2015/16 Jumps Issue 6 - pre-Christmas situation

Headlines

Mercurey rises to top at Ascot

Vic rubs it in zat Fairyhouse

Allblak flattens rivals

Vroum Vroum roars home at Clonmel

Report

We start at Ascot last Friday where in the 2m 5f novice chase Le Mercurey ( Lee), went to post, held up in close touch, not fluent 11^th, progress to chase leader next, ridden after 3 out, keeping on but 2l down when left in lead last, driven out flat winning by 6l. He gets 37 points.

At Fairyhouse on Saturday, Killultagh Vic (Peej), took his chance in the 2m beginners chase, chased leaders, jumped left 5^th, led narrowly next, extended advantage before 4 out, still travelling well and eased clear before 2 out, winning easily by 15 l . He gets 23.2 points.

In the 2m3y  maiden hurdle, Allblak Des Places ( Neil), went to post, tracked leader in 2^nd, till led narrowly 1^st, slight mistake 4^th, still going best when joined briefly before last, where left in front, kept on well run in to win by 1 ¾ l. He gets 22.6 points.

At Clonmel on Tuesday in the 2 m mares hurdle Vroum Vroum Mag ( Cod), took her chance, Chased leader, 3rd halfway, improved to lead after 3 out, eased clear before last, not extended, winning by 3l. She gets 26.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      December       Total

Neil                   103.4             356.2

Bob                   77.5              229

Peej                   99.5              161.2

Cliff                   22.4             148.1

Cod                    53.1             145.1

Lee                     65.4            141.2

Tony                 33                  140.3

Martin                00                87.8

Steve                  00                66.6

News

Faugheen will try to repair his reputation in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day

The New One was narrowly beaten in this race two years ago by My Tent Or Yours but will be without regular partner Sam Twiston-Davies.

Despite the horse being trained by his father, Nigel, the jockey rides Old Guard for his boss, Paul Nicholls.

"It was an impossible situation for Sam, really," said Twiston-Davies, who has booked Noel Fehily

Douvan stars in a small but select field for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Unbeaten since arriving at Willie Mullins' yard from France, the five-year-old struck twice at the top table during his novice hurdle campaign and gave every indication he can rise to that sort of level over the larger obstacles when successful on his first crack at fences at Navan.

Henry de Bromhead's Sizing John heads the opposition and arguably sets the standard over fences thanks to last month's triumph in the Craddockstown Novice Chase, but he was put firmly in his place by Douvan on no less than three occasions last term

I wish you all a happy Christmas and lucky boxing day

2015/16 Jumps Issue 5 - a Happy Christmas to all

Headlines

Born Survives at Newbury

Bells Toll for rivals at Navan

That claims more points at Cheltenham

Me Waits for no one at Newbury

Gervey Chambertain wins at Lingfield

Report

We start at Warwick last Thursday where in the 2m 5f maiden hurdle Born Survivor ( Bob), went to post, always prominent, led 3 out, shaken up and edged left flat, winning readily by 2l. He gets 23.8 points.

At Cheltenham on Saturday in the 2m 4f novice chase, More of That ( Bob, Tony), took his chance, disputed lead till went clear 4^th, joined again 8^th, clever when in tight 13^th, ridden clear between last 2, kept on run in winning by 13l.

He gets 16.2 points

At Lingfield Gervey Chambertain ( Neil) went to post in the 2m 3f handicap hurdle, in touch, chased leaders after 4^th, led 2 out, soon in command wining easily by 11l . He gets 24.8 points.

At Navan on Sunday in the 2m 4f grade 2 hurdle Bellshill ( Peej), went to post, settled behind leader in 2^nd, till left in front 7^th, slight mistake 3 out when going well, extended advantage after next, pushed out run in winning easily by 12l. He gets 32.8 points.

At Newbury yesterday Wait For Me ( Cliff) took his chance in the 2m maiden hurdle, Tracked leaders, went 3rd 4 out, challenged and hit next, led 2 out, clear when went left last, ridden out, winning by 7l. He gets 22,4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      December       Total

Neil                   80.8               333.6

Bob                   77.5              229

Cliff                   22.4             148.1

Tony                 33                  140.3

Peej                   76.3              138

Cod                    26.9             118.9

Lee                     28.4              104.2

Martin                00                87.8

Steve                  00                66.6

News

Annie Power continues to please Willie Mullins in her recovery from a setback

Willie Mullins is confident Vautour's jumping will not be an issue in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree will not run again this year and could miss the rest of the season through injury.

Willie Mullins would "love" to have a crack at the Crabbie's Grand National with Don Poli.

Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam could return to Prestbury Park for the BetBright Cup Cotswold Chase on January 30.

2015/16 Jumps Issue 4 - another grey week!

Headlines

Al Ferof stars at Huntingdon 

Don Poli scores at Aintree

Yorkhill

Report

We start at Aintree last Saturday where in the 3m 1f listed chase, Don Poli ( Lee, Peej, Tony, went to post, tracked leading pair, saddle slipped on final circuit, pushed along to chase leaders 15^th, upsides 3 out, led last 200 yards forged clear to win by 4l . He gets 16.8 points.

At Huntingdon on Sunday Al Ferof (Neil), took his chance in the grade 2 chase, chased clear leader, closed after 9^th, , led and travelling best after 3 out, ridden between last two, 3l clear when left clear last, ridden out, winning by 40 l. He gets 56 points.

At Punchestown in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle, Yorkhill ( Bob, Lee), went to post, chased leaders, closed in 2^nd ½ way, dropped to 3^rd 4 out, improved again to 2^nd 2 out, and led travelling well at last, driven clear run in winning by 8 ½ l. He gets 11.6 points.

In the 2m 4f   John Durkan memorial grade 1 chase, Djakadam ( Bob, Cod, Peej) took his chance, settled behind leader, in 2^nd till lead before 2^nd, made rest, hampered by loose horse 3 out, still travelling well 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly to win by 12 l. He gets 26.9 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      December       Total

Neil                   56                308.8

Bob                   38.5              189.

Cliff                   00               125.7

Tony                 16.8               124.1

Cod                    26.9             118.9

Peej                   43.5              105.2

Lee                     28.4              104.2

Martin                00                87.8

Steve                  00                66.6

Congratulations to Neil, November trainer of the month

News

Rebecca Curtis is waiting on the results of blood tests before committing Irish Cavalier to the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup on Saturday at Cheltenham.

Vibrato Valtat is likely to be stepped up in trip in future after his defeat in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on Saturday

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.

2015/16 Jumps Issue 2 - action-packed edition

Headlines

Card is Ace in the Pack at Haydock

Douvan Trots up

Vautour slogs home at Ascot

Augusta Kate

Bristol De Mai scores at Warwick

Onenightinvienna wins at Exeter

Shaneshill

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 2m 5f novice chase, Vautour ( Bob, Cliff, Lee, Neil, Peej, Steve, Tony), went to post, edged left at fences, made all, mistake 11^th, going well before 2 out, shaken up before last, and pressed, driven out flat, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 26.2 points.

At Haydock in the 3m grade 1 Lancashire Chase, Cue Card (Neil), took his chance, always gioing well behind leader, led approaching 3 out, cruised clear approaching last, winning easily by 7l He gets 55 points.

At Exeter on Sunday in the 3m novice chase, Onenightinvienna (Bob) went to post, chased leader, nudged along from 10^th, short of room from 4 out, till switched left approaching 2 out, upsides at last, led on flat, stayed on well to win by 1 ¾ l. He gets 28 points.

At Navan in the 2m 1f beginners chase, Douvan (Not Cod), took his chance, made all, 6 l clear ½ way, reduced advantage 4 out, still travelling well and in command from 2 out, clear when slight mistake last, eased run in winning easily by 9l.

He gets 13.1 points.

In the 2m bumper Augusta Kate ( Martin), took her chance settled behind leader in 2^nd, took closer order before straight, smooth headway to lead approaching final furlong ridden clear winning easily by 7l  She gets 43.4 points.

At Warwick in the 2m novice chase, Bristol De Mai (Neil), went to post, Made all , jumped well, clear approaching 2 out, winning easily by 19l. He gets 23.4 points.

Today at Thurles in the 2m 2f beginners chase, Shaneshill (Tony), took his chance, Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead after 3 out, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, winning comfortably by 3 ¾ l. He gets 22.4 points.

  The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      November        Total

Neil                   117.7                117.7 

Bob                   113.1             113.1

Tony                 107.3               107.3

Martin                87.8               87.8

Cliff                   72.3                72.3

Steve                  66.6                66.6

Lee                     62.7               62.7

Peej                   61.5              61.5

Cod                    27.3                27.3

News

Top Notch, who was runner-up to Irving at Haydock last Saturday on his seasonal reappearance, renews rivalry at Newcastle on Saturday in the Fighting Fifth hurdle. He will be Nicky Henderson's sole representative after the Seven Barrows trainer withdrew his two other entries, Hargam and Sign Of A Victory at the 48-hour final declaration stage.

Saphir Du Rheu will be giving away upwards of 7lb to each of his 16 rivals in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, In Coneygree's absence, Nico De Boinville can still ride a Gold Cup winner as he takes the mount on Bobs Worth. Smad Place has been well supported for Alan King. Sixth in the race last season when his trainer felt he needed the run, he has not made the same mistake this season and arrives on the back of a comfortable success over Fingal Bay at Kempton. King also runs Ned Stark

Cheltenham Foxhunter winner On The Fringe Trainer Enda Bolger is looking to kick off the 10-year-old's campaign in the same hunter chase he has contested at Down Royal for the past two seasons.could make his seasonal return on Boxing Day