Cheltenham | White Noise leads home Irish Pointers 1-2

Image © Healy Racing 

Day three of the Cheltenham Festival began on a good note for Irish pointing graduates as White Noise led home a one-two for ex-pointers in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

A £25,000 purchase from the Goffs UK Spring Store sale, the Kingston Hill mare had been sent off as the favourite for her debut in a five and six-year-old mares’ maiden at Ballinaboola last year.

On that occasion, she finished strongly, closing to within a length of the race winner, and once joining Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, she was turned out relatively quickly to finish third in a Ffos Las maiden hurdle three months later.

However once getting her head in front for the first time at Worcester in October she has not looked back, winning three races in a row before going close in the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Hurdle at Warwick.

That saw her sent off as a 40/1 shot for the day three opener, where she took advantage of her always prominent position to defeat the twice previously placed pointer, Oldschool Outlaw (ex-Garry Caldwell), with Jackie Hobbs also keeping on well to take fifth at 66/1.

Successful joint-trainer Kim Bailey said: “She was 80-1 this morning and Oli Bell tipped her up (on the Opening Show). She’s got really good form and we thought we’d beat the horse that beat us last time (Kingston Queen) because this 2m would suit her better. Tom gave her a great ride and gave her a breather at the right time.
 
“I’m thrilled for John (Perriss)as he’s been with me a very long time. It’s 38 years he’s been with me and that’s his first Cheltenham winner, or at least his first Festival winner. That’s his 103rd winner. They are the best people
 
“It’s a great result for the whole yard and everybody involved. It’s fantastic, and that’s what this sport is all about.
 
“I was slightly disappointed when Tom suddenly decided to go and work for Alan King, but that doesn't make an ounce of difference. He’s done us proud, and we share him. He’s been a major factor in the whole situation,so it’s brilliant. It’s good news all round.”
 
Jockey Tom Bellamy, riding his first Festival winner at the age of 31, said: “I’ve worked my whole life for this day. I’m genuinely speechless, I cannot believe it. A great performance from a really likeable filly. I’m delighted for the team at home, we’ve had a season. This tops my whole career, not just this season.
 
“I’m nearly crying here. I bunked off school as a kid to come and watch the Cheltenham Festival, and I can’t believe I’m walking around at the top here after winning.”