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Thursday, 25 February 2021

2020/21 Jumps Issue 16 - The winners keep flowing

Headlines

Royal is Sceau Good in Game Sprit
River Swamps Rivals at Ascot
Glory soars to Betfair Victory
Ajero lands Market Rasen Hurdle
Goshen is King at Wincanton
Patroclus lands

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 2m 3f novice hurdle, Midnight River ( Martin), took his chance, Took keen hold, close up, went second 2nd, shaken up to lead 2 out, soon ridden and hung right, edged left run-in, kept on well inside final 110yds, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 24.4 points.

At Wincanton in the grade 2 , 2m hurdle, Goshen ( Bob, Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej), went to post, Pressed leader, nudged along before 3rd, led home turn, going best and clear 2 out, soon went further clear, winning easily by 22l. He gets 23.1 points.

On Sunday at Market Rasen in the 2m handicap hurdle Ajero (Peej), went to post, Travelled strongly, close up, hit 4th, pressed leader from 5th, led after 3 out, going okay when 1 length ahead 2 out, nudged along and faced challenge when mistake last, soon pushed along, kept on well run-in winning by 2l. He gets 28.8 points.

At Newbury in the 2m grade 2 chase Sceau Royal ( Steve), took his chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, smooth headway and went second 9th, made challenge before 2 out, led going easily before last, ridden out final 110yds, winning by 2l. He gets 66.6 points.

In the 2m Grade 3 handicap hurdle Soaring Glory (Cliff), took his chance, In touch with leaders, smooth headway to lead before last, ridden and hard pressed last, went clear final 110yds, winning comfortably by 3l. He gets 53.8 points.

Yesterday at Doncaster in the 2m 3f novice hurdle Patroclus (Cliff), took his chance, Jumped left on occasions, led at steady pace, not fluent 4th, pushed along and increased tempo before 3 out, joined 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden, led again just after last, kept on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 24 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                February        Total
Cliff             260                           731.4
Neil              90.3                           696.5
Cod              128.3                            618.3
Martin           75.9                        497
Peej              89.8                          448.8
Tony           104.2                          442.3
Steve             149.3                       424.8
Bob             47.1                          217.1          
Apologies to Steve who points were understated last week, now adjusted

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News

Willie Mullins is planning a “big bit of work” for Al Boum Photo this week as the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner continues preparations for his hat-trick bid. Mullins said: “He’s in great shape. He worked well last week and he’s a big bit of work coming up this week. He’s uncomplicated, he’s very nice to train."  Mullins also spoke to the punter about Chacun Pour Soi, Saying would be huge achievement if Chacun Pour Soi could complete his clean sweep of victories in the five championship races at Cheltenham by striking gold in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Kim Bailey reports his Ryanair Chase contender Imperial Aura to be in good order as he bids to join an elite list of dual Cheltenham Festival winners and insists his fall at Kempton Park in January is of no concern. Bailey said: “Everything is good with Imperial Aura and he remains on course for the Ryanair. He did his first piece of work since the Kempton race last week and that all went very well. He has been schooling at home and that was pleasing as well."

We have a few entries at the week end, At Kempton in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle Coole Cody is in, and he is also in the 2m 4f grade 2 novice chase .In the 3m grade 3 handicap chase, Al Dancer and Southfield Stone have entries, On Sunday at Fontwell in the  2m 3f novice handicap chase, Coole Cody is in, If The Cap Fits and Mcfabulous are in the 2m 3f grade 2 hurdle. On Sunday at Naas Forged In Fire has an entry in the 2m bumper

Thursday, 18 February 2021

2020/21 Jumps Issue 15 - Winners despite the weather

Headlines

Southfield Stone lands Kempton bumper
Karl Phillipe scores at Exeter
Allmankind is Kingmaker at Warwick
Gold is Two good for rivals at Warwick
Chantry House takes Wetherby Honours

Report

We start back at Kempton last week where in the 2m jumpers bumper Southfield Stone (Neil), went to post, Led at steady pace, headed over 5f out, close up and going okay 4f out, pushed along to lead again over 1f out, ridden when 2 lengths ahead inside final furlong, kept on and always doing enough, winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 24.6 points.

On Sunday at Exeter, in the 2m 2f novice hurdle Karl Phillipe ( Bob) took his chance, Made all, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, mistake 3 out, pushed along and went clear from 2 out, winning easily  by 10l. He gets 24 points. 

At Warwick on Monday in the 2m grade 2 novice chase,  Allmankind (Neil, Steve), went to post, Made all, not fluent 1st, hit 9th, pushed along and 5 lengths ahead when blundered 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, winning by 17l. He gets 42.6.

In the 2m 4f handicap chase Two For Gold (Steve), took his chance, Prominent, led 2nd, ridden home turn, kept on from 2 out, just held on, all out, winning by a neck, he gets 28.6 points.

Yesterday at Wetherby in the 2m 5f novice chase, Chantry House (Peej, Steve), went to post, Tracked leader, made strong challenge 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, 3 lengths ahead last, winning  readily by3 ¼ l. He gets 11.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
                February        Total
Neil              67.2                       673.4
Cliff             182.6                     653.6
Cod              105.2                     595.2
Martin           28.4                      449.5
Tony           104.2                       442.3
Peej              37.9                       396.9
Steve             40.1                      315.6
Bob             24                          194           

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News
 
Last year's shock Stayers' Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar will prepare for this season's festival at Haydock on Saturday, and trainer Rebecca Curtis is convinced her Cheltenham champion retains his ability despite two defeats this term. Curtis told the punter: "He’ll be ready to do himself justice on Saturday, but he struck into himself at Newbury so missed some time, plus he's had his wind done.
"He might just take this one, but my faith hasn't been dented – definitely not. I think he's as good as last year and we've foudn an excuse for those last couple of runs in that he needed his wind doing, so we'll see."

Multiple Grade 1 winner Benie Des Dieux will not form part of Willie Mullins' enviable Cheltenham Festival squad next month, the trainer has revealed. Mullins said in a statement released on Tuesday evening: "Benie Des Dieux hasn't been pleasing me in our quest to get her to Cheltenham and regrettably we have had to make the decision to withdraw her from the festival."

This weekend is another big day, Hoi Polloi is in the 2m 3f novice hurdle at Ascot, Coole Cody and If The Cap Fits are  in the 2m 7f grade 2 novice chase, Kimberlite Candy, is in the 2m 7f listed handicap chase, Goshen, Coole Cody, are in the 2m 3f handicap hurdle, Cyrname and Lostintranslation, have entries in the 2m 5f grade 1 chase.

At Haydock, Marown is in the 2m 3f handicap chase, Lisnagar Oscar, Main Fact, Itchy Feet have entries in the 3m grade 2 hurdle, Itchy Feet and Main Fact are also in the 3m handicap hurdle. 

At Wincanton Hell Red is in the 2m novice hurdle, Coole Cody is in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle, Goshen has an entry in the 2m grade 2 hurdle,. 

On Sunday at Market Rasen Midnight River is in the 2m 4f listed novice hurdle, Gran Luna is in the 2m novice hurdle, Ajero is in the 2m handicap hurdle. 

At Newbury Hoi Polloi holds an entry in the 2m novice hurdle, Clan Des Obeaux, Lostintranslation, are in the 2m 7f grade 2 chase, Greaneteen, Champ, Sceau Royal are in the 2m grade 1 chase, Coole Cody is in the 2m 7f handicap Chase, Petrossian is in the 2m listed bumper. Soaring Glory is in the 2m grade 3 handicap hurdle.

On Saturday at Gowran Park Tiger Roll has an entry in the 2m grade 3 hurdle, Allaho, in the 2m 4f grade 2 chase. 

On Sunday at Navan Tiger Roll is in the 2m 5f grade 2 hurdle, 

Thursday, 11 February 2021

2020/21 Jumps Issue 14 - Points to warm some cockles

Headlines

Honeysuckle blossoms in Champion Hurdle
Monkfish is a huge catch
Chacun Pour Soi lands Dublin chase
Quilixios looks Triump material
JohnJumps rivals Scilly at Sandown
That Finds it Easy at Chepstow

Report

We start at Chepstow on Friday where in the 2m 3f handicap hurdle, Easy As That ( Cliff), went to post, Didn't jump with fluency, took keen hold, midfield on inner, mistake 4 out, headway and chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led 2 out, went clear approaching last, awkward jump last, eased run-in, winning by 9l. He gets 25.4 points.

On Saturday at Sandown in the 2m 4g grade 1 Scilly Isles novice chase, Sporting John ( Cliff), took his chance, Held up in last, detached when slow jump 5th, left in fourth after 12th, headway before 3 out, shaken up and went second after 2 out, challenging when not fluent last, ridden and kept on strongly to lead run-in, won going away, winning by 3 ¾ l. He gets 105.6 points.

At Leopardstown in the 2m 1f Grade 1 Dublin Chase Chacun Pour Soi ( Cod, Tony), took his chance, Travelled strongly, tracked leaders, went second and raced wide 7th, lost second but close up after 4 out, led going easily approaching last, shaken up and quickened clear run-in, winning readily by8l. He gets 26.2 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle, Honeysuckle ( Cliff, Tony), took her chance, Travelled strongly, close up, disputed lead before 4 out, soon led narrowly, went clear going easily before 2 out, pushed along approaching last, steadied last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, winning easily by 10l. She gets 51.6 points.

On Sunday in the 2m grade 1 Juvenile hurdle Quilixios ( Cod), took his chance, Tracked leader, lost second but close up before 3rd, went second again and going easily after 3 out, led on turn before last, soon shaken up and went clear, ridden final 110yds, kept on well, winning comfortably by 5 ½ l. He gets 52.6 points.

In the 2m 5f Grade 1 novice chase, Monkfish ( Cod, Peej, Tony), went to post, Travelled strongly, jumped well, made all, 2 lengths ahead going easily before 2 out, nudged along approaching last, eased clear run-in, winning easily by 11 l. He gets 26.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
                February        Total
Cliff             182.6                          653.6
Neil              00                              606.2
Cod              105.2                            595.2
Martin           28.4                         449.5
Tony           104.2                          442.3
Peej              26.4                          385.4
Steve             00                         275.5
Bob             00                           170             

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News

Once again we have to hope the weather allows week end racing with a big card at Newbury where Altior, Greaneteen and Sceau Royal are in the 2m grade 2, 

Champ, Clan Des Obeaux, and Lostintranslation have entries in the 2m 7f grade 2 Denman chase, in the Betfair hurdle Metier, Soaring Glory are in, and in the bumper Petrossian has an entry. 

At Warwick,  Patroclus is in the 2m 5f novice hurdle, Allmankind is in the 2m grade 2 novice chase, Two For Gold and Le Patriote are in the 2m 4f handicap chase,.

Uhtred is in the 2m listed novice hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.



Thursday, 4 February 2021

2020/21 Jumps Issue 13 - Big weekend ahead in Ireland

Headlines

Shishkin shines at Doncaster
Annie Mc lands Mares Chase

Report

At Doncaster on Saturday in the 2m grade 2 novice chase, where Shiskin ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post, Tracked leaders, jumped slightly left and bumped 4th, jumped slightly left 5th, led 4 out, soon clear, winning  easily by 8 ½ l. Cliff gets 42.2 points, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve 21.1

Yesterday at Warwick in the 2m 4f mares listed chase, Annie Mc (Martin), took her chance, Tracked leaders, went second 7th, ridden before 2 out, led last, kept on well, winning gamely  by 5 ½ l .she gets 28.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
         January    February        Total
Neil              62.5                              606.2
Cod              16.1                              490
Cliff             188.3                            471
Martin         171.8          28.4        449.5
Peej              80.1                            359
Tony           32.4                          338.1
Steve             37.4                         275.5
Bob             70.9                           170         
    
The Editor is January trainer of the month

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News

A big weekend ahead, especially across the water at the Dublin Festival, where on Saturday in the 2m 1f grade 1 chase Chacun Pour Soi , Min and Fakir D’oudairies have entries. In the 2m 1f grade 1 Arkle Novice chase, Latest Exhibition has an entry, In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle, Abracadabras and Honeysuckle lock hoofs, and in the 2m grade 2 bumper Sir Gerhard , Chemical Energy have entries.

At Sandown in the 3m grade 2 chase, Bristol De Mai and Santini clash, In the 2m listed hurdle Goshen is entered, In the 2m 4f novice chase Sporting John is entered, Main Fact is in the 2m 7f handicap hurdle, and Two For Gold is in the 3m handicap chase. 

At Wetherby in the 2m 3f novice hurdle Castle Rushen has an entry, In the 3m grade 2 hurdle, Main Fact, Bristol De Mai and Itchy Feet, are in. 

On Sunday at Leopardstown Quilixios is in the 2m grade 1 juvenile hurdle, Ballyadam is in the 2m grade 1 novice hurdle, Asterion Forlange, Monkfish and Latest Exhibition are in the 2m 5f grade 1 novice chase, Minella Indo is in the 3m Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup, 

With 10 races on TV on Saturday and Sunday, plus all the football, nerves will be frayed and protective netting in front of the TV is advised.