2015/16 Jumps Issue 3 - Runaway leader

Headlines

Smad puts Rivals in their Place

Petit Mouchoir Wins At Thurles

Tombstome lays rivals to rest

Champers Pops in at Newbury

Dog Bites rivals at Fairyhouse

Hero scores at Fairyhouse

Report

We start at Thurles last Thursday where in the 2m maiden hurdle Petit Mouchoir (Cod, Neil), took his chance, settled close up behind leaders, disputed lead from third, not fluent next led before 5^th, narrow advantage when not fluent 3 out, slight mistake next, extended advantage approaching last, going well, kept on well winning comfortably by 3l. He gets 11.1 points.

At Nebury on Friday in the 2m 4f novice hurdle, Champers on Ice ( Bob, Lee), Went to post in the 2m 4f novice hurdle, made all , not fluent mistake 3 out, ridden and dived at last, stayed on ridden out, winning by ¾ l. He gets 12.8 points.

At Newbury on Saturday in the 3m 2f Hennessy Gold Cup, Smad Place ( Neil), took his chance, jumped right, chased leaders, went 2^nd after 5^th, led from 10^th, made rest drew clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, winning impressively by 12l. He gets 124 points.

At Fairyhouse in the 2m 2f maiden hurdle Tobstone ( Bob), went to post, chased leaders, raced keenly, early, close 4^th 4 out, improved travelling well behind leader in 2^nd after 2 out, led before last, pushed clear run in to win easily by 5l. He gets 24.6 points.

On Sunday in the 2m Grade 1 Royal Bond novice hurdle Long Dog ( Cliff), took his chance, settled in 2^nd, slight mistake 4 out, disputed lead after 3 out, led before 2 out, , not fluent and strongly pressed before last, rallied and extended advantage run in , reduced advantage close home, all out , winning by a neck. He gets 53.4 points.

In the 2m 4f  Grade 1 Drinmore novice chase, No More Heroes ( Cod), took his chance, close up and raced keenly early , 3^rd ½ way, led travelling well approaching straight, pressed but going best at last, kept on well run in  , eased close home, winning comfortably by 2 ½ l. He gets 53.6 points.

  The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      November        Total

Neil                   252.8              252.8

Bob                   150.5             150.5

Cliff                   125.7              125.7

Tony                 107.3               107.3

Cod                    92                   92

Martin                87.8               87.8

Lee                     75.5              75.5

Steve                  66.6                66.6

Peej                   61.5              61.5

News

Ante-post favourite Un De Sceaux will not run in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday, with trainer Willie Mullins describing his star two-miler as a "little flat", The absence of Mullins' gelding, who was reported to have thrilled connections when schooling after racing at Thurles last week, has left the Paul Nicholls-trained Vibrato Valtat as the 7-4 favourite.

Connections of Coneygree would not be unduly concerned if the star chaser waited until the new year before he runs again.

Gordon Elliott feels Don Cossack could not be in ruder health as he gears up for a likely assault on the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day

No plans will be made for Maximiser for the next couple of weeks after his crunching fall at Newbury last week.