2019/20 Jumps Issue 11 - Latest happenings

Headlines

Du Seuil Defi’s Un De Sceaux at Ascot

Minella Indo lands Navan Chase

Benie strolls to Victory at Gowran Park

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday, where in the 2m  grade 1 Clarence House chase, Defi Du Seuil ( Bob, Peej, Steve), went to post, Chased leader, led 2 out, soon clear and edged right, winning easily by 2 ¾ l. He gets 51.8 points.

At Navan in the 3m beginners chase, Minella Indo ( Cod, Peej, Tony), took his chance, Soon prominent, led 1st, kept wide, slight mistake 11th, pressed 3 out, ridden and joined before last, narrow lead last, kept on best run-in, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 11.3 points.

Today at Gowran Park in the 3m grade 2 novice hurdle Benie Des Dieux (Bob), took her chance, Tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well before 3 out, led after 3 out, went well clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, wining  very easily, by 21l. She gets 44.2 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                January         Total

Peej               167.6         467.4

Bob              122.1               439.5

Steve             80.8               430

Tony            58.7             337.5

Cliff             62.6             330.9

Neil             107.6             284.9

Cod          150.8               270.9

Martin         37.4             217.9

News

Kemboy, and Chacun Pour Soi  among the stars that will be in action for Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on February 1 and 2.

Laurina will try to make amends for a below-par display in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Christmas, when she was sent off favourite.

"She was reported to have burst (a blood vessel) so that was quite a significant reason," said Mullins. "That would be worrying, but we have seen horses do it and it doesn't come back. Perhaps she was just under the weather."

Klassical Dream was last of five behind Sharjah last time - but Mullins still has faith in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner when he has conditions to suit.

"Obviously Klassical Dream the last day made a bad mistake and that put paid to his chances, but if he learns from that he's still a high-class horse so it should be a cracking race," he said. "I think he probably wants soft ground to be a two-mile champion hurdler.

Aidan Coleman is looking forward to being reunited with Paisley Park in the Galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Coleman has yet to taste defeat after six rides aboard Emma Lavelle's stable star, a winning run which includes victories in this Grade Two contest 12 months ago and in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

While respectful of the potential opposition in the Cotswolds this weekend, the leading jockey expects Paisley Park to prove difficult to beat.

"At Paisley Park's level there are always going to be top-class horses running against him and we are used to that. There are some top-class horses in there like If The Cap Fits and you have a champion like Apple's Jade in there if she runs," said the jockey.

"I'm just focusing on my horse. It is great to ride him and horses at his level you only get to ride a few times a season. I'm really looking forward to Saturday."