2013/14 Jumps Edition 18 - 28.3.14

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                          March       Total

Peej                       324.7            788

Neil                        299.1           695.2

Tony                      137               652.3

Martin                    158.9           446.9

Cod                        197              437

Steve                      277.4            427

Bob                         214             408.4

Cliff                       60.4              345.6

News

Hurricane Fly and Annie Power are among the potential opponents for The New One in the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on Thursday. Grandouet, Melodic Rendezvous and Coral Cup winner Whisper also feature among 12 confirmations.

2013/14 Jumps Edition 17 - 20.3.14

Headlines

Dynaste Flies to Victory in Ryan Air

Wood is Very Good in Albert Bartlett

Windermere Lords it in Gold Cup

Le Vent De Antan wins at Navan

Report

Well last week it looked as if Peej had stolen a big march at the top, then we get two of the biggest points scorers in one edition ever, and it’s far from over !

We start at Cheltenham last Thursday where in the 2m 5f grade 1 RyanAir chase, Dynaste, (Cod, Martin, Neil, Steve, Tony), went to post, held up towards rear, improved from 4 out, pushed along and quickend to chase leaders approaching 2 out, , strong run to go close second last, led run in , found plenty to win by 2 ½ l. He gets 53.5 points.  

On Thursday in the 3m grade 1 Albert Bartlett novice hurdle, Very Wood (Bob), went to post, held up, steady headway after 3 out, ridden and switched left to go close 2^nd approaching last, led soon on run in stayed on well to draw clear final 1oo yards, he gets 153.8 points.

In the 3m 2f Grad1 Gold Cup Chase, Lord Windermere ( Neil), took his chance, in rear and detached 10^th, driven 4 out, still plenty to do 3 out, headway under pressure 2 out, chased leaders last, led and hung badly left run in , got up close home to win by a short head. He gets 146.8 points.

At Navan on Sunday in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle, Le Vent D’Antan ( Cod), went to post, soon tracked leaders, travelled well to lead 5 out, in command from 2 out, winning easily by 9l. He gets 23.2 points.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                          March       Total

Peej                       324.7            788

Neil                        299.1           695.2

Tony                      137               652.3

Martin                    158.9           446.9

Cod                        197              437

Steve                      277.4            427

Bob                         214             408.4

Cliff                       60.4              345.6

News

Following discussions last week with all concerned, next season’s jump competition will be extended to include the Punchestown Festival

2013/14 Jumps Edition 16 - 13.3.14

Headlines

Chartreaux lands Sandown Chase 

Jezki is Champion

O’Faolins is the Boy in RSA

Report

Well it’s not all about Cheltenham and we start at Sandown last Saturday, where Chartreaux ( Neil), went to post in the 3m handicap chase, jumped well, tracked leader, led 12^th, ridden clear  after 3 out, stayed on well up the hill to win by 4l. He gets 36.6 points.

At Cheltenham on Tuesday, in the 2m Arkle Chase, Champagne Fever ( Bob, Cod, Cliff, Neil, Peej, Tony), went to post, With leader, led 2nd, driven before 2 out, ridden and  hard pressed after last, kept on under pressure flat, headed post finishing 2^nd beaten a head, he gets 12 points.

In the 2m Champion Hurdle, Jexki ( Cod, Martin, Peej), My Tent Or Yours ( Cod, Martin, Peej, Steve, Tony), took their chances.

Jezki, Held up in touch, took keen hold, left close 3rd at the 3rd, not fluent 5th, led,  2 out, went slightly left just before last, driven 1 length clear flat, held on, to win by a head. He gets 61 points.

My Tent Or Yours, Held up, took keen hold, closed 3rd, hit 5th, close 4th 2 out, went 2nd before last, 1 length down flat, ran on well towards finish, just held, finishing 2^nd beaten a head. He gets 12 points.

On Wednesday in the 3m RSA Chase, O’Faolins Boy ( Peej), Smad Place ( Neil), went to post.

O’Faolins Boy, Niggled along at times in mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair next, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to lead narrowly final 50 yards, winning by a neck, he gets 126.6 points.

Smad Place, Mid-division in touch, headway 15th, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon hard pressed and ridden, kept on under pressure flat, headed and no extra final 50 yards finishing a neck second, he gets 24 points.

In the 2m 5f handicap hurdle, Whisper ( Steve), went to post, tracked leaders, headway 2 out, led  between last 2, soon ridden, strongly pressed flat, stayed on gamely, just held on, winning by short head, he gets 84 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                          March       Total

Peej                       324.7            788

Tony                      83. 5             598.8

Neil                        98.8            494.9

Martin                    105.4           393.4

Steve                      223.99           373.5

Cod                        120.3           360.3

Cliff                       60.4              345.6

Bob                         60  2           254.6

News

Big Buck's has been retired after finishing unplaced in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham. The brilliant eleven-year-old won the Grade One race a remarkable four successive times before missing last season's renewal following an injury setback.

Punters Guide to day 4

1.30   Guitar Pete, Tiger Roll, Royal Irish Hussar

2.05 Cheltenian, Arctic Fire, Alaivan

2.40 Briar Hill, Deputy Dan, Kings Palace

3.20 Silviniaco Conti, Bob’s Worth, The Giant Bolster

4.00Pearlysteps, Oscar Delta, Made in Time

4.40 The Sky Farmer, Vieux Lion Rouge, Shantou Magic

5.15 Raya Star, Eastlake, Next Sensation

2013/14 Jumps Edition 15 - 6.3.14

CHELTENHAM  PREVIEW EXCLUSIVE

No winners to report so the whole issue is a Cheltenham Preview.

TUESDAY

Supreme Novice Hurdle

In a lot of these races Willie Mullins will have more than one runner, he is likely to start both Wicklow Brave and Vautour here, Nicky Hendersons Josses Hill, and Paul Nicholls Irving and course and distance winner Dell Arca, give the home team strong chances.

 I like the look of Irving in what ever he runs in so he will do for me to lead home Vautour and Josses Hill.

Arkle Challenge Trophy

I have liked Rock On Ruby for this for some time, the only concern just two runs in soft events over fences. Dodging Bullets, Arnaud and Valdez, who Alan King is very pleased with all hold big chances.  I will stick with Rock ON Ruby to lead home Dodging Bullets and Valdez

2.40   3m  Handicap Chase

With more entries than slices of toast that the punters will devour at breakfasts next week, just finding some runners will be a start !

Any way, with Donald McCain in flying form, Indian Castle catches the eye, as does Jon Jo’s course and distance winner Twirling Magnet, the stable having won 2 of the last 5 runnings. Vintage Star, Restless Harry and Many Clods also have chances. I am going with Twirling Magnet to lead home Many Clouds and Indian Castle.

Champion Hurdle

This will be a fairly small but very competitive event. One of our brethren with connections across the water tells me that Our Connor has been laid out all season for this and will swat the Fly away. I rather hope the heavens open again Monday as I feel on heavy ground Melodic Rendezvous has a great shout, and The New One , My Tent or Yours and Jezki also hold live chances.

I am going to go with the info and have Our Connor to lead home Melodic Rendezvous and Hurricane Fly

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.

Standing dish Quevega should lead home stable mate Glen’s Melody, and Peej and I are hoping Doyly Carte can run in to a place.

Terry Biddlecombe Amateur Riders Novice Chase.

Who ever dreamt this up deserves shooting, and bigish satbles with good amateurs are the combo’s to look at. Shotgun Paddy, Merlins Wish, Don Cossack Corrin Wood, Black Thunder make up the short list. I am going to go with Black Thunder to lead home Shotgun Paddy and Merlins Wish.

2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase

Ericht, Persian Snow, Buywise, Ballinvarrig, Pendra, are the ones I wll be lokking at. . Charlie Longsdon reckons Pendra his best chance of the week, so I am going to hope he’s right, with Ballinvarrig, and Ericht to follow him home.

           

Wednesday

Neptune Novice Hurdle

Captain Cutter, Faugheen, Deputy Dan, Red Sherlock, set the standard, with Captain Cutter just preferred to Faugheen, and Deputy Dan.

RSA CHASE

Annacotty, Corrin Wood, Ballycasey, Black Thunder, Don Cossack O’Faolins Boy and Smad  Place head the ratings, I  take Corrin Wood, to lead home Black Thunder and O’Faolins Boy.

Coral Cup

A total guessing game but Perfect Gentleman, Willie Mullins says is on the up and one I am keen on so be warned, Blood Cotil is another to watch.

CHAMPION CHASE

This is very open, Sre De Grugy, Arvika Ligeonniere, Wishful Thinking, Sizing Europe, Benefficient, should have it between them. Willie Mullins is quite keen on Arvika Ligeonneire this time, Sire De Grugy has a big chance, and one of the old boys could get in the frame.

Sire De Grugy to lead home Arvika Ligeonniere and Wishful Thinking.

Cross Country Chase.

If Balthazar King runs he leads home Any Currency and Big Shu

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Ivan Grozny, Harristown, Violet Dancer, Carry on Sydney, Dawalan, should figure in a dodgy race, I’ll go with Carry On Sydney to lead home Dawalan and Harristown.

Champion Bumper

We all missed it last year, so whtver Ruby rides for Willie , to be followed home by Modus and Value at risk.

Points

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                          February         Total

Peej                       113.1            576.4

Tony                      59.5            574.8

Neil                        26.2            422.3

Cliff                       48.4              333.6

Martin                    32.4             320.4

Steve                      127.9          277.5

Cod                        35.3              275.3

Bob                         48.2           242.6

News

Tony McCoy fears he could have made the wrong choice in picking At Fishers Cross over More Of That for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle McCoy has stayed loyal to the Rebecca Curtis-trained At Fishers Cross, a Festival winner 12 months ago in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, despite Jonjo O'Neill's More Of That being unbeaten.

However, the latter has never run over three miles, and McCoy admitted that was a factor.

Writing on his blog for Cheltenham racecourse, McCoy said: "It was a tough decision, I rode More Of That this morning and he is flying.

"I was on him thinking 'maybe I should be riding him at Cheltenham' but the only worry I have is that it will be his first run at three miles

 

My Tent Or Yours confirmed his well-being for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a pleasing workout at Seven Barrows, Nicky Henderson said the two-times Grade One winner has now recovered from a wound in a sole of a foot which had led to a slight concern over his participation in the big race on theopening day of the Festival