2019/20 Jumps Issue 8 - The competition is a slow burner

Headlines

Midnight in Tune at Exeter

Melon is in Ripe Form  at Leopardstown

Road Rage at Limerick

Saints Day at Punchestown

No Photo as Boum wins easily

Roland is King at Exeter

Report

We start at Exeter on 19 December with one I missed, Midnight Tune ( Martin), went to post in the 2m 1f mares novice chase, made all, shaken up over 3 out, driven between last 2, drifted left last, stayed on well,  ridden out , winning by 3 ¾ l. She gets 22.6 points.

At Leopardstown on Friday Melon (Peej), went to post in the 2m 1f beginners chase, led, pressed closely 2 out, joined briefly approaching last, pushed along, held narrow advantage, at last, mistake, and headed briefly, rallied to lead again on run  in, kept on well under pressure to assert close home, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 24.2 points.

At Limerick in the 2m 7f grade 2 hurdle, Fury Road ( Bob), took his chance, Soon raced in 2nd, on terms before 3 out, led travelling smoothly approaching 2 out, mistake last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, winning by 1l, he gets 53.4 points.

On Tuesday at Punchestown in the 2m 3f hurdle, Burrows Saint (Cliff), took his chance, Made all, clear from early, slight mistake 5th, well clear at halfway, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and clear before last, mistake at last, kept on under hands and heels run-in, reduced advantage close home, winning by 3 ¼ l. He gets 39.8 points.

At Tramore yesterday in the 2m 5f grade 3 chase Al Boum Phto ( Cod, Tony), took his chance, Disputed until headed before 2nd, close 3rd after, not fluent 3rd, 2nd from 8th, not fluent 11th, disputed from 12th, led 5 out, 3 length advantage after 2 out, kept on well under hands and heels run-in, winning comfortably by 6l. He gets 21.3 points.

At Cheltenham in the 2m 4f grade 2 hurdle Summerville Boy ( Peej), went to post, Made all, mistake 7th, shaken up approaching last, ridden and hung left flat, stayed on well, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 58.4 points.

At Exeter in the 2m 2f maiden hurdle, King Roland (Cliff, Martin), went to post, Waited with, steady headway 4th, tracked leaders next, led going well 4 out, drew well clear before 2 out, winning easily by 19l. He gets 11.3 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           December      January         Total

Peej              196.1            78.4   378.2

Steve        187.8                            349.2

Bob           189.4                          317.4

Tony         116.7           21.3      300.1

Cliff          193.2             11.3     279.6

Martin    61.4                  11.3     191.8

Neil         55.6                             177.3

Cod          65.3             21.3      141.5

Congratulations to Peej who is trainer of the month

News

All options are open for Fakir D'oudairies after his good run at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Joseph O'Brien will consider the Irish Arkle for the Drinmore Novice Chase winner - but he has not ruled out going back up in trip.

Envoi Allen is among eight confirmations for the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle on Sunday.