for immediate release, Wednesday, November 30, 2016

French star Alex De Larredya features among strong overseas entry for Ascot's Christmas Weekend on December 16 & 17

Entries are unveiled today for the three richest contests at Ascot's exciting Christmas Weekend, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17.

There are 26 entries for the Grade One highlight, the extended three-mile £100,000 JLT (2.25pm), staged on Saturday, December 17.

Yanworth () is already a dual winner at Ascot, having taken the G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (2m) at this meeting last year and the G2 Coral Hurdle (nearly two and a half miles) on his reappearance this season on November 19, when he saw off the persistent challenge of Lil Rockerfeller (Neil King) by three-quarters of a length. The six-year-old would be stepping up to three miles for the first time in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

Unowhatimeanharry (Harry Fry) extended his unbeaten sequence over hurdles to six when taking the G2 Long Distance Hurdle over a similar trip at Newbury on November 25, when he had Ballyoptic (Nigel Twiston-Davies) six lengths back in second.

A strong overseas flavour to the JLT Long Walk Hurdle entries is provided by eight Irish- trained hopefuls and one raider from France.

The French-trained contender is Alex De Larredya (Francois Nicolle). The six-year-old was last seen out when the very impressive seven-length winner of the G1 Grand Prix D'Automne over three miles at Auteuil on November 5, when he had Ptit Zig (Paul Nicholls) back in third.

He reversed form with Ptit Zig, having been the two-length runner-up to that rival in the G1 Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil back in June.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owner Simon Munir, commented: "The plan is for Alex De Larredya to go over to Ascot for the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

"The long-term aim is to go for the Grand Course De Haies D'Auteuil again. He has run in September, October and November, so the Long Walk would fit into his programme as the final race before he goes off for a winter break.

"With the Long Walk being a Grade One, the conditions of the race suit him as a Grade One winner and so we thought we could keep him ticking him over for it.

"Daryl (Jacob) will be going over to France to sit on him and school him over some English- style hurdles.

"Obviously, we have had to make the entry now just under a month away, but in principle if all goes well we will be coming over.

"He is an interesting horse in that he was second to Ptit Zig in the Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil in June and then turned the tables on his rival last time out. It is going to be a tough-looking Long Walk."

Among the Irish-trained contingent are recent narrow G1 runner-up Apple's Jade (Gordon Elliott), who won G1 contests at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring but has yet to start over a distance further than two miles and a furlong.

The ever-powerful team could be represented by last season's G1 OLBG Mares' Hurdle victor Vroum Vroum Mag and Shaneshill, who reverted to hurdles after finishing runner-up in the 2016 RSA Chase.

The now veteran Reve De Sivola (Nick Williams) loves Ascot and the JLT Long Walk Hurdle. The 11-year-olds finished runner-up to the great in 2015 and won the G1 race in 2014, 2013 and 2012. West Approach (Colin Tizzard), a half-brother to Thistlecrack, is another contender.

The £150,000 Grade Three Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle (3.35pm), staged over two miles on Saturday, December 17, is always one of the most competitive and high-profile races of the entire season and has attracted 37 entries, including 11 from Ireland.

This year's renewal could see a rematch between Jolly's Cracked It (Harry Fry) and Sternrubin (Philip Hobbs), who famously dead-heated for first place in the 2015 renewal.

The strong Irish-trained contingent includes Golden Spear (Tony Martin) who has been in great form on the Flat with victories in a valuable contest at the Galway Festival in July and last time out in the Irish November Handicap.

The Irish challenge also includes recent G3 scorer Labaik (Gordon Elliott), 2015 Galway Hurdle victor Quick Jack (Tony Martin) and Campeador (Gordon Elliott), who was last seen when falling at the last when mounting a strong challenge in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the in March.

Very valuable handicap chase action on December 17 is provided by the £100,000 Listed Silver Cup (3pm) over three miles, for which there are 45 entries.

A high-class entry includes G1 scorer Menorah (Philip Hobbs) and Irish Cavalier (Rebecca Curtis), who got the better of Menorah when taking the G2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October.

Smart second-season chasers Otago Trail (Venetia Williams), successful in the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on November 26, and recent Aintree scorer Thomas Brown (Harry Fry) also feature among the entries along with (Jonjo O'Neill), winner of the World Hurdle in 2014 who disappointed when favourite for the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 12

Ascot is offering a bonus of £10,000 to any horse placed in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on September 14 that goes on to win the Silver Cup (a bonus of £2,000 is offered if any such horse is placed in the Silver Cup).

Rightville Boy (Patrick Neville) was runner-up in the Guinness Kerry National on September 14 before going on to take fourth in the Munster National at Limerick on October 9.

County Limerick-based Neville is planning a trip to Ascot for the eight-year-old, who is a four-time winner in Ireland.

Neville said: "I am hoping to run Rightville Boy in the Silver Cup at Ascot next month, all being well.

"There is nice bonus on offer and it is a nice race to go for. He hasn't run for the last month and half, to help freshen him up for Ascot.

"I think the three miles should be fine for him as he has been second in a Kerry National and fourth in the Munster National.

"He is a very good jumper. He wants soft ground and has won on heavy ground, while when he won at Killarney it was yielding.

"He jumps and stays. If you are in, you have to take your chance."

Racing commences at 12.40 pm on Saturday, December 17. Weights for the Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle and the Silver Cup will be revealed on Wednesday, December 7.

Ascot's Christmas Weekend commences on Friday, December 16 (first race 12.45pm), when the highlights are the £32,000 G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (1.55pm) and the £32,000 G2 Mitie Noel Novices' Chase (2.30pm).

Away from the track on the Saturday, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained. Mulled wine, mince pies, carol singing and a special visit from Father Christmas, plus free Fairground Rides such as Train Ride, Swing Boats and Tea Cups, are among the attractions on offer. For more information go to www.ascot.co.uk

Christmas Saturday is a designated family day at Ascot and, as usual, accompanied children under 18 admitted free.

For more information, please contact: Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Communications, 07771 791449 [email protected]

The JLT Long Walk Hurdle Grade 1, £100,000 total prize fund. Three miles and half a furlong (3m 97y), 2.25pm, Ascot, Saturday, December 17. For four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 11st 7lb, fillies and mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed November 29, entries revealed November 30 (26 entries), five-day confirmations December 12, final declarations 10am December 15. Maximum field 18 runners. Horse Age Owner Trainer ADRIEN DU PONT (FR) 4 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls ALEX DE LARREDYA (FR) 6 Simon Munir Francois Nicolle FR APPLE'S JADE (FR) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE BALLYOPTIC (IRE) 6 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies DE PLOTTING SHED (IRE) 6 Ives/Ashley/Vasey Partnership Gordon Elliott IRE DEDIGOUT (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE IRISH SAINT (FR) 7 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls KOTKIKOVA (FR) 5 J P McManus LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA) 5 Davies Smith Govier & Brown Neil King MONKSLAND (IRE) 9 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE PTIT ZIG (FR) 7 Chris Giles & B Fulton Paul Nicholls REVE DE SIVOLA (FR) 11 Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership Nick Williams RONS DREAM 6 Tania Stepney Peter Bowen SHADES OF MIDNIGHT 6 The Potassium Partnership Donald Whillans SHANESHILL (IRE) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE SHELFORD (IRE) 7 Carl Hodgson Dan Skelton SNOW FALCON (IRE) 6 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE SURTEE DU BERLAIS (IRE) 6 Sue Griffiths Oliver Sherwood THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 9 Trembath & Outhart Rebecca Curtis UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) 7 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe UNOWHATIMEANHARRY 8 J P McManus Harry Fry VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE WEST APPROACH 6 John and Heather Snook Colin Tizzard YANWORTH 6 J P McManus Alan King (IRE) 9 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

26 entries 8 Irish-trained 1 French-trained

The Silver Cup Handicap Chase Listed, £100,000 total prize fund. Three miles (2m 7f 180y), 3.00pm, Ascot, Saturday, December 17. For four- year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after December 4, a winner of a chase 5lb; no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed November 29, entries revealed November 30 (45 entries), weights revealed December 7, five-day confirmations December 12, final declarations 10am December 15. Maximum field 18 runners. Horse Age Owner Trainer ALOOMOMO (FR) 6 The Large G & T Partnership Warren Greatrex AMORE ALATO 7 Sarah Faulks Johnny Farrelly ANNACOTTY (IRE) 8 Mrs Peter Prowting Alan King ANOTHER HERO (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 10 Allan Stennett David Pipe COCKTAILS AT DAWN 8 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) 8 The Johnson Family David Pipe DOING FINE (IRE) 8 Ashley Carr Neil Mulholland EDUARD (IRE) 8 Eddie Melville Nicky Richards FLETCHERS FLYER (IRE) 8 Masterson Holdings Limited Harry Fry FOURTH ACT (IRE) 7 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard GO CONQUER (IRE) 7 Paul & Clare Rooney Jonjo O'Neill HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 9 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson HENRYVILLE 8 R P B Michaelson & E M Thornton Harry Fry HOLYWELL (IRE) 9 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 9 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) 7 A McIver Rebecca Curtis IRISH SAINT (FR) 7 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls KATKEAU (FR) 9 Prof C Tisdall, J A Gent, R C Wilkin David Pipe KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 7 Tim Leslie Donald McCain LE MERCUREY (FR) 6 Chris Giles & Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls MENORAH (IRE) 11 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs MINELLA DADDY (IRE) 6 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) 6 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill MORE OF THAT (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill OTAGO TRAIL (IRE) 8 Marie Shone Venetia Williams PRESENT MAN (IRE) 6 Woodhouse & Sutton Paul Nicholls REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 8 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE) 7 Nigel Morris Rebecca Curtis RIGHTVILLE BOY (IRE) 8 Patrick Neville Patrick Neville IRE RUBEN COTTER (IRE) 10 Exors of the Late Graham Roach Paul Nicholls SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) 8 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill SOUTHFIELD THEATRE (IRE) 8 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 9 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) 9 The Stonehenge Druids Neil Mulholland THOMAS BROWN 7 The Corse Lawners Harry Fry TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 9 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) 7 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe VIBRATO VALTAT (FR) 7 Axom XLIII Paul Nicholls VOLNAY DE THAIX (FR) 7 Judy Wilson Nicky Henderson VYTA DU ROC (FR) 7 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson WALDORF SALAD 8 Alan Parker Venetia Williams YALA ENKI (FR) 6 Hills of Ledbury (Aga) Venetia Williams

45 entries 1 Irish-trained

The Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle Grade 3, £150,000 total prize fund. Two miles (1m 7f 152y), 3.35pm, Ascot, Saturday, December 17. For four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after December 4, a winner of a chase 5lb; no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed November 29, entries revealed November 30 (37 entries), weights revealed December 7, five-day confirmations December 12, final declarations 10am December 15. Maximum field 21 runners. Horse Age Owner Trainer ADRIEN DU PONT (FR) 4 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls ALL SET TO GO (IRE) 5 Exors of the Late Graham Roach Paul Nicholls BERTIMONT (FR) 6 Chris Giles Dan Skelton BRAIN POWER (IRE) 5 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson CAMPEADOR (FR) 4 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE CHESTERFIELD (IRE) 6 The Rumble Racing Club Seamus Mullins CH'TIBELLO (FR) 5 The Can't Say No Partnership Dan Skelton CONSUL DE THAIX (FR) 4 J P McManus Nicky Henderson COPY THAT (IRE) 5 J P McManus Eddie Harty IRE DE NAME ESCAPES ME (IRE) 6 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE DIEGO DU CHARMIL (FR) 4 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls FERGALL (IRE) 9 Andrew Cocks And Tara Johnson Seamus Mullins GOLDEN SPEAR 5 Newtown Anner Stud Farm Tony Martin IRE GRAASTEN (GER) 4 Galloping On The South Downs Partnership Gary Moore HARGAM (FR) 5 J P McManus Nicky Henderson INDIETIR (FR) 4 A Brooks Dan Skelton JOLLY'S CRACKED IT (FR) 7 GDM Partnership Harry Fry LABAIK (FR) 5 A J O'Ryan Gordon Elliott IRE LE ROCHER (FR) 6 John White & Anne Underhill Nick Williams MEET THE LEGEND 5 Highclere Racing - Legend Dan Skelton MICK JAZZ (FR) 5 G P Mahoney & Gordon Elliott Gordon Elliott IRE MODUS 6 J P McManus Paul Nicholls OLD GUARD 5 The Brooks, Stewart Families & J Kyle Paul Nicholls PYROMANIAC (IRE) 6 Newtown Anner Stud Farm Tony Martin IRE QUICK JACK (IRE) 7 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE RAYVIN BLACK 7 R White & V J Walsh Oliver Sherwood RENNETI (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE SAM RED (FR) 5 M Rashdi, Blue Grey Chevron, C Hodgson Dan Skelton STERNRUBIN (GER) 5 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs UNISON (IRE) 6 J P Carrington Jeremy Scott VOICES OF SPRING (IRE) 6 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE WAXIES DARGLE 7 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE WHO DARES WINS (IRE) 4 HP Racing Who Dares Wins Alan King WILLOW'S SAVIOUR 9 Triple F Partnership Dan Skelton WINTER ESCAPE (IRE) 5 J P McManus Alan King WOLF OF WINDLESHAM (IRE) 4 M W Lawrence Stuart Edmunds ZUBAYR (IRE) 4 P J Vogt Paul Nicholls

37 entries 11 Irish-trained