UK Horse Racing – Cheltenham, 12th December 2008

A Round Up of the Days Racing Results and News from Cheltenham

Dec 15, 2008

Cheltenham racecourse hosted a seven-card race meeting on Friday 12th December 2008, with the first race getting underway at 12.10pm.

Jockey Sam Thomas rode 15/8 second favourite What A Friend to victory in the opening race of the weekends Cheltenham meeting. The Paul Nicholls trained 5 year-old got up with the leaders with two fences remaining and quickened to win by 7 lengths ahead of 5/6 odds on favourite Ballyfitz. Third place went to 7/1 shot Tot O'Whiskey 13 lengths behind.

Fair Along was a six-length winner in race two of the day under the mount of jockey R P Flint. The P J Hobbs trained 8/1 shot went into the lead with two fences remaining and stayed on strongly to beat 12/1 hopeful Don't Push It. A further two lengths back was Maucaillou at odds of 11/1 to claim third place, with 7/2 favourite Pennek finishing down in seventh place and 6/1 second favourite Mendo in eighth.

Trainer E Bolger missed out narrowly on a 1-2-3 as his 7/4 favourite Garde Champetre won the third race of the meeting. Jockey Miss N Carberry rode the winner to a 1 ¼ lengths victory over stable mate L'Ami in second place at odds of 8/1. Nadover at 20/1 in third spoilt the trio ¾ of a length behind, with 7/1 second favourite Drombeag in fourth, also from the E Bolger yard.

The 11/2 second favourite Mon Mome won race four under the ride of jockey A Coleman. The Venetia Williams trained 8 year-old held off the challenge of 11/1 shot Star De Mohaison, to win by ½ a length. Possol at odds of 8/1 claimed third place a clear 19 lengths back, with 7/2 favourite Character Building running home fourth.

14:30 - Cfr Group (electrical + Mechanical Services) Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase - 2m 5f

Jockey R P Flint and trainer P J Hobbs teamed up again for their second win of the day in the shape of Saunders Road. The 9/1 shot claimed victory by a margin of four lengths ahead of 33/1 outsider Junctiontwentyfour. Double Dizzy held on for third at odds of 16/1 a further 3 ½ lengths behind, whilst 2/1 favourite Very Cool came home in fifth. 5/1 second favourite Shouldhavehadthat was the last to complete the race, down in twelfth position.

Culcabock, a 20/1 outsider claimed the penultimate race of the day for trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell. Under the ride of C I Gillies, the winner rode clear after the last hurdle to secure victory by two lengths ahead of 14/1 shot I Have Dreamed. Another outsider Moon Star was a further 4 ½ lengths back but held on under pressure from 9/2 second favourite Stadbrook to claim third at odds of 40/1. The 4/1 favourite Gloucester finished down in eighth position.

There was an upset in the final race of the day as 11/4 second favourite Karabak comfortably won by nine lengths beating 8/11 odds on favourite Mahonia into second. Jockey Robert Thornton rode the winner clear after the final hurdle to win easily for trainer A King. A further 12 lengths back saw 8/1 shot You're The Top just edge out 33/1 hopeful What A Buzz by a nose, to claim third place.

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