2016/17 Jumps Issue 1 - all but one off the mark

Headlines

Thistle Cracks Rivals at Cheltenham

Martin Bagues Wetherby points.

Moon Races home at Cheltenham

Le Prezien takes Arkle Trial

Report

After a blank first day of the competition, things got under way on day. At Cheltenham in the 3m novice chase where Thistlecrack (Not Tony), went to post, led till 2^nd, tracked leader, blundered 5^th, led and quickend pace 11^th, soon clear, reduved advantage 3out, but extended again before next, eased on run in winning easily by 3 ½ l. He gets 16.1 points.

At Wetherby in the 2m mares novice hurdle, La Bague Au Roi ( Martin), took her chance, made all, not fluent 5^th, pushed clear after 2 out, eased towards finish, winning easily by 5l. She gets 23 points.

On Sunday at Cheltenham in the 2m grade 2 novice hurdle, Moon Racer ( Bob, Peej), took his chance, tracked leader challenged 2 out, soon led, kept on well run in, ridden out, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 18 points.

In the 2m grade 2 novice chase, Le Prezien ( (Steve), took his chance, tracked leading trio, not fluent 2^nd or 7^th, headway 3 out, shaken up to challenge when left in lead 2 out, stayed on strongly, winning by 4l. He gets 33.2 points.

Yesterday at Warwick in the 2m novice chase, Top Notch (Martin), took his chance, Chased leaders, challenged 8th, soon led, headed after hitting 4 out, led again going well before 2 out, clear approaching last, winning  very easily by 15l . He gets 22.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   November      Total

Martin             61.3           61.3

Steve                49.3          49.3

Bob                 34.1             34.1

Cliff                16.1             16.1

Cod                 16.1            16.1

Lee                  16.1            16.1

Micky              16.1           16.1

Neil                 16.1           16.1 

Peej                 341           34.1

News

Ben Pauling does not expect to know how long Barters Hill will be on the sidelines for until a couple of weeks have elapsed. "He's fine, he had a good night but he's a bit sore," said Pauling. "He's in no real discomfort as he's on pain killers, he's as well as can be expected I suppose.

"There's been no miracle cure overnight but on the other hand there's been no major setback.

"We'll only know how long he will be out for in the next few weeks I imagine."

Henry de Bromhead will aim to win the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle for a second successive year after nominating Petit Mouchoir for the big race at Newcastle on November 26