2018/19 Jumps Issue 14 - Cheltenham countdown well and truly on

Headlines

Clan lands Denman Chase

Silver turns to Gold at Ascot

Tiger Rolls over Rivals at Navan

Doosh Puts Skids under Rivals at Doncaster

Laurina land

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 3m grade 2 chase Clan Des Obeaux ( Cliff,  Steve) went to post, Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, closer 4 out, travelling well 2 out, good jump to lead last, quickened easily clear, winning by 11l. He gets 51.2 points.

In the 2m mares bumper Silver Forever ( Neil), took her chance, Raced wide in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 6f out, led going well over 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on gamely, winning by 3/4l. She gets 25.6 points.

At Navan on Sunday in the 2m 5f grade 2 hurdle Tiger Roll ( Cod), went to post, Held up towards rear, headway approaching straight and travelled well to lead after 3 out, asserted after 2 out and stayed on well run-in, winning easily by 4l. He gets 71.2 points

Yesterday at Doncaster in the 3m handicap hurdle Skidoosh ( Cod), went to post, Held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last, winning by 6l. He gets 31.6 points.

At Punchestown in the 2m 4f mares listed hurdle, Laurina ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Tony), took her chance, Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, jumped big next, closer 2nd briefly before 7th where not fluent, improved to lead travelling well from 2 out, eased clear and in command before last, not extended, winning by 6l. She gets 16.1 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 February              Total

Bob            172.5                           681.7

Steve         83.4                                660.7

Cliff          115.9                              610.6

Cod         135                                  591.4

Peej           74.9                                528.8

Tony      194.2                                        449,6

Neil         41.7                                446.4

Martin      16.1                            341.6

News

Owner Philip Reynolds rates it a "50-50" chance his Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy will take up his entry in the BetVictor Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

Trainer Pat Kelly threw a curve ball last weekend when not declaring the dual Cheltenham Festival winner for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park - meaning Saturday's Grade Three contest is his last opportunity to run over fences before returning to Prestbury Park next month.

Speaking in front of the assembled media at a Cheltenham Festival press event at The K Club on Tuesday, Reynolds insisted his pride and joy is in sparkling form - and is happy to leave any decision on whether Presenting Percy will run this weekend to his trainer.Reynolds said: "I was down to see him myself over the weekend, and the horse is absolutely terrific. He's kicking the boards and in great shape."We could have run him last weekend and may well run him this weekend. Every bit of rain we're getting will help.

Gordon Elliott admits Tiger Roll surprised him by slamming the opposition in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan as he warmed up for his big annual targets at Cheltenham and Aintree.The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, followed by the Grand National - both of which Tiger Roll won last season - beckon for the admirble nine-year-old."He's in great form - I couldn't believe how well he won on Sunday," Elliott said during a press visit to his Cullentra stables."It was a surprise to me - I thought he'd finish second or third-last, to be honest."I thought it would be a good pipe-opener for the cross-country - but he just showed how good a horse he is."

Whether Samcro turns up at the Cheltenham Festival is likely to be decided in the next 10 days - according to Gordon Elliott.Last year's star novice hurdler has failed to win this season - at Down Royal, Newcastle and Leopardstown - and after defeat at the latter, it was revealed he was suffering from a lung infection.

He is now back in work with a possible tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle on the cards if all goes well.

"Cheltenham is obviously coming fast enough," said Elliott.

Summerville Boy is set to return to action in the spring after recovering from a leg injury.Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was found to have suffered a hairline fracture of his right hind femur after investigations following two disappointing runs in December.The injury to the bone was scanned again about six weeks later and found to be clear.Trainer Tom George is now starting to give the seven-year-old stronger exercise as he builds him back up for the track.The Grade One Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles in April is the likely target.

Anthony Honeyball is eyeing possible trips to Naas or Uttoxeter for his Randox Health Grand National hopeful Ms Parfois.The Toals.com Leinster National at the Irish venue on March 10 or the Midlands Grand National six days later could feature on the mare's agenda on the way to Aintree or the Irish National at Fairyhouse .

Phil Kirby has his sights firmly set on a crack at the Randox Health Grand National with Blaklion after confirming the 10-year-old will be switching to his North Yorkshire yard.The 10-year-old has been trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies for each of his 30 outings under rules, posting landmark efforts when winning the 2016 RSA Chase at Cheltenham and the 2017 Becher Chase at Aintree.Blaklion finished fourth in the 2017 Grand National, but he got no further than the first fence last year when he was brought down.

A return to Aintree is uppermost in North Yorkshire-based Kirby's mind, and he will be sporting the colours of owner Darren Yates after a deal was agreed on Monday.

Kirby said: "He's been bought by an existing owner, Darren Yates, who is trying to build a nice team to go to the nice races and have some good days racing - and obviously this horse is a great start.