2021/22 Jumps Issue 16 - Cheltenham countdown continues

Headlines

Skytastic flys high at Ascot

Fakir D’Oudairies lands Ascot Chase

Report

We start in the 2m 3 novice hurdle at Ascot where Skytastic (Bob), went to post, Close up, led 2 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, good jump last, sustained battle with runner-up run-in, kept on well, winning gamely by a neck. He gets 24.4 points

In the 2m 5f grade 1 Ascot Chase Fakir D'oudairies ( Peej), took his chance, Held up in behind leaders, towards rear after 5th, headway on outer 10th, not fluent 5 out, tracked leader going best 3 out, not fluent and ridden just after 2 out, good jump last, soon led, kept on well run-in, all out, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 81.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

               February                Total

Peej      170.43                   917.17                         

Steve      88.02                    741.43

Cliff       78.6                    596.78

Cod            115.3            568.75

Bob       35.69                508.22

Neil          78.1               436.57

Martin      29.76           352.19             

The next grand slam leg is Cheltenham, closing date for one horse, not in any other string is Sunday 13 March

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

News

Frodon could make a surprise appearance at the Cheltenham Festival after he featured among the entries for the Ultima Handicap Chase on Wednesday. The three-time Grade 1 winner has run five times at the festival, including his victory in the Ryanair Chase in 2019, but was a notable absentee from the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup entries which were released in January.  

Last seen in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, the ten-year-old is rated 164 ahead of a possible Ultima tilt, with trainer Paul Nicholls remaining undecided over whether the King George winner will run in March. 

"I was just looking through the cards on Sunday evening and thought let's just stick him in and have a look," Nicholls said. "It's three weeks away still and he's on the same mark he won a handicap off at the track last season. I felt it might be easier putting him in a handicap at this stage than running in the Gold Cup.

"It doesn't mean he will definitely run but we'll see. If we were happy he was 100 per cent fit and well and the ground was right then he could run, he's not in there just as a placeholder. It's taken him a fortnight to get over Ireland but he's back to life now and he's got three weeks, so it's possible." 

Weekend Entries

Chepstow Saturday 

1.43 Hacker Des Places

Kempton

1.15 Patroclus

3.37 Mister Mlarkey

Sunday Fontwell

2.50 Allmankind

2021/22 Jumps Issue 15 - Cheltenham looming

Headlines

Elle Est Belle lands Sydney Banks hurdle

Elimay trots up at Naas

Journey With Me all  the way to Cheltenham

Bravemansgame scores at Newbury

Report

We start at Huntingdon last Thursday where in the 2m 3f listed hurdle Elle Est Belle (Martin), took her chance, Took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 4th, shaken up and headway on outer when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, pressed leaders when left in second last, kept on well to lead final strides, winning by a neck. She gets 29.76 points.

At Naas on Saturday in the 2m 3f novice hurdle Journey With Me (Cod), went to post, Tracked leaders, headway to lead 4th, not fluent 4 out, pecked on landing 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well and went clear run-in, winning by 3l. He gets 22.4 points.

 

In the 2m listed chase Elimay (Neil), took her chance, Made all, travelled strongly, went clear run-in, winning in a  canter by 5l. She gets 27 points.

At Newbury in the 2m 7f novice handicap chase, Bravemansgame ( Peej, Steve), went to post, Made all, jumped slightly right 11th, not fluent 4 out, soon briefly headed, good jump 3 out, going easily 2 out, ridden briefly run-in, kept on well, winning  comfortably by 3 ½ l. He gets 11.73 points.

 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

               February                Total

Peej      88.93                    835.67                          

Steve      88.02                    741.43

Cliff       78.6                    596.78

Cod            115.3            568.75

Bob   11.29                       483.82

Neil          78.1               436.57

Martin      29.76           352.19             

The next grand slam leg is Cheltenham, closing date for one horse, not in any other string is Sunday 13 March

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

News

Metier is set to reappear next month granted suitable conditions following his recent victory at Lingfield. The mud-loving six-year-old won for the first time since his Grade One Tolworth Hurdle success 12 months earlier when enjoying the heavy ground at the Surrey venue to beat Gowel Road by a length and a quarter. Trainer Harry Fry will look for similar going in either the bet365 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on March 5 or the Imperial Cup at Sandown a week later as an alternative.

Bravemansgame took a seriously progressive profile into last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and was 4/1 to extend his winning sequence, only to be made to look relatively one-paced by the Henry De Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger and Willie Mullins' Gaillard Du Mesnil.

Since then Bravemansgame has made a perfect transition to fences, winning four from four including against more seasoned campaigners earlier in the season. “This year he is a stronger horse and jumping fences suits him," Nicholls told Tattersalls Cheltenham. "I would like to think we have a live chance, but the Irish are still going to be hard to beat."

Weekend Entries

Ascot Saturday 

1.15 Skytastic

3.35 Mister Fisher

Haydock

2.05 Bristol De Mai

2.40 Bristol De Mai

Wincanton

3.20 Allmankind

Sunday 

Newbury

2.30 Gran Luna

4.15 Patroclus

2021/22 Jumps Issue 14 - Points from Leopardstown

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Saturday where in the 3m grade 1 Irish Gold Cup Minella Indo ( Cod, Steve), went to post, Held up in midfield, chased leaders 4 out, pushed along and went second after 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra run-in, finishing 2nd beaten 6 ½ l. He gets 13.9 points.

On Sunday in the 2m 5f grade 1 novice chase Galopin Des Champs ( Cod Peej), took his chance, Raced wide, took keen hold, tracked leader, joined leader 5th, jumped slightly right 7th, not fluent 8th, led 5 out, faced challenge but going easily after 2 out, nudged along before last, went clear when pushed along briefly run-in, stayed on, winning  easily by 9l. He gets 26.2 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle Honeysuckle ( Cliff, Neil, Peej, Steve), took her chance, Travelled strongly, tracked leaders, steadied when jumped slightly left 3 out, joined leaders on outer going easily before 2 out, led from 2 out, eased clear home turn, pushed along before last, ridden briefly and kept on strongly run-in, winning easily by 6 ½ l. She gets 51.1 points. 

In the 2m grade 1 novice hurdle Sir Gerhard, ( Cod), took his chance, Didn't jump with fluency, made all, mistake when 1 length ahead 5th, good jump 2 out (usual 3 out), faced challenge but going okay omitted 2 out, pushed along before last, hit last, ridden and went further clear run-in, winning comfortably by 6l. He gets 52.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

               February                Total

Peej      77.2                    823.94                          

Steve      76.29                    729.7

Cliff       78.6                    596.78

Cod            92.9            546.35

Bob       11.29                   483.82

Neil          51.1               409.57

Martin      00                322.43             

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

News

Willie Mullins will unleash Appreciate It on Honeysuckle in the Unibet Champion Hurdle next month without having a prep run. Appreciate It's chasing career was put on hold after suffering a setback earlier in the season and he has not been seen since his explosive 24-length victory in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Despite that lengthy absence, the eight-year-old is just 4-1 with the sponsors to inflict a first defeat on Honeysuckle at the festival next month and Mullins is happy to go there without the benefit of a run.

Defi Du Seuil has been retired by JP McManus with his trainer Philip Hobbs describing the nine-year-old as "up there with the very best" he has trained in his long and distinguished career. And his longtime ally in the saddle Barry Geraghty described the seven-time Grade 1 winner as "a joy to ride".

Harry Fry will keep an eye on the weather before deciding whether to run Metier in the valuable Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Fry told The Punter “Metier is not certain to run, as we are unlikely to see him get his ground. I was a bit surprised that there were only 16 runners at the confirmation stage, so it has cut up a bit, we will decide at the declaration stage. “I’ve no problem running on good to soft ground, but over that two-mile trip he would be better off having slower conditions. I’d be keen to step him up in trip. He likes testing ground."

Dan Skelton is relishing a rematch with Third Time Lucki’s Sandown conqueror Edwardstone in Saturday’s Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Weekend Entries

Saturday Newbury

1.15 Bravemansgame

2.25 Clan Des Obeaux, Bravemansgame

3.00 Sky Pirate

3.35 Soaring Glory, Knappers Hill, Metier, Tritonic, 

Warwick

2.05 Third Time Lucki

Naas

3.25 Journey With Me

Sunday Exeter

2.00 Midnight River

3.00 Stage Star

2021/22 Jumps Issue 13 - Bob breaks Trainer of the Month drought

Headlines

Sky is fan Tastic at Doncaster

Chantry House takes Cotswold Chase

Third Time Lucki flashes home in Lightning chase

Kilcruit wins at Punchestown

Dusart takes Exeter chase

Patroclus lands Leicester Chase

Report

We start at Doncaster on Friday, where in the 2m3f maiden hurdle, Skytastic (Bob), took his chance, Pressed leader on outer, led going easily 3 out, shaken up 2 out, clear final 110yds,, winning impressively by 3 ½ l. He gets 24.76 points.

On Saturday at Cheltenham in the 3m 1f grade 2 chase Chantry House ( Cliff Peej, Steve), went to post, Tracked leaders, went second 12th, mistake and lost second 14th, ridden 3 out, 4 lengths ahead last, led 2 out, stayed on run-in, finished tired, winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 43.68

At Doncaster in the grade 2 novice chase Third Time Lucki ( Bob, Martin), took his chance, Chased clear leader, headway before 6th, close up before 7th, 1 length second 3 out, cruising before 2 out, going easily when left clear last, winning  easily by 30l. He gets 21.54 points.

On Monday at Punchestown in the 2m maiden hurdle Kilcruit (Bob, Neil), went to post, Made all, clear going easily after 2 out, winning in a  canter by 21l. He gets 11.5 points.

On Wednesday at Leicester Patroclus ( Cliff), took his chance in the 2m 4f handicap chase, Tracked leader, lost second 5 out, headway and disputed lead 4 out, ridden after 2 out, half a length down last, ran on run-in, led final strides, winning by a neck. He gets 27.5 points

At Exeter in the 3m novice chase Dusart ( Bob, Steve ), went to post, Made all, jumped left on occasions, took keen hold, increased tempo before 10th, going easily and went clear before 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, awkward jump 2 out, 10 lengths ahead last, eased final 110yds, winning comfortably by 11l. He gets 11.29 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

         January        February  Total

Peej      154.12                      746.64

Steve      144.61     11.29         664.7

Cliff       149.33      27.5        545.68

Bob      189.95       11.29        483.82

Cod            45.2                   453.45

Neil          63.34                   358.47

Martin      100.74                 322.43             

 

Congratulations to Bob, who is January trainer of the month

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

 

News

Ruby Walsh believes Willie Mullins may direct Galopin Des Champs towards a clash with Bob Olinger in the Turners Novices' Chase if the deeply exciting youngster produces another spectacular jumping display at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival. Galopin Des Champs could hardly have been any more impressive when bolting up by 22 lengths on his 2m5f chasing debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, a performance that has made him the 6-4 favourite with Ladbrokes for the 3m½f Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. However, the Audrey Turley-owned six-year-old also holds an entry for the 2m4f Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, priced up at 3-1 in which he would likely face red-hot favourite Bob Olinger.

Nicky Henderson will give the promising Dusart at least one more run before making any decision about spring festival targets after the Ronnie Bartlett-owned seven-year-old made it two from two over fences in the feature 3m novice chase. Henderson, told The Punter after the 2-7 favourite got the job done on his first attempt at three miles, said: "It was good education except there wasn’t any company for him. "He didn’t go as left as he did at Leicester but then he had horses with him. He does jump very well but he’s got to stop doing that. Nico said when he had a horse beside him he was as good as gold." 

The unbeaten chaser is now as short as 14-1 with some firms for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and 12-1 for the Turners.

Aye Right could be headed for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after his creditable run in the Cotswold Chase there on Saturday. Harriet Graham was delighted with Aye Right’s effort in finishing third to Chantry House and is still looking at the Gold Cup, although the Jedburgh handler will give him an alternative entry at the Festival in the Ultima Handicap Chase. “He ran a cracking a race. The Gold Cup is definitely on the horizon but he’ll also be entered in the Ultima, so we’re just keeping our options open,” she said. “Obviously, the Gold Cup is fairly ambitious whereas the Ultima is maybe more within his abilities, but he’ll probably be carrying top weight and he’s not the biggest horse in the world. We might just have a pop at the Gold Cup.

Weekend Entries

Wetherby Saturday

2.30 Midnight River

Leopardstown

1.05 Eric Bloodaxe, Journey With Me

2.10 Riviere D’Etel, 

3.15 Asterion Forlange, Frodon, Galvin, Minella Indo, Eklat De Rire, Clan Des Obeaux

Leopardstown Sunday

1.20 Bob Olinger, Gallopin Des Champs, Capodanno, Galliard Du Mensil

1.50 Greaneteen, Sky Pirate, Fakir D’Oudairies, Allaho, Energumene

2.25 Annamix, 

3.00 Appreciate It, Honeysuckle, Sharjah, Echoes In Rain, Zanahiyr

3.35 Sir Gerhard

4.10 Echoes In Rain