2017/18 Jumps Issue 13 - loads of points gained

Headlines

Game Finishes on Top at Sandown

Buveur D’Air lands Sandown Hurdle

Footpad wins Irelands Arkle Chase

Min Wins Dublin Chase

Samcro

Report

We start at Sandown on Saturday where in the 2m listed hurdle, Buveur D’Air ( Cliff, Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Made all, quickened clear between last 2, 3 lengths ahead last, rider eased up run-in, shaken up and came quickly clear again final 100 yards, winning by  1 ¾ l. He gets 16.1 points.

In the 3m handicap hurdle, Topofthegame (Peej), went to post, Chased leaders on outside, 2nd going well before 2 out, led and not fluent 2 out, driven and stayed on run-in, all out, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 61.2 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m 1f grade 2 chase Min ( Cod, Peej, Tony), took his chance, Soon raced in moderate 3rd, progress to chase leader approaching 3 out, soon closed, travelling smoothly from before straight, led before last, stayed on well to assert run-in, winning easily by 12l . He gets 27.2 points.

On Sunday in the 2m grade 1 novice hurdle, Samcro ( Bob, Cod, Cliff, Neil), took his chance, Soon tracked leaders, 4th after 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, soon on terms, led approaching last, quickly asserted, stayed on well run-in, Winning impressively by 6l. He gets 26.5 points.

In the 2m 1f grade 1 Arkle Chase, Footpad (Tony), went to post, Made all, went on approaching 3 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, winning by 5l. He gets 77.6 points

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                    February   Total

Cliff                          42.6          583.1

Martin                     16.1          572.2

Peej                    77.3              519.4

Steve                     16.1           499.34

Tony                    104.8           401.5

Cod                      69.8           388.7

Neil                      42.6        323.3

Bob                    26.5             195.3

News

Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Altior will make his eagerly-awaited seasonal reappearance at Newbury on Saturday.

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Might Bite will skip Newbury on Saturday and head straight to the Festival.

Nicky Henderson had been contemplating running the King George winner in the Denman Chase and a possible clash with other Gold Cup-bound horses.

However, Might Bite's part-owner David Minton said: "As far as I was concerned he was never really going to run this weekend, it was just at the back of our minds in case Nicky felt he needed another run. Nicky has basically always been happy to go straight there with him.

Faugheen's owner Rich Ricci is keeping the faith in the 2015 champion hurdler.

Willie Mullins' 10-year-old was beaten in the Irish Champion Hurdle by Supasundae and while it was a big improvement on his effort over Christmas it was still a long way below his brilliant best.

Ricci, though, told The Punter: "I wouldn't write off Faugheen. "I think a bit of sun, better weather and he'll be all right.

"I haven't lost faith. We'll be there on Champion Hurdle day and hopefully he'll be all right."

Connections of Defi Du Seuil remain baffled by his run in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last Saturday.

Last year's leading juvenile hurdler is undergoing tests in a bid to solve the mystery but as yet no reason has been found to explain his lacklustre effort behind Supasundae.

That was his first run since he disappointed on his seasonal reappearance in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November when he was found not to be 100 per cent.

"We're still conducting some more tests to see how he is but he seems to be fine," said trainer Philip Hobbs.

"It is still a mystery at this stage. We can't make any plans until we see how we get on over the next few days."

Gordon Elliott is still favouring the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month for Samcro despite his impressive victory over two miles last Sunday.

The two-mile-five-furlong Ballymore had been viewed as his most likely destination, but he also holds entries in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle over three miles as well as the Supreme over two.

He impressed in winning the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last weekend, extending his unbeaten run under Rules to six in the process, but Elliott is still favouring the Ballymore above his other Festival options.

"He's good. He'll go straight to Cheltenham now anyway," Elliott. Told the Punter"Everybody probably knows that the Ballymore is where I'd say he's going to go at the moment. We'll let the horse do the talking and Cheltenham is the plan now."