2014/15 Jumps Edition 9 - Cheltenham countdown is on

Headlines

Vautour Strolls home At Leopardstown

The New One Scrambles home at Haydock

Djakadam

Report

We start at Haydock on Saturday where in the 2m grade 2 hurdle, The New One ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post, jumped right several times, chased leaders, went 2^nd 5^th, lost 2^nd before 3 out, where mistake, rallied approaching 2 out, to regain 2^nd, 2l down at last, stayed on well run in, all out, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 26.1 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday Vautour ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Peej) went to post in the grade 2 novice chase, made all, jumped slightly left at times, extended advantage before 5^th, not fluent 7^th, pressed closely but still going well before 2 oput, in command and still travelling approaching last, left well clear winning easily by 92l.

He gets 16.2 points.

 

Today at Gowran Park in the 3m 1f handicap chase, Djakadam (Bob, Cliff, Lee), took his chance, Mid-division early, chased leaders from 6th, 4th halfway, improved to dispute before straight, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly, winning by 8l.

He gets 30.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           61.9          421.2

Cliff            84.1         375.6

Lee            67.9          371.3

Neil           26.1           299.6

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          54.1         232.6

Bob          75               201.5

Peej          59              200.1

Cod           16.2             184.8

News.

Kings Palace and Don Poli are the headline acts in an entry of 54 for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham on March 11.

Easter Day is 9/2 favourite with the sponsors for Saturday's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster after 15 horses were declared.

Gary Moore has conceded that Sire De Grugy is likely to be short of peak fitness when he makes his eagerly-awaited return in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 7.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 8 - Tony piling on the pressure

Headlines

Balder finds Succes At Kempton

Josses Hill Scrpaes Home At Doncaster

Cossack Wins at Thurles

Report

We start at Doncaster last Friday where in the 2m novice chase Josses Hill ( Cliff, Lee, Steve), took his chance, chased leading pair, to 3^rd, headway to close 7^th, close 2^nd 2 out, soon driven, led last stayed on flat, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 11.3 points.

 

At Kempton on Saturday Balder Succes ( Peej, Steve, Tony), went to post, chased leader, jumped in to lead 12^th, drew clear after 3 out, well in command when dived at last, pushed out, winning comfortably by 1l. He gets 16.7 points.

Today at Thurles Don Cossack (Tony), took his chance in the 2m 4f grade 2 chase, Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2 out, ridden to challenge and left clear last, kept on well, winning by 44l. He gets 45.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           61.9          421.2

Lee            11.3            314.7

Cliff            11.3        302.8

Neil           00           273.5

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          28           206.5

Cod           00             168.6

Peej          16.7            157.8

Bob          28.4            154.9

News.

Exciting novice chaser Josses Hill could make an appearance at Musselburgh next month on his way to Cheltenham

Annie Power tops a list of 48 entries for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle which will be run as a Grade One contest for the first time at this year's Cheltenham Festival

Sprinter Sacre is set to line up for the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday after trainer Nicky Henderson "pressed the green button" following an all-important walk of the course on Thursday morning

Owner Andy Stewart has revealed Saphir Du Rheu will revert to smaller obstacles for a likely tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 7 - only one winner

Headlines

Aurore Lights Up Sandown

Report

At Sandown on Saturday in the 2m 4f listed mares hurdle Aurore D’Estruval ( Bob), took her chance, always going well behind leaders, effort on bit 2 out, lead approaching last, driven out , winning by2l. She gets 28.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           00             359.3

Lee            00            303.4

Cliff            00          291.5

Neil           00           273.5

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          00            178.5

Cod           00             168.6

Bob          28.4            154.9

Peej          00               141.1

Apologies, Tony’s points were wrongly shown last week, now correct and he was trainer of the Month

News

Gordon Elliott will consider letting stable star Don Cossack turn out for next week's Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles

Racegoers at Doncaster on Friday are in for a treat when 2011 Cheltenham Bumper winner Cheltenian takes on last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Josses Hill over fences at Doncaster.

Nicky Henderson does not expect Simonsig to run again this season after the grey was not entered in any of the championship races at the Cheltenham Festival