2016/17 Jumps Issue 12 - lots of points again

Headlines

Brave Clouds cast Gloom over Cheltenham

Dance Waltz’s Home at Leopardstown

Melon Harvests Points

Petit Mouchoir Lands Irish Champion

Un De Sceaux lands Clarence House

Mag has Just Enough Vroum at Doncaster

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Saturday where in the 2m Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, Un De Sceaux ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Tony) went to post, tracked leaders, led 10^th, landed awkwardly 2 out, kept on well from last, ridden out to win by 5l. He gets 51.5 points

In the 3m 1f grade 2 chase Many Clouds ( Cod), went to post, jumped well, tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden when strongly challenged 2 out, stayed on very gamely from last, headed and regained lead on run in, all out, winning by a head.  He gets 63.4 points. Sadly he collapsed and died afterwards. He has been a long standing feature in these columns .

At Doncaster in the grade 2 mares hurdle, Vroum Vroum Mag ( Bob, Cod, Lee, Micky Peej, Tony), took her chance, tracked leaders effort 3 out, 2^nd between last 2 , ridden to lead narrowly last, 150 yards,  all out, winning by a head . She gets 21.2 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday in the 2m maiden hurdle, Melon ( Micky), took his chance, chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, improved in to 2^nd 3 out, travelling well to lead approaching last, eased clear and mistake, winning easily by 10l. He gets 22.6 points

In the 2m 4f grade 2 novice hurdle, Let’s Dance ( Peej), took her chance, settled behind leader until left in front briefly at 6^th, where slightly hampered, haeded before next, led again 2 out and extended advantage travelling well before last, pushed out run in , winning easily by 6l. She gets 33 points.

In the 2m Grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle, Petit Mouchoir ( Neil), took his chance, disputed lead and led 1 st, made rest, pressed closely after 3 out, going well after 2 out, pushed out before last, where slight mistake, ridden and kept on flat, winning by 1l. He gets 103.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              January       Total

Steve                 37.5              613.1

Micky              22.6                  567

Martin             51.5               528.9

Tony                103.9               519.9

Neil                 128.6                 505.4

Lee                  67.7                 499.1

Cod                 69.6                 497.6

Peej                 49.2                 462.9

Cliff                108.1                 456.6

Bob                  28.9                 437.1

Congratulations to Neil who is January trainer of the month

News

Nicky Henderson has announced Buveur D'Air is to revert to hurdles for an intended crack at the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Douvan will face a maximum of five rivals in the BoyleSports Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday

Clan Des Obeaux is set to spearhead Paul Nicholls' challenge on the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Willie Mullins issued an upbeat bulletin on Faugheen having been forced to rule him out of the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.

Bristol De Mai will put his Gold Cup credentials on the line in the Betfair Denman Chase on Saturday week

Yanworth has been ruled out of Saturday's Betfred-sponsored Contenders Hurdle at Sandown with a minor problem

Native River, favourite in some bookmaker lists for the Randox Health Grand National, was not among the 110 entries on Wednesday

Cue Card is the main attraction among 14 entries for the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18