We start at Sandown on Friday where in the 7f handicap Marshall Dan (Cod), took his chance, Made all, soon went clear, 8 lengths ahead home turn, ridden over 1f out, reduced lead final furlong, always doing enough , winning by ¾ l. He gets 33.8 points.
At Doncaster in the 2m 2f group 2 Stradivarius ( Cliff, Neil), went to post, Travelled strongly, prominent early, midfield after 1f, towards rear after 5f, headway from 4f out, in touch with leaders going easily 3f out, close up 2f out, pushed along and led over 1f out, went clear final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ½ l. He gets 21.1 points.
At Haydock on Saturday in the 1m 6f group 1 St Leger Stakes Hurricane Lane ( Bob), took his chance, Held up in midfield, nudged along and headway going best over 3f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden clear when drifted left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ¾ l. He gets 78 points.
At Leopardstown in the 1m 2f group 1 Irish Champion Stakes St Marks Basilica (Tony), Tarnawa (Bob, Cod, Tony)went to post. St Marks Basilica , Tracked leaders, 5 lengths third halfway, close up when pushed along from 2f out, went second and made challenge over 1f out, soon ridden and drifted right, led towards near side inside final 110yds, kept on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 77.8 points.
Tarnawa, Held up in rear, 6 lengths fourth halfway, close up when pushed along 2f out, went third when ridden over 1f out, carried right towards near side inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, went second final stride , she gets 12 points.
On Sunday at the Curragh in the 7f group 1 Moyglare stud stakes for fillies, Discoveries (Cliff), took her chance, Soon tracked leader, close up when nudged along over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right and kept on well inside final 110yds, winning by ¾ l. She gets 68.8 points.
At Longchamp in the 1m 4f group 1 Prix Vermille for fillies and mares Teona (Steve), took her chance, Raced freely, chased leader, dropped to 3rd after 4f, ridden over 2f out, chased leader inside final 2f, led 1f out, kept on strongly, pushed out, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 87.8 points.
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
August Total
Steve 220.7 731.6
Tony 115.9 725.3
Cliff 182.64 555.74
Bob 90 544.1
Martin 56.9 501.15
Cod 107.6 496.45
Neil 128.3 495.55
Peej 25.8 217.75
News
Altior was retired on Monday after a career spanning seven years, 26 races and countless memorable performances. We recall some of his best.
2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
This was the moment Altior went from being a promising individual to one who only had the sky as his limit. Showing superb pace, he quickened decisively away from favourite Min and Buveur D'Air to win by seven lengths. It was a sign of things to come.
2017 Game Spirit Chase
Switched to fences, Altior soared even higher than he had over hurdles.
He demonstrated his precocious ability as a chaser by taking on more experienced rivals Fox Norton, Dodging Bullets and Traffic Fluide and slamming them. For context, Fox Norton had won the Shloer Chase the time before and subsequently won at the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, as well as finishing second in the Champion Chase.
2018 Champion Chase
Off the track between his Celebration Chase success and the Game Spirit Chase (which he won, of course), Altior faced his biggest challenge in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Not helped by an injury scare close to the race itself, Altior was alongside Min at the last but engaged his famed overdrive to surge clear up the hill to take the big prize.
2018 Tingle Creek Chase
Altior was establishing himself as an equine legend by this point, a position already held by Un De Sceaux. So when the pair clashed at Sandown in wretched conditions it appeared we were in for a classic, and that is what we got. Altior looked to have bested his rivals running to the last only to be headed again. However, that turbo kicked in and he was not to be caught.
The classy Alenquer is on course for a possible Longchamp rematch with last weekend's St Leger hero Hurricane Lane in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 3, connections have confirmed.
Weekend Entries
Friday Ayr
2.10 Vintage Clarets
2.45 Dandalla
Dundalk
4.40 New York City
Saturday Ayr
1.55 Addeybb
2.30 Bielsa
3,40 Bielsa, Summerghand
Newbury
2.15 Dandalla
2.50 Addeybb
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
