Barren runs

More dishonour than honour but it's worth noting seeing as I've done it.

Longest runs without a winner...

116 days - Cod - 26 Jul 2018 Rabdan (Maison-Laffite) to 18 Nov 2018 Malone Road (Punchestown)

89 days - Bob - 17 Jun 2025 French Master (Ascot) to 13 Sep 2025 (Woodbine)

87 days - Peej - 2 Jun 2023 Emily Upjohn (Epsom) to 27 Aug 2023 Ocean Quest (Naas)

83 days - Neil - 17 Jun 2025 Field of Gold (Ascot) to 7 Sep 2025 Aventure (Longchamp)

72 days - Peej - 10 Sep 2020 Logician (Doncaster) to 20 Nov 2020 Chantry House (Ascot)

71 days - Peej - 6 Aug 2016 Royal Artillery (Haydock) to 15 Oct 2016 The Tin Man (Ascot)

70 days - Peej - 26 Jun 2021 Cadillac (Curragh) to 3 Sep 2021 Uncle Bryn (Ascot)

Pre 2013 the records are part missing and also different due to us having a) fewer picks in some seasons and b) the jumps season ending after Aintree in some years. But here are some notable efforts…

92 days - Steve - 18 Aug 2000 Kookaburra (Newbury) to 17 Nov 2000 Behrajan (Exeter)

81 days - Steve - 20 May 2001 Observatory (Longchamp) to 8 August 2001 Welcome Friend (York) - Steve had gone 67 days without one before Observatory won making this two wins in 158 days!*

73 days - Bob/Tony - 22 Feb 2001 Ross Moff (Thurles) to 5 May 2001 Golan (Newmarket) * 

73 days - Lee - 22 Feb 2001 Marlborough (Wincanton) to 5 May 2001 Golan (Newmarket) * 

72 days - Martin - 7 Sep 2002 Grandera (Leopardstown) to 17 Nov 2002 Limestone Lad (Navan)

Cliff, if you’re wondering, your worst is 64 days - 16 Sep 2001 Golan (Longchamp) to 18 Nov 2001 The Bajan Bandit (Ayr). John’s was one day shorter with it being 63 days from that Golan win to Moscow Flyer at Punchestown.

I have not included the Covid suspension year in these records.

* a bit unfair as this was Foot and Mouth year

2021 Flat Issue 17 - Torrid York for Punters

Headlines

Finely Tuned Stradivarius lands Doncaster Cup

Space Gives Rivals the Blues at York

Lafan wins at Chelmsford

Report

We start at York on Wednesday where in the 1m 2 f group 1 Juddmonte International stakes Alenquer (Steve), went to post, Close up, raced in second, outpaced and ridden 3f out, stayed on and went second again inside final furlong, no match for winner, 2nd beaten 6l. He gets 29.2 points.

On Friday in the 2m group2 , Stradivarius ( Cliff, Neil) went to post, Raced in second, nudged along and chased clear leader 3f out, disputed lead and sustained duel with runner-up when ridden from 2f out, pressed runner-up final 110yds, led towards finish, all out, winning gamely by a head. He gets 21.5 points.

At York on Saturday in the 7f group 2 Space Blues (Steve), took his chance, towards rear, good headway on far side from 3 out, close up and pushed along 2 out, led over 1 out, ridden and ran on strongly to win by 1 ½ l. He gets 44 points.

At Chelmsford on Saturday in the 1m handicap Lafan ( Martin), went to post, switched left soon after start, in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leaders and not clear run 1 out, switched right and challenged inside last, led close home, ran on strongly, won going away by ½ l. He gets 30.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Tony                 26.1     635.5

Steve              99.3        610.2

Martin           56.9       501.15

Neil                  107.2     474.45

Cliff                 92.74       465.84

Bob                    00     454.1

Cod                00      388.85

Peej                00          191.95

 

York Grand Slam

Steve 73.2

Cliff  21.5

Neil  21.5

So a desperate York for punters as this torrid season drags on, Steve gets 20 point bonus

News

Owen Burrows is eyeing a Park Stakes comeback for the Shadwell-owned gelding Danyah.

The four-year-old was last seen winning the valuable Moet & Chandon International Stakes at Ascot on King George day, after which a step up to Grade Two level was planned in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. 

Unfortunately injury scuppered that plan as the horse was withdrawn on the morning of the race, having pulled out of his box lame on his left hind leg.The gelding has since recovered and has the Cazoo-sponsored Park Stakes on the final day of Doncaster’s St Leger meeting pencilled in for his return to action

Weekend Entries 

Friday 

Curragh - 6.45 Pierre Lapin

Thirsk - 3.15 Danielsflyer

Saturday

Goodwood - 3.35 Chindit, Mutasaabeq

Newmarket - 2.45 Summerghand

Beverley - 4.25 Danielsflyer

Sunday

Goodwood - 4.00 Chindit

York - 2.05 Uncle Bryn

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

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

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

2021 Flat Issue 16 - More points for Palace Pier

Headlines

Palace Pier rules at Deauville

Report

At Deauville on Sunday Palace Pier ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Steve, Tony), took his chance in the 1m group 1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois, Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 2 1/2f out, ridden inside final 2f, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, winning by a neck. Cliff gets 52.2 points, Martin, Neil, Steve, Tony 26.1

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Tony                 26.1     635.5

Steve              26.1        517

Martin           26.1      470.35

Bob                    00     454.1

Neil                  85.7     452.95

Cliff                 74.24       444.34

Cod                00      388.85

Peej                00          191.95

News

David Menuisier is unfazed by the tough task Wonderful Tonight will face against Snowfall in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday after he confirmed his star filly will clash with the dual Oaks heroine in the Ebor festival's day-two highlight.

Entries

Friday

York

2.25 Stradivarius

3.00 Vintage Clarets

3.35 Liberty Beach

Saturday

Sandown

2.40 Indigo Girl

Chelmsford 

8.30 Lafan

York 

1.50 Lord Glitters

3.00 Mutasaabeq, Space  Blues

Curragh 

6.05 Discoveries

Sunday

Brighton 3.50 Lafan

Naas 4.00 Baton Rouge

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9

 

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

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

York Grand Slam picks

Neil - Dragon Symbol

Cod - Nicholas T

Peej - Pendleton

Cliff - Kerami

2021 Flat Issue 15 - Two winners to get the August score rolling

Headlines

Alpinista takes 131st Grosser Preis Von Berlin

Sun shines at Chelmsford

Report

We start at Hoppegarten on Sunday where in the 1m 4gf group 1 131st Grosser Preis Von Berlin Alpinista (Neil) went to post, Chased leaders, ridden along over 3f out, went 2nd 2 1/2f out, led entering final furlong, drew clear final 100yds winning by 2 ¾ l. She gets 59.6 points.

On Tuesday at Chelmsford in the 1m novice median auction stakes Sunrise Valley (Cliff), took her chance, Made all, pushed along and went well clear from over 1f out, winning easily by 15l. She gets 22.04 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Tony                 00         609.4

Steve              00         490.9

Martin           00        443.25

Bob                    00     454.1

Neil                  59.6     426.85

Cliff                 22.04       392.14

Cod                00      388.85

Peej                00          191.95

Entries

Friday 

Curragh 7.00 Amhran Na Bhifan

Saturday 

Newmarket 3.05 Bielsa

Newbury 2.20 Sleeping Lion, 2.55 Troll Peninsula, 3.30 Danyah, Space Blues, Statement, Tactical, The Lir Jet

Doncaster 3.00 Troll Peninsular

Sunday 

Pontefract 3.10 Dandalla 

Longchamp 

Palace Pier, Alpine Star, Chindit, Order of Australia

York Grand Slam, Entries by close of play Monday 16 August

News

Roger Varian is considering options in France and Ireland for Zeyaadah following her gallant effort in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. Roger told the Punter “She’s in great form and either the Prix de la Nonette at Deauville later on in August or the Blandford Stakes at the Curragh in September will be the next target.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes at York is among the options under consideration for Martyn Meade’s star colt Lone Eagle.

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

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

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

2021 Flat Issue 14 - Cod wins Trainer of the Month

Headlines

Tonight is Wonderful at Goodwood

Report

At Goodwood on Saturday, Wonderful Tonight ( Bob) took her chance in the 1m 6f group 2, Took keen hold, tracked leader, led going easily under 4f out, switched left against near rail 3f out, soon pushed along and went clear, ridden over 1f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, pushed out final 110yds,  winning  comfortably by 2l. She gets 43.2 points.

Yesterday at Leopardstown in the 1m 4f group3 Tarnawa ( Bob, Cod, Tony), went to post, Briefly unseated rider leaving chute, loaded without rider, soon towards rear, in touch with leaders over 3f out, smooth headway from over 2f out, led towards nearside and pushed along 1f out, kept on strongly and went clear final 110yds, Winning easily by 6 ½ l. She gets 16.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        July        Total

Tony                 187.1         609.4

Steve              125.9         490.9

Martin           120.2        443.25

Bob                    172.5     454.1

Cod                205.9      388.85

Cliff                 30.9       370.1

Neil                  77.1     367.25

Peej                00          191.95

Congratulations to Cod who is trainer of the Month

York Grand Slam, Entries by close of play Monday 16 August

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

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

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