2016/17 Jumps Issue 7 - this competition is getting silly!

Headlines

Rivals Crack as Thistle is Crowned Kempton King

Altior  Soars to Victory

River Flows to Chepstow Victory

Elgin lands Kempton Win

Rivals MIN imised at Leopardstown

Douvan powers home at Leopardstown

Yanworth a Christmas Cracker at Kempton

Bacardy’s are on Micky !!

Bells Ring out  at Limerick

Rivals let Dance  Waltz home at Leopardstown

Opponents Crack under pressure at Limerick

Report

We start at Kempton on Boxing Day, where in the 2m novice hurdle, Elgin ( Cliff), went to post, Raced keenly, held up disputing 5th, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 2 out, led soon after 2 out, skaken up and clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 35.2 points

In the 2m grade 1 Christmas hurdle, Yanworth ( Bob, Lee, Peej, Steve) took his chance, Never that fluent, tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd and 5th, pushed along to close before 2 out, 2nd between last two, driven to lead approaching the last, stayed on strongly to forge clear run-in, winning by 3 ¼ l. He gets 27.2 points.

In the 3m grade 1 King George V1 Chase, Thistlecrack ( Not Tony), Cue Card ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Neil), took their chances.

Thistlecrack, Jumped well, led until 2nd, tracked leader, led again 9th, clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, winning impressively by 3 ¼ l. He gets 52 points.

Cue Card ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Neil) Held up tracking leaders, went 3rd 8th, disputing close 2nd after next, outright 2nd when hit 10th, dropped to 3rd next, tracked winner again 12th, hit next, ridden and no impression before 3 out, just held on for 2^nd, beaten 3 ¼ l. He gets 12 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m 1f Grade 1 Novice Chase, Min ( Tony) went to post, Soon led, jumped slightly right 3rd, asserted straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, winning easily by 9l. He gets 53.2 points.

At Limerick in the 2m3f grade 2 novice chase, Bellshill (Tony), went to post, Chased leaders in 3rd, good progress to challenge on inner before 2 out and soon led, kept on well under pressure run-in, winning by 3 ¼ l. He gets 42.4 points.

On Tuesday at Kempton in the 2m novice  chase, Altior ( Not Tony), went to post, Jumped well, tracked leading pair, 2nd 7th, led travelling well 3 out, soon clear, winning  very easily by 18l. He gets 16.1 points.

At Chepstow in the 3m 5f Welsh Grand National Native River ( Micky), took his chance, Prominent, not fluent 3rd, led 7th, headed next, led 10th, clear 4 out, ridden out, reduced lead towards finish, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 57 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m maiden hurdle, Barcardy’s ( Micky), went to post,

Prominent, 5th after 3rd, closed and not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along, challenged approaching last, soon on terms, led run-in, stayed on best to assert closing stages, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 23 points.

In the 2m 1f Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase Douvan ( Not Steve), went to post, Chased leader, closed 6th, led after 2 out, asserted approaching last, pushed out briefly run-in, stayed on well, winning easily by 8l. He gets 26.1 points.

On Wednesday at Leopardstown, Vroum Vroum Mag   ( Bob, Cod, Lee, Micky, Peej, Tony), took her chance in the  3m grade 1 Christmas Hurdle, Soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd after 7th, improved to challenge travelling well entering straight, narrow lead last and left 2-lengths clear, ridden and kept on well run-in winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 26.4 points.

Today at Leopardstown in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Battleford ( Peej), went to post, Made virtually all, mistake 5th and joined briefly next, slight mistake 3 out and pressed next, pushed along to assert and 3 lengths clear before last, ridden and kept on run-in, winning by 2l. He gets 22.6 points.

In the 2m 4f grade 3 mares hurdle, Let’s Dance ( Peej), took her chance, Led, joined 4 out, led again 2 out, travelled well and drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, winning very easily by 19l. She gets 32.4 points.

In the 2m Grade 1 Ryan Air Hurdle, Petit Mouchoir ( Neil), went to post, Ran freely early and led 1st, 3 lengths lead halfway, pressed after 3 out, asserted after next, pushed along and 6 lengths clear before last, stayed on well, winning by 7l. He gets 64.4 points.

In the 2m 3f ,

Maiden hurdle at Limerick, Pylonthepressure ( Tony) took his chance, Disputed lead, led 6th, went on from 2 out, slightly reduced lead last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 23. 8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   December      Total

Steve                340.3           564.4

Micky              392               544.4

Martin             265,3           443.6

Lee                  311.3           420.2

Tony                320.2          418

Cod                 350.6            406.5

Peej                 245.6         402.5

Bob                 285.7           396.7

Neil                 260.8           376.8

Cliff                248.4            348.5

News

Trainer Colin Tizzard will consider switching Cue Card to the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after he proved no match for Thistlecrack in the King George VI Chase at Kempton

Owner Rich Ricci hopes Faugheen will return to action in the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29

Alan King believes that the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown could act as an ideal prep race for Yanworth ahead of an outing in the Champion Hurdle.

Buveur D'Air has just two rivals in the Watch Racing UK Free on December 31 Novices' Chase at Haydock on Friday as he returns to the scene of his debut success over fences

Josies Orders, winner of the cross-country chase at this year's Cheltenham Festival, is out for the rest of the season. "He has met with a setback and will be out for the season," Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.told the Punter

2016/17 Jumps Issue 6 - Ashers powers on

Headlines

Copper mines Exeter points

Capitaine in Charge at Ascot

Politolouge sets agenda at Ascot

Brain Powers home at Ascot

Top Notchs another Victory

Yorkhill wins at Fairyhouse

Ginge makes a Splash at Haydock

Buveuir D’Air scores at Haydock

Kilcrae Vale lands Ludlow

Report

We start at Exeter last Thursday where in the 2m 7f maiden hurdle, Give Me A Copper ( Micky) took his chance, Tracked leaders on outside, hit 6th, left in close 2nd next, led on bit 3 out, clear when hit next, winning easily by 14l, he gets 23.6 points.

On Friday at Ascot in the 2m grade 2 hurdle Capitaine ( Bob), went to post, jumped well, raced keenly, made all, clear after 2nd until 3 out, ridden and pressed between last two, forged clear from last, stayed on strongly, driven out, winning by 3 1/2l. He gets 46.2 points.

In the 2m 5f novice chase Politolouge ( Steve) took his chance, Jumped boldly, made all, clear 8th until given breather 12th, drew away again after 3 out, pushed along approaching last, reduced lead and ridden out towards finish but unchallenged winning by 4l. He gets 33.6 points

At Ascot on Saturday in the 2m 5f graduation chase, Top Notch ( Martin) went to post, Held up disputing 3rd behind clear leading pair, reached for 11th, 2nd place approaching 13th, 3 lengths down after 3 out and closing, led approaching the last, in command in closing stages, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 33.2 points.

In the 2m handicap hurdle Brain Power ( Steve), Took his chance , Well placed on outside, 2nd travelling well after 3 out, led last, edged right and quickened clear run-in, ridden out, winning by 5l. He gets 76.2 points.

At Haydock in the 2m novice chase, Buveur D’Air (Lee, Martin Peej, Steve), went to post, Chased leaders, not fluent when closing 2 out, challenged last, soon led and quickened clear winning by 3 ¼ l. He gets 13.8 points.

In the 2m 7f handicap chase, Splash Of Ginge ( Cod), took his chance, Always handy, led 8th, headed next, led again 3 out, pressed and held on very gamely run in , winning by 3/4l.

He gets 41 points.

At Fairyhouse in the 2m Beginners chase, Yorkhill ( Bob, Cod, Lee, Peej, Tony) took his chance, Tracked leaders, a little keen, jumped slightly left 1st, 2nd from 2nd, soon on terms, led 3rd where jumped left and inclined to do so after, asserted between last 2, stayed on well run-in, winning  easily by 14l. He gets 11.1 points.

At Ludlow on Wednesday in the 2m 4f novice chase, Kilcrea Vale ( Lee), went to post, Tracked leader, keen, led before 4 out, clear after 2 out, winning easily by 19l. He gets 14.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   December      Total

Steve                245           469.1

Micky              191.4           343.8

Martin             159.1           337.4

Cod                 230.5          273.8

Lee                  151.8         260.4

Bob                 137.9         248.9

Tony                148.3         246.1

Cliff                110             207.1

Neil                 90.2            206.2

Peej                 67.2           199.7

News

Willie Mullins must rely on crack mare Vroum Vroum Mag if he is to win the 32Red Christmas Hurdle for a third year in a row at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Although Faugheen did not figure among the possibles for Kempton, Walsh believes the 2015 Champion Hurdle hero will be back in action shortly. He told Racing UK: "Willie didn't enter Faugheen. I don't think he thought Faugheen was ready to go to England just yet.

"Faugheen is fine, not a bother on him. He's in at Leopardstown on the 29th. I don't know if he's going to run there or not, but it won't be too long before you see him.

Paddy Brennan believes that Cue Card is better than ever ahead of the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Thistlecrack's jockey Tom Scudamore feels the time is right for last season's champion staying hurdler to take on the cream of chasing talent at Kempton on Boxing Day in the 32Red King George VI Chase.

Oliver Sherwood is to swerve an outing in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown next week with 2015 Grand National winner Many Clouds

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