPHICAL AFTER UNIONISTE TAKES FOURTH IN RSA
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is still awaiting his first victory at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival, and while he saddled 5/2 favourite Unioniste in the RSA Chase the novice could do no better than fourth.
Still only five-years-old, and the youngest horse in the field, Unioniste was beaten a total of nine lengths by winner Lord Windermere, leaving Nicholls hoping that his grey could improve with age.
Nicholls said: "He was always struggling a bit and didn't jump as well as we know he can. When he won here in December he carried just 9st 9lb [with Harry Derham's weight allowance], and as I just said to John [Hales, Unioniste's owner], that race just dropped right for him.
"Things were happening all a bit quick for him today. Maybe he's not quick enough, maybe he's an out-and-out stayer. He could be the type to take to the Hennessy [Gold Cup at Newbury], because he will get stronger, and when he does we'll be able to ride him differently. We didn't want to make too much use of him today because he's still young. It will make life easier when he's that bit stronger.
"I cannot make them any quicker, but I'm sure in time he's got more to give. We'll probably give him a break now."
RSA CHASE FACTS AND FIGURES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The RSA Chase is run with its current title for the fifth time this year, although the race is backed by one of Cheltenham’s longest-running sponsors. It was known as the Royal & SunAlliance Chase up to 2008 and as the Royal SunAlliance Chase in 1997. Sun Alliance, which merged with Royal Insurance in 1996, previously backed the Sun Alliance Chase for 23 years and sponsored at Cheltenham for 26 years altogether. From 1971-73, the Foxhunter Chase was titled the Sun Alliance & London Foxhunters.
Sun Alliance & London was the first company outside racing to embrace commercial sponsorship at The Festival. Only the tote precedes the insurance company. Before 1974, the race was titled the Broadway Novices’ Chase and the Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase.
There was no race in 1947 (snow), and 2001 (foot and mouth).
BIGGEST FIELD
The biggest field for the race was 30 in 1986 and the smallest eight in 1993. The current safety limit is 20.
MOST SUCCESSFUL OWNER
Dorothy Paget with three victories - Mountain Prince (1948), On View (1951) and Glenbeigh (1954).
MOST SUCCESSFUL TRAINER
Fulke Walwyn was the most successful with four wins - Mountain Prince (1948), On View (1951), Glenbeigh (1954) and Mandarin (1957).
Willie Mullins has the best record among current trainers in the contest, having celebrated three victories with Rule Supreme (2004), Florida Pearl (1998) and Cooldine (2009).
MOST SUCCESSFUL JOCKEY
Pat Taaffe was the most successful jockey with five wins - Coneyburrow (1953), Solfen (1960), Grallagh Cnoc (1961), Arkle (1963) and Proud Tarquin (1970).
Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty are the only current jockeys to have won the race more than once. Walsh scored on Denman (2007) and Cooldine (2009), with Geraghty taking the honours on Star De Mohaison (2006) and Bobs Worth (2012).
BETTING
In 68 runnings since 1946 (some early races were divided), a total of 18 favourites (26 per cent) have prevailed. The biggest shocks were provided by 33/1 shots Canny Danny (1983) and Hussard Collonges (2002). Arkle was the shortest-priced winner when scoring at 4/9 in 1963.
AGE
The oldest winner was 11-year-old Birthlaw in 1946.
Five-year-olds Manicou (1950, Div 1), Arctic Gold (1950, Div 2) and Star De Mohaison (2006) are the youngest winners.
The fastest running of the race was won by Lord Noelie in 2000 at 6 mins 5.3s, beating the previous best of 6 mins
6.6s set by Miinnehoma in 1992.
OVERSEAS-TRAINED WINNERS
IRELAND (16): Coneyburrow (1953); Great Eliza (1955); Solfen (1960); Grallagh Cnoc (1961); Arkle (1963); Arkloin (1965); Herring Gull (1968); Proud Tarquin (1970); Ten Up (1974); Tied Cottage (1976); Antarctic Bay (1985); Florida Pearl (1998); Rule Supreme (2004); Cooldine (2009); Weapon’s Amnesty (2010) and Bostons Angel (2011).
DID YOU KNOW?
Since 1959, seven horses have won both the RSA Chase and Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. They are:
1959 Mandarin (Gold Cup 1962)
1963 Arkle (Gold Cup 1964-6)
1974 Ten Up (Gold Cup 1975)
1979 Master Smudge (Gold Cup 1980 on the disqualification of Tied Cottage)
1990 Garrison Savannah (Gold Cup 1991)
1999 Looks Like Trouble (Gold Cup 2000)
2007 Denman (Gold Cup 2008)
To this list might be added the name of Tied Cottage, winner of the RSA Chase in 1976 and the Gold Cup in 1980, before subsequent disqualification in the latter.
The West Awake is the only horse to have won both what is now the Neptune Investment Managment Novices’ Hurdle (previously sponsored by RSA) and the RSA Chase. He won the Hurdle in 1987 and the Chase in 1988. The 2010 winner Weapon’s Amnesty became the first horse to win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and RSA Chase, a feat repeated by Bobs Worth in 2011 and 2012.
Hollywood legend Gregory Peck owned the 1966 winner Different Class.
Previous results
RSA CHASE
2012-WINNER-BOBS WORTH 7-11-04 Owner-The Not Afraid Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2
2ND-First Lieutenant 7-11-04 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/2
3RD-Call The Police 9-11-04 Owner-DD Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-20/1
9 ran, Time-6m 8.00s Dist-2½, 11 6/5 Fav Grands Crus (4th)
RSA CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR (RSA Chase from 2009, Royal & SunAlliance Chase 1998-2008, Royal Sun Alliance Chase 1997, Sun Alliance Chase 1974-96, Totalisator Champion Chase 1971-73, Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase 1964-1970, Broadway Chase 1961-63, Broadway Novices’ Chase before 1961)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2012 Bobs Worth 7-11-04 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson The Not Afraid Partnership 9/2 9
2011 Bostons Angel 7-11-04 Robert Power Jessica Harrington IRE Elder Scouller
16/1 12
2010 Weapon’s Amnesty 7-11-04 Davy Russell Charles Byrnes IRE Gigginstown House Stud 10/1 9
2009 Cooldine 7-11-04 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins IRE Violet O’Leary 9/4F 15
2008 Albertas Run 7-11-04 Tony McCoy Jonjo O’Neill Trevor Hemmings 4/1F 11
2007 Denman 7-11-04 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Maggie Findlay & Paul
Barber 6/5F 17
2006 Star De Mohaison 5-10-08 Barry Geraghty Paul Nicholls Sir Robert
Ogden 14/1 15
2005 Trabolgan 7-11-04 Mick FitzGerald Nicky Henderson Trevor Hemmings
5/1 9
2004 Rule Supreme 8-11-04 David Casey Willie Mullins IRE John Lynch 25/1
10
2003 One Knight 7-11-04 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Robert Gibbs 15/2
9
2002 Hussard Collonges 7-11-04 Russ Garritty Peter Beaumont Nick Bannister
33/1 19
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Lord Noelie 7-11-04 Jim Culloty Henrietta Knight Executive Racing
9/2 9
1999 Looks Like Trouble 7-11-04 Paul Carberry Noel Chance Universal Conf. & Incentive
Trv Ltd 16/1 14
1998 Florida Pearl 6-11-04 Richard Dunwoody Willie Mullins IRE Violet
O’Leary 11/8F 10
1997 Hanakham 8-11-04 Richard Dunwoody Ron Hodges Malcolm Brereton 13/2
14
1996 Nahthen Lad 7-11-04 Warren Marston Jenny Pitman Jim Shaw 7/1 12
1995 Brief Gale 8-10-13 Philip Hide Josh Gifford Carrie Zetter 13/2 13
1994 Monsieur Le Cure 8-11-04 Peter Niven John Edwards Hector Brown 15/2
18
1993 Young Hustler 6-11-04 Peter Scudamore Nigel Twiston-Davies Gavin
MacEchern 9/4 8
1992 Miinnehoma 9-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Freddie Starr 7/2F
18
1991 Rolling Ball 8-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Hilda Clarke 7/2F
20
1990 Garrison Savannah 7-11-04 Ben de Haan Jenny Pitman Autofour Engineering
12/1 9
1989 Envopak Token 8-11-04 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford Frank Arthur 16/1
15
1988 The West Awake 7-11-04 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath
11/4F 14
1987 Kildimo 7-11-04 Graham Bradley Toby Balding Lady Harris 13/2 18
1986 Cross Master 9-11-04 Reg Crank Tom Bill Harlow Bros 16/1 30
1985 Antarctic Bay 8-11-04 Frank Berry Pat Hughes IRE P Meade 6/4F 11
1984 A Kinsman 8-11-04 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank
10/1 18
1983 Canny Danny 7-11-04 Niall Madden Jimmy FitzGerald P Norton 33/1
14
1982 Brown Chamberlin 7-11-04 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs Coral Samuel
7/1 15
1981 Lesley Ann 7-11-04 Colin Brown David Elsworth Brian Gaule 25/1 17
1980 Lacson 8-11-04 Steve Knight Bob Hawker Bob Hawker 16/1 17
1979 Master Smudge 7-11-04 Richard Hoare Arthur Barrow Arthur Barrow
16/1 17
1978 Sweet Joe 6-11-04 Steve Smith Eccles Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg
12/1 17
1977 Gay Spartan 6-11-04 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson M Armstrong
13/2 15
1976 Tied Cottage 8-11-00 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore IRE Anthony Stanley
Robinson 12/1 15
1975 Pengrail 7-11-00 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs G Morton 12/1 11
1974 Ten Up 7-11-00 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Anne, Duchess of Westminster
7/2 12
1973 Killiney 7-11-03 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Enid Boucher 8/15F 9
1972 Clever Scot 7-11-07 David Mould Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg 11/1
18
1971 Tantalum 7-11-07 David Nicholson Michael Pope Colonel S W Green
14/1 16
1970 Proud Tarquin 7-11-12 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE John Thomson 100/7
17
1969 Spanish Steps 6-11-12 John Cook Edward Courage Edward Courage 100/8
22
1968 Herring Gull 6-11-12 Joe Crowley Paddy Mullins IRE Mrs G A J Wilson
9/1 16
1967 Border Jet 7-11-00 Josh Gifford Ryan Price Lady Weir 4/1F 19
1966 Different Class 6-11-12 David Mould Peter Cazalet Gregory Peck 10/1
17
1965 Arkloin 6-11-07 Liam McLoughlin Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 100/7
17
1964 Buona notte 7-12-04 Johnnie Haine Bob Turnell Jim Joel 11/8F 16
1963 Arkle 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Duchess Of Westminster
4/9F 15
1962 Caduval 7-11-08 Laurie Morgan Bogden Lubecki Bogden Lubecki 11/2
13
1961 Grallagh Cnoc 7-12-01 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE Mrs K Harper 8/13F
17
1960 Solfen 8-11-12 Pat Taaffe Willie O’Grady IRE B Naughton 5/4F
21
1959 Mac Joy 7-11-12 Arthur Freeman Ken Bailey W C Simpson 4/1 11
1958 Just Awake 6-11-08 Arthur Freeman Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 100/7
19
1957 Mandarin 6-12-01 Michael Scudamore Fulke Walwyn Peggy Hennessy 8/1
14
1956 Polar Flight 6-11-08 Tommy Cusack George Spann Mrs P Pleydell-Bouverie
100/7 19
1955 Great Eliza 7-11-13 B Cooper Danny Morgan IRE Mrs N Hope Collins
7/2F 23
1954 Glenbeigh 8-11-13 Dave Dick Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget EvsF 16
1953 Coneyburrow 7-11-03 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE I E Levy 100/8 13
1952 Good And Plenty 8-11-08 Jimmy Power Jack Fawcus Lady Joicey 8/1
18
1951 On View 8-11-13 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget 8/1 23
1950 (I) Manicou 5-11-06 Lord Mildmay Peter Cazalet Lord Mildmay 2/1F
9
1950 (II) Arctic Gold 5-10-13 Glen Kelly Gerald Balding John Hay Whitney
100/30 9
1949 (I) Glen Fire 6-11-02 Mr J Spencer Syd Mercer J G Greenaway 100/8
19
1949 (II) Comeragh 8-11-02 D Kelly Major Noel Furlong Major Noel Furlong
10/1 10
1948 (I) Blakely Grove 7-11-04 Joe Maguire Ivor Anthony Paul Mellon 5/4F
17
1948 (II) Mountain Prince 9-11-04 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy
Paget 100/8 15
1947 No race (snow and frost)
1946 Birthlaw 11-11-07 Ted Vinall Tommy Rayson Mrs V Bruce 20/1 16