Aintree Bowl

(Redirected from Martell Cup)

The Alder Hey Aintree Bowl is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (3 miles and 210 yards, or 5,020 metres), and during its running there are nineteen fences to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early April.

Betway Bowl
Grade 1 race
LocationAintree Racecourse
Merseyside, England
Inaugurated1984
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorBetway
WebsiteAintree
Race information
Distance3m 210y (5,020 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 st 7 lb
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse£250,000 (2022)
1st: £140,325
Betfred Bowl Chase
2023
Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star Red, black epaulets and armlets, black cap, red star Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Shishkin Ahoy Senor A Plus Tard
Previous years
2022
Dark green, white chevron, light green sleeves, dark green and white check cap Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap Royal blue, yellow disc, diamonds on sleeves
Clan Des Obeaux Conflated Kemboy
2021
White, royal blue epaulets, white sleeves, red spots, royal blue cap White, dark blue star, sleeves and cap Red and purple (quartered), yellow sleeves, red cap
Clan Des Obeaux Clondaw Castle Native River
2020-2011
2019
Royal blue, light blue star, white sleeves, royal blue stars, white cap, royal blue star White, royal blue epaulets, white sleeves, red spots, royal blue cap Maroon, white star, armlets and cap
Kemboy Clan Des Obeaux Balko Des Flos
2018
Light blue and yellow check, orange and black hooped sleeves and cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Dark green, white chevron, light green sleeves, dark green and white check cap
Might Bite Bristol De Mai Clan Des Obeaux
2017
Orange, black star and star on cap Royal blue, pink star on body and cap, royal blue sleeves, pink stars Grey and maroon diamonds, grey sleeves
Tea For Two Cue Card Smad Place
2016
Royal blue, pink star on body and cap, royal blue sleeves, pink stars Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap
Cue Card Don Poli Djakadam
2015
Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves Beige and emerald green check, beige sleeves White, mauve stars
Silviniaco Conti Ballynagour Holywell
2014
Red, pink hoop and armlets Maroon and yellow diamonds, halved sleeves, yellow cap Pink, emerald green chevron, halved sleeves, quartered cap
Silviniaco Conti Dynaste Argocat
2013
Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap Dark blue, light blue hoop, checked sleeves and cap Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves
First Lieutenant Menorah Silviniaco Conti
2012
Orange, dark blue braces, halved sleeves and spots on cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Red, yellow hoops, light blue sleeves, red cap
Follow The Plan Burton Port Hunt Ball
2011
Dark green and beige (quartered), hooped sleeves, check cap Purple and yellow diabolo, yellow sleeves and cap Orange, dark blue braces, halved sleeves and spots on cap
Nacarat Carole's Legacy Follow The Plan
2010-2001
2010
White, royal blue epaulets, white sleeves, red spots, royal blue cap White, black diamond, red sleeves and cap Dark green and beige (quartered), hooped sleeves, check cap
What A Friend Carruthers Nacarat
2009
Purple, yellow triple diamond, yellow sleeves, red armlets, red cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap
Madison Du Berlais Exotic Dancer Albertas Run
2008
Royal Blue, Emerald Green sleeves, White cap, Emerald Green spots Emerald Green, Yellow spots, Yellow and Emerald Green halved sleeves, Purple cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap
Our Vic Kauto Star Exotic Dancer
2007
Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Exotic Dancer My Will Our Vic
2006
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Yellow, Emerald Green braces, armlets and star on cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap
Celestial Gold Take The Stand L'ami
2005
Orange, black spots on sleeves and cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Yellow, blue star and armlets, star on cap
Grey Abbey First Gold Crystal d'Ainay
2004
Red, yellow stripes, halved sleeves, yellow cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Light blue, maroon hoops, striped sleeves, light blue cap
Tiutchev First Gold Hand Inn Hand
2003
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots White, Dark Blue hoop, White sleeves, Dark Blue armlets, White cap, Dark Blue star
First Gold Lady Cricket Commanche Court
2002
Red, white hooped sleeves, red cap, white spots Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Emerald Green, Dark Blue diamond and diamond on cap
Florida Pearl Cyfor Malta Lord Noelie
2001
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Emerald Green, Dark Blue diamond and diamond on cap Emerald green, emerald green and white check sleeves
First Gold Lord Noelie Legal Right
2000-1991
2000
Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Mauve and yellow check, yellow sleeves White, black seams, yellow and white halved sleeves, yellow cap
See More Business Mulligan Lake Kariba
1999
Light blue and royal blue stripes, light blue sleeves, royal blue armlets, quartered cap Black, white hoops, spots on sleeves, hooped cap Yellow, dark blue stripe, dark blue sleeves, yellow armlets, white cap
Macgeorge Escartefigue Dr Leunt
1998
Black, white hoops, spots on sleeves, hooped cap Red, white sash, green sleeves, white armlets, green cap Macduff Tartan, White sleeves, Red cap
Escartefigue Simply Dashing The Grey Monk
1997
Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap Green, white hoop, green and black hooped sleeves and cap
Barton Bank Merry Gale Rouyan
1996
Light blue, red cross of lorraine and cap Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star Light blue, royal blue triple diamond, royal blue diamonds on sleeves and cap
Scotton Banks Barton Bank Unguided Missile
1995
WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap Black, emerald green spots on cap Orange, black and white hooped cap
Merry Gale Martomick Monsieur Le Cure
1994
Royal blue, yellow braces, hooped sleeves, yellow cap Pink and grey diamonds, pink cap Dark blue, pink cap, dark blue star
Docklands Express Black Humour Dubacilla
1993
Royal blue, yellow braces, hooped sleeves, yellow cap Maroon, yellow epaulets, armlets and star on cap Royal blue, white star, royal blue sleeves, white stars, white cap
Docklands Express Run For Free Very Very Ordinary
1992
Green, pink cap Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star Light blue and dark blue stripes, light blue sleeves, dark blue armlets, white cap
Kings Fountain Tipping Tim Sparkling Flame
1991
Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap Black, White hoops, Black sleeves, Emerald Green and White quartered cap Yellow, royal blue stripe, armlets and cap
Aquilifer Norton's Coin Stay on Tracks
1990-1988
1990
Light blue and orange diamonds, light blue sleeves and cap, orange star Green, pink cross-belts Red, dark green and red chevrons on sleeves, dark green cap
Toby Tobias Cavvies Clown Man O'Magic
1989
Yellow, white epaulets, yellow sleeves, black armlets, white cap Black, maroon cross of lorraine Blue, white seams, quartered cap
Yahoo Delius Bishops Yarn
1988
Dark blue, grey sleeves and cap Mauve and yellow check, yellow sleeves White, blue sleeves, quartered cap
Desert Orchid Kildimo Weather The Storm
 

History

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The event was established in 1984, and it was originally designed as a consolation prize for horses which were beaten or had been unable to participate in the previous month's Cheltenham Gold Cup. The inaugural running was backed by Perrier-Jouët, and it was titled the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Cup. For the following three years it was sponsored by Whitbread and called the Whitbread Gold Label Cup.

Subsequent sponsors have included Martell (the Martell Cup, the Martell Cognac Cup) and Betfair (the Betfair Bowl). Totesport began supporting the event as the Totesport Bowl in 2008 and the sponsorship was taken over by Betfred in 2012 after that company purchased The Tote in 2011. Betway took over sponsorship from the 2017 running. For the 2023 edition the race was run as the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl as part of the 21st anniversary of the partnership between Aintree Racecourse and the Alder Hey Children's Charity.[1]

The race was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010. It is currently held on the opening day of the three-day Grand National meeting.

Records

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Most successful horse (2 wins):

  • Wayward Lad1985, 1987
  • Docklands Express – 1993, 1994
  • First Gold – 2001, 2003
  • Silviniaco Conti2014, 2015
  • Clan Des Obeaux – 2021, 2022

Leading jockey (2 wins):

  • Richard DunwoodyAquilifer (1991), Docklands Express (1994)
  • Thierry Doumen – First Gold (2001, 2003)
  • Tony McCoyTiutchev (2004), Exotic Dancer (2007)
  • Timmy MurphyCelestial Gold (2006), Our Vic (2008)
  • Noel FehilySilviniaco Conti (2014, 2015)
  • Paddy BrennanNacarat (2011), Cue Card (2016)
  • Ruby WalshWhat A Friend (2010), Kemboy (2019)
  • Harry Cobden – Clan Des Obeaux (2021, 2022)
  • Nico de BoinvilleMight Bite (2018), Shishkin (2023)

Leading trainer (6 wins):

  • Paul NichollsSee More Business (2000), What a Friend (2010), Silviniaco Conti (2014, 2015), Clan Des Obeaux (2021, 2022)

Winners

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Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
1984 Royal Bond 11 Tom Taaffe Arthur Moore
1985 Wayward Lad 10 John Francome Monica Dickinson
1986 Beau Ranger 8 Hywel Davies John Thorne
1987 Wayward Lad 12 Graham McCourt Monica Dickinson
1988 Desert Orchid 9 Simon Sherwood David Elsworth
1989 Yahoo 8 Tom Morgan John Edwards
1990 Toby Tobias 8 Mark Pitman Jenny Pitman
1991 Aquilifer 11 Richard Dunwoody Martin Pipe
1992 Kings Fountain 9 Anthony Tory Kim Bailey
1993 Docklands Express 11 Jamie Osborne Kim Bailey
1994 Docklands Express 12 Richard Dunwoody Kim Bailey
1995 Merry Gale 7 Graham Bradley Jim Dreaper
1996 Scotton Banks 7 Lorcan Wyer Tim Easterby
1997 Barton Bank 11 David Walsh David Nicholson
1998 Escartefigue 6 Richard Johnson David Nicholson
1999 Macgeorge 9 Adrian Maguire Richard Lee
2000 See More Business 10 Mick Fitzgerald Paul Nicholls
2001 First Gold 8 Thierry Doumen François Doumen
2002 Florida Pearl 10 Barry Geraghty Willie Mullins
2003 First Gold 10 Thierry Doumen François Doumen
2004 Tiutchev 11 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe
2005 Grey Abbey 11 Graham Lee Howard Johnson
2006 Celestial Gold 8 Timmy Murphy Martin Pipe
2007 Exotic Dancer 7 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill
2008 Our Vic 10 Timmy Murphy David Pipe
2009 Madison du Berlais 8 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
2010 What A Friend 7 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
2011 Nacarat 10 Paddy Brennan Tom George
2012 Follow The Plan 9 Tom Doyle Oliver McKiernan
2013 First Lieutenant 8 Bryan Cooper Mouse Morris
2014 Silviniaco Conti 8 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls
2015 Silviniaco Conti 9 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls
2016 Cue Card 10 Paddy Brennan Colin Tizzard
2017 Tea For Two 8 Lizzie Kelly Nick Williams
2018 Might Bite 9 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
2019 Kemboy 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
no race 2020 [a]
2021 Clan Des Obeaux 9 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls
2022 Clan Des Obeaux 10 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls
2023 Shishkin 9 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
2024 Gerri Colombe 8 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
  1. ^ The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "GRADE ONE CHASE ON OPENING DAY TO BE RUN AS ALDER HEY AINTREE BOWL IN 2023 PLUS DETAILS OF FRANKIE THE 41ST RUNNER". www.thejockeyclub.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.

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  • Race Recordings [1]