2017/18 Jumps Issue 21 - The final countdown

No winners this week but 9 days left of the jumps competition, and with Ayr, Punchestown and Sandown to come, it’s not quite all over, though I think change at the bottom is more likely than at the top.

Just 16 days to the start of the flat  11 till entries close

Gigginstown House Stud supremo Michael O'Leary left the door slightly ajar for Samcro to take on the big boys in the BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Friday week.

The six-year-old kept his unbeaten record and huge reputation intact with victory in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has four entries at Punchestown.

However, O'Leary revealed he will run in either the Champion Hurdle or the two-and-a-half-mile Profile Systems Champion Novice Hurdle on the same day.

A final decision on which race he will contest could come down to how trainer Gordon Elliott is faring in his battle with Willie Mullins to be crowned champion trainer.

"Generally speaking, we would want to keep the novices in the novice races," O'Leary told The Punter.

Cue Card's owner Jean Bishop has paid tribute to the popular chaser after his retirement was announced on Tuesday.

Bishop and trainer Colin Tizzard had planned to give the 12-year-old a final outing in the bet365 Oaksey Chase at Sandown on April 28, but after failing to show his usual exuberance on the gallops, the decision was taken to retire him before then.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                    April        Total

Steve                     80            983.14

Martin                 79.8         870.8

Cliff                     26.6             833.6

Peej                    131.6             831.6

Tony                    26.6           759.4

Cod                      00            536.6

Neil                      00             494.5

Bob                    105.4           484.8