The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
February Total
Neil 128.21 638.75
Steve 154.61 633.79
Bob 172.21 509.31
Peej 108.88 362.04
Martin 66.6 356.16
Cliff 106.11 348.75
Cod 26.26 200.14
So Congratulations to Bob who was February trainer of the Month
Stats Per String
Runs Wins
Martin 40 13
Bob 35 18
Cliff 42 14
Neil 46 18
Peej 37 11
Cod 37 7
Steve 41 19
The Weeks Losers
Innamorato, Hot Fuss
Weekend Runners
Saturday
Sandown
2.27 We’re Red And Blue
4.10 Akimos
Hereford
4.02 Akimos
Sunday
Warwick
3.10 Jukebox King
Tuesday
Cheltenham
1.20 Supreme Novice Hurdle
Punter Entries, Mydaddypaddy, Sober Glory, Baron Noir, Macho Man
Old Park Star is favourite for this, and is unbeaten over hurdles and has some wide winning margins to his name and has to be respected, Mydaddypaddy has a bit to find on form, and was a beaten fav last time, Baron Noir has done little wrong and is a decent ew price at 25/1 but I am going with Sober Glory, who also has 3 wide winning margins to his name, and I think is over priced at 14/1.
2.00 Arkle novice chase
Punter Entries, Lulamba, Salvator Mundi, Mambonumberfive, Be Aware
Be Aware has been 2nd 4 times including a 9 ½ l beating by Lulamba and others appeal more, Salvator Mundi had disappointed twice before a wide margin win last time out in a Beginners chase, a high class hurdler he is a big price at 16/1, Mambonumberfive is unlikely to run here, but if he does 50/1 is way to big, and Lulamba is 13 /8 f, which is short enough but has the best form by some way, though Steel Ally, unbeaten in 3 looks over priced at 16/1 and Kopek Des Borges, whilst lacking experience is classy but to short for me at 7/4. I think Lulamba will win but an ew saver on Steel Ally or Salvator Mundi are plays.
3.20 Ultima Premier Handicap Chase
Punter Entries, Jagwar, Handstands, Myretown, Wendigo, Johnnywho, Resplendent Grey, Henry’s Friend
Wendigo is due to run in the Brown’s Advisory, Handstands has been a bit disappointing and off 11-12 makes little appeal, Myretown ran a shocker last time but is a course and distance winner having won this last year, and off 10-13, has place claims at least at 12/1. Johnnywho has been moderate this season and makes little appeal, Henry’s Friend has similary been disappointing and is easily passed over, Resplendent Grey ran well behind Protektorat last time but has 11-10, and probably place claims at best at 25/1, which comes to Jagwar who is 11/2 fav off 11-9. He has done little wrong in 2 placed efforts but looks in the grip of the handicapper, so I think Lucinda Russel has the 2 best ew shouts with King Of Answers and Myretown both 12/1.
4.00 Champion Hurdle
Punter Entries, The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth, Anzadam, Ballyburn
This is likely to be a poor renewal and the fact The New Lion is 9/4 fav says it all. Lossiemouth at 7/2 is priced as runner in the mares hurdle instead, Anzadam has disappointed this season, Ballyburn has been racing over a lot further and is unlikely to run, so with Golden Ace continues to be under rated and at 7/1 is a great price, but it may lie between Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion ,and at 7/2 I will be siding with Brighterdaysahead.
4.40 Plate Premier Handicap Chase
Punter Entries, Handstands, Mambonumberfive
Mambonumberfive is not certain to run, Handstands off 12-0 makes little appeal and so I will go ew with Donnacha at 12/1
5.20 National Hunt Challenge Cup, Novice Handicap Chase
Punter Entries, The Jukebox Kid is not a certain runner as he may be kept for the Irish National but Ben Pauling says he is tempted here and feels he has a big chance. If he does go 16/1 is a decent ew play
Wednesday
1.20 Turners Novice Hurdle
Punter Entries, No Drama This End, Baron Noir, Doctor Du Mesnil
Baron Noir is improving and has won his last 2 but has abit to find on ratings, though he looks over priced at 40/1, Doctor Du Mesnil, has finished 2nd on his last 2 starts and has a bit more to find than Baron Noir, is a 50/1 shot. So No Drama This End is 4/1 fav, is a course and distance winner and looks good value at that price.
2.00 Brown Advisory Novice Chase
Punter Entries Final Demand, Wendigo
Final Demand is yet to win beyond 2m 5f, Wendigo has won his last 2 over 3m, so although Final Demand is 7/2 f, I will go with Wendigo, who at 8/1 looks good value and is very strongly fancied by Ben Pauling.
2.40 MGM Cup Handicap Hurdle
Punter Entries Kateria , Iberico Lord, Celtic Dino
Kateria has been disappointing this season, but has slipped down the handicap, but looks short enough at 14/1. Celtic Dino and Iberico Lord have similar chances, Sam Thomas says Celtic Dino is in very good form and gives him a strong chance, Nicky Henderson says stepping up in trip has helped Iberico Lord and whilst he has gone up 8lb for his last win holds solid ew claims at 16/1.
3.20 Cross Country Limited Handicap Chase
No Punter Entries
Not Suprisingly course and distance winners Stumptown and Favori de Champdou, head both the weights and the market. Final Orders is another Course and distance winner and receives 15 lb from Stumptown and 10 lb from Favori Champdou, and Gavin Cromwell expects a big run and at 10/1 is a sound ew play. For big ew play Nicky Richards says Famous bridge has schooled really well over these types of obstacles and has loads of stamina, has a low weight if he gets in and could be a bit of fun off 40/1.
4.00 Queen Mother Champion Chase
Punter Entries, Calico, Il Etait Temps, Jonbon, L’Eau Du Sud, Majborough, Quilixios, Thistle Ask
This is all if, but’s maybe, as now Marine Nationale is a non runner options for a few these are under review, as Jonbon was initially going to the Ryan Air, Nicky Henderson is now undecided. Quilixios has not been out yet so can’t be fancied even if he turns up, Calico is due to go in the Grand Annual, and that would still appear the sensible option, L’Eau Du Sud does run and Dan Skelton is pretty bullish about him and at 6/1 is a nice price. Thistle Ask doesn’t run but this is Majbrough’s target and he is 6/4 fav which looks way to short and I would stick with L’Eau du Sud ew.
4.40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
Punter Entries, Calico, Be Aware, Mambonumberfive
Mambonumberfive has other entries but is a big player off 11-5 if going and 16/1 is a nice price. Be Aware heads the market at 8/1 and off 11-6 looks in the handicappers grip after 4 2nd’s. Calico is a course and distance winner but has 11-12 and no winner has carried any thing like that before. So the Improving Vanderpoel off 11-0 at 10/ looks the one to be on.
News
Last year's Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale has been ruled out of a defence of his crown next week by trainer Barry Connell after he was found to have a sore neck on Tuesday morning.
"He was very sore through his neck this morning," said Connell. "We had the vets in this morning and they put him on pain relief medication and we're just going to be out of time with withdrawal times."
Jonbon’s participation at the Cheltenham Festival hinges on whether Fact To File lines up in the Ryanair Chase or is supplemented for the Gold Cup, with Nicky Henderson revealing he will "in all probability" head to the Aintree Bowl at the Grand National meeting instead.
The Seven Barrows trainer has ruled out a tilt at the Champion Chase, in which Jonbon was beaten last year, leaving the Ryanair as the only option after he stepped up in trip to land the Ascot Chase over the same distance. However, with both horses owned by JP McManus, Henderson says it is more likely Jonbon skips Cheltenham and instead tackles three miles for the first time at Aintree, a meeting he has won the 2m4f Melling Chase at in each of the last two years.
First Course Winner Bonus is available at
In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Stratford, Worcester
In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick, Listowel, Kilbeggan
