2014/15 Jumps Edition 14 - pre-Cheltenham snippets

Headlines

Creek Rocks Up at Kempton

De Grugy back on Champion Trail

Report

We start at Chepstow on Saturday, where in the 2mhandicap chase, Sire De Grugy ( Cliff, Martin, Peej, Tony), took his chance, jumped well, in touch in last early on, went 3^rd 5 out, eased in to 2^nd 3 out, led 2 out, shaken up to draw clear approaching last, in command and kept up to work on flat, winning by 7l. He gets 16.4 points.

 

At Kempton, Rocky Creek (Cliff), took his chance in the 3m handicap chase, raced wide, always prominent, led 12^th to next, led after 4 out, clear before 2 out, ridden out, winni9ng by 6l. He gets 66.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   February     Total

Tony          140.1              561.3

Cliff           106.8            511.1

Lee                                  429.8

Neil            66.9              367.5

Peej            118.8           345.5

Steve          64                 297.1

Martin         40.6             311.1

Cod           13.3               254.5

Bob            13.5              243.7

News

Nigel Twiston-Davies insists there is nothing between The New One and Faugheen in the Stan James Champion Hurdle. With Faugheen hot favourite for the Willie Mullins operation, the Naunton handler claims the "pressure is off a bit" as he prepares The New One for the highlight of day one of the Cheltenham Festival on March 10.

But Twiston-Davies believes there should be little disparity between the duo in the betting."The New One is really good - 100 per cent," said the trainer.

"The pressure is off a bit as he's not favourite, but it's nerve-racking and we are hoping everything goes smoothly."He's done brilliantly, but he's the same as Faugheen - neither have beaten championship horses this season.

"He quickens off any pace but we wouldn't want to let Faugheen get 10 lengths ahead.

Oliver Sherwood's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Many Clouds schooled for the first time on Thursday morning since his win at the track last month

Noel Meade is fearful of Silviniaco Conti when Road To Riches goes for gold at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

The County Meath handler this year has one of the main contenders for the Betfred Gold Cup after the eight-year-old added to his Grade One gains at Down Royal in November with a cool success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

But Meade is especially wary of Paul Nicholls' ante-post favourite, who has looked exceptional in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Meade said: "I think Silviniaco Conti is the one they have to beat as he has the best form in the race.

"If he can produce his King George run in Cheltenham, there's every reason to believe he's going to be very hard to beat.

"I don't think there's much between the Irish horses in the race

Noel Meade thinks the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be made to measure for Apache Stronghold.

Richie McLernon has guided Holywell to Cheltenham Festival glory for the last two seasons and trainer Jonjo O'Neill is banking on the combination coming good once more in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

Alan King is confident Balder Succes is in "very good form" ahead of his tilt at the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 1 

Aurore D'Estruval has been ruled out of the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback