2017/18 Jumps Issue 16 - a few winners keep things moving

Headlines

Buveur D’Air is Champion Again

Footpad lands Arkle

Samcro stars in Ballymore

Penhill claims Stayers Hurdle

Altior claims Queen Mother Chase

Report

We start on Tuesday at Cheltenham where in the 2m Grade 1 Champion Hurdle Buveur D’Air ( Cliff , Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), Melon (Cod Peej, Tony) went to post. ,Buveur D’Air Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, soon leant on rival, led before 2 out, hard pressed by runner-up after, driven flat, edged right towards finish, found extra close home, winning by a neck . He gets 51.5 points.

Melon, Mid-division, closed on downhill run after 5th, not much room and checked after 3 out, challenged from next, upsides winner flat, edged right towards finish, held close home, 2^nd beaten a neck. He gets 12 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Arkle Chase Footpad ( Tony) took his chance, Chased leaders, front pair went well clear before 5th, blundered 6th, closed before 4 out, went 2nd on downhill run to 3 out, challenged going well at 3 out, led before 2 out, clear from last, stayed on strongly to increase advantage, winning  easily by 14l. He gets 78.4 points

On Wednesday in 2m 5f grade 1 Ballymore Hurdle, Samcro ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil), went to post. Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 3 out, led turning in, ridden clear before last, edged right flat, stayed on well, winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 26.6 points.

In the 2m Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase, Altior ( Not Cod), Min ( Cod, Peej, Tony), took their chances. Altior, Mid-division, went 4th at the 7th, niggled along before 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, soon close up and challenging, led soon after last, stayed on strongly to draw clear final 130 yards, winning by 7l. He gets 51.8points.

Min, Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, hampered 4 out, going well from 3 out until led 2 out, headed soon after last, no impression on winner final 130 yards, 2^nd beaten 7l. He gets 12 points

Today in the 3m Grade 1 stayers Hurdle, Penhill (Tony), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway and widest of all approaching 2 out, led before last but pressed by runner-up, stayed on well, asserting when edged left towards finish, winning by 2l. He gets 102.6 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                    March   Total

Cliff                          129.9        807

Martin                     103.3       778.8

Tony                    256.8             699.6

Peej                    127.3             688

Steve                     103.3        643.94

Cod                      102.1           536.6

Neil                      129.9          494.5

Bob                    78.4            367.7

 News

Nicky Henderson is favouring another crack at Sandown's bet365 Celebration Chase for Altior following his Queen Mother Champion Chase victory at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

At the moment, Sandown is what I would be thinking. You could go to Aintree over two and a half miles and I don't think you would have any worry over the trip.

"Of course they had a hard race yesterday and, to be fair, you get another two weeks until Sandown. It is a Grade One race now so why not go back there? It just gives us a little bit more time."

Philip Hobbs says having missed Cheltenham because of the ground the Grand National is the next target for Rock The Kasbah.