2022/23 Jumps Issue 16 - Shishkin back on song!

Headlines

Shish Skins Rivals at Ascot 

Bo Zenith lands Haydock Hurdle

Like It moves to Quickly for rivals at Wincanton

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 2m 5f grade 1 Ascot Chase, Shishkin ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), went to post, travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, went second after 9th, joined leader after 3 out, pushed along and led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on strongly and went well clear from last, winning by 16l. Cliff gets 81 Neil Steve 53

At Haydock in the 2m juvenile hurdle Bo Zenith ( Bob), went to post, Prominent, nudged along 3 out, ridden and disputed lead last, led run-in, went clear final 110yds, winning by 3 ½ l. He gets 26.5 points.

At Wincanton in the 2m grade 2 hurdle I Like To Move It (Peej), took his chance, Prominent, led before 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, kept on strongly, winning  comfortably by 17l. He gets 48.68 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          February        Total

Peej      205.28            873.66

Steve      135.5                 740.39

Neil        129.7              688.05

Martin     74.56               516.79      

Bob          85.1               493.25

Cod       51.2            307.3

Cliff        81               292.16

News

Eldorado Allen remains on course for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup despite finishing a modest fifth to Zanza when bidding for back-to-back Denman Chase successes at Newbury. Trainer Joe Tizzard is keen to return to Prestbury Park next month for the blue riband event, although admitted Eldorado Allen, who is a general 66/1 chance, would be vying for minor honours. “There was a bit of disappointment, but as it turned out they went too quick,” said Tizzard of his latest effort under Brendan Powell. In hindsight, we should have just settled in behind the front two, but those were not the tactics going out there, so I think you can just put a line through that run.

Prominent owner Mark Adams hopes it will be ‘downhill’ all the way for Scriptwriter in Saturday’s Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton. The Milton Harris-trained four-year-old is among Britain’s top hopes for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, despite having his colours narrowly lowered by Comfort Zone in the trial at Cheltenham last month. “He’s well and we are looking forward to the Adonis and seeing how we got from there,” said Adams. “I have a lot of faith in the horse, so we have high hopes.”Adams told The Punter.

Time has been called on the glittering career of hugely-popular chaser Bristol De Mai following his run at Haydock on Saturday.Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained grey was victorious six times at his beloved Merseyside venue, including a hat-trick of victories in the Betfair Chase between 2017 and 2020. Bristol De Mai also won the 2016 Altcar Novices’ Chase, the 2017 Peter Marsh Chase and last year’s Grand National Trial at Haydock, but finished well beaten when bidding for back-to-back wins in the latter contest at the weekend.

Connections now feel the time has come to give him an honourable retirement. His stellar career in Britain was handled by Nigel Twiston-Davies and Bristol De Mai made an instant impact by winning the 2014 edition of the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on his first start. The following season he added the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown. In all he won five Grade 1s, ran in three Gold Cups – finishing third behind Al Boum Photo and Anibale Fly in 2019 – and ran in the Grand National won by Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times.

 

Weekend Entries

Friday

Exeter

2.10 Ilovethenightlife

Warwick

3.00 Iron Bridge

Saturday 

Kempton

1.50 Scriptwriter

2.25 Datsallrightgino

3.00 Kitty’s Light

4.45 Fable

Fairyhouse

2.45 American Mike

Sunday 

Fontwell

1.30 Fable

2.30 Hacker Des Places, Knappers Hill

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

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

2022/23 Jumps Issue 15 - Cheltenham countdown ticks louder

Headlines

Crambo Scores at Bangor

Fable is a True winner at Bangor

Jonbon lands King Maker Chase

The Carpenter chops up rivals at Exeter

Khal Blazes home at Navan

Report

We start at Warwick on Saturday where in the 2m grade 2 novice chase, Jonbon (Martin, Steve) went to post, Jumped slightly right on occasions, led, not fluent and headed 6th, shaken up after 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well and went clear run-in, winning by 5 ½ l. He gets 21.1 points

On Friday at Bangor in the 2m 4f mares limited handicap chase Fable ( Martin), took her chance, Raced in second, disputing second from 9th, lost ground before 3 out, rallied before 2 out, kept on to lead last, ridden out run-in, winning by  ¾ l. She gets 30 points.

In the 2m novice hurdle Crambo (Martin), went to post, Prominent, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, led after 2 out, soon edged left, went clear from last, winning readily by 4 ¼ l. He gets 23.46 points.

On Sunday at Exeter in the 2m 2f novice hurdle, The Carpenter (Neil), went to post, Prominent, clear with one other before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, ridden approaching last, 2 lengths down last, kept on strongly run-in, led inside final 110yds, won going away by ¾ l. He gets 25.5 points.

At Navan in the 2m 5f grade 2 hurdle Blazing Khal ( Bob, Peej), took his chance, Travelled strongly, held up in rear, headway 3 out, joined leader going best before last, led when ridden and stayed on after last, won going away by 3l. He gets 26.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          February        Total

Peej      156.6            824.98

Steve      82.5                 687.39

Neil        76.7                635.05

Martin     74.56               516.79      

Bob          58.6               466.75

Cod       51.2            307.3

Cliff        00               211.16

News

One of the biggest names in jump racing will not be appearing at next month's Cheltenham Festival after it was revealed dual Ryanair Chase hero Allaho would miss this year's race and the rest of the season due to an abdominal bleed.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: "He worked very well on Saturday. He came back, dried off, we put him into his box and had his lunch. Then after lunch we found him to be a little bit distressed and we thought he was getting a colic, but it didn't look like a colic. It was something else."

"We brought him straight down to Fethard Equine Hospital and they found that he had got a bleed in his abdomen, which is hugely unusual. I don't think I've ever seen that in a horse before. He was comfortable over the weekend, but still critical. This morning he moved off the critical list. His bloods and everything have come down to normal levels. I got good word from the hospital this morning but, unfortunately, he won't make Cheltenham. That's him for the season.

Weekend Entries

Friday

Kelso 

3.00 Sporting John

3.30 Langer Dan,  Jungle Jack Barrichelo, 

Saturday 

Ascot

3.35 Shishkin, Fakir D’Odairies, First Flow

Wincanton

1.57 Skytastic

3.12 Knappers Hill, First Street, I Like To Move It

Haydock

1.30 Bo Zenith

2.40 Bristol De Mai, Dusart, Iron Bridge

4.25 Saint Palais

Sunday 

Newbury

1.30 Skytastic

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

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

2022/23 Jumps Issue 14 - Cheltenham on horizon for Leopardstown winners

Headlines

Des Champs Gallops in to Win Gold Cup

Third Time Lucki lands Sandown Chase

Gentleman De Mee lands Dublin Chase

Man States his Cheltenham Case

Report

We Start at Leopardstown on Saturday where in the 3m Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup Galopin Des Champs ( Cod, Neil, Peej), went to post, in touch with leaders on inner, headway on outer when left in third 2 out, shaken up and went second approaching last, made challenge when carried left last, soon led, ridden clear final 110yds, kept on well winning by 8l. He gets 51.2 points.

At Sandown in the 2m handicap chase Third Time Lucki (Bob), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, went second approaching last, ridden and led run-in, kept on, winning by 1l. He gets 32 points.

On Sunday at Leopardstown in the 2m 1f grade 1 Dublin Chase Gentleman De Mee (Steve), went to post, Disputed lead early, raced in second 1st, disputed lead 2nd, led and made rest after 5th, going okay after 2 out, pushed along when raced wide but going best before last, ridden and kept on strongly after last, pushed out towards finish, winning by 7l He gets 61.4 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle, State Man (Peej), took his chance, Made all, pushed along and 3 lengths ahead last, ridden out run-in, winning comfortably by 4 ¾ l. He gets 78.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          February        Total

Peej      130                 798.38

Steve      61.4                 666.29

Neil        51.2                609.55

Martin     00                442.23      

Bob          32               440.15

Cod       51.2            307.3

Cliff        00               211.16

News

Peter Molony has described the Mares' Hurdle as a "more realistic" target for Honeysuckle after revealing that the brilliant nine-year-old has been granted the prospect of a glorious Cheltenham Festival swansong before retiring to the breeding shed.

On Sunday, after Kenny Alexander's dual Champion Hurdle winner was beaten for a second time under Rachael Blackmore when bidding for a fourth Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, Alexander and trainer Henry de Bromhead ruled out the possibility of a tilt at a third successive triumph in the two-mile championship decider.

With her Leopardstown conqueror State Man and the intimidating prospect of red-hot Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill lying in wait, those closest to her weren't keen on forcing the issue with a mare who has already achieved so much.

Talking to The Punter about A Plus Tard The County Waterford handler said: “It was frustrating with A Plus Tard at Christmas, getting a little knock,  but that’s what happened and we just have to deal with that. I would love to have had another run under his belt but we didn’t and he’ll go straight to Cheltenham. Touch wood, he seems great now.

"He wasn’t right when he came back from Haydock – it was too bad to be true – then he got a knock on the day of the Savills which was really frustrating. We are able to get him ready though and I saw him this morning and he was in great form, so we will just try and get him there as good as we can.

Allaho is on course to reprise his role as Cheveley Park Stud's flagbearer at the Cheltenham Festival next month, with connections encouraged by his progress towards challenging for a third Ryanair Chase.

Willie Mullins has confirmed that Facile Vega was "quite sore" following his Dublin Racing Festival defeat at Leopardstown. "He was getting better this morning so I think he'll be alright.

Weekend Entries

Friday

Bangor 

1.50 Fable 

3.25 Crambo

Kempton

2.30 The Carpenter

Saturday 

Uttoxeter

3.20 Peejaybee

Newbury

2.25 Eldorado Allen, Hitman

3.00 Greaneteen, Jonbon

3.35 First Street, Hacker Des Places, 

4.10 McFabulous

4.43 Fire Flyer

Warwick

1.30 Stolen Silver

2.40 Jonbon

Sunday 

Exeter

2.30 Crambo, The Carpenter

3.30 Ittack Blue

Navan

2.10 American Mike

2.40 Blazing Khal

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

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

2022/23 Jumps Issue 13 - Eyes on Dublin this weekend

Headlines

Star Scores on Cheltenham Stage

Des Places Hacks up at Cheltenham

Epatante blooms in  Yorkshire Rose Hurdle

Maimie’s works Her Magic again at Newcastle

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Saturday where in the 2m 4f novice handicap chase Stage Star (Peej), took his chance Jumped well, led narrowly or disputed lead, led clearly 4 out, faced challenge 2 out, went clear again run-in, pushed out winning by 3 ¾ l. He gets 27.5 points.

In  the 2m grade 1 Clarence House chase Edwardstone ( Martin, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway 2 out, disputing second last, led run-in, soon ridden, headed final strides, 2nd beaten a head. He gets 13.5 points.

In the 2m 1f handicap hurdle Hacker Des Places (Neil), went to post, Prominent, made challenge after 2 out, led before last, soon pushed along and 2 lengths ahead, hung left and ridden run-in, kept on well, winning by a neck. He gets 30 points.

At Doncaster in the 2m grade 2 hurdle Epatante (Steve), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway to challenge going easily 2 out, soon led and quickened clear, went further clear run-in, winning easily by 6 ½ l. She gets 42.46 points.

On Tuesday at Newcastle in the 2m 1f mares handicap hurdle, Maimie’s Magic (Neil), took her chance, Took keen hold, held up in rear, switched right before 3 out, pushed along when headway and drifted right after 2 out, led run-in, ridden clear final 110yds, winning by 3l. She gets 40.2 points.

 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          January        Total

Peej      108.24            668.38

Steve      84.66                 604.89

Neil        70.2               558.35

Martin     13.5                442.23      

Bob          50.9               408.15

Cod       22.2                 256.1

Cliff        00               211.16

Congratulations to Peej who is January trainer of the month

News

Shishkin came through a workout on Tuesday which enabled Nicky Henderson to continue aiming towards the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

Weekend Entries

Saturday 

Leopardstown

1.20 American Mike, 

2.30 Appreciate It, Sir Gerhard

3.05 Galopin Des Champs

Sandown

1.45 Third Time Lucki

2.55 Gelino Bello

Wetherby

3.23 Sherriff Garrett

Sunday 

Leopardstown

1.40 Appreciate It, Sir Gerhard

2.10 Energumene, Gentlemen De Mee

3.10 State Man, Honeysuckle, Vauban, Pied Piper, Sir Gerhard

3.40 Facile Vega, High Definition, American Mike

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

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff