2019/20 Jumps Issue 14 - Low on winners, big on effect

Headlines

River Swamps Rivals at Newbury

Altior shows Game Spirit to win at Newbury

Report

We start at Newbury on Saturday where in the 2m grade 2 chase, Altior ( Bob, Martin, Neil, Steve, Tony), went to post, Bit keen, held up tracking leaders, left tracking leading pair 3rd, travelling well 3 out, upsides last, ridden to lead run-in, soon comfortably clear, winning by 3 ¾ l. He gets 41.3 points.

In the 2m 7f grade 2 chase, Native River ( Steve), took his chance,  Mostly jumped well, made all and clear most of way, hit 3rd and 14th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on strongly, winning unchallenged by 3 ¾ l. He gets 61.3 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                January      Feb           Total

Steve             132.8      102.6        584.6

Peej               238.4      12         550.2

Bob              174.1       41.3         532.8

Tony            163.8       53.3       495.9

Cliff             140.4      32.6    441.6

Neil             220.6      41.3          439.2

Martin         116     64.7    361.2

Cod          204.4        12        336.5

Congratulations to Peej who is trainer of the month for January, apologies, Kemboy picked up 12 points last week in the Irish Gold Cup

News

Dan Skelton believes Roksana will have her work cut out defending her title in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old will bid to open her account for the season by making it back-to-back victories in the Grade One prize.With both Irish Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle and the Willie Mullins-trained Benie Des Dieux, who is unbeaten since a final-flight fall in the race 12 months ago, among the potential opposition, Skelton is under no illusions of the task ahead for Roksana.Skelton said: "Roksana will go straight to the mares' race at Cheltenham. 

"Make no mistake about it, Kenny Alexander's mare (Honeysuckle) and Benie Des Dieux turning up has caused a significant problem for us, but you can't pick your opposition. She will go there with a chance, as she will be ready for it. If I had either of the other two mares, I would be doing the same and going for the mares' race."

Cyrname will attempt to regain the winning thread against a maximum of six rivals in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Janika also has an entry.

Nicky Henderson expects Altior to have a fight on his hands when he attempts to claim a record-equalling third successive victory in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The Seven Barrows handler told the Punter: "As it stands, I definitely think this is the best Queen Mother for some years."Altior will have a big fight on his hands in March, and we will be in for a hell of race, so hopefully we can have some nice ground for it."The race has been good to us in recent seasons, with Altior and before that Sprinter Sacre, and I'm very lucky to have found two horses like this."Everyone is saying about the same two horses, Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi, being his main rivals - and we respect them - but we are glad to be back in the ball game."

Might Bite could take on dual Grand National victor Tiger Roll in the Glenfarclas Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Nicky Henderson is considering giving multiple Grade One-winner Might Bite an outing over the cross-country course, in a race which has also been earmarked as a target for Gordon Elliott's Aintree hero.

Kalashnikov may yet return to action this season - depending on the outcome of his impending "full MOT" at the Newmarket Equine Hospital. Amy Murphy's Grade One-winning chaser will undergo a series of tests this week, after breaking a blood vessel as he trailed home last of five finishers behind Altior in Saturday's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. That was a second successive disappointing performance from the seven-year-old, who has previously been notably consistent. His trainer is therefore determined to get to the bottom of the problems, and will ensure an extensive break until next season if necessary. But Murphy is wary of calling time on Kalashnikov's campaign just yet, in case there is a chance of him returning to the scene of his finest hour to date - at Aintree in April. "In himself, he's absolutely fine," she said on Sunday morning. "But obviously he's just going to need a bit of time off now. "He's bled twice in a short space of time, and realistically Cheltenham is going to be off the cards.

Willie Mullins, stars are falling by the way side with Saldier, Klassical Dream and Footpad, all likely to miss Cheltenham

Owner Philip Reynolds is keeping his fingers crossed a return to the Cotswolds will bring out the best in Presenting Percy after confirming his pride and joy firmly on course for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson has decided not to give Champ another run before the Cheltenham Festival after the weather scuppered plans of a prep outing for the novice chaser.