FRIDAY

2M1F TRIUMPH HDLE (4yo) (22%); 8/9 winners had won their prep race (albeit one disqualified!)with the other finishing 2nd LTO. Only one horse had finished worse than 4^th in any of its completed races in the current season. All also last ran 19-55 days earlier. A King is leading trainer with 2 wins and the Irish trainers have provided 1/9 winners in the race.

2M 1F COUNTY HURDLE (22%); As a traditionalist it still seems strange that this race doesn't close the festival on the final day! In 6/9 races a 3rd place or better in last prep race was seen. Last 9 winners last ran 12-36 days earlier. 5yo have the best record with 5/9 wins. P Nicholls is leading trainer on 3 wins - all ridden by R Walsh and carrying between 10st 10lbs and 11^st. A better race fort he Irish trainers with 3/9 wins.

3M ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICE HURDLE (NEW RACE IN 2005) (40%); All winners were 1st/2nd on last outing being well supported at 9/1 or shorter. They had all also finished 1st/2^nd on at least three of last four outings. J O'Neill/A McCoy partnership has won two races with 1/5 Irish trained winners.

3M 2F TOTESPORT GOLD CUP (55%); The favourite's record has gradually improved after a number of surprise winners in the late 90's and indeed all winners in last decade were at odds of 15/2 or shorter. A 1st/2nd place in last completed run was seen with the last 9 winners with only 2 not winning their last race. Last eight winners had finished in first two on at least five of last six outings. Last nine winners aged 7-9 and whilst there have been four 10yo winners in the last 25 years the statistics suggest that this is likely to be the last clash of the titans (Kauto Star and Denman.) before the next generation takes over. Longest period off the track seen is 82 days with all rested at least 34 days before this ultimate seasonal target. Ms H Knight (Best Mate) remains joint leading trainer with 3 wins together with Paul Nicholls also on three wins. 2/9 Irish trained winners in this race.

Year	Form	Horse + Days since last run	Age/Weight	Jockey	Odds	Trainer	Field
2000	11-31P1	Looks Like Trouble (47)	8 -12- 0	R Johnson	9-2	N T Chance	12
2001		Meeting Cancelled
2002	112-122	Best Mate (78)	7-12-0	J Cullotty	7-1	Ms H Knight	18
2003	1221-11	Best Mate (77)	8-12-0	J Cullotty	13-8F	Ms H Knight	15
2004	1/111-21	Best Mate (81)	9-12-0	J Cullotty	8-11F	Ms H Knight	10
2005	2-B1211	Kicking King (82)	7-11-10	B Gerraghty	4-1F	T J Taaffe (Ire)	15
2006	2-11152	War Of Attrition (79)	7-11-10	C O'Dwyer	15-2	M F Morris (Ire)	22
2007	F-11111	Kauto Star (34)	7-11-10	R Walsh	5-4F	P Nicholls	18
2008	111-111	Denman (34)	8-11-10	S Thomas	9-4	P Nicholls	12
2009	122-1U1	Kauto Star (77)	9-11-10	R Walsh	7-4F	P Nicholls	16

3M 2F FOXHUNTERS CHASE (22%); 7/9 winners had last raced 12-35 days earlier (excluding point to point races). Winner's ages range from 6yrs (Kingscliff) to 13yrs ( Earthmover) although four of last five were aged 9yrs. Plenty of winning outsiders in this event with 3 of last 4winners having odds of 20/1+.P Nicholls is leading trainer with 2 wins with just 1/9 Irish winners.

2M 5F (CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS) HANDICAP HURDLE (NEW RACE IN 2009): Named in honour of leading trainer Martin Pipe. As only one race so far no trends available yet.

2M GRAND ANNUAL H'CAP CHASE (22%); A 6th place or better on last completed outing appears essential. Last nine winners carried 10st 11lbs or less. P Nicholls and A Moore (Ire) are joint leading trainers with 2 wins each. In total there were 3/9 Irish trained winners in this race.

And so we reach the end of another festival - with Aintree/Punchestown providing one last hurrah before most top national hunt horses are put away for the summer and planning for the 2011 festival starts!