Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Chief calls the tune for the locals
Aranhill Chief and Denis O'Regan lead the field towards the end of the back straight
© Photo Healy Racing
There was a hugely popular local success in the opening GuinnessPlus App Beginners Chase as Ballindereen, County Galway owner/breeder Pakie Kelly's Aranhill Chief prevailed under Denis O'Regan for trainer Stephen Mahon.
Kelly is well-known in greyhound racing circles and he derived considerable enjoyment from watching his charge jump well under a positive O'Regan steer.
The Blueprint gelding, a 12/1 shot, eventually saw off Thomond by two lengths.
Favourite Elegant Statesman recovered well after hitting the first fence but he had to make do with seventh place.
Meanwhile Davy Russell performed heroics to stay with Vaxalco at the fourth last and the grey did well in the circumstances to finish fourth.
Mahon stated: "I'm delighted for Pakie who is like my principal owner Tom Quinn – very loyal – a solid Galway man who leaves me alone to get on with things.
"The horse is in the Galway Blazers tomorrow and we'll see how he is."
Meanwhile O'Regan explained: "My agent Ciaran O'Toole told me he'd nearly win and Stevie was confident before the race. Paul Carberry gave him a marvellous ride to win at Bellewstown and Stevie wanted him ridden in a similar way here.
"Fair play to him he had him right for the day and as regards his jumping he was a handicapper in a beginners."
The Stewards met to consider a report from Chris Gordon, Turf Club Senior Security Officer in relation to an ongoing investigation into the vaccinations as recorded in the passport of Froggy trained by G.T. Lynch. Evidence was heard from Chris Gordon, Terry Smith, Turf Club Senior Veterinary Officer and Brian Cawley, Authorised Representative of G.T. Lynch, trainer, who was absent. Having considered the report, the Stewards using their powers under Rule 19 ordered the withdrawal of Froggy for a passport irregularity and referred the matter to the Chief Executive of the Turf Club.
L. Byrne, trainer of Wells China reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge scoped wrong post race.
(TW & EM)