The Rooneys to shun Cheltenham over safety
The Guardian has had confirmation from a trainer that the Rooney family, Paul and Clare, have decided to have no further runners at Cheltenham. The extraordinary move, apparently motivated by concerns over safety at the track, was reported in Tuesday’s Racing Post but no sources were cited and as yet there has been no public explanation from the Rooneys themselves.
The Rooneys have become the most prolific British owners of jumps horses in recent times and only JP McManus has had more runners or winners over the last four years. They had a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017 when Willoughby Court carried their dark blue and yellow colours to glory in the Neptune Novice Hurdle but had a dismal experience at the track later that year when Starchitect broke a leg while running between fences in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
Although Tom Scudamore was able to react quickly and steady Starchitect to a stop, the horse’s life could not be saved. The horse had been clear of his rivals with two fences to jump when injury struck in what was clearly a traumatic incident for all involved.
Having had 17 runners at Cheltenham last season, the Rooneys have only had two there this winter and none since Lovely Job was fifth over fences there in November. Their One For Billy had seemed on the point of winning at Cheltenham in October when he ran the wrong way on the run-in, crashing through a tape that was intended to keep the runners straight past an intersection.
The Rooneys have had plenty of runners in jumps races elsewhere in recent days but it might be said that their string was set up with Cheltenham in mind, making their decision the more surprising. They have horses with Nigel Twiston-Davies, Fergal O’Brien, Kim Bailey, Tom George and Jonjo O’Neill, all based within a few miles of the course.
An official at Cheltenham indicated the course would not respond until the story was confirmed but a statement is likely later on Tuesday, when the track hosts its annual New Year’s Day race-meeting. The course was recently the subject of a large-scale review in response to seven equine fatalities at the Festival last March, when a series of recommendations were made by the sport’s ruling body, including a reduction in field-size.
One unanswered question is whether the Rooneys are still happy to have runners over the Grand National fences at Aintree. They were second in the 2016 National through The Last Samuri but had no runners in the Becher Chase or the Grand Sefton this season. The Last Samuri ran in the most recent National in April but was moved from Kim Bailey’s yard to Harry Fry’s in the autumn and his only race since has been at Ascot.
Best bets for New Year’s Day, by Chris Cook
Venetia Williams is the trainer in form, with four winners from five runners over the last two days, and she could strike at Cheltenham with Shalakar (2.35) in the staying handicap hurdle. He’s put in a couple of fair efforts this season but this big step up in distance to three miles should be a help, in light of the way he stayed on to score at Ludlow in April.
This is only Shalakar’s third run in a handicap since he joined the yard from France, so the six-year-old has plenty of scope for progress. He’s 7-1 and seemingly attracting support.
Earlier, there’s 10-1 about Sir Mangan (12.50), who could come good in the staying handicap chase after a couple of second places in recent months. Dan Skelton’s veteran was a bit unlucky with the way a three-runner race panned out at Doncaster but this bigger field here could help him, Harry Skelton returns to the saddle and blinkers are fitted.
Defi Du Seuil (1.25) is a backable 3-1 for the Dipper Novice Chase, having travelled well on his way to his first chasing success at Exeter last month. I think he has too much speed on this ground for these rivals, but has to jump a whole lot more cleanly than he did here on his chasing debut in November.
Cheltenham 12.15 Anemoi 12.50 Sir Mangan 1.25 Defi Du Seuil 2.00 Dustin Des Mottes 2.35 Shalakar (nap) 3.10 Clyne 3.50 Cascova
Catterick 12.25 Vamanos 1.00 The Herds Garden 1.35 Duke Debarry 2.10 See The Sea 2.45 Lord County 3.20 Inchcolm
Musselburgh 12.30 Hannon 1.05 Knock House 1.40 Knockgraffon 2.15 Irish Roe 2.50 Kajaki 3.25 Just Minded
Southwell 12.35 Hanati 1.10 Kommander Kirkup 1.45 Something Lucky 2.20 Angel Palanas 2.55 Tagur 3.30 Bond Angel
Exeter 12.40 Extra Mag 1.15 Ebony Gale 1.50 Caribert 2.25 Achille (nb) 3.00 White Moon 3.35 Cap Du Nord 4.05 Mister Timmytucks
Fakenham 12.45 Blu Cavalier 1.20 Sideways 1.55 Kilbrew Boy 2.30 Todd 3.05 Walsingham Grange 3.40 Kings Inn
