Latest news with #GlenfarclasCrossCountryChase
Irish Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer gets three-month 'non-sporting offences' ban
French trainer David Cottin has had his racing licence suspended for three months after being found guilty of "non-sporting offences." The punishment was handed down after the French ministry of the interior submitted a request on behalf of the police on April 30. France Galop, the governing body for flat and steeplehorse racing in France, confirmed its verdict this week following an investigation. And it means former Cheltenham Festival-winner Cottin will be prevented from entering any runners into competition until September 24. The ex-jockey was previously banned for 12 months, six of which were suspended for good behaviour, after horses under his command failed drug tests. He returned to competition at the end of 2023 but has fallen afoul of the authorities once more. Specific details regarding this latest suspension are yet to be disclosed. Paris Turf reported Cottin has been denied the right to appeal the verdict. Cottin and his team successfully argued to have proceedings delayed after the request was first submitted. An adversarial hearing, which allows each party to question one another's evidence, then took place on June 19. France Galop granted the police request five days later. It's understood Cottin currently has 59 horses in training, each of whom will now be ineligible to race until September as long as they remain part of his stable. In addition to seeing his training licence suspended, Cottin's rights as an owner and breeder have also been revoked for the three months. The son of famed French trainer Philippe Cottin now faces an uncertain future in the sport, at least in the short term. The Racing Post reported Cottin's only hope for an appeal would have to go through the courts and is different from a normal disciplinary ban. This supports the assertion that his offence is non-sports related. The Chantilly trainer celebrated one of the biggest results of his career when Easysland clinched victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2020. That win interrupted Tiger Roll's run of success in the race and prevented the Gordon Elliott-trained icon from winning it four years in a row. Twelve months later, Tiger Roll got his revenge by pipping Easysland to the title once again. However, Cottin has since bounced back with more recent success. He won the Prix Alain du Breil with Kervala du Berlais at the Grande Course de Haies de Printemps in May. That netted the trainer his chunk of a £150,000 winner's prize and marked one of the biggest results of his career shortly before this latest setback.
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Grand National field begins to take shape as six horses are removed
Six horses have been removed from contention for this year's Grand National as the field begins to take shape ahead of this weekend's race. Four horses – L'Homme Presse, Capodanno, Velvet Elvis, and Minella Drama – were previously guaranteed a run but have been ruled out for different issues, with the former having suffered a training injury in February. Fontaine Collonges and Quick Wave are the other two horses who were ruled out, with neither falling within the 34-horse cut line. These six join notable absentees including 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, who was ruled out last month, and Mr Incredible, who was barred from running by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). As a result, Monbeg Genius, Vanillier, Horantzau D'Airy, Hyland and Celebre D'Allen are all now guaranteed a run, with Three Card Brag and Twig also making the cut for now. If no other horses are removed, the last spot in the famous race should go to Duffle Coat, though Shakem Up'Arry and Roi Mage are also in contention. The final field will be decided on Thursday morning, with four reserves also nominated. The event, which is one of the most prestigious on the UK horse racing calendar, will take place at Aintree racecourse at 4pm on Saturday 5 April, with other prestigious races including the Aintree Hurdle, which will be contested by both Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill this year. 2024 winner I Am Maximus is among the favourites ahead of the National, with Iroko and Intense Raffles also prominent in the betting alongside Stumptown, who won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham earlier last month. The full 34-horse list for the Grand National is as follows: I Am Maximus Royale Pagaille Nick Rockett Grangeclare West Hewick Minella Indo Appreciate It Minella Cocooner Conflated Stumptown Hitman Beauport Bravemansgame Chantry House Threeunderthrufive Perceval Legallois Kandoo Kid Iroko Intense Raffles Senior Chief Idas Boy Fil Dor Broadway Boy Coko Beach Stay Away Fay Meetingofthewaters Monbeg Genius Vanillier Horantzau D'Airy Hyland Celebre D'Allen Three Card Brag Twig Duffle Coat
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work dies aged 12
Former Cheltenham winner and Grand National runner-up Delta Work had died at the age of 12 after a bout of colic. The horse, who was owned by Gigginstown House Stud and trained by Gordon Elliott, was last seen securing a fourth-placed finish at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last month. He was taken to Fethard Equine Hospital and underwent surgery after showing signs of colic, but he was unable to be saved. Delta Work was best-known for winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2022 and 2023, with the initial victory coming against his Grand National-winning stablemate Tiger Roll. His first victory at the famous course came in the 2018 Pertemps Final, and he also finished third in the Grand National in 2022 and runner-up last season. Overall, the 12-year-old won 12 of his 40 career outings, including the the 2020 Irish Gold Cup, and he was being prepared to run the Glenfarclas Chase for a third time in addition to a fourth run at Aintree. In a statement, Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary called Delta Work 'an unbelievable horse'. 'We were very, very lucky and proud to have him and be associated with him,' he said. "He was brilliant for Gordon and Gordon was brilliant for him. He was so versatile, so honest and so sound. "He had the colic this morning and we tried to operate to save him for the field, but even that unfortunately didn't work out,' he added. "He seems to have been around forever and God bless him, he was an absolute superstar." In his own statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Elliott said: "Sadly Delta Work has passed away this morning at the age of 12 after a bout of colic. "He was a privilege to train and won five Grade Ones and at three Cheltenham Festivals. He was a hero and will be sorely missed by everyone at Cullentra."
