2019/20 Jumps Issue 5 - Eighteen points cover the top three

Headlines

Defi sends a Tingle round Sandown

River Flows home at Aintree

Sporting John wins at Exeter

Min stars at Punchestown

Cilaos Emery Pops in at Cork

Report

We start at Exeter on Friday where in the 2m novice hurdle Sporting John (Cliff), went to post, Always prominent, poised to challenge after 4 out, led after next, pushed clear between last 2, in no danger after, winning easily by 8l. He gets 22.4 points.

At Sandown on Saturday in the 2m grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase Defi Du Seuil ( Bob, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, driven to challenge between last 2, led after last, soon ridden, kept on, all out to hold on near finish, winning by a neck. He gets 52.4 points.

At Aintree in the 3m 1f grade 2 chase, Native River (Steve), took his chance, prominent, led 3rd, left well clear next, even further clear 12th, not fluent 3 out,  winning unchallenged by 33l. He gets 28.4 points.

At Cork on Sundauy in the 2m grade 2 chase, Cilaos Emery (Cliff), took his chance, chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, closer after 5 out, challenged and slight mistake 4 out, led 3 out, pushed out briefly to assert after next, clear before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, winning by 7l. He gets 52. 8 points.

At Punchestown in the 2m 4f grade 1 John Durkan memorial chase, Min (Cod, Peej, Tony), went to post, led, slight mistake 6th, headed after 2 out, led again before last, stayed on well run, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 26.5 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           December                Total

Steve        120.2          281.6

Tony         104.7             266.8

Peej              159.9           263.6

Cliff          153.4            228.5

Bob           79             206.6

Martin    38.8          157.9

Neil                                  121.7

Cod          65.3         120.2

Apologies to Neil who should have had 24 points for Bristol De Mai in the Lancashire chase, now added

News

Pentland Hills is the star name among 10 entries for the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. Ch'tibello is a major contender for Dan Skelton. The Colin Tizzard-trained Elixir De Nutz has been given the option of making his first start since winning the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January, although connections have already stated their preference for the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot later in the month.

All roads lead to the Randox Health Grand National for Le Breuil following his encouraging effort over the famous fences on Saturday.

Warren Greatrex is no hurry to decide whether to pitch La Bague Au Roi in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Greatrex was simply delighted the dual Grade One-winning mare bounced back from a disappointing reappearance at Wetherby to finish a creditable third to Top Notch in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday.

"I think we'll sit on it. She's obviously still in the King George," said Greatrex

Evan Williams reports Silver Streak to be on course for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day following his run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Colin Tizzard has been delighted with Lostintranslation since his Betfair Chase win and he is firmly on track for the Ladbrokes King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Buveur D'Air is reported to be making good progress from the freak foot injury he sustained in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle