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  3. Tue, 14th Mar, 2023
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  5. 1.30
Going - Soft. 
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Formscan  - In recent times, Willie Mullins has dominated this prestigious opener to four days of the Cheltenham Festival. Indeed, Ireland's champion NH trainer has been responsible for five of the last 10 winners of this race and he again sends out a clear intention for the coming week by fielding a power-packed quartet, headed by the high-class FACILE VEGA, who has developed from winning the Champion Bumper here last year to being a leading light on the novice hurdle scene. The only blot on his record came when he finished lame in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. If forgiven that run, the son of Walk In The Park is a prime candidate to tighten Mullins' stranglehold on this contest. That's not to dismiss stablemate Il Etait Temps, who was a comfortable winner of that aforementioned Leopardstown contest, and he is key player in his own right. Michael O'Sullivan's unbeaten Marine Nationale also gives the Irish a strong chance of getting the first winner of the Festival on the board, while UK hopes appear to rest with the Paul Nicholls-trained Tahmuras, who ticks a key box for stats fans, as he arrives on the back of a ready win in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle last time out.

1
-111
Chasing Fire (GB) 6,b g 11-7

Maxios (GB)-Kahara(Sadler's Wells)

(38) d2 (Mrs Diana L Whateley)
Rated 136

2
1/13
Dark Raven (IRE) 6,br g 11-7

Malinas (GER)-Mary Wilkie(Oscar)

(37) d3 (Mr Simon Munir/mr Isaac Souede)
Rated 145

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Dark Raven (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
High Definition (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Inthepocket (GB)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore .25L in front of Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob (6 ran)
sp
Facile Vega (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob 10.25L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
Il Etait Temps (FR)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 9.75L in front of Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob (6 ran)
sp
Doctor Bravo (FR)1
26th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Hurdle); Yielding, Soft in places (Chase)) Dark Raven (IRE) 1st (1/1Fav 11-12) P Townend 3.00L in front of Doctor Bravo (FR) 2nd (5/1 11-12) J W Kennedy (21 ran)
sp
3
61
Diverge (GB) 5,ch g 11-7

Frankel (GB)-Sparkling Beam(Nayef)

ts1(43) d1 (C Jones)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Diverge (GB) has met

HorseNo. Of times
High Definition (IRE)1
26th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Hurdle); Yielding, Soft in places (Chase)) High Definition (IRE) 1st (9/2 11-7) J J Slevin 19.75L in front of Diverge (GB) 6th (10/1 11-7) D E Mullins (27 ran)
sp
4
1213
Doctor Bravo (FR) 6,gr g 11-7

Doctor Dino (FR)-Bright Tango(Chichicastenango)

(24) d1 (Robcour)
Rated 140

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Doctor Bravo (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Dark Raven (IRE)1
26th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Hurdle); Yielding, Soft in places (Chase)) Dark Raven (IRE) 1st (1/1Fav 11-12) P Townend 3.00L in front of Doctor Bravo (FR) 2nd (5/1 11-12) J W Kennedy (21 ran)
sp
5
1115
Facile Vega (IRE) 6,b g 11-7

Walk In The Park (IRE)-Quevega(Robin Des Champs)

(37) cd1 (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate)
Rated 155

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Facile Vega (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
High Definition (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Dark Raven (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob 10.25L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
Inthepocket (GB)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore 10.50L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
Il Etait Temps (FR)2
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 20.00L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
27th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Hurdle - Soft Chase - Yielding, soft in places) Facile Vega (IRE) 1st (2/9Fav 11-12) P Townend 4.00L in front of Il Etait Temps (FR) 2nd (9/1 11-12 Rated 137) D E Mullins (6 ran)
sp
6
311
Fennor Cross (IRE) 6,b g 11-7

Elzaam (AUS)-Persilian(Whipper)

(121) cd2 (The Positivity Syndicate)
Rated 134

7
1U
High Definition (IRE) 5,b c 11-7

Galileo (IRE)-Palace(Fastnet Rock)

(37) d1 (Derrick Smith/mrs John Magnier)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years High Definition (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Dark Raven (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Diverge (GB)1
26th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Hurdle); Yielding, Soft in places (Chase)) High Definition (IRE) 1st (9/2 11-7) J J Slevin 19.75L in front of Diverge (GB) 6th (10/1 11-7) D E Mullins (27 ran)
sp
Inthepocket (GB)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Facile Vega (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Il Etait Temps (FR)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
8
4121
Il Etait Temps (FR) 5,gr g 11-7

Jukebox Jury (IRE)-Une Des Sources(Dom Alco)

hd4(37) d2 (Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud)
Rated 155

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Il Etait Temps (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
High Definition (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Dark Raven (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 9.75L in front of Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob (6 ran)
sp
Inthepocket (GB)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 9.50L in front of Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore (6 ran)
sp
Facile Vega (IRE)2
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 20.00L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
27th Dec 2022 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Hurdle - Soft Chase - Yielding, soft in places) Facile Vega (IRE) 1st (2/9Fav 11-12) P Townend 4.00L in front of Il Etait Temps (FR) 2nd (9/1 11-12 Rated 137) D E Mullins (6 ran)
sp
9
-112
Inthepocket (GB) 6,b g 11-7

Blue Bresil (FR)-Egretta Island(Heron Island)

(37) d1 (Mr John P McManus)
Rated 145

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Inthepocket (GB) has met

HorseNo. Of times
High Definition (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore High Definition (IRE) unseated rider (9/1 11-12) J J Slevin (6 ran)
sp
Dark Raven (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore .25L in front of Dark Raven (IRE) 3rd (14/1 11-12) D A Jacob (6 ran)
sp
Facile Vega (IRE)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore 10.50L in front of Facile Vega (IRE) 5th (4/9Fav 11-12 Rated 153) P Townend (6 ran)
sp
Il Etait Temps (FR)1
5th Feb 2023 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Chase - Yielding Hurdle/bumper - Yielding, good to yielding in places) Il Etait Temps (FR) 1st (14/1 11-12 Rated 144) D E Mullins 9.50L in front of Inthepocket (GB) 2nd (11/1 11-12 Rated 137) Rachael Blackmore (6 ran)
sp
10
1111
Marine Nationale (IRE) 6,b g 11-7

French Navy (GB)-Power Of Future(Definite Article)

(100) d4 (Mr Barry Connell)
Rated 150

11
162
Palace Boy (GER) 6,b g 11-7

Nathaniel (IRE)-Palace Princess(Tiger Hill)

(30) d1 (Mr F J Brennan)
Rated 125

12
1112
Rare Edition (IRE) 6,b g 11-7

Califet (FR)-Quaspia(Fragrant Mix)

(33) d3 (Pay The Bill Syndicate)
Rated 138

13
2111
Strong Leader (GB) 6,b g 11-7

Passing Glance (GB)-Strong Westerner(Westerner)

(44) d3 (Welfordgolf Syndicate)
Rated 133

14
-111
Tahmuras (FR) 6,b g 11-7

Falco (USA)-Alinga's Lass(Whipper)

(66) d3 (Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Tahmuras)
Rated 142

First Time - Tonguestrap Diverge» Full list of First Time Gear

Probable SP 7/4 Facile Vega, 7/2 Marine Nationale, 5/1 Il Etait Temps, 8/1 Tahmuras, 12/1 High Definition, 14/1 Diverge, 16/1 Inthepocket, 20/1 Doctor Bravo, Chasing Fire, 25/1 Dark Raven, Rare Edition, 33/1 Strong Leader, 50/1 Fennor Cross, 150/1 Palace Boy.

Previous Years
2022 Constitution Hill 5 11-7 N de Boinville 9/4JFav (Nicky Henderson)
2021 Appreciate It 7 11-7 P Townend 8/11Fav (W P Mullins)
2020 Shishkin 6 11-7 N de Boinville 6/1 (Nicky Henderson)
2019 Klassical Dream 5 11-7 R Walsh 6/1 (W P Mullins)
2018 Summerville Boy 6 11-7 N D Fehily 9/1 (Tom George)
2017 Labaik 6 11-7 J W Kennedy 25/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2016 Altior 6 11-7 N de Boinville 4/1 (Nicky Henderson)
2015 Douvan 5 11-7 R Walsh 2/1Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Vautour 5 11-7 R Walsh 7/2JFav (W P Mullins)
2013 Champagne Fever 6 11-7 R Walsh 5/1 (W P Mullins)
2012 Cinders And Ashes 5 11-7 J M Maguire 10/1 (Donald McCain)
2011 Al Ferof 6 11-7 R Walsh 10/1 (Paul Nicholls)
2010 Menorah 5 11-7 R Johnson 12/1 (Philip Hobbs)
2009 Go Native 6 11-7 P Carberry 12/1 (Noel Meade)
2008 Captain Cee Bee 7 11-7 R Thornton 17/2 (Edward P Harty)
2007 Ebaziyan 6 11-7 D J Condon 40/1 (W P Mullins)
2006 Noland 5 11-7 R Walsh 6/1 (Paul Nicholls)
2005 Arcalis 5 11-7 G Lee 20/1 (J H Johnson)
2004 Brave Inca 6 11-7 B M Cash 7/2Fav (C A Murphy)
2003 Back In Front 6 11-8 N Williamson 3/1Fav (E J O'Grady)
2002 Like A Butterfly 8 11-3 C F Swan 7/4Fav (C Roche)
2001 Abandoned
2000 Sausalito Bay 6 11-8 P Carberry 14/1 (Noel Meade)
1999 Hors La Loi III 4 11-0 A P McCoy 9/2 (M C Pipe)
1998 French Ballerina 5 11-3 G Bradley 10/1 (Patrick J Flynn)
1997 Shadow Leader 6 11-8 J Osborne 5/1 (C R Egerton)
1996 Indefence 5 11-8 W Marston 25/1 (Mrs J Pitman)
1995 Tourist Attraction 6 11-3 M Dwyer 25/1 (W P Mullins)
1994 Arctic Kinsman 6 11-8 C Llewellyn 50/1 (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
1993 Montelado 6 11-8 C Swan 5/1 (Patrick J Flynn)
1992 Flown 5 11-8 JOsborne 13/2 (Nicky Henderson)
1991 Destriero 5 11-8 PMcWilliams 6/1 (Andrew Geraghty)
1990 Forest Sun 5 11-8 J Frost 7/4Fav (G B Balding)

Symbols Explained

WS Wind Surgery ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bo2 Blinkers one cowl e2 Ear Plugs p2 Pacifier pc2 Pacifier with cowls ps2 Pacifier one cowl sr2 Shadow Roll co2 Cheekpiece one side sb2 Sheepskin Browband cc2 Cornell Collar xb2 Crossed Nose Band cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run

The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Trainer/Jockey In Form last 21 days

Trainer/Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
W P Mullins/P Townend
14
32
43

Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen
5
34
14

W P Mullins/Mr P W Mullins
4
14
28

Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden
2
22
9

Joseph Patrick O'Brien/J J Slevin
2
7
28

W P Mullins/D E Mullins
1
19
5

Charlie Longsdon/Sam Twiston-Davies
1
2
50

For Trainer/Jockeys in this race

Trainers In Form last 21 days

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
W P Mullins
104
500
20

Olly Murphy
14
126
11

Gordon Elliott
9
103
8

Henry De Bromhead
4
51
7

Charlie Longsdon
4
26
15

F M O'Brien
3
41
7

Paul Nicholls
3
45
6

Joseph Patrick O'Brien
3
19
15

John C McConnell
1
32
3

For Trainers in this race

Jockeys In Form last 21 days

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
P Townend
14
32
43

Sean Bowen
10
63
15

Sam Twiston-Davies
6
47
12

Harry Cobden
5
44
11

J J Slevin
5
29
17

Mr P W Mullins
4
16
25

D E Mullins
2
30
6

S D Torrens
1
21
4

For Jockeys in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Cheltenham

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Paul Nicholls
122
1031
12

W P Mullins
114
956
12

Gordon Elliott
65
665
10

F M O'Brien
51
434
12

Henry De Bromhead
41
341
12

John C McConnell
12
98
12

Olly Murphy
9
137
7

Joseph Patrick O'Brien
9
127
7

Charlie Longsdon
6
213
3

B Connell
2
6
33

For Trainers in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Cheltenham

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
Sam Twiston-Davies
73
761
10

Harry Cobden
48
402
12

P Townend
45
266
17

P J Brennan
42
431
10

Aidan Coleman
35
449
8

D A Jacob
30
354
8

Sean Bowen
29
304
10

D N Russell
28
214
13

Rachael Blackmore
23
135
17

Mr P W Mullins
12
126
10

D E Mullins
9
155
6

J J Slevin
6
72
8

M J M O'Sullivan
3
26
12

S D Torrens
2
20
10

For Jockeys in this race

Course Form for Cheltenham

Horse
Wins
Runs
Facile Vega (IRE)
1
1
Fennor Cross (IRE)
2
2
Il Etait Temps (FR)
0
1
Strong Leader (GB)
0
1
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