2016/17 Jumps Issue 5 - plenty of points gained and positions changed

Headlines

Frodon lands the Caviar

Douvan puts in Corking Display

Djakadam lands John Durkan Cjase

Dear makes rivals pay Dearly

No Comment at Plumpton

Le Prezien scores at Exeter

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Saturday where in the grade 3 handicap chase, Frodon ( Micky ) took his chance, Chased leaders, closed 4 out, 2nd last, soon led, driven out, winning by 1 ½ l , he gets 82.6 points.

At Cork on Sunday in the 2m 1f grade 2 chase, Douvan ( Not Steve), went to post, Soon led, jumped well, asserted after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on well, winning  impressively by 22l. he gets 21.1 points.

In the 2m 1f grade 3 mares novice chase, Listen Dear ( Tony) took her chance, Soon led, 6 lengths clear at 6th, reduced advantage at 8th, asserted after 4 out, kept on well, winning very easily by 8l. She gets 33. Points.

At Punchestown in the 2m 4f grade 1 John Durkan Memorial chase, Djakadam ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Tony), went to post, Close up in 2nd, hit 7th, on terms 5 out, led after 2 out, quickly pressed, stayed on best run-in, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 26.6 points.

On Monday at Plumpton in the 2m 4f novice hurdle, No Comment ( Bob, Steve), took his chance, Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, led going well next, clear last, winning cosily by 2 ¾ l. He gets 11.7 points.

At Exeter today in the 2m 1f graduation chase, Le Prezien ( Steve), took his chance, Le Prezien was largely accurate over his fences and, with his race and market rival conceding ground at every fence in the home straight, needed only to be pushed out for a comfortable victory, winning  by2 ¾ l . He gets 27.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   December      Total

Steve                135.2           359.3

Micky              167.8           320.2

Martin             112.1           290.4

Tony                137.2           235

Cod                 178.4          221.7

Lee                  112.1           220.7

Cliff                110             207.1

Neil                 90.2            206.2

Bob                 80.6             191.6

Peej                 42.3           174.8

News

Connections of Thistlecrack have still yet to decide whether to pitch the exciting prospect into the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Ruby Walsh declared himself to be happy with Djakadam's winning return in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday, "I suppose on ratings he was entitled to win but he didn't do anything that we didn't think he was capable of doing," he said.

"It was a good performance. He jumped really well in the main, he made one mistake at the bottom of the hill but he just got a little bit tired but he quickened up well going to the second last.

Nicky Henderson's exciting French import Kotkikova will not run in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday and could instead be seen at Leopardstown over Christmas

Gary Moore has ruled out supplementing Ar Mad for the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day