Flat Competition Countdown 2

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Godolphin Drug Horror Sparks Selection Problems.

I am sure you will all be aware of the Godolphin drug issue, the 11 horses affected are, Certify, Opinion Poll, Desert Blossom, Fair Hill, Ghostflower, Orkney Island, Sweet Rose, Valley of Dreams, Artigiano, Bathrat Amal, Restraint of Trade (rather appropriate !!). These horses are currently suspended indefinitely, so you may wish to avoid  them, but they could run later in the season. YOU have been advised, the choice is yours.

2,000 Guineas	Newmarket, 5 May
1,000 Guineas	Newmarket, 6 May
Oaks	Epsom, 1 June
Derby	Epsom, 2 June
Queen Anne Stakes	Royal Ascot, 19 June
St James's Palace Stakes	Royal Ascot, 20 June
Prince of Wales's Stakes	Royal Ascot, 20 June
Ascot Gold Cup	Royal Ascot, 21 June
Coronation Stakes	Royal Ascot, 22 June
Golden Jubilee Stakes	Royal Ascot, 23 June
Irish Derby	Curragh, 30 June
Eclipse Stakes	Sandown, 7 July
July Cup	Newmarket, 14 July
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes	Ascot, 21 July
Sussex Stakes	Goodwood, 1 August
International Stakes	York, 22 August
Nunthorpe Stakes	York, 24 August
Irish Champion Stakes	Leopardstown, 8 September
St Leger Stakes	Doncaster, 15 September
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe	Longchamp, 7 October
Champion Stakes	Ascot, 20 October
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes	Ascot, 20 October

Plus 2 new ones, The Nassau Stakes and Coronation Cup

Flat Competition Countdown

Ok we have 11 days till entry deadline, here is the new list of bonus races to help in your selection process, you can choose any horse for your 20, that runs on the flat, not just from the 250 listed by the tote

2,000 Guineas	Newmarket, 5 May
1,000 Guineas	Newmarket, 6 May
Oaks	Epsom, 1 June
Derby	Epsom, 2 June
Queen Anne Stakes	Royal Ascot, 19 June
St James's Palace Stakes	Royal Ascot, 20 June
Prince of Wales's Stakes	Royal Ascot, 20 June
Ascot Gold Cup	Royal Ascot, 21 June
Coronation Stakes	Royal Ascot, 22 June
Golden Jubilee Stakes	Royal Ascot, 23 June
Irish Derby	Curragh, 30 June
Eclipse Stakes	Sandown, 7 July
July Cup	Newmarket, 14 July
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes	Ascot, 21 July
Sussex Stakes	Goodwood, 1 August
International Stakes	York, 22 August
Nunthorpe Stakes	York, 24 August
Irish Champion Stakes	Leopardstown, 8 September
St Leger Stakes	Doncaster, 15 September
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe	Longchamp, 7 October
Champion Stakes	Ascot, 20 October
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes	Ascot, 20 October

Plus 2 new ones, The Nassau Stakes and Coronation Cup

Jumps Edition 19 - 13.4.13

Headlines

Sprinter Sacre different class

Lieutenant In Command

Tent Pictches Up for Victory

Report

So we review Aintree and close another competition. Last Thursday in the 3m 1f Grade 1 Aintree Bowl Chase, First Lieutenant,( Bob, John), went to post, Held up towards rear, headway 10th to go mid-division, chased leaders before 13th, challenged and a narrow 2nd 2 out, led last 50 yards, winning gamely by ¾ l. He gets 29.4 points.

In the 2m 4f  Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, Zarkandar ( Bob, Steve, Tony), took his chance, Made all, pressed from 3 out, under pressure last, soon ridden, just held on near finish, winning by ½ l. He gets 61.4 points.

At Taunton in the 2m 3f handicap chase , Hunt Ball ( Cod, Martin, Peej, Tony), went to post, Jumped well, tracked leading pair, led going well 10th, came clear from 2 out, winning easily by 3 1/l, he gets 17.1points.

On Friday in the 2m grade 2 novice hurdle My Tent or Yours ( Martin, Steve), went to post, held up in 3^rd, not fluent 2^nd, smooth headway to track leading pair 6^th, led next went clear 2 out, eased run in winning easily by 16 l. He gets 26.4 points.

In the 2m4f Grade 1 Melling Chase Sprinter Sacre (All) took his chance, Tracked leaders on outside, poised to challenge 3 out, led on bit between last 2, clear last, winning very easily  and impressively by 4 ½ l. He gets 26.3 points.

And that was our last winner of the competition !

Points

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       March  April       Total

Neil                  275.7    26.3         790.1

John               386.1     55.7           776.3

Bob                313.1      117.1          766.8

Tony               306.5      104.8          761.5

Steve              226.8       114.1          735.7

Martin           215           69.8         616.1

Peej             280.5          43.4         596.9

Cod              226.7         43.4            540

Cliff            222.6            26.3           474.3

Very Fittingly John was trainer of the month for March

And Congratulations to Neil

Jumps Edition 18 - 4.4.13 - In Remembrance of John Torpey

It is with a heavy heart that I write this punter, with one of us now fallen. It is a very sobering reminder to all of us how tenuous our place is and how valuable the time spent with friends, so this little community and it’s days out are really very precious. 

John was a really lovely man, very dignified and proper in what he did.  Some of you have known him longer than I have and we will all have our own special memories of him . He was a very loyal supporter of this group, doing a couple of editions of the punter when my PC failed a while back, and attending many of our trips. He liked his guiness and a whiskey, was a loyal Wealdstone fan , and always spoke lovingly of his family. 

His 5p tin was legendary at the Cheltenham card table, and the memory I will hold most fond is of John making his tea at work. Not for John the modern cup from the machine, or even a tea bag in a cup. John had his tea pot in the office, and I will always picture John on his trip to the hot water point with his Tea pot. Real style and a true gent , we will all miss him .

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  275.7        763.8

John               386.1        720.8

Tony               306.5      656.7

Bob                313.1         649.7

Steve              226.8        621.6

Peej             280.5          553.5

Martin           215           546.3

Cod              226.7        496.6

Cliff            222.6           448

Aintree will be covered next week.