2018/19 Jumps Issue 1 - Ragged start to the comp and Monet's Garden tribute

Headlines

Commander Of Fleet Launches Competition

The Glancing Queen looks good at Cheltenham

Royal is Sceau good at Cheltenham

Elixir is sweet taste of Success

Malone on Road to stardom

Report

After a disappointing Friday with 6 punter hopes dashed, Commander of Fleet launched the Competition on Saturday.

At Punchestown in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Commander of Fleet, (Bob, Cliff, Peej, Tony), went to post, Tracked leader in 2nd, went clear of remainder approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden to assert before last where jumped left, wandered slightly run-in, ridden and kept on well, winning by 6l. He gets 11.1 points.

At Cheltenham in the 2m4f handicap chase, Frodon ( Cod) took his chance, In touch, led 3rd to 5th, tracked winner, driven after 3 out, 4 lengths down last, ridden and kept on flat, always just held, 2^nd beaten 2l. He gets 12 points.

In the 2m mares listed bumper, The Glancing Queen ( Bob) took her chance, Held up towards rear, steady headway towards outside over 5f out, chasing leaders before the straight, ridden in centre over 1f out, led towards finish, won going away by 1 ¼ l. She gets 54 points.

At Cheltenham on Sunday in the 2m grade 2 chase, Sceau Royal (Cliff, Steve) went to post, Tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, upsides next, led narrowly last, soon ridden, all out to assert towards finish, wining by 2 1/4l. He gets 27 points.

In the 2m grade 2 hurdle, Elixir Du Nutz, (Neil), took his chance, Made all, switched wide when hit 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 40.8 points.

At Punchestown in the 2m bumper, Malone Road ( Cod), took his chance, Led and disputed early until headed after 2f, settled behind leaders in 3rd after 3f, going well in 2nd 3f out and improved to lead going best 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out and soon in command, eased inside final furlong, winning easily 8 ½ l. He gets 23.4 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                November       Total

Bob                 65.1                 65.1

Neil                 40.8                  40.8

Cliff                 38.1                   38.1

Cod                35.8                  35.8

Steve                27                    27

Peej                11.1               11.1

Tony                00                     00

Martin           00                     00      

News

Connections of Kemboy are not fazed by picking up a penalty for the Ladbrokes Trophy after his win at Clonmel.

Last-minute Unibet Morgiana Hurdle absentee Samcro is likely to run next in Newcastle's Fighting Fifth - when he may clash with dual champion Buveur D'Air at the start of next month.

Bristol De Mai will seemingly run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock next Saturday whether the ground is soft or not. Nigel Twiston – Davies told the punter He said: "He will run in the Betfair. As long as there is decent ground at Haydock, he will be there. He has been really good at home.

The Betfair chase looks to be a cracker on Saturday as Bristol De Mai, Might Bite, Clan Des Obeaux , Native River and Thistlecrack all stand their ground.

Monet's Garden

Nicky Richards hailed Monet's Garden as "everything you could want in a racehorse" following the death of the hugely-popular grey on Tuesday night, aged 20.

The Roselier gelding won 17 of his 32 starts under rules, including three victories in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. He claimed the notable scalp of the great Kauto Star when securing the first of his Old Roan triumphs in 2007, and the race has been named in his honour since his retirement seven years ago.

Richards was in no doubt when asked where Monet's Garden ranked in the horses he has trained.

The Greystoke handler said: "He was very good at Aintree and beat Kauto Star there one day. He also won a couple of Ascot Chases, the Ascot Hurdle when it was run at Windsor and he also put that good French horse Mid Dancer in his place at Carlisle one day. He just had everything you could want in a racehorse. He could jump and gallop and was as game as a pebble. He'd have to be the best I've ever trained, for sure."

Tony Dobbin partnered Monet's Garden on each of the grey's 23 starts before he retired from the saddle in 2008.

He said: "He was an unbelievable horse to ride and before I retired I was the only one to have ridden him, which was pretty cool. I won the Ascot Chase on him and we had some great days at Aintree. I remember the day he beat Kauto Star well. Obviously we were getting a good bit of weight and it was Kauto Star's first run of the season.

"I set out to make the running and could hear Ruby (Walsh) coming up behind me turning into the straight and I was thinking 'here we go again', as I'd finished second to Kauto Star a lot. He couldn't get by Monet's Garden that day, though.

"He was definitely up there with the best jumpers I've ridden. He was so fast and slick and he was like that from day one. I remember watching him school over some tyres as a three-year-old in Greystoke and he was brilliant even then - he was exceptional. It's a sad day, but he had a great life and Joey looked after him brilliantly. I know she'll be gutted, as she absolutely loved him."