2025/26 Jumps Issue 13 - Table shaken up

Headlines

Wendigo Wins At Ayr

Majborough wins Dublin Chase

Days Brightens up Leopardstown

Wil stars at Southwell

Narciso Has the will to win

It’s a Fact, File wins Irish Gold Cup

Reports

We start at Ayr on Thursday in the 3m novice chase where Wendigo (Martin), went to post, in touch with leaders, headway and led 4th, soon pestered, went clear before 5 out, winning easily by 22l , he gets 22.4 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday in the 2m 1f Grade 1 Dublin Chase Majborough (Bob, Steve), took his chance, Took keen hold, disputed lead, led before 2nd, clear before 4th, shaken up and went well clear run-in, winning impressively by 19l. He gets 28 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle Brighterdaysahead ( Bob) went to post, Raced in second, switched left 5th, led before straight, pushed along before last, kept on well run-in, winning by 3 ¼ l. She gets 57.5 points.

At Southwell on Monday in the 2m maiden hurdle, Wilstar (Martin), took his chance midfield, headway before 5th, pressed leader before 2 out, led narrowly before last, ridden run-in, winning readily by 2l. He gets 24. 2 points. Plus 20 points for being our first winner at Southwell. 

At Leopardstown in the 2m grade 1 juvenile hurdle Narciso Has ( Bob), went to post, Made all, shaken up before last, ridden and went clear run-in, kept on well winning by 4 ½ l. He gets 54 points.

In the 3m grade 1 Irish Gold Cup chase Fact To File (Cliff, Steve), went to post, n touch with leaders, headway 5 out, disputed lead 4 out, led on turn before last, ridden and clear run-in, pricked ears towards finish, winning readily by 5l. He gets 30.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              February     Total

Steve         58.5          537.68

Neil            00           510.54

Bob           139.5          476.6

Martin      44.2          356.16

Cliff          30.5          273.14

Peej           00              253.16

Cod        00           173.88

Congratulations to Cod who was January trainer of the month

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      37      12

Bob           32    16

Cliff           36 11

Neil          41  14

Peej           29    7

Cod           35   5

Steve          37      17

The Weeks Losers

Kateria, Sole Solution, Final Demand, Jimmy Du Seuil, Marine Nationale, Lossiemouth, Anzadam, Jukebox King, Queenofthejukebox, Gaelic Warrior, Galopin Des Champs, I Am Maximus, Inothewayurthikin, Lecky Watson

Weekend Runners

Saturday 

Newbury

1.00 Sober Glory

2.10 Haiti Couleurs, Jango Baie, 

2.45 Lulamba, Calico

3.20 Un Sens A la Vie, Hot Fuss

Warwick

1.15 Kingston Queen, A Path To Rhonda

1.50 Lulamba, Mambonumberfive, 

UIttoxeter

2.32 Myretown

Naas

4.00 Dinoblue

Sunday 

Exeter

2.10 Sober Glory

Naas

2.50 Irancy

News

The Ben Pauling bandwagon is set to roll into Warwick at the weekend, with Mambonumberfive ready to put his Cheltenham Festival credentials to the test in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase.

Mark Walsh cruised to a third Grade 1 of this year's Dublin Racing Festival as Narciso Has enhanced his Cheltenham Festival claims with victory in the Juvenile Hurdle, Narciso Has was cut to 9-4 favourite [from 11-4] with Coral for the JCB Triumph Hurdle

And it would be rude not to acknowledge ...

I looked up at Christ and thought he was trying to tell me something' - Frankie Dettori retires as a racing god after a dazzling last day in Brazil. The world's most famous rider bowed out in Rio with a double highlighted by his final top-flight success.

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 12 - Big weekend ahead (weather permitting)

Headlines

Lion Roars home at Cheltenham

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Saturday where in the 2m 1f grade 2 International hurdle The New Lion (Not Peej), went to post, Raced in third, shaken up and closed before last where 1 1/2 lengths down, pushed along to lead run-in, soon edged right, ran on, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 23.25 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              January       Total

Neil            23.25           510.54

Steve         87.25        479.18

Bob           45.51        337.1

Martin      91.59          289.56

Peej           00              253.16

Cliff          85.67          242.64

Cod        136.25           173.88

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      31         10

Bob           27    3

Cliff           33   10

Neil          35     14

Peej           26    7

Cod           31    5

Steve          34        14

The Weeks Losers

Captain Cody, Jordans, Jagwar, Grey Dawning, Sir Gino, Doddiethegreat, Doctor Du Mesnil

Weekend Runners

Saturday 

Leopardstown

1.50 Narciso Has, Macho Man

3.30 Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, Haiti Couleurs, Iknowthewayourthinkin, Gaelic Warrior, Fast Or Slow, I Am Mazimus, Impairre Et Passe , Lecky Watson

Sandown

2.40 Jimmy Du Seuil, Mambonumberfive, Wendigo,  Doyen Quest

3.10 Sole Solution

Musselburgh

1.43 Kateria 

Wetherby 

2.45 Juracon

Sunday 

Leopardstown

1.10 Final Demand, 

2.10 Marine Nationale, Majborough, Il Etait Temps, Dinoblue, Quilixios, 

2.45 Captain Cody

3.20 Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead, Anzadam, Ballyburn, 

News

Nicky Henderson reported that Sir Gino endured a "comfortable" night in hospital and there is "every chance" his superstar can recover from the fractured pelvis he sustained at Cheltenham on Saturday.

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2025/26 Jumps Isue 11 - Steve closes in

Headlines

Hot Causes a Fuss at Windsor

Bonnie Jon scores at Ascot again

Jukebox in tune at Ascot

Report

We start at Windsor on Friday where in the 2m handicap hurdle Hot Fuss ( Martin), went to post, in touch with leaders, prominent before 5th, pressed leader 3 out, soon sustained duel with runner-up, led run-in, kept on well towards finish, ridden out, winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 45 points.

At Ascot on Saturday in the 3m handicap chase The Jukebox Kid (Cliff), took his chance, Pressed leaders, briefly led 3rd, led before 13th, ridden and faced challenge before 2 out, kept on, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 25.26 points.

In the 2m 1f grade 1 Clarence House Chase, Jonbon (Steve), went to post, Raced in third, went second 2nd, mistake 8th, outpaced and lost second 4 out, rallying when went second again just before 2 out, led narrowly last, kept on well and went clear towards finish, ridden out, winning by 3l. He gets 64 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              January       Total

Neil            00             487,29

Steve         64             455.93

Bob           22,26        313.85

Martin      68.34          266,31

Peej           00              253.16

Cliff          62.42          219.39

Cod        113                  150.63

Apologies to Cod, I under scored Iberico Lord by 30 points, now amended

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      28         9

Bob           26      12

Cliff           31   9

Neil          33      13

Peej           24        7

Cod           26      4

Steve          32         13

The Weeks Losers

Innamorato, Be Aware, Thistle Ask, Gidleigh Park, Il Etait Temps, Myretown, Johnnywho, Akimos, Handstands, Resplendent Grey, Jazzy Matty

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Warwick

2.37 Sole Solution

Saturday 

Cheltenham

1.15 Jagwar, 

2.25 Grey Dawning

3.00 Sir Gino, The New Lion

3.35 Strong Leader, Doddiethegreat

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 10 - More winners than losers

Headlines

Oh Lord, Iberico Lands Lanzarote

Baron Rules over Kempton

Loaded Locks away Hereford Points

Glory stays Sober to Land Newbury Points

Bambino wins in the Fairyhouse

Report

We start at Kempton on Saturday where in the 2m novice hurdle Baron Noir ( Martin), went to post, Took keen hold, soon raced in second, led 5th, edged left before last, ridden and kept on well run-in , winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 23.34 points.

In the 2m 5f handicap hurdle Iberico Lord ( Cod), took his chance, Towards rear, headway omitted 3 out, led on turn before 2 out, kept on well and clear run-in, winning comfortably by 4 ½ l . He gets 45.4 points.

On Monday at Hereford in the 2m novice hurdle Loaded and Locked (Cliff), took his chance, Prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leaders from 4th, led narrowly 2 out, went clear approaching last, winning easily by 2 ½ l. He gets 26 points. 

At Newbury on Wednesday Sober Glory ( Bob, Cliff), took his chance in the 2m novice hurdle, Made all, pestered 5th, clear after 3 out, went well clear before last, winning easily by 13l. He gets 11.16 points.

At Fairyhouse in the 2m 2f mares maiden hurdle Bambino Fever ( Bob, Cod), took her chance, Made all, soon clear, reduced lead after 2nd, went clear again after 2 out, ran on well, winning easily by 12 l. she gets 11.10 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              January       Total

Neil            00             487,29

Steve         00               391.93

Bob           22,26        313.85

Peej           00              253.16

Martin      23.34          221,31

Cliff          37.16           194.13

Cod        83                  120.63

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      27         9

Bob           26      12

Cliff           26     8

Neil          29        13

Peej           22        7

Cod           24        4

Steve          28         12

The Weeks Losers

Kalif Du Berlais, We’re Red And Blue, Macho Man

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Windsor 

1.15 The Jukebox Kid

1.50 Be Aware

3.00 Doddiethegreat, Hot Fuss

4.05 The Jukebox Kid

Saturday 

Ascot

1.00T he Jukebox Kid

3.30 Il Etait Temps, Jonbon, Gidleigh Park, Thistle Ask

Haydock

2.00 Myretown, Doyen Quest, Johnnywho, Resplendent Grey, 

2.35 Sole Solution

3.10 Akimos, 

Sunday 

Windsor

3.00 Handstands, Resplendent Grey

News

It is with sadness The Punter records the death of a little Legend of these pages Langer Dan who was a fixture of the Cod Squad, Dan Skelton said: "He was quite a remarkable little horse. He was always one of those horses who everyone loved, and we felt the same way. He was his own character. He captured the imagination of everyone because he was a competitor." 

Langer Dan made 27 appearances for Skelton, and as well as two victories at the Cheltenham Festival, he won a Grade 3 at Aintree in 2022, the Grade 3 Paddy Power Imperial Cup in March 2021, and finished second behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham the following week.

 

Also sadly Kalif Du Berlais was fatally injured at Kempton on Saturday, Paul Nichols said "He was a beautiful horse who had already brought so much joy to his owners and our team, crowned by a brilliant victory at Aintree last year. He showed such immense talent and promise, with a bright future ahead of him and we were lucky to train him in Ditcheat. 

 

Lossiemouth has drifted for the Champion Hurdle, with support coming for Sir Gino as the market increasingly suggests the seven-year-old will instead defend her Mares’ Hurdle title.

Having been 9-2 with Paddy Power on Wednesday, the Willie Mullins-trained mare was eased to 6-1 for the Champion Hurdle on Thursday, a move which coincided with Sir Gino being cut to 5-4 (from 6-4) at the head of the market. Paddy Power cited Sir Gino's emphatic success in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day as the key factor behind the move.

In contrast, Lossiemouth’s price for the Mares’ Hurdle has shortened and she is now 2-1 second favourite, having been 5-2, behind the Gordon Elliott-trained Wodhooh at 15-8. Both Unibet and William Hill make the pair 7-4 joint-favourites.

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 9 - First winner of 2026

Headlines

Dino Gives Rivals The Blues

Report

We Start at Leopardstown on New Years Day where in the 2m 6f Grade 3 mares chase Dino Blue (Cod), went to post, Made all, clear when bad mistake last, shaken up briefly run-in, winning easily by 7l, She gets 26.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              January       Total

Neil            00             487,29

Steve         00               391.93

Bob           00               291.59

Peej           00              253.16

Martin      00                197.97

Cliff          00               156.97

Cod        26.5                  64.13

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      25         8

Bob           24       10

Cliff           22       6

Neil          29        13

Peej           22        7

Cod           22        2

Steve          27         12

The Weeks Losers

Regents Stroll, Wilstar, Hot Fuss

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Southwell

2.10 Jukebox King

Saturday 

Kempton

1.33 Baron Noir

2.08 Doyen Quest

2.40 Kalif Du Berlais

3.17 Iberico Lord

3.53 We’re Red And Blue

Warwick

12.45 Jukebox King

1.52 Doyen Quest, The Jukebox Kid

2.55 Myretown, Resplendent Grey

Fairyhouse

12.00 Macho Man

12.30 Bambino Fever

Sunday

Kelso

3.10 Myretown

Punchestown

2.50 Bambino Fever

News

Rebecca Curtis believes her Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs has a "serious chance" in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has not ruled out running him again beforehand. The nine-year-old recorded a famous victory at Chepstow over Christmas and has emerged from that three-length win over O'Connell in sparkling form according to his trainer.

Last season's Cheltenham Festival winner Jagwar will look to propel himself into contention for the Ryanair Chase in March on his return to the track on Trials day later this month.

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 8 - A packed edition

Headlines

Jukeboxman is King of Kempton

Numberfive is Boxing Day Number one

Narciso Has The winning attitude

Thistle Asks to big a Question of Kempton Rivals

Sir Gino lands Christmas Hurdle

Haitis Coloeurs Fly high at Chepstow

Tea Up at Leopardstown

Final Demand rakes in Limerick Points

No Drama with easy Newbury winner

It’s A Wodhoo for Bob at Leopardstown

Lossiemouth Lands December Hurdle

Report

We start at Kempton on Boxing Day where in the 2m grade 1 Christmas Hurdle Sir Gino ( Bob, Steve), went to post, Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 3rd, not fluent 4th, went clear before last, winning readily by 6l. He gets 26.58 points.

In the 3m grade King George V1 chase, The Jukeboxman (Steve), Banbridge ( Steve), took their chances.

Thejukeboxman, Prominent, led narrowly on turn before 3 out, headed last, rallied and led again final strides wining   gamely by a nose. He gets 91 points.

Banbridge, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 8th, not fluent 5 out, headway 3 out, led narrowly last, kept on well but headed final strides, 2nd beaten a nose. He gets 18.4 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m grade 2 Juvenile hurdle, Narciso Has ( Bob), went to post, Led, headed but prominent after 2nd, led again 3 out, pushed along and went clear after 2 out, ridden and ran on well run-in, winning by 1l. He gets 44.2 points.

On Saturday at Chepstow in the 3m 6f Welsh National Premier handicap Chase, Haiti Coloeurs ( Peej, Steve, Neil), went to post, Prominent, led after 7th, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well winning by 3l. He gets 56 points.

At Kempton in the 2m grade 2 novice chase Mambonumberfive (Cliff), went to post, Held up in rear, mistake 7th, not fluent 8th, cajoled along 4 out, rapid headway 3 out, led 2 out, pushed along and went clear approaching last, kept on well run-in, winning readily by 7l. He gets 46.26 points.

In the 2m grade 2 limited handicap chase, Thistle Ask ( Cliff, Steve), took his chance, Travelled strongly, led, headed 3rd, led again 5th, went clear 4 out, went further clear 2 out, not fluent last, eased final 110yds, winning impressively by 10 l. He gets 12.88 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday in the 2m 7f Grade 1 Christmas hurdle Teauphoo (Peej, Steve), went to post, in touch with leaders, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, led just after 2 out, pushed along and went clear approaching last, kept on well, winning comfortably by 7l. Peej gets 57 points, Steve 28.5

At Limerick in the 2m 5f Grade 1 Faugheen novice chase Final Demand (Cod Martin, Neil, Peej), went to post, Jumped well, made all, clear 5 out, reduced lead after 3 out, went clear again 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well, winning easily by 8l. He gets 26.34 points.

Apologies to Bob as I missed Upon Tweed earlier in the month, in a 2m novice hurdle at Ayr, Prominent, mistake 5th, led before 3 out, not fluent last, pushed out and kept on run-in, winni9ng by 2 n1/2 l. He gets 22.5 points.

At Newbury on Monday in the 2m 4f grade 1 Challow Hurdle No Drama This End ( Neil), went to post, Soon led, not fluent 4 out, ridden briefly after last, nudged along and kept on well final 110yds, winning comfortably by 1 ¼ l. He gets 52.9 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m 4f grade 3 mares hurdle Wodhooh (Bob), took her chance in touch with leaders, went second 3 out, ridden to lead when bandage came loose last, ran on well run-in, winning by 2 ¼ l. She gets 27.08 points.

In the 2m grade 1 December hurdle Lossiemouth ( Neil), took her chance, Prominent, chased clear leader after 4 out, headway 2 out, pushed along to lead approaching last, ridden and edged right run-in, ran on well, winning by 1l. She gets 53.34 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              December         Total

Neil            284.61           487,29

Steve         229.75           391.93

Bob           158.13           291.59

Peej           188.27           253.16

Martin      87.01            197.97

Cliff          118.48               156.97

Cod        26.34                   37,63

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      22         8

Bob           23        10

Cliff           22       6

Neil          29        13

Peej           22        7

Cod           22        2

Steve          26         12

The Weeks Losers

Mydaddypaddy, Wendigo, Celtic Dino, Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, Fact To File, Il Est Francais, Doctor Du Mesnil, Lump Sum, Marine Nationale, Majborough, Captain Cody, Ballyburn, I Am Maximus, Galopin Des Champs, Fast Or Slow, Lecky Watson, Inothewayurthinkin, Jordans, Jimmy Du Seuil, Juracon, Tiptoptim, Brighterdays ahead, Irancy, Anzadam, Bud Fox, Innamorato

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Ayr

1.05 Wilstar

Saturday 

Sandown

12.05 Loaded and Locked, Wilstar

3.35 Hot Fuss

Sunday 

Chepstow

1.15 Baron Noir

News

Britain's two-mile chasing division has an unlikely new pretender as Thistle Ask followed up his rout in the Haldon Gold Cup with a Desert Orchid Chase demolition. A new calibre of opposition will lie in wait – including last year's winner Jonbon – when Thistle Ask steps up to Grade 1 company for his next start in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 17, but Skelton is not shying away from the challenge. 

He said: "He's going to go up against different types of horses now, but we'll welcome all-comers and we'll give it our best shot. It's very tempting to have a go at a Champion Chase, but if you want all ticks in your boxes, then he's got to go right-handed. If he wins a Clarence House he’d have to go for it, but if he didn’t and still ran well, then you’d have to keep him super fresh for the Celebration Chase.”

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 7 - Quiet before the festive action

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              December         Total

Neil            96.03             298.71

Steve         37.77              199.95

Martin      60.67             171.63

Bob           37.77             171.23

Peej           48.93           169.82

Cliff          59.4               97.8

Cod        00              11.29

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      18          7

Bob           14            6

Cliff           16          4

Neil          21         9

Peej           11           4

Cod           14             1

Steve          17            7

The Weeks Losers

Strong Leader, Doddiethegreat, Johhny who, Hot Fuss

Weekend Runners

Friday   

Kempton

1.20 Jimmy Du Seuil, Wendigo

1.55 Sir Gino, Anzadam, Celtic Dino, 

2.30 Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, The Jukeboxman, Il Est Francais, Banbridge

Aintree

1.05 Mydaddypaddy, 

2.50 Mambonumberfive

Leopardstown

12.35 Doctor Du Mesnil

1.10 Narciso Has

2.20 Salvator Mundi

Saturday 

Chepstow

2.50 Haiti Coloeurs

Kempton

1.55 Lump Sum, Mambonumberfive

2.30 Thistle Ask

Leopardstown

12.37 Salvator Mundi, Brighterdaysahead

1.12 Marine Nationale, Majborough, Dino Blue

3.00 Captain Cody

Sunday 

Leopardstown

1.55 Teauphoo, Ballyburn

2.30 Inothewayourthinkin, Galopin Des Champs, Fast Or Slow, Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, Lecky Watson, I am Maximus

3.05 Jordans

Limerick

1.40 Final Demand, Jimmy Du Seuil, 

Monday 

Leopardstown

12.12 Doctor Du Mesnil, 

1.22 Wodhooh

2.32 Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead, Wodhooh, Anzadam, Irancy, 

3.40 Bud Fox, 

Newbury

2.22 Juracon

3.00 No Drama This End

News

Keith Donoghue is convinced the real Inothewayurthinkin will stand up at Leopardstown next Sunday – a fitter, sharper and better version than the one he rode when beaten out of sight in the John Durkan Chase on his reappearance. 

Jamie Snowden's yard has excelled since the start of the core jumps season and the trainer will seek to end the year on a high when Wendigo bids for Boxing Day glory in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Owned by the Racing Club syndicate, the six-year-old produced a career-best performance when winning the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury last month on just his second start over fences.

No Drama This End, one of Britain's most talked-about novice hurdlers this season, looks set to put his lofty reputation on the line in Monday's Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.00). Harry Cobden has already been booked to ride and is one of 13 entered in the 2m4½f Grade 1 at Newbury. Victory for Paul Nicholls could see him enhance his strong Cheltenham Festival credentials further.

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Punter Diary

Eat, drink be merry this week