2018/19 Jumps Issue 18 - No points but much news

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 March                     Total

Bob            132.6                        836.7

Cod         202.3                            816.8

Steve         129.7                         790.4

Cliff          51.4                           662

Peej           117.7                           635.2

Martin    209.1                        550.7

Tony      63.4                                       513

Neil         51.4                               497.4

News

Sceau Royal has options at Aintree and Sandown after giving Altior a run for his money in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.Alan King's charge led at the final fence, only to be run out of it in the closing stages, finishing third.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, told the punter "He could go over two and a half (miles) at Aintree or we may just wait and go for the Celebration Chase at Sandown, where we could have to take on Altior again.

Paul Nicholls has told the punter he  has not ruled out giving Clan Des Obeaux the chance to add another Grade One victory to his name this season in the Betway Bowl at Aintree. "We will let the dust settle, the Bowl at Aintree is a possibility as three-miles-one around Aintree on a flat track would suit him well, but I've just got to speak to the owners."

Owner Philip Reynolds has confirmed Presenting Percy is likely to miss the rest of the season after returning lame following the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Tiger Roll is all set to bid for his second successive Randox Health Grand National next month, trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed.

Evan Williams is looking forward to stepping Silver Streak up to two and a half miles in the Betway Aintree Hurdle, after the grey was the first British-trained runner past the post in the Champion Hurdle.

Elegant Escape was one of 16 horses scratched from the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree at the latest forfeit stage.

Colin Tizzard’s charge had been a leading fancy for the race having won the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow and finished sixth in last week’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls has taken Black Corton out

Blaklion enjoyed an away day as Phil Kirby stepped up his preparations for the Randox Health Grand National with a racecourse gallop at Wetherby.

Bought for £300,000 by owner Darren Yates specifically to run at Aintree next month, Blaklion has been allotted a weight of 10st 12lb for the £1 million contest - having finished fourth in it in 2017 and won the Becher Chase later that year.