for immediate release, Wednesday, November 30, 2016
French star Alex De Larredya features among strong overseas
entry for Ascot's Christmas Weekend on December 16 & 17
Entries are unveiled today for the three richest contests at Ascot's exciting Christmas
Weekend, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17.
There are 26 entries for the Grade One highlight, the extended three-mile £100,000 JLT
Long Walk Hurdle (2.25pm), staged on Saturday, December 17.
Yanworth (Alan King) is already a dual winner at Ascot, having taken the G2 Sky Bet
Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (2m) at this meeting last year and the G2 Coral Hurdle
(nearly two and a half miles) on his reappearance this season on November 19, when he saw
off the persistent challenge of Lil Rockerfeller (Neil King) by three-quarters of a length.
The six-year-old would be stepping up to three miles for the first time in the JLT Long Walk
Hurdle.
Unowhatimeanharry (Harry Fry) extended his unbeaten sequence over hurdles to six when
taking the G2 Long Distance Hurdle over a similar trip at Newbury on November 25, when
he had Ballyoptic (Nigel Twiston-Davies) six lengths back in second.
A strong overseas flavour to the JLT Long Walk Hurdle entries is provided by eight Irishtrained hopefuls and one raider from France.
The French-trained contender is Alex De Larredya (Francois Nicolle). The six-year-old
was last seen out when the very impressive seven-length winner of the G1 Grand Prix
D'Automne over three miles at Auteuil on November 5, when he had Ptit Zig (Paul
Nicholls) back in third.
He reversed form with Ptit Zig, having been the two-length runner-up to that rival in the G1
Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil back in June.
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owner Simon Munir, commented: "The plan is for
Alex De Larredya to go over to Ascot for the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.
"The long-term aim is to go for the Grand Course De Haies D'Auteuil again. He has run in
September, October and November, so the Long Walk would fit into his programme as the
final race before he goes off for a winter break.
"With the Long Walk being a Grade One, the conditions of the race suit him as a Grade One
winner and so we thought we could keep him ticking him over for it.
"Daryl (Jacob) will be going over to France to sit on him and school him over some Englishstyle hurdles.
"Obviously, we have had to make the entry now just under a month away, but in principle
if all goes well we will be coming over.
"He is an interesting horse in that he was second to Ptit Zig in the Grande Course De Haies
D'Auteuil in June and then turned the tables on his rival last time out. It is going to be a
tough-looking Long Walk."
Among the Irish-trained contingent are recent narrow G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle runner-up
Apple's Jade (Gordon Elliott), who won G1 contests at Aintree and Punchestown in the
spring but has yet to start over a distance further than two miles and a furlong.
The ever-powerful Willie Mullins team could be represented by last season's G1 OLBG
Mares' Hurdle victor Vroum Vroum Mag and Shaneshill, who reverted to hurdles after
finishing runner-up in the 2016 RSA Chase.
The now veteran Reve De Sivola (Nick Williams) loves Ascot and the JLT Long Walk
Hurdle. The 11-year-olds finished runner-up to the great Thistlecrack in 2015 and won the
G1 race in 2014, 2013 and 2012. West Approach (Colin Tizzard), a half-brother to
Thistlecrack, is another contender.
The £150,000 Grade Three Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle (3.35pm), staged over
two miles on Saturday, December 17, is always one of the most competitive and high-profile
races of the entire season and has attracted 37 entries, including 11 from Ireland.
This year's renewal could see a rematch between Jolly's Cracked It (Harry Fry) and
Sternrubin (Philip Hobbs), who famously dead-heated for first place in the 2015 renewal.
The strong Irish-trained contingent includes Golden Spear (Tony Martin) who has been in
great form on the Flat with victories in a valuable contest at the Galway Festival in July and
last time out in the Irish November Handicap.
The Irish challenge also includes recent G3 scorer Labaik (Gordon Elliott), 2015 Galway
Hurdle victor Quick Jack (Tony Martin) and Campeador (Gordon Elliott), who was last
seen when falling at the last when mounting a strong challenge in the Fred Winter Juvenile
Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Very valuable handicap chase action on December 17 is provided by the £100,000 Listed
Silver Cup (3pm) over three miles, for which there are 45 entries.
A high-class entry includes G1 scorer Menorah (Philip Hobbs) and Irish Cavalier
(Rebecca Curtis), who got the better of Menorah when taking the G2 Charlie Hall Chase at
Wetherby in October.
Smart second-season chasers Otago Trail (Venetia Williams), successful in the Listed
Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on November 26, and recent Aintree scorer Thomas Brown
(Harry Fry) also feature among the entries along with More Of That (Jonjo O'Neill), winner
of the World Hurdle in 2014 who disappointed when favourite for the BetVictor Gold Cup
at Cheltenham on November 12
Ascot is offering a bonus of £10,000 to any horse placed in the Guinness Kerry National at
Listowel on September 14 that goes on to win the Silver Cup (a bonus of £2,000 is offered
if any such horse is placed in the Silver Cup).
Rightville Boy (Patrick Neville) was runner-up in the Guinness Kerry National on
September 14 before going on to take fourth in the Munster National at Limerick on October
9.
County Limerick-based Neville is planning a trip to Ascot for the eight-year-old, who is a
four-time winner in Ireland.
Neville said: "I am hoping to run Rightville Boy in the Silver Cup at Ascot next month, all
being well.
"There is nice bonus on offer and it is a nice race to go for. He hasn't run for the last month
and half, to help freshen him up for Ascot.
"I think the three miles should be fine for him as he has been second in a Kerry National
and fourth in the Munster National.
"He is a very good jumper. He wants soft ground and has won on heavy ground, while when
he won at Killarney it was yielding.
"He jumps and stays. If you are in, you have to take your chance."
Racing commences at 12.40 pm on Saturday, December 17. Weights for the Wessex Youth
Trust Handicap Hurdle and the Silver Cup will be revealed on Wednesday, December 7.
Ascot's Christmas Weekend commences on Friday, December 16 (first race 12.45pm), when
the highlights are the £32,000 G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (1.55pm) and the
£32,000 G2 Mitie Noel Novices' Chase (2.30pm).
Away from the track on the Saturday, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained. Mulled
wine, mince pies, carol singing and a special visit from Father Christmas, plus free
Fairground Rides such as Train Ride, Swing Boats and Tea Cups, are among the attractions
on offer. For more information go to www.ascot.co.uk
Christmas Saturday is a designated family day at Ascot and, as usual, accompanied children
under 18 admitted free.
For more information, please contact:
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Communications, Ascot Racecourse
07771 791449
[email protected]
The JLT Long Walk Hurdle
Grade 1, £100,000 total prize fund. Three miles and half a furlong (3m 97y), 2.25pm, Ascot, Saturday,
December 17. For four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 11st 7lb, fillies and mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed
November 29, entries revealed November 30 (26 entries), five-day confirmations December 12, final
declarations 10am December 15. Maximum field 18 runners.
Horse
ADRIEN DU PONT (FR)
ALEX DE LARREDYA (FR)
APPLE'S JADE (FR)
BALLYOPTIC (IRE)
DE PLOTTING SHED (IRE)
DEDIGOUT (IRE)
IRISH SAINT (FR)
KOTKIKOVA (FR)
LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA)
MONKSLAND (IRE)
NICHOLS CANYON
PTIT ZIG (FR)
REVE DE SIVOLA (FR)
RONS DREAM
SHADES OF MIDNIGHT
SHANESHILL (IRE)
SHELFORD (IRE)
SNOW FALCON (IRE)
SURTEE DU BERLAIS (IRE)
THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE)
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE)
UNOWHATIMEANHARRY
VROUM VROUM MAG (FR)
WEST APPROACH
YANWORTH
ZARKANDAR (IRE)
Age
4
6
4
6
6
10
7
5
5
9
6
7
11
6
6
7
7
6
6
9
7
8
7
6
6
9
Owner
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Simon Munir
Gigginstown House Stud
Mills & Mason Partnership
Ives/Ashley/Vasey Partnership
Gigginstown House Stud
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
J P McManus
Davies Smith Govier & Brown
Patricia Hunt
Andrea & Graham Wylie
Chris Giles & B Fulton
Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership
Tania Stepney
The Potassium Partnership
Andrea & Graham Wylie
Carl Hodgson
Patricia Hunt
Sue Griffiths
Trembath & Outhart
Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew
J P McManus
Susannah Ricci
John and Heather Snook
J P McManus
Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Francois Nicolle FR
Gordon Elliott IRE
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Gordon Elliott IRE
Gordon Elliott IRE
Paul Nicholls
Nicky Henderson
Neil King
Noel Meade IRE
Willie Mullins IRE
Paul Nicholls
Nick Williams
Peter Bowen
Donald Whillans
Willie Mullins IRE
Dan Skelton
Noel Meade IRE
Oliver Sherwood
Rebecca Curtis
David Pipe
Harry Fry
Willie Mullins IRE
Colin Tizzard
Alan King
Paul Nicholls
26 entries
8 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
The Silver Cup Handicap Chase
Listed, £100,000 total prize fund. Three miles (2m 7f 180y), 3.00pm, Ascot, Saturday, December 17. For fouryear-olds and upwards. Penalties: after December 4, a winner of a chase 5lb; no penalty to increase a horse's
weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed November 29, entries revealed November 30 (45 entries), weights
revealed December 7, five-day confirmations December 12, final declarations 10am December 15. Maximum
field 18 runners.
Horse
Age Owner
Trainer
6
The Large G & T Partnership
Warren Greatrex
ALOOMOMO (FR)
7
Sarah Faulks
Johnny Farrelly
AMORE ALATO
8
Mrs Peter Prowting
Alan King
ANNACOTTY (IRE)
7
J P McManus
Jonjo O'Neill
ANOTHER HERO (IRE)
10
Allan Stennett
David Pipe
BALLYNAGOUR (IRE)
8
Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat
Nicky Henderson
COCKTAILS AT DAWN
8
The Johnson Family
David Pipe
DOCTOR HARPER (IRE)
8
Ashley Carr
Neil Mulholland
DOING FINE (IRE)
8
Eddie Melville
Nicky Richards
EDUARD (IRE)
8
Masterson Holdings Limited
Harry Fry
FLETCHERS FLYER (IRE)
7
Wendy & Malcolm Hezel
Colin Tizzard
FOURTH ACT (IRE)
7
Paul & Clare Rooney
Jonjo O'Neill
GO CONQUER (IRE)
9
Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes
Nicky Henderson
HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE)
8
R P B Michaelson & E M Thornton
Harry Fry
HENRYVILLE
9
Gay Smith
Jonjo O'Neill
HOLYWELL (IRE)
9
Mrs Julian Blackwell
Venetia Williams
HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR)
7
A McIver
Rebecca Curtis
IRISH CAVALIER (IRE)
7
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Paul Nicholls
IRISH SAINT (FR)
9
Prof C Tisdall, J A Gent, R C Wilkin
David Pipe
KATKEAU (FR)
KNOCK HOUSE (IRE)
LE MERCUREY (FR)
MENORAH (IRE)
MINELLA DADDY (IRE)
MINELLA ROCCO (IRE)
MORE OF THAT (IRE)
OTAGO TRAIL (IRE)
PRESENT MAN (IRE)
REGAL ENCORE (IRE)
RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE)
RIGHTVILLE BOY (IRE)
RUBEN COTTER (IRE)
SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR)
SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE)
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE)
SOUTHFIELD THEATRE (IRE)
TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR)
THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE)
THOMAS BROWN
TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR)
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE)
VIBRATO VALTAT (FR)
VOLNAY DE THAIX (FR)
VYTA DU ROC (FR)
WALDORF SALAD
YALA ENKI (FR)
7
6
11
6
6
8
8
6
8
7
8
10
7
8
9
8
9
9
7
9
7
7
7
7
8
6
Tim Leslie
Chris Giles & Colm Donlon
Diana Whateley
Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar
J P McManus
J P McManus
Marie Shone
Woodhouse & Sutton
J P McManus
Nigel Morris
Patrick Neville
Exors of the Late Graham Roach
The Stewart Family
Diana Whateley
J P McManus
Angela Yeoman
Boultbee Brooks Ltd
The Stonehenge Druids
The Corse Lawners
Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr
Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew
Axom XLIII
Judy Wilson
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
Alan Parker
Hills of Ledbury (Aga)
Donald McCain
Paul Nicholls
Philip Hobbs
Peter Bowen
Jonjo O'Neill
Jonjo O'Neill
Venetia Williams
Paul Nicholls
Anthony Honeyball
Rebecca Curtis
Patrick Neville IRE
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls
Philip Hobbs
Jonjo O'Neill
Paul Nicholls
Venetia Williams
Neil Mulholland
Harry Fry
Nicky Henderson
David Pipe
Paul Nicholls
Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson
Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams
45 entries
1 Irish-trained
The Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle
Grade 3, £150,000 total prize fund. Two miles (1m 7f 152y), 3.35pm, Ascot, Saturday, December 17. For
four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after December 4, a winner of a chase 5lb; no penalty to increase a horse's
weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed November 29, entries revealed November 30 (37 entries), weights
revealed December 7, five-day confirmations December 12, final declarations 10am December 15. Maximum
field 21 runners.
Horse
Age Owner
Trainer
4
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Paul Nicholls
ADRIEN DU PONT (FR)
5
Exors of the Late Graham Roach
Paul Nicholls
ALL SET TO GO (IRE)
6
Chris Giles
Dan Skelton
BERTIMONT (FR)
5
Michael Buckley
Nicky Henderson
BRAIN POWER (IRE)
4
J P McManus
Gordon Elliott IRE
CAMPEADOR (FR)
6
The Rumble Racing Club
Seamus Mullins
CHESTERFIELD (IRE)
5
The Can't Say No Partnership
Dan Skelton
CH'TIBELLO (FR)
4
J P McManus
Nicky Henderson
CONSUL DE THAIX (FR)
5
J P McManus
Eddie Harty IRE
COPY THAT (IRE)
6
J P McManus
Noel Meade IRE
DE NAME ESCAPES ME (IRE)
4
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Paul Nicholls
DIEGO DU CHARMIL (FR)
9
Andrew Cocks And Tara Johnson
Seamus Mullins
FERGALL (IRE)
5
Newtown Anner Stud Farm
Tony Martin IRE
GOLDEN SPEAR
4
Galloping On The South Downs Partnership
Gary Moore
GRAASTEN (GER)
5
J P McManus
Nicky Henderson
HARGAM (FR)
4
A Brooks
Dan Skelton
INDIETIR (FR)
7
GDM Partnership
Harry Fry
JOLLY'S CRACKED IT (FR)
5
A J O'Ryan
Gordon Elliott IRE
LABAIK (FR)
6
John White & Anne Underhill
Nick Williams
LE ROCHER (FR)
5
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Legend
Dan Skelton
MEET THE LEGEND
5
G P Mahoney & Gordon Elliott
Gordon Elliott IRE
MICK JAZZ (FR)
MODUS
OLD GUARD
PYROMANIAC (IRE)
QUICK JACK (IRE)
RAYVIN BLACK
RENNETI (FR)
SAM RED (FR)
STERNRUBIN (GER)
UNISON (IRE)
VOICES OF SPRING (IRE)
WAXIES DARGLE
WHO DARES WINS (IRE)
WILLOW'S SAVIOUR
WINTER ESCAPE (IRE)
WOLF OF WINDLESHAM (IRE)
ZUBAYR (IRE)
37 entries
11 Irish-trained
6
5
6
7
7
7
5
5
6
6
7
4
9
5
4
4
J P McManus
The Brooks, Stewart Families & J Kyle
Newtown Anner Stud Farm
John Breslin
R White & V J Walsh
Susannah Ricci
M Rashdi, Blue Grey Chevron, C Hodgson
Terry Warner
J P Carrington
J P McManus
J P McManus
HP Racing Who Dares Wins
Triple F Partnership
J P McManus
M W Lawrence
P J Vogt
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls
Tony Martin IRE
Tony Martin IRE
Oliver Sherwood
Willie Mullins IRE
Dan Skelton
Philip Hobbs
Jeremy Scott
Tony Martin IRE
Noel Meade IRE
Alan King
Dan Skelton
Alan King
Stuart Edmunds
Paul Nicholls