2014/15 Jumps Edition 10 - Half the table trying to avoid the spoon

Headlines

Saphir Sparkles at Cheltenham

UnDe Sceaux Impressive at

Clouds Clear at Cheltenham

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Saturday where in the 3m 1f grade 2 chase, Many Clouds ( Cod, Lee), took his chance, soon disputing lead, led from 14^th, ridden when challenged 2 out, stayed on very gamely from last, edged right towards finish , driven  out, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 29.8 points.

In the 3m grade 2 hurdle Saphir Du Rheu ( Bob, Cliff, Lee), went to post, tracked leaders, travelling well in close 2^nd after 2 out, ridden after last, led entering last 100 yards, driven out, winning by a neck. He gets 28.7 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday Un De Sceaux ( Cod, Peej), took his chance in the 2m 1f grade 1 Arkle Novice Chase, made all 2l clear 3 out, pressed closely 2 out, still travelling well in lead approaching last, pushed clear run in , winning impressively by 15 l. He gets 26.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Lee            126.4          429.8

Tony           61.9          421.2

Cliff            112.8         404.3

Neil           26.1           299.6

Martin       26.1          270.5

Cod           72.6          241.2

Steve          54.1         232.6

Bob          103.7        230.2

Peej          85.6           226.7

News.

Al Ferof's next planned appearance in the Betfair Ascot Chase is set to determine his Cheltenham Festival target, according to owner John Hales.

Paul Nicholls' grey still holds entries in the Gold Cup, the Ryanair Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase, for which he is the shortest price of all three races in the ante-post betting.

But Hales wants to assess Al Ferof's next performance before thoughts turn to the Festival in March.

He told the punter: "Al Ferof is very well and is going to Ascot on February 14.

"He's in the three races at Cheltenham, but we'll probably have a better idea about where we stand after Ascot. Circumstances can change so it's not something that we can rush into."

Salsify, the 2013 Foxhunter Chase winner, could be in line for a popular return to Cheltenham in March Rodger Sweeney's prolific 10-year-old has been sidelined since December 2013 because of injury but has been earmarked for an imminent comeback.

Salsify is due to contest the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase - a race he won between 2012-13 - at Leopardstown on Sunday week, after which he will be geared up for the Foxhunter.

Nicky Henderson can see no reason why Sprinter Sacre should not improve on his comeback effort in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. You saw what he did at Ascot. That was all right. He's only got to come along from there, then we will be happy," said Henderson.