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Betfair announces today (Wednesday, October 12, 2005) that it has
given
Best Mate's owner, Jim Lewis, a free £5,000 bet at 33/1 about
his horse
winning the Betfair Million.
Should the triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner succeed in landing the
three-race challenge, Betfair will pay Lewis £165,000 which
will be shared
between the two charities associated with Best Mate, the St Richard's
Hospice (www.strichards.org.uk) and the Gentleman's Night Out.
Betfair's gift got the thumbs up from Lewis who said today: "It's
a
fantastic gesture to the racing game. Betfair obviously benefits greatly
from racing but they also put much back and all credit goes to them.
I hope
the Betfair Million is a huge success, that every race is a great
spectacle
and that everybody understands that Betfair has made it possible."
Lewis thinks his champion can complete the treble, which would activate
the
£1-million bonus, of the new Betfair Chase at Haydock on November
19, the
Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on December 26 and the
totesport
Gold Cup at Cheltenham on March 17.
Horses such as Kicking King and Trabolgan are just two of the potential
challengers to Lewis' champion, but the owner is confident that Best
Mate
will come out on top
He remarked: "I'm not really worried about anything else. If
Best Mate
turns up at Haydock in his normal form, then I think the chances of
pulling
it off are very good indeed. Kicking King is a worthy champion but
I think
our horse is a better jumper and has a better turn of foot on his
day.
"I think the 33-1 is probably a fair price. First of all you've
got to get
them to the races but I wouldn't give you 33-1 Best Mate for all three,
because if he wins the first one and comes home sound, I don't think
there's a horse about that could beat him."
Lewis registered Best Mate as a trademark after the third Gold Cup
triumph
in 2004 with a view to raising funds for charity and revealed: "We've
raised thousands selling merchandise through our website www.bestmate.info
and all the money from that goes direct to the two charities."
Lewis is patron of the St. Richard's Hospice in Worcester which is
looking
to raise £5 million.
"We are building a new 16-bed palliative care hospital and we've
only got
about a quarter of a million to go now. If we win the Betfair Million
and
land this bet then we could almost say for sure that the hospice would
have
all the money they wanted.
"The Gentleman's Night Out has raised in excess of £10
million and that all
goes to short-life children. These are kids with terminal illnesses
and we
send them to Lapland for Christmas and things like that to fulfil
their
wishes.
"I think it's fantastic what Betfair are doing and they deserve
the credit
for this because first of all they are putting money into racing,
but it
could also have all sorts of benefits for hundreds of people."
Please contact Tony Calvin, Sports and Horseracing PR Manager, Betfair,
Direct: 0208 834 8223, Mobile: 07881 508 999, Email:
tony.calvin@betfair.com or Eoin Ryan Communications Manager, Betfair
Ireland, Direct: +353 1 6641513, Mobile: +353 86 1744878, Email:
eoin.ryan@betfair.com
THE BETFAIR MILLION
THE BETFAIR MILLION - a seven-figure bonus offered by the betting
exchange
to any horse that wins the inaugural Betfair chase at Haydock on November
19, the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup - has really captured
the
imagination of the National Hunt world.
And, with the likes of Kicking King, Best Mate and any number of
pretenders
to the chasing crown setting their sights on the million, Betfair
co-founder Andrew Black is delighted at the massive interest the bonus
has
generated.
Black said: "I'm delighted the connections of some of the sport's
leading
chasers are targeting the Betfair Million. The idea of Best Mate and
Kicking King going head to head at Haydock is an exciting prospect.
If one
or two of the rising stars were to line up also then it would be a
spine-tingling early season highlight.
"We answered racing's call for a race like this to be staged
and it would
be a personal thrill to sign over a million pounds if a horse could
achieve
the realistic goal of winning the Betfair Chase, the King George and
the
Gold Cup."
The Betfair Million will be distributed to connections in the following
proportions if won - 75 per cent to the owner, 10 per cent to the
trainer,
10 per cent to the jockey, and 5 per cent to the stable staff.
Betfair's Sports and Horseracing PR manager Tony Calvin analyses
the
leading contenders for the most valuable, and winnable, bonus in the
history of the sport.
KICKING KING: Announced himself as a potential top-notcher when winning
the
2m4f John Durkan Memorial by 11 lengths from Rathgar Beau in December
2004,
and is now confirmed as one of the best chasers of recent seasons
after
victories in the King George, Cheltenham Gold Cup and most recently
when
sauntering home by 3 lengths in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup
in April.
Doesn't look to have any obvious chinks in his armour apart from the
odd
fencing error - his last-fence Kempton blunder aside, he is a pretty
sound
jumper - and one suspects he could hold his own in any company from
Champion Chase to Gold Cup distance. Is the favourite to win the Betfair
Million, and Haydock report that the ground is likely to be good for
the
Betfair Chase on November 19, which will be in his favour.
BEST MATE: Hasn't raced since returning with a bug after finishing
a 7
length runner-up to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown,
a
subsequent bloody nose ruling him out of a crack at a fourth consecutive
Gold Cup success. It would be churlish to pick holes in the form of
his
three Cheltenham successes, though many have tried, and he is clearly
a
highly credible contender for the Betfair Million if back to the brilliant
best that saw him emerge as the nation's favourite racehorse. Has
never
raced at Haydock, but has won at Sandown over hurdles and fences,
though
interestingly was beaten by a certain Monsignor at the Esher track
back in
2000.
TRABOLGAN: Runner-up in the 2003 Cheltenham Festival bumper, and
has always
been held in the highest regard by the Henderson camp. Confirmed himself
as
one of the candidates for top chasing honours this season when winning
the
Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival and, with only 11 runs
under his
belt, is entitled to improve a great deal. Has well over a stone to
find
with the likes of Kicking King though, and disappointed on heavy ground
at
Haydock in January.
GREY ABBEY: Was the second best staying chaser around last season
judged on
runaway wins in the Pillar Property Chase and the Betfair Bowl at
Aintree,
on the latter occasion beating First Gold by 12 lengths. With that
in
mind, this front-runner is clearly a leading contender for all three
races
that comprise the Betfair Million.
OLLIE MAGERN: Swept on to the novice chasing scene last autumn when
putting
up bold front-running and superb fencing performances for one so
inexperienced. Runner-up to Celestial Gold in the Hennessy, he then
short-headed Trabolgan in the Feltham at Kempton and signed off for
the
season when a 2 length 2nd to It Takes Time at Lingfield. Outstanding
prospect, but would not appreciate soft ground.
IRIS'S GIFT: Beat the mighty Baracouda in the 2004 Stayers' Hurdle
at the
Cheltenham Festival and has begun his climb up the chasing ranks with
victories in moderate novice contents at Market Rasen, and at Bangor
on
Saturday. Clearly has the engine to trouble, and beat the best, but
will
need to show a greater aptitude and fluency for fencing, but that
will
surely come with experience. Fascinating prospect.
MOSCOW FLYER: Short-headed by Rathgar Beau in the Kerrygold Champion
Chase
when last seen on a racecourse, bringing an end to a remarkable run
of
performances that either saw him win or fail to complete. The champion
2m
chaser, his participation in the Betfair Million is highly unlikely
- he
has never raced beyond 2m4f - but after seeing him beat Le Roi Miguel
by 16
lengths in the 2m4f John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree in April,
I'd be
inclined to give it a shot were he mine. After all, he has nothing
more to
prove over the minimum trip.
DOUZE DOUZE: Hasn't enjoyed a happy time of it on his English visits,
when
he has jumped poorly. But clearly warrants consideration on his French
form, though it seems he is ideally suited by less than 3m on heavy
ground.
Has the Peterborough Chase as his imminent target.
CYRLIGHT: Has shown an impressive level of form for a five-year-old
(even
allowing for the precocity of French breds) but suffered a rare reverse
when second in a 2m6f Grade 2 Autueil hurdle last time. However, that
form
is put into context when you see that Rule Supreme finished 6 lengths
away
in third. Was unbeaten in 10 chasing starts before going hurdling
on his
last four outings and, if deemed experienced enough to take on the
big boys
- connections were still calling him a "baby" last year
- he is clearly one
to take note of.
WELL CHIEF: Beat Kicking King by a length in the 2004 Arkle and did
not
disappoint connections in his second season over fences. Lost nothing
in
defeat when chasing home Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer at Newbury and
Cheltenham respectively, and signed off for the season when beating
the
former by 4 lengths at Sandown. Has never raced beyond 2m1f, but some
good
judges see him as a King George contender.
KINGSCLIFF: Was many people's fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after
his
strong-finishing second to Kicking King in the King George, only for
a
lack-lustre gallop in the run-up to the big race to see him withdrawn.
Very
disappointing when last seen at Punchestown in April, and has run
disappointingly at Haydock in the past, but a peak-form Kingscliff
would be
a live contender for the Betfair Million.
BEEF OR SALMON: Top-class staying chaser at his best, as a November,
2004
defeat of Kicking King and a 7 length defeat of Best Mate in the Lexus
amply illustrates. However, seems pretty reliant on soft ground (though
he
has run some fair races on good). Should be all the better for his
spin in
the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh last weekend and the Betfair
Chase is
now being considered.
ASHLEY BROOK: Stamina is unproven beyond 2m4f but established himself
as
one of the best novice chasers around last season.May well have won
the
Arkle but for blundering at the last fence but put the record straight
in
emphatic style when a superb front running performance saw him take
the
Grade 1 Novice Chase at Aintree by 16 lengths from War Of Attrition.
Connections are apparently seriously considering the Betfair Chase,
and a
crack at the Million.
KAUTO STAR: Ex-French chaser who had Ruby Walsh purring that he was
a
"machine" after he beat Foreman by 9 lengths on his British
debut over 2m2f
at Newbury in December. Was made Arkle favourite after that, only
to injure
himself at Exeter subsequently (fell, remounted and was only beaten
a
short-head). Is held in the highest regard by his trainer, who is
leaning
towards the 2m-route though.
WAR OF ATTRITION: Disappointed at Cheltenham and arguably when a
distant
second at Aintree too, but the high-class novice hurdler proved he
can cut
it over fences with a length defeat of Watson Lake in the 2m Grade
1
Swordlestown novice chase at Punchestown in April. Connections reckon
the
horse will come into his own when sent over a trip. Haydock would
be a good
place to find out.
TAKE THE STAND: Started off this season a distant 5th of 8 in a Uttoxeter
handicap hurdle. Obviously will strip fitter for that initial outing
and,
judged on his 5 length second to Kicking King in the Cheltenham Gold
Cup,
is worthy of respect in the highest class. His two efforts to date
at
Haydock have been disappointing though.
PIZARRO: If he could put in an error-free round, then he would probably
record a 170-rated effort, instead of those in the low 150s. As it
is this
eight-year-old, who looked a potential star in his novice chasing
days,
continues to run adequately in defeat despite making howlers.
OUR VIC: Has failed to complete in his last three starts, though
he
probably would have won the Bonusprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham off
a mark of
149 in December but for falling at the last when in front. Stays well
and
there is clearly more to come from this seven-year-old, though he
is
probably a stone off the best.
LORD TRANSCEND: As long ago as 2002 trainer Howard Johnson was calling
Lord
Transcend "the one" and he signalled that he was a horse
to keep on the
right side of this season when beating First Gold by 10 lengths in
the
Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January. Was getting 17lb from the
runner-up there and clearly needs to progress, but as he has only
raced
nine times in his life I'd say that was a probability rather than
a
possibility. And everyone loves a front-running grey.
COLONEL FRANK: Finished for the season after falling in the Racing
Post
Chase at Kempton but had earlier established himself as one of the
most
improved chasers in training when beating Calling Brave and Lord Sam
(themselves both good prospects this term) at Sandown in December.
Clearly,
a high-class staying prospect.
KING HARALD: Started off last season rated only 110 yet ended the
campaign
probably posting an effort two and a half stone better than that when
beating Lacdoudal by 4 lengths in a 2m5f handicap chase at the Cheltenham
Festival; stays 3m+ and it will be interesting to see how this
seven-year-old cuts it in the top races.
CELESTIAL GOLD: Beat Ollie Magern by 1.5 lengths in the Hennessy
and
improved again when a close third to Farmer Jack and Strong Flow in
the Aon
Chase, before running a disappointing 7th in the Gold Cup; already
has form
that entitles him to respect in the top class races. He has only raced
nine times and is entitled to improve.
LORD OF ILLUSION: Recorded one of the better efforts by a staying
novice
chaser when beating Baron Windrush by 12 lengths over 3m2f at Cheltenham
on
New Year's Day, after which he was quoted at 6-1 with some bookies
for the
Royal & SunAlliance. Missed Cheltenham because of a poor gallop,
but if
starting the season in rude health shouldn't be lightly dismissed.
KEEN LEADER: Loves Haydock and posted his career-best effort when
beating
Truckers Tavern by 17 lengths in the Tommy Whittle in December 2003.
His
trainer thought "there still could be a Gold Cup in him"
after failing by
only 1.25 lengths to give Kelami 24lb at Cheltenham back in March.
Soft
ground would make him a danger to all.
SIR REMBRANDT: Placed in the last two Gold Cups, which obviously
marks him
down as a high class chaser, but is increasingly seen as a spring
horse.
With that in mind, an unlikely Betfair Million winner but soft ground
puts
him into contention in any company.
HEDGEHUNTER: The Grand National winner is likely to have his campaign
targeted towards Aintree once again. But this is a chaser who would
only
have 10lb or so to find with the likes of Kicking King over 3m, so
don't
dismiss him lightly if connections are tempted by the Betfair Million.
IRISH HUSSAR: Apparently wants soft ground to show his best but his
good
ground form isn't bad, and was beaten only 3.25 lengths when giving
Kelami
17lb at Cheltenham in March
ROYAL AUCLAIR: Won first time out last season and, a first fence
fall aside
on his final start at Sandown, was the model of high class staying
consistency last year. Third in the Hennessy, fourth in the Gold Cup
and
runner-up in the Grand National, he is clearly an owner's dream. A
million
would confirm it in some style.
THE BETFAIR MILLION TREBLE IS ACHIEVABLE
Betfair is offering a £1-million bonus to any horse that can
complete the
Grade One treble of the new Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19,
the
King George VI Chase at Sandown on December 26 and the Gold Cup at
Cheltenham on March 17.
Seven horses have completed the King George VI Chase/Cheltenham Gold
Cup
double to date. The great Cottage Rake was the first horse to achieve
the
King George/Gold Cup double in the 1948/49 season and Limber Hill
mirrored
the feat in 1955/56.
Saffron Tartan in 1960/61 and the peerless Arkle, ridden by Pat Taaffe,
also completed the famous double in 1965/66.
Desert Orchid made the King George his own with four victories between
1986
and 1990, completing the double in 1988/89. The great grey carried
Simon
Sherwood to a four-length win over Kildimo at Kempton Park in 1988
and the
pair slogged up the Cheltenham hill to hold Yahoo for an emotive triumph
the following March.
Best Mate, the Henrietta Knight-trained superstar of recent seasons,
narrowly failed in his first attempt at the double when going down
by
three-quarters of a length to Florida Pearl in the 2001 King George
before
clinching the Gold Cup that spring.
Best Mate gained sweet compensation with a triumph over Marlborough
in the
2002 King George and doubled-up with his second Gold Cup success in
2003
when showing his superiority with a 10-length rout of the opposition.
Best Mate completed his Gold Cup hat-trick in 2004 but connections
side-stepped the King George in 2003 and 2004.
His absence last season left the way open for a rising star to take
the
Kempton Park showpiece as Kicking King dominated his rivals and survived
a
last fence blunder to take the race under Barry Geraghty.
The Tom Taaffe-trained seven-year-old completed the double in imperious
fashion at Cheltenham in March. With Best Mate absent due to a training
setback, Kicking King put in an authoritative display as he handed
out a
five-length beating to Take The Stand.
Best Mate and Kicking King are both intended runners in the inaugural
Betfair Chase, raising the thrilling prospect of the young champion
and the
old master going head-to-head for the £1-million Betfair Million.
Betfair's current odds about the Betfair Million being won are 1-4
No, 10-3
Yes
RHT WELCOMES THE BETFAIR MILLION
The three courses staging the races in the Betfair Million, Haydock
Park,
Sandown and Cheltenham, are owned by Racecourse Holdings Trust which
is the
Jockey Club's racecourse group.
Looking ahead to the Betfair Million and the inaugural running of
the North
West Masters, Andrew Coppel, chief executive of RHT, said today: "This
is a
very exciting initiative by Betfair, one that will raise the profile
of
jump racing generally as well as the specific meetings where the races
are
being held.
"I am delighted that all three Grade One races in the 'Million'
will take
place on RHT tracks, underlining the group's commitment to promoting
and
delivering the highest quality jump racing.
"Furthermore, the concept of the Betfair Million is an outstanding
extension of the recommendations put forward by the RHT National Hunt
Review in 2004. Our report advocated the creation of incentives for
jump
racing's equine stars to run more often and called for a better balanced
National Hunt programme, with major events being staged away from
the
spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree.
"The North West Masters absolutely fits these criteria in the
shape of a
progressive and enterprising initiative by Haydock Park and Aintree.
It
looks set to establish itself immediately as a key weekend in the
jumping
calendar."
The Betfair Chase, Stan James King George VI Chase & totesport
Cheltenham
Gold Cup are in the British Horseracing Board's Order of Merit.
Haydock Park - www.haydock-park.co.uk
Kirkland Tellwright, Clerk of the Course at Haydock Park, says: "Haydock
is
a left-handed oval course about 1m 5f round. The ground should be
pretty
much perfect in mid-November - the norm would be just on the soft
side of
good. The going for the last 10 runnings of the corresponding fixture
has
been good or good to soft seven times, with the other three being
soft.
There will have been very little wear from the two opening days of
Haydock's jumps season, and obviously we will be on fresh ground wherever
possible in any case. The fences will, as always, be a good test of
any
chaser. And, as with any race at Haydock Park, it is not over until
they
cross the line - so many of our staying chases can change completely
on the
run-in, with the best part of two furlongs still to go once they have
jumped the last."
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