2017/18 Jumps Issue 9 - big names continue to fall by the wayside

Headlines

Cheltenham is Next Main Destination

Mount Mews wins at Doncaster

Report

On Sunday at Naas in the 2m 4f grade 1 novice hurdle, Next Destination ( Tony) took his chance, Settled behind leader and disputed 2nd, 3rd at 7th, headway to dispute lead from 3 out, led from next and extended advantage going best before last, ridden run-in and kept on well near finish winning by 1l. He gets 52.8 points

On Tuesday at Doncaster in the 2m 3f novice chase, Mount Mews ( Bob), went to post, Jumped well, raced in 2nd place from 1st, upsides 6th, led 8th, effortlessly drew clear run-in, winning  easily by 7l. He gets 22.4 points.

  

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                    January    Total

Martin                       83           513.1

Cliff                                          439.5

Peej                                          390.7

Steve                     17               376.64

Cod                                          318.9

Neil                      17               280.7

Tony                    52.8             246.5

Bob                    39.4               151.6

News

Last year's winner Sizing John will chart a direct route towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Jessica Harrington's eight-year-old was in the frame to run beforehand in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 4 — a race he won 12 months ago.

But his trainer told the Punter: "He's going to go straight to the Gold Cup. I'd rather go there fresh and well. He's in good form, he looks good and he's been back cantering this week." Harrington said: "Nothing came to light that you could hang your hat on. I just think the race came too soon. It didn't look like he had a hard race (at Punchestown), but these things can be deceptive — both him and Djakadam (John Durkan runner-up) ran flat at Leopardstown last time."

Philip Hobbs' juvenile champion Defi Du Seuil is among the initial entries for the Betfair Hurdle as 59 hopefuls have been put forward for the Newbury highlight. William Henry also has an entry

Trainer Willie Mullins believes the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next month is "back on the radar" for Faugheen.

Mullins has yet to establish the precise reasons behind the gifted 10-year-old's meek reverse in the Ryanair Hurdle over Christmas.

But Faugheen impressed his trainer in a canter on Monday morning and could now return to Leopardstown on February 3 in a race he won two years ago.

Mullins told the Punter: "It (Irish Champion Hurdle) wasn't there before, but it's come back on the radar with what I've seen (on Monday morning).

"I was very taken with the canter and our vet checked him over immediately afterwards and said he was fine.

"During the week it looks like I'll be able to put him back into full work."

Stablemate Yorkhill was also a disappointment over the festive period, having finished well beaten in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase on his first start over three miles for Mullins.

Last season's JLT Novices' Chase winner will now drop back in trip, with a Cheltenham Gold Cup campaign seemingly off the agenda.

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Mullins said: "I've no doubt he would stay (three miles) if he had a better temperament. He's bred to stay.

"But at the moment we're looking at shorter trips for him. I think his next run will be at a shorter trip over fences.

Cloudy Dream is likely to be back in action next month as connections aim to find him a suitable opportunity to return to winning ways