2016/17 Jumps Issue 14 - Lots of points gained this week

Headlines

Politilouge

River Flows to success at Newbury

Altior

Ballyandy wins Betfair Hurdle

Barcardy’s is aRum do

Report

We start at Kempton last Friday, where in the 2m 4f graduation chase, Politilouge (Steve), went to post, made all, clear from 3 out, winning by 11l. He gets 26.2 points.

At Newbury on Saturday in the 2m 7f grade 2 chase, Native River ( Micky), took his chance,

Made all, pressed 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 1 length advantage last, quickened clear flat, ran on well, winning by 3 ¼ l. He gets 43.8 points.

In the 2m grade 2 chase, Altior ( Not Tony)took his chance, Jumped well, led to 4th, with leader, regained narrow lead 6th, drew clear on bit from 4 out, Winning impressively by 13l. He gets 21.2 points.

In the grade 3 handicap hurdle, Ballyandy ( Lee), went to post, Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led narrowly going well before next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 107.6 points.

On Sunday in the 2m 2f Grade 1 Deloitte novice hurdle, Barcardys ( Micky), went to post, Held up towards rear, 9th at 2nd, headway and pushed along from 2 out, 3rd approaching last where 2nd and jumped left, challenged run-in, led from 100yds out, stayed on well winning by ¾ l. He gets 68.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              February       Total

Micky              172.2                  739.2

Steve                 60.6                673.7

Lee                  158.1               657.2

Martin             96.7                625.6

Neil                 37.3                  542.7

Tony                16.1               536

Cod                 37.3                534.9

Peej                 50.5               513.5

Cliff                37.3               493.9

Bob                  37.3              464.4

News

Patrick Mullins believes Bacardys could be competitive in either the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival

Timeform, the Halifax-based ratings experts, has Thistlecrack top of its weight-adjusted ratings on 186 for the feature £575,000 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, narrowly ahead of last year's runner-up Djakadam and stablemate Cue Card (184+) who has been scratched from the Ryanair Chase.

The 29 confirmations also include Hennessy Gold Cup hero Native River (178p)

With his form being franked all the time, Moon Racer has still not yet been ruled out of the Stan James Champion Hurdle picture, according to trainer David Pipe

Cue Card heads a field of six for the Betfair Ascot Chase at the Berkshire track on Saturday. Cue Card has quite a bit in hand of his rivals at the ratings and they include Irish Cavalier, who had the Tizzard star back in third when winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October. However, he has failed to live up to that form in two races since then.

Kim Bailey remains undecided which route he will take with promising novice chaser Charbel at next month's Cheltenham Festival.