2020/21 Jumps Issue 19 - First two days at Cheltenham, everyone's a winner

Headlines

Shiskin lands Arkle

Honeysuckle Climbs to Champion status

Galvin lands

Report

We start in the 2m Grade 1 Arkle Chase where Shishkin ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve) Eldorado Allen ( Neil) went to post. Shishkin, Chased leaders, good jump to lead 3 out, nudged along and went clear before 2 out, 6 lengths ahead last, winning  easily by 12l. Cliff gets 77.4 points, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve, 51.2 Eldorado Allen, Towards rear, hit 3rd, still plenty to do when shaken up 3 out, 12 lengths fourth last, ridden and stayed on run-in, went second towards finish, no match for winner, end beaten 12l. He gets 38.2 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Champion Hurdle, Honeysuckle ( Cliff, Tony), took her chance, Midfield on outer, headway and tracked leaders 4 out, good jump 2 out, soon led going easily, shaken up and went clear approaching last, ridden and edged right but went further clear run-in, winning  impressively by  6 ½ l. She gets 51.8 points.

In the 3m 6f grade 2 novice chase, Galvin ( Steve), took his chance. Midfield, mistake 2nd, hit 7th, chased leader 14th, pushed along home turn, made challenge last, soon led, ridden out and kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 48.4 points.

On Wednesday, Bob Olinger (Bob), went to post in the Grade 1 2m 5f Ballymore novice hurdle, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, steady headway and chased leader 3rd, not fluent and lost second 4 out, led and cruising 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, ridden and went further clear when edged right final 110yds, winning impressively by 7 ½ l. He gets 54.6 points.

In the 3m Brown s novice chase, Monkfish ( Cod, Peej, Tony), took his chance, Led, slow 2nd, not fluent and headed 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, led again 3 out, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of 2nd but had loose horse just in front when mistake last, stayed on well, winning comfortably by 6 ½ l. He gets 51.1 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Champion Chase, Put The Kettle On (Cliff), took her chance, Led until 1st, led 2nd until 3rd, led 8th, headed after next, led and reached through 3 out, headed after 2 out, led again final 50 yards, stayed on gamely, winning by ½ l. She gets 91.8 points.

In the 3m 6f class 2 Cross Country Chase, Tiger Roll (Cod) took his chance, Tracked leader until 12th, went 2nd again 17th, led 22nd, made rest came clear from 22nd, winning easily by 18l. He gets 32.2 points 

In the 2m grade 1 Champion Bumper Sir Gerhard (Cod), took his chance, shade keen, made all, set steady pace, quickened and went clear entering home straight, reduced lead and edged right inside final furlong, always doing enough , winning by ½ l He gets 56.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                March       Total

Cliff             221                       951.8

Neil              89.4                       785.9

Cod              140.1                      758.4

Peej              102.3                      551.1

Martin           51.2                       548.2

Tony           102.9                       545.2

Steve             99.6                    524.4

Bob             54.6                         271.7          

Cheltenham Grand Slam

Cliff      221

Cod 140.1

Tony 102.9

Peej        102.3

Steve    99.6

Neil       89.4

Bob     54.6

Martin   51.2

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

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