2013/14 Jumps Edition 5 - 19.12.13

Headlines

Briar Hill wins Match

The New One impessive at Cheltenham

Farmer Flies Sky High

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Friday where in the 2m 1f handicap hurdle, The Sky Farmer (Cliff), went to post, Mid-division, closed 3rd, challenged 3 out, led before last, soon pressed, stayed on well and drew clear final 100 yards, winning by 4l, he gets 28.6 points.

On Saturday in the 2m1 f grade 2 hurdle, The New One (All), took his chance, Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd before 3 out, led approaching last where not fluent, joined flat, ridden to assert, drew clear final 100 yards, winning by 6l, he gets 26.8 points.

On Sunday  at Navan in the 2m 4f grade 1 Novice hurdle Briar Hill ( Cod, Peej), took his chance, Made all, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, went clear from before last, stayed on well, winning by 4 1/l , he gets 26.1 ponts

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

            November,  December         Total

Neil            212.2          63.2          265.4

Peej           134.3         105.9            240.2   

Martin      106.7           64.7           171.4

Cliff            81.8         55                161.4

Tony          76.3          82               158.3

Cod            49.2           79.5           128.9

Bob           61                26.8          89.8

Steve           38.6           26.8           65.4

Apologies to Martin who only got single points for Diamond King, this has now been amended.

News

A mouthwatering clash between Hurricane Fly and Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor is still on the cards after the pair were among nine horses left in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday week Annie Power and Jezki are also entered.

2013/14 Jumps Edition 4 - 12.12.13

Headlines

Unioniste Rules At Aintree

Ligionniere Marches to Victory    

Report

We start at Aintree last Saturday , where in the 3m 1f listed chase, Unioniste ( Neil), went to post, held up in touch, went 2^nd from 15^th, not fluent 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out and stayed on well to draw clear flat, winning by 7l. He gets 36.4 points

At Punchestown on Sunday, Arvika Ligeonniere, ( Cliff, Peej),  went to post, in the 2m 4f grade 1 John Durkan memorial chase, tracked leader till 2^nd, soon led, in command and jumped well, from 2 out, winning easily by 9l. He gets 26.4 points.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

            November,  December         Total

Neil            212.2          36.4          238.6.

Peej           134.3         53             187.3   

Martin      106.7           26.6           133.3

Tony          76.3          55.2            131.5

Cliff            81.8         26.4            108.2

Bob           61                                  61

Cod            49.2           26.6           75.8

Steve           38.6                           38.6

2013/14 Jumps Edition 3 - 5.12.13

Headlines

    Flag Flies High At Newcastle

Tent Makes Pitch for Cheltenham.

Cossack Dances Home At Fairyhouse

Jezki makes Wining Return

Report

We start at Wetherby last week, wher in the 2m novice hurdle Diamond King ( Martin), took his chance, tracked leaders, led 3 out, shaken up and went clear readily, winning by 4 ½ l. He gets 11.3 points.

At Newcastle last Saturday where Green Flag ( Cliff), went to post in the 3m novice chase, chased leaders, niggled along ½ way, closed 5 out, led next, in front when left clear 2 out, winning by 9l. He gets 23.6 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Fighting 5^th hurdle My Tent Or Yours ( Cod, Martin, Peej, Steve, Tony), took his chance, took keen hold, held up, hit 5^th, not fluent next, smooth headway to lead 2 out, shaken up and quickend after last, winning comfortably by 3l. He gets 26.6 points.

At Newbury in the 3m 2f handicap chase, Rocky Creek ( Cliff, Steve ) took his chance, chased leaders, strong challenge from 3 out and upsides last, ridden soon after, kept on same pace, finishing 2^nd, beaten 2 ¾ l. He gets 12 points.

On Sunday at Fairyhouse, Don Cossack ( Tony) went to post in the 2m 4f grade 1 Drinmore novice chase, held up , jumped left at times, niggled along from ninth, went 2^nd before straight, under pressure from 2 out in 3^rd, good jump last and led flat, stayed on well to win by 1 ¾ l. He gets 55.2 points

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Hatton Grace hurdle, Jezki ( Cod, Martin, Peej), went to post, held up, not fluent 2nd, modest 4^th before 7^th, took closer order from 4 out, headway between horses from 3 out, and travelling well before 2 out, soon led, mistake last, kept on well run in , winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 26.6 points.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

            November,  December         Total

Neil            212.2                            202.2

Peej           134.3         26.6            160.9   

Martin      106.7           26.6           133.3

Tony          76.3          55.2            131.5

Cliff            81.8                              81.8

Bob           61                                  61

Cod            49.2           26.6           75.8

Steve           38.6                           38.6

I overstated Neil’s points by 10 last week which has been adjusted.

Neil was November trainer of the month.

News

Invictus broke down after the Hennessey and is likely to be retired

Trainer Kim Bailey is keen to see how Charlie Hall hero Harry Topper fares on a sounder surface as he faces just two opponents at Sandown on Friday. Harry Topper faces  Paul Nicholls trained Rolling Aces and Gary Moore's Vino Griego in the Future Stars Chase over an extended three miles, and Bailey said: "He's all ready to go and it will be an interesting race as it will be the

2013/14 Jumps Edition 2 - 28.11.13

Headlines

    Cue Plays Winning Card

   Annie Powers Home at Ascot Irving Scores At Ascot

   Chambertin wins at Haydock

Al Ferof wins Ascot Match

Pendra     

Report

Firstly a couple of corrections, we go back to Tuesday 19^th November at Wexford, where in the 2m 2f maiden hurdle Briar Hill ( Cod, Peej), went to post, disputed lead till led first, jumped slightly left at times, extended advantage from 4 out, pressed before 2 out, pushed clear again after 2 out, winning easily by 11l. He gets 11.1 points

Also , I only gave Neil single points for Valco De Touzaine, a single pick and that has now been amended.

So on to this busy week, starting at Ascot on Friday where in the 2m introductory hurdle, Irving ( Peej), went to post, Tracked leading pair, challenged 3 out, led narrowly before next, driven clear approaching last, ran on, well in command flat, winning  readily by 4l, he gets 24 points.

At Ascot on Saturday, in the 2m 3f grade 2 chase Al Ferof ( Neil), took his chance, Made all, set decent pace, in command from 12th, clear from 3 out, winning unchallenged by 8l. He gets 42.2 points.

 In the 2m 3f grade 2 hurdle, Annie Power ( Bob, Peej), took her chance, Held up in 4th, left 3rd at 4th, headway to track leader and hit 4 out, challenged and hit 2 out, quickened to lead last, soon driven and stayed on to forge clear final 150 yards, winning by 5l. She gets 26.3 points.

At Haydock in the 3m grade 3 fixed brush hurdle, Gevery Chambertin (Neil) went to post, Prominent, led 4th, 5 lengths clear 3 out, strongly challenged 2 out, hard ridden last, held on gamely, winning by ½ l, he gets 74 points.

In the 3m 1f grade 1 Lancashire Chase, Cue Card ( Martin, Neil, Peej), took his chance, Prominent, led 5th, challenged from 4 out, hard ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly, winning by 4 ½ l. He gets 34. 8 points.   

At Navan on Sunday Moyle Park ( Bob, Tony), took his chance in the 2m maiden hurdle, Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 6th, improved to lead 3 out, pushed along next, stayed on well run-in, winning easily by 6l. He gets 12.1 points

            On Tuesady at Lingfield in the 2m novice chase, Pendra ( Bob, Cliff), went to post, Tracked leader, went badly left 1st, challenged 6th, led approaching 8th, clear 2 out, winning easily by 2 ½ l. He gets 11.1 points.

Today at Taunton, The Skyfarmer (Cliff), took his chance in the 2m 3f novice hurdle, Tracked leader, challenged 2 out led  last, kept on well, winning by 2l, he gets 23.6 points.

At Newbury in the 3m grade 2 novice chase, Just A Par (Martin), took his chance, Led, headed after 13th, chased leader, led again 4 out, joined 2 out, stayed on to assert before last, pushed readily clear flat, winning by 14l . He gets 34 points.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               November,           Total

Neil            212.2               212.2

Peej           107.7                107.7   

Martin      68.8                    68.8

Bob           61                     61

Tony          49.7                    49.7

Cliff            46,2                   46.2

Cod            22.6                    22.6

 

News

My Tent Or Yours heads a field of eight for the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, His main rival is expected to be Melodic  Rendezvous Jeremy Scott's stable star missed the spring festivals after making a bright start to his hurdling career which included success in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January.

He also made a pleasing return when lifting the Elite hurdle at Wincanton earlier this month.

2013/14 Jumps Edition 1 - 21.11.13

Headlines

Hurricane Taxis In

   Champagne Pos in at Punchestown

Valco De Touzaine wins at Plumpton    

Report

I can’t remember the last time we went through the Paddy Power meeting without a winner but it happened last weekend.

So it was across the water at  Punchestown where the first points were gained.

On Saturday in the 2m 4f Beginners Chase, Champagne Fever ( Bob, Cod, Cliff, Neil, Peej, Tony ) went to post,    Made all, went clear from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, pushed clear before last, stayed on well, winning easily by 4l, he gets 11.5 points.                                                  

   On Sunday in the 2m grade 1 Morgiana hurdle, Hurricane Fly ( Neil, Tony), took his chance.

Tracked leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight and pushed along to lead approaching last, pushed out and kept on well run-in, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 26.1 points.

Hurricane Fly 1/ 16 wins at Punxchestown

At Leicester on Monday in the 2m novice chase, Valco De Touzaine ( Neil), went to post, Tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped left from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, ridden flat, edged left towards finish, stayed on, winning by 2 ¼ l . He gets 11. 8 points.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               November,           Total

Neil            49.4                    49.4

Tony          37.6                    37.6

Bob           11.5                     11.5

Cliff            11.5                    11.5

Cod            11.5                    11.5

Peej           11.5                     11.5    

News

All the major players are confirmed on course for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday in what could well be the classiest steeplechasing contest seen away from the Cheltenham Festival this season.

Market leader Bobs Worth is among eight runners to have been declared and the Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post favourite will face Silviniaco Conti and Dynaste, respectively the third and fourth favourites for that contest.

Cue Card, Long Run, Roi Du Mee, The Giant Bolster and Tidal Bay make up the field for a contest in which the average BHA rating is nearly 170 - a thrilling prospect for any jump racing fan

Trainer Jeremy Scott says it is likely Melodic Rendezvous will swerve the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday and instead run next weekend at Newcastle.

Jumps profile 13/14 - Whisper

Whisper 5 y bg Astrabad- Belle Yepa (Steve)

Smart gelding who has won 4 of his 6 starts, he made his debut at Ffos Las in April 2012, beating, Cheat The Cheater 15 l, and followed up in December in a 2m 4f novice hurdle at the same course, beating The Jugopolist 6l. He then finished 4^th at Cheltenham in January over 2m 4f, in a grade 2 hurdle, beaten 20l, the first two home being At Fishers Cross and The New one.  He returned to Ffos Las in February, winning a 2m 4f novice hurdle by 18l from Rydon Pynes, then was 4^th at Sandown in March in the grade 3 2m 4f novice handicap hurdle final, beaten 13l behind Close Touch. He finished the season with victory at Cheltenham in April, winning a 2m 4f novice hurdle by 1 ½ l from Valdez.

Well regarded at Seven Barrows, he is due to go novice chasing and is expected to a big player this season.

Trainer N. Henderson

Jumps Profile 13/14 - West Wizard

West Wizard 4 y br g Kings Theatre – Queens Diamond (Bob, Martin)

He won his only start at Kempton in March, taking a 2m bumper by 6l from The Pirate Queen. Nicky Henderson remarked after that he was seriously impressive and he did consider going to the Aintree bumper but decided to save him for this season. A big horse apparently who will be a chaser in time, he is well regarded at Seven Barrows and looks a good novice hurdle prospect.

Trainer N. Henderson

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Sprinter Sacre

Sprinter Sacre 7 bg Network – Fatima111 (Bob, Cliff, Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve, Tony)

An amazing horse, who has won 14 of his 16 starts, and looks invincible  over fences. He jumps superbly and has not appeared to make a semblance of a mistake over the bigger obstacles. A dual festival winner already, he should mop up all the top two mile races again, and as he won the 2m 4f Grade 1 Aintree Melling Chase last season, he could well be aimed at the King George later in his career. He finished last season with victory at Punchestown in the grade 1 Champion Chase , beating Sizing Europe 5 ½ l and raced 5 times last season in total, which is pretty good these days for such a top class horse, and will no doubt follow the same schedule.

Trainer N. Henderson

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Six Stone Ned

Six Stone Ned   7 y gr g Great Palm – Ashfield Rosie (Tony)

There is always a side competition for the best name and this is a strong contender ! Tony has certainly taken a chance here as the gelding has only won 2 of his 21 starts under rules. The first of those was in a 2m maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe in May last year where he beat Passasge Vendome 2 ½ l.  He then ran 9 times before his next victory in June this year,  when he won a 2m 4f beginners chase at Kilbeggan by 3/4l  from  Playtime Ben.  He has certainly been kept busy because he has run a further 6 times since then,  his best efforts, 2^nd in a 2m 4f novice chase at Killbeggan, beaten 15 l by Beechdale Lad, 2^nd at Punchestown in a grade 3 novice chase, beaten 5 ½ l by Art of Logistics over 2m 2f, and recently 3^rd at Galway in a 2m 1f grdae 3 novice chase, beaten 6 ½ l by Shrapnel. If not over tried he should win another nivice chase at least.

Trainer  N. Meade.

Jumps Profile 13/14 - The Sky Farmer

The Sky Farmer  5 br g Presenting – Koral Bay  (Cliff)

He had 4 runs in points in Ireland, winning at the final attempt, a 3m , 4y maiden at Rathcommon, beating Guidop Arrezzo 3l in September last year. He then moved across the water and made his English debut at Ascot in February this year in a 2m bumper, finishing a head 2^nd to Rd Sherlock, and then in March in a similar event at Kempton was 8l in 3^rd behind West Wizard. He finished last season with victory at Wincanton in another 2m bumper beating  Solstice Son 3l. He reappeared at  Newton Abbott in October , winning a 2m 3f novice hurdle by 3 ¾ l from Back In June and his trainer rates him highly.

Trainer P. Hobbs

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Standing Ovation

Standing Ovation 6 y bg Presenting -  Glittering Star (Steve)

Useful gelding winner of 4 of his 13 starts, but it was his latest performance that suggests the best is very much still to come . That was at Wincanton where he won the listed 3m 1f Badger Ales chase by 5l from Alfie Spinner, receiving 6lb from the runner up. He travelled and jumped really well and looked a horse very much on the up grade. He is now on an unbeaten run of 4 , his first win coming at the 10^th attempt, a handicap chase at Exeter over 3m beating Qianshan Leader a neck, followed up at Wincanton over 3m 1f in another handicap beating Tothemoonandback 1 ½ l, and then won a 3m 3f handicap chase at the same course, beating Highland Lodge 1 ¾ l. 

Trainer D. Pipe

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Sir Des Champs

Sir Des Champs 7 y bg  Robin Des Champs – Liste En Tete (Bob, Cod, Tony)

A top class stayer who progressed to finish last season with victory at the Punchestown Festival winning the 3m 1f Gold Cup by ¾ l from Long Run. He had previously finished 2^nd to Bob’s Worth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, beaten 7l and those two results probably sum up where he is in the pecking order currently. He has won 10 of his 17 starts and is probably best of the Irish stayers so should get plenty of points at home, though may come up short again at the Cheltenham  Festival

Trainer W. Mullins

Jumps Profile 13/14 - My Tent Or Yours

My Tent Or Yours 6 bg Desert Prince – Spartan Girl (Cod, Martin, Peej, Steve, Tony)

Winner of 5 of his 9 starts , and second in the other 4, he is a very decent horse. He made a winning debut at Ludlow in December 2011, winning a 1m 6f bumper by 9l from Rainbow Haze,  then finished 2^nd at Newbury and Aintree , the latter a 1 1/4l defeat by the New One in the grade 2 bumper. He reappeared at Ascot last November winning a 2m novice hurdle by  1 ¾ l from Tarquin De Soleil, then was second to stable mate Chatterbox at Newbury, beaten 4l, giving the winner 5lb. He then won a 2 m novice hurdle at Huntingdon by 7l from Population, giving 10 lb to the runner up , and followed up in the 2m grade 3 handicap hurdle at Newbury, giving Cotton Mill 7 lb and a 5l beating.  He then went to Cheltenham and was beaten ½ l by Champagne Fever in the 2m grade 1 Supreme Novice Hurdle, and finished the season with victory at Aintree  in the 2m grade hurdle, beating Forgotten Voice 16l.  He will win his share of races again this season

Trainer N.Henderson

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Moyle Park

Moyle Park  5 ch g Flemensfirth – Lovely Present  (Bob, Tony)

Just one of the many Willie Mullins could be any thing horses, thisn one is unbeaten in two runs, winning on his debut in a 2m bumper at Leopardstown last boxing day, beating Blackmail 4l and following up at Punchestown in April in another 2m bumper, beating Wrath of Titans ¾ l. He had changed trainers in between , and it is worth noting that before his debut, trainer Harry Kelly declared he expected to win and the horse was potentially Cheltenham class. Blackmail has gone on to win 3 times so this looks a very promising sort.

Trainer W. Mullins.

Jumps Profile 13/14 - Marlbrook

Marlbrook  5 b g Beneficient – Drinadaly (Cliff)

Unbeaten in two starts he made his debut in a 3m maiden point at Nenagh in January, beating Rockdown 4l. Always prominent he drew clear to win easily and his trainer Enda Bolger enthused afterwards that it was a special performance as there was plenty of chat in the ring about some of the opposition. He then won a 2m bumper at Gowran Park in March by 17l from All Day Long and falls in to that could be any thing category.

Trainer E. Bolger