Get the facts about your family tree from Genes Reunited, and dependant on your level of interest you can obtain either our Standard or Premier package. For full details, click the link below: Gold Cup pulls turn over back up to 2008 levels.The estimated turn over with the bookmaking firms for today's Cheltenham Gold Cup was around one hundred and fifty million pounds, and despite the economic recession, this makes the turn over for the four day Cheltenham meeting in excess of five hundred million pounds. This means this year's figure matches the 2008 turn over, a remarkable achievement in what is one of the deepest recessions seen in many decades.After nudging themselves in front of the punters by the end of yesterday's meeting, the bookmaking firms estimate they took a loss of around ten million pounds when Kauto Star won the Gold Cup, but overall it is believed the firms are showing a small profit on the week. Kauto the Star is nw public property.I have to say, even Denman's win last year was eclipsed by the tremendous jumping and galloping performance demonstrated by Kauto Star in today's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Always travelling on the bridel, the distance he achieved with some of his leaps over the Cheltenham fences had to be seen to be believed, and never once today did he show any hesitation or error at his fences. Stable mate Neptune Collonges set the pace until just after the third last, and although Ruby Walsh admitted after the race, " I wanted to take it up at the last, but he was travelling so well, I had no option but to go on at the second last". From that point on, it was a matter of who would take the minor honours, as Kauto Star imperiously galloped away from his field over the last and up the Cheltenham hill. As the cheers rang out, most people only had eyes for the winner, and they missed the tremendous rehabilitation effort which had enabled Denman to stay in contention for much of the race, before he had no option but to settle for the runners up spot. They also missed the usual late run of Exotic Dancer, which once more enabled him to attain a placed position in another Cheltenham Gold Cup. So Kauto Star has become the first horse to regain the top prize in national hunt racing after a one year break, and Ruby Walsh has now achieved a new record of seven victories at eh Cheltenham Festival, but the main point which will come out of today's race, is Kauto Star has joined the likes of Golden Miller, Arkle, Desert Orchid, and Best Mate as a favourite of the public, and I suspect one day, he will be cheered off the track at Aintree after emulating Golden Miller's achievement of being a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who will land a Grand National. Great finish to the last race of the Cheltenham Festival.As befits a great four days of racing, in the Johnnie Henderson Grand Annual Chase, the last race of this year's Cheltenham Festival, there was a ding dong finish between Oh Crick and Moon Over Miami. Moon Over Miami had taken it up two out, but Oh Crick quickly galloped up and past the leader, but up the Cheltenham hil, Moon Over Miami battled back, and when it seemed either horse could win, Oh Crick found energy reserves and just prevailed from his brave opponent. Nicky Henderson's French Opera could only manage a distant third in the race named after his father, but after several high profile winners this week, the Sevenbarrows handler will probably not mind being unable to take this race in this particular year. Andytown lands inaugaral running of Martin Pipe HurdleDespite David Pipe entering seven horses in the initial race named after his father, it was the Nicky Henderson trained Andytown who returned to early season form, and ran away with today's new Conditional Jockey's race under three pound claimer Felix de Giles. Heading towards the last hurdle, the David Pipe pair of Big Eared Fran and Mamlook seemed the main dangers, but Mamlook faded badly, and race favourite Big Eared Fran obviously began to feel the hard race he had last Saturday, and he could only keep on at one pace for third place, with Midnight Chase securing the second spot. Top Point to Pointer Cappa Bleu lands Foxhunters.The Richard Burton ridden Cappa Bleu was well supported in the market for today's Christie's Foxhunters Chase, and he duly obliged. Forging on from the last, he had too much for the front running Baby Run and the well delivered Turthen, the latter just getting the better of the battle for second place. Russell relies on staying power of Amnesty.Ruby Walsh tried to burn off his rivals in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, but his burst of speed on the Paul Nicholls trained Pride of Dulcote from the turn into the Cheltenham straight was covered by Davy Russell on Weapons Amnesty, and it was the latter who forged into the lead after the last hurdle. However, Weapons Amnesty idled in front, and Pride of Dulcote started to get back to the leader as the line approached, but as soon as he had company, Weapons Amnesty found extra reserves, and held on to first place as the two flashed past the winning post. Cape Tribulation had been warm order anti post favourite for the race, but he drifted severely in the betting prior to the off, and it was soon obvious to see why, as he pulled too hard in the early stages, and left himself with no reserves at the end of the race. Trilogy creates a record half dozen for Walsh.When Ruby Walsh went to the front two hurdles from home on American Trilogy, this year's County Hurdle was all over! Thought of as a potential Supreme Novice Hurdler earlier in the year, American Trilogy has taken time to come to hand, but following on from his recent win at Ascot, today's run made a nonsense of his handicap mark, and he will certainly have to compete in Grade races from now on. The victory on American Trilogy also created some history for Ruby Walsh, as he became the first jockey to ride six winners at any Cheltenham Festival, and the way he is riding at present, there is a distinct possibility he could extend the new record before the afternoon is through. Top two in market assert in Triumph Hurdle.If you look at the story below, you will see earlier today we covered the news trainer Oliver Brady stated Ebadiyan would figure in the Triumph Hurdle, and to be fair, until the second last hurdle he led the remainder of the field, but for some obscure reason, he decided to run out, and left the Nicky Henderson trained Zaynar in front. Zaynar continued to set the pace, but all the time, race favourite Walk On kept getting closer. After the last hurdle, it seemed Walk On would wear Zaynar down, but the son of Daylaami showed his breeding, and would not be denied a hard fought victory. Both of the first two home should make up into potential Champion Hurdlers, and dare we say, they could even consider challenging for Gold Cup honours during the upcoming flat season. Brady absolutely convinced about Ebadiyan chances.Oliver Brady is said to be absolutely convinced his smart novice hurdler Ebadiyan will show his true ability on the better ground predicted for this afternoon's Triumph Hurdle. "He has been crying out for goodish ground all season, and I am confident with the right ground he will show his true colours in this afternoon's race". Today's going will continue to dry out.Cheltenham Clerk of the Course Simon Claisse reported this morning the going on the New Course is good to soft, good in places, and he expects it to dry out even more by this afternoon. This will obviously start to favour the dry ground horses, and may cause some movement in the existing betting markets. Nicholls believes Kauto is spot on.Paul Nicholls has stated for the record, he believes Kauto Star is in better condition than when he last won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007, and the trainer is very hopeful his nine year old can become the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup crown after losing out to stable mate Denman in last year's running of the Grade One contest. Pipe unsure Madison can confirm form with Denman.David Pipe is portraying a lack of confidence in Madison du Berlais for today's Cheltenham Gold Cup, for in an interview yesterday, he expressed his doubts as to whether his Hennessy winner could confirm the form of his recent wide margin defeat of Denman at Kempton Park. However, the Nicholas Hain trainer did confirm, on the current handicap figures, his charge should finish in the first four in today's Gold Cup. Carberry and Greenall end up at Cheltenham General Hospital.Paul Carberry, who has just recovered from a leg injury which kept him out of the saddle for ten days, was initially taken to the jockey's recovery room after his fall from Jaamid, but following investigation, he was rushed to Cheltenham Genral Hospital where it was confirmed he had a broken rib and a punctured lung. Leading Point to Point rider Oliver Greenall had fallen from Heathcliff as his mount swerved unexpectedly on the home straight, and he was also taken to the hospital with suspected abdominal injuries. Punchestown next target for Mullins duo.The Willie Mullins trained pair of Mikael D'Haguenet and Cooldine are reported to be both fine after their respective wins in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle and Royal and Sun Alliance Chase, and the trainer has confirmed his Cheltenham Festival winners will now try to add Punchestown Festival honours to their already impressive career victories. Major trainers support Kempton Kentucky Derby Trial.Next Wednesday's Kentucky Derby Trial race at Kempton Park provides the winner with a direct entry into the 'Race for the Roses', and the contest has attracted a maximum field of twenty three, with support for the new venture coming from the leading yards of Aidan O'Brien, John Gosden, and Mark Johnston. Sanders expects to be back at Doncaster.Former champion flat jockey Seb Sanders is now fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered at chester last year, and he expects to be back in full competitive action at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting later this month.
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