2014/15 Jumps Edition 5 - lots of points and winners

Headlines

King Makes Cheltenham his Palace

Ulzanas Cheltenham Raid a success

West Pops The Champagne

Hargrambattles to Cheltenham win

The New One  scores in Style

Valyssa Monterg scores at Tramore

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Friday where in the 3m 1f novice chase, Kings Palace (Steve), went to post, Made all, not fluent 4th, shaken up and went clear flat, winning easily by7l. He gets 27.4 points.

In the 3m handicap hurdle Ulzanas Raid (Steve), took his chance, Mid-division, closed 7th, led last, hard pressed flat, headed final 75 yards, battled gamely to lead again close home, winning by a nose. He gets 33.8 points.

On Saturday in the 2m 1f juvenile hurdle Hargram ( Bob, Neil), went to post, Took keen hold early, held up in 5th, closed from 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 13.5 points.

In the 2m 5f novice chase Champagne West ( Martin), took his chance, Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, not fluent next, went 2nd 12th, about 1 length down when left in lead 4 out, shaken up 2 out, not fluent last, driven out, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 26. 6 points.

In the 2m 1f Grade 2 hurdle, The New One ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Chased leader, jumped slightly right at times, led approaching last, quickened clear final 150 yards, winning comfortably by 4 ½ l. He gets 26.3 points.

At Tramore in the 2m maiden hurdle Valyssa Monterg (Bob), took her chance Prominent, soon 2nd, challenged 2 out and slight mistake, pushed along to gain narrow lead last, ridden out run-in, stayed on well, winning by 4 ½ l . She gets 22.4 points.

At Newbury on Wednesday in the 3m limited handicap chase Gervey Chambertin (Neil), went to post, Made all, ridden between last two, stayed on well run-in, winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 39.2 points.

Going back a week , I missed Vibrato Valtat (Neil), who won the Grade 1 Henry V111 Novice chase, Chased leaders, under pressure after 2 out, ridden to lead after last, soon hung badly left, ran on well (1 fence omitted, winning by 2l He gets 41 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               December       Total

Tony           55                226.1

Neil           106.5           200.9

Lee            40.1             178.6

Martin       52.9            165.4

Cliff            40.1            158.3

Steve          87.5            153.5

Cod           00               131.3

Bob          49.7               100.3

Peej          26.3               91.8

News

Willie Mullins believes Vautour's jumping technique will stand him in good stead as he prepares to make his second appearance over fences at Leopardstown next week

Willie Mullins says he expects "huge improvement" from Faugheen in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton

Ruby Walsh expects Un De Sceaux to run at Fairyhouse on Saturday rather than make the trip across the Irish Sea to Haydock.

Hennessy winner Many Clouds will not be running in the Lexus Chase and is likely to reappear for a Gold Cup trial in the new year

Emerging Talent looks to follow in the steps of Irving by winning Friday's Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle at Ascot.

It probably says something about the regard in which Josses Hill is held in at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard that he makes his chasing debut in the Mitie Novices' Chase at Ascot on Friday.

Henderson chose the Grade Two contest, registered as the Noel Novices' Chase, as the starting point for Simonsig's chasing career two years ago

Nicky Henderson's Bobs Worth, winner of the Lexus 12 months ago, is on course to make his seasonal debut in the Grade One.

He is likely to clash with Lord Windermere, the reigning Gold Cup hero who made an encouraging reappearance over a trip short of his best in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Bobs Worth's partner Barry Geraghty admits it is not ideal heading into the race without the aid of a prep-run.

"He's shaping up well," said the jockey. "Ideally you'd have liked to have had a run under your belt but it wasn't to be."

Anther horse due to travel from England is Sam Winner, successful in both of his races this season.

"He's on the fringe of Gold Cup class," trainer Paul Nicholls told Racing UK. "The only thing is that he has to go left-handed, but that works for Leopardstown."

Jonjo O'Neill's Holywell is another who may make the journey across the Irish Sea.

As well as Lord Windermere, the home defence is headed by Don Cossack, a revelation this season for Gordon Elliott.

Willie Mullins has left in Champagne Fever, but he is being aimed at the King George at Kempton.

The Closutton handler is instead likely to rely upon Boston Bob and On His Own.

Donkey of the week

Mad Moose who was more stubborn than a donkey and failed to get his front feet any where  near the starting line, let alone his back one’s over it on Saturday.

He is now likely to be banned permanently.