Latest news with #SpringwellBay
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Festival criticised after horse dies on ‘lethal' racecourse
Cheltenham Festival has been criticised by animal rights campaigners after the death of racehorse Springwell Bay on Thursday. Springwell Bay suffered a heavy fall in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap, and was attended to by veterinary professionals on the course. A statement from Cheltenham read: 'In our second race of the day, Springwell Bay ... sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.' Speaking on ITV, presenter Ed Chamberlain said: 'There will be a sad postscript to the race I'm afraid because I have been handed a note to say that Springwell Bay, who took a nasty fall and was immediately tended to by the veterinary professionals, sadly sustained a fatal injury. 'Our heartfelt condolences go out to the connections of Springwell Bay. That is a sad finish to the race that was won by Caldwell Potter.' It was the 77th death of a horse at Cheltenham since 2000, and the event was criticised by Animal Aid for being 'one of the most dangerous racecourses in the world for a horse to set foot upon'. Animal Aid campaigns manager Nina Copleston-Hawkens said: 'Here we are again – yet one more innocent life lost – whilst the industry cries crocodile tears and proclaim falsehoods about 'welfare' and 'truly caring for the horses'. 'Make no mistake, any industry which profits of the exploitation and death of innocent animals is working on borrowed time – and Animal Aid will ensure that horse racing is consigned to the history books where it belongs.'
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Placepot Tips: Day Three Placepot Selections For £750,000 Prize Pool
A huge field for the Ryanair Mares Novices' Hurdle (Cheltenham, 1.20pm) provides a stiff early test for placepot players with just three places available to aim at on betting sites. Sixandahalf has only tackled hurdles once, but it resulted in a smooth 12-length success at Fairyhouse, and she can at least call on the experience of an excellent summer on the level which saw her win a nice flat race at Newmarket and finish placed in the Irish Cesarewitch. Given that Joseph O'Brien has a stellar record at this meeting and Galileo Dame has been rerouted from the Triumph Hurdle, she is hugely respected, while Jubilee Alpha is also shortlisted following some impressive performances at Taunton and Windsor. There is another sizeable field for this Novices' Handicap Chase (2.00pm), but Springwell Bay boasts experience of the track courtesy of his impressive win on New Year's Day and, although saddled with plenty of weight, looks a class act. The lightly-raced chaser Nurburgring and Caldwell Potter – third to Arkle winner Jango Baie here in December (Springwell Bay second) – are others to add to the perm. The full complement of runners line up for the Pertemps Final (2.40pm) and Feet Of A Dancer should appreciate both the ground and test that this fiercely competitive handicap offers. Jeriko Du Reponet has also been aimed at this race all season and the cheekpieces may help him focus on the job in hand, while stablemate Doddiethegreat is also equipped with headgear and may surprise at a price on horse racing betting sites. It will be hugely disappointing if Fact To File doesn't at least place in the Ryanair Chase (3.20pm) as he has some front-runners in the race to ensure he has a generous pace to aim at. He has already beaten Galopin Des Champs at this intermediate trip this term, so he should take all the beating. For the placepot to pay well, it is the nature of the beast that some strongly fancied runners must underperform so, with that in mind, it could be worth trying to take on Teahupoo in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at a very short price. The ante-post favourite in the Cheltenham odds faces a raft of new blood in this year's renewal with the likes of Lucky Place and The Wallpark fancied to be involved at the business end. The closing amateur jockeys' handicap chase is a tough riddle to solve but the front-running Midnight Our Fred, Johnnywho (gamble of the race) and Walking On Air look three likely types. Cheltenham Placepot Perm - Day Three 1.20 9 Jubilee Alpha 21 Sixandahalf 22 Galileo Dame 2.00 1 Springwell Bay 3 Caldwell Potter 8 Nurburgring 2.40 8 Feet Of A Dancer 10 Jeriko Du Reponet 19 Doddiethegreat 3.20 3 Fact To File 4.00 9 Lucky Place 15 The Wallpark 4.40 4 Johnnywho 13 Midnight Our Fred 23 Walking On air 3x3x3x1x2x3 = 162 lines Bettors should always gamble responsibly, especially during Cheltenham Festival when the number of offers and betting markets widely available increase. You should always stick to a budget and never exceed it. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. It's particularly important not to get carried if you receive a casino bonus or any free bets, which are available in abundance before and during the Cheltenham Festival, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
