The voice of racing men since 1998

Thursday, 27 April 2023

2022/23 Jumps Issue 25 - Crown and Spoon to be decided on Saturday

Headlines

Gino gets it Right at Ayr
Kitty’s Light Shines Bright
Another Facile win for Vega
Energumene lands Champion Chase

Report

We start at Ayr on Saturday where in the 2m 4g grade 2 novice chase Datsalrightgino (Cod) took his chance, Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 4 out, went second 3 out, ridden 2 out, disputed lead last, led run-in, went clear towards finish, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 78.8 points.

In the 4m handicap Chase Kitty’s Light ( Cod), went to post, Held up in midfield, headway 5 out, went second just after 3 out, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, soon led narrowly, ridden and kept on well run-in, went clear inside final 110yds winning by 3l. He gets 40 points.

At Punchestown on Tuesday Facile Vega (Bob, Cod, Neil, Peej), took his chance in the 2m grade 1 Champion novice hurdle, Prominent, went third after 3rd, went second 4th, bad mistake but recovered 3 out, led narrowly going easily 2 out, shaken up and 2 lengths ahead approaching last, pushed out and went further clear run-in, winning easily by 7 ½ l. He gets 26.6 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Champion Chase Energumene (Bob, Steve), went to post, In touch with leaders, mistake 4th, headway when mistake 4 out, went second 3 out, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied run-in, led again towards finish  winning by ¾ l. Bob gets 52.2 points Steve 26.1

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
          April      Total
Peej      77.74            1173.82
Neil        130.49       1122.94
Steve      184.86         1069.72
Bob          129.94       840.46
Martin     77.33      722.19
Cod       201.4             657.2
Cliff        131,64           627.42


Weekend Entries

Friday 

Perth
1.30 Letterston Lady

Punchestown
5.25 State Man, Vauban, Pied Piper, Epatante
6.00 Champ Kiely . Facile Vega, High Definition, 

Chepstow 
4.45 All The Glory

Saturday 

Sandown
1.40 Jonbon, Greaneteen, First Flow
2.15 Hewick, Kitty’s Light, 
2.50 First Flow, Hewick, McFabulous, Eldorado Allen
3.25 Fable
4.00 Knappers Hill, Mcfabulous, Thyme Hill

Punchestown
3.50 Epatante, Marie’s Rock
5.00 Scriptwriter, Lossiemouth

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
Leg 13 Neil
Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

Thursday, 20 April 2023

2022/23 Jumps Issue 24 - Still in the balance

Headlines

Banbridge Lands Manifesto Chase
Shishkin Lifts Aintree Bowl
Constitution Hill takes Aintree Hurdle
Jonbon wins Maghull chase

Report

We start at Aintree on Thursday where in the 2m 4f grade 1 Manifesto novice chase Banbridge ( Cod), went to post, Prominent, led just after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 56 points.

In the 3m 1f Aintree Bowl Chase Shishkin ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), took his chance, prominent, not fluent 5th, bit short of room and switched right before 13th, pushed along and went second before 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, ridden and rallying when good jump last, soon led, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. Cliff gets 80.5 points, Neil Steve, 52.75

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Aintree Hurdle Constitution Hill (Not Cod), went to post, Jumped well, made all, shaken up run-in, winning unchallenged by 3l. He gets 51.14 points.

On Saturday in the 2m grade 1 Maghull novice chase Jonbon (Martin, Steve), took his chance, Raced in second, disputed lead 8th, led 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, 7 lengths ahead when left clear last, winning easily by 43 l. He gets 26.19 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
          April      Total
Peej      51.14            1147.22
Neil        103.89       1096.34
Steve      158.76         1043.62
Bob          51.14       761.66
Martin     77.33      722.19
Cliff        131,64           627.42
Cod       56              511.8

Aintree Grand Slam
Cliff     131.64
Steve  130.08
Neil 103.89
Martin 77.33
Cod      56
Bob      51.14
Peej      51.14

So the editor picks up the Aintree 20 points.

News

Galopin Des Champs will grace the Punchestown festival with his presence next Wednesday after Willie Mullins gave officially the best horse in training the green light to contest the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Since the turn of the century only three horses have completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown Gold Cup double in the same season – Kicking King (2005), War Of Attrition (2006) and Sizing John (2017) – but Galopin Des Champs is sure to be a warm order to become the fourth following his decisive victory in jump racing's most prestigious prize last month.

Christian Williams hopes that "people's favourite" Kitty's Light can follow in the footsteps of stablemate Win My Wings and secure another major victory for the trainer in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday (3.35). Williams achieved a dream one-two in the four-mile contest 12 months ago when Win My Wings triumphed from Kitty's Light and believes a similar performance from last year's runner-up could see the seven-year-old follow up his Eider success at Newcastle in February. 

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Ayr
2.25 The Carpenter
4.10 Huelgoat

Fontwell
2.50 Fable, Huelgoat

Saturday 

Ayr
2.25 First Street, Soaring Glory
3.00 Datsalrightgino, Mcfabulous
3.35 Dusart, Kitty’s Light, Lord Accord
4.10 Castle Rushen

Flat Competition starts Saturday 6 May, closing date for strings is Monday 1 May


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
Leg13 Neil
Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

Thursday, 13 April 2023

2022/23 Jumps Issue 23 - Aintree Awaits

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
          March       Total
Peej      222.42              1096.08
Neil        284.4            992.45
Steve      173.15         913.54
Bob          214.27          710.52
Martin     142.47            644.86      
Cliff        183.62           475.78
Cod       93                 455.8


News
Bravemansgame was ruled out of Thursday's Aintree Bowl Chase on Wednesday evening following an intervention by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prohibiting him from taking part.

The Paul Nicholls-trained runner was due to compete under the sole ownership of Bryan Drew after John Dance was removed as joint-owner on Tuesday when his company, WealthTek LLP, was placed in special administration by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The BHA released a statement on Wednesday evening which read: "In light of new information, including a court order, provided to the BHA on Wednesday 12 April by the Financial Conduct Authority Bravemansgame is no longer able to take part in the race and has been withdrawn.


Weekend Entries

Friday

Aintree 

1.45 Mcfabulous, Stage Star
2.20 Jungle Jack
2.55 American Mike
3.30 Fakir D’Oudairies, Hitman
4.40 The Carpenter
5.15 Knappers Hill, Call Of The Wild

Saturday

Aintree 

1.45 Jonbon
3.00 Crambo, The Carpenter, 
3.35 Eldorado Allen, Marie’s Rock, Flooring Porter, Thyme Hill, 
4.15 Eldorado Allen
5.15 Noble Yeats, Galvin, Galliard Du Mesnil, Capodano, 

Flat Competition starts Saturday 6 May, closing date for strings is Monday 1 May


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
Leg 13 Neil
First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

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

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

Aintree Grand Slam Picks

Steve - Delta Work
Bob, Neil - AL Dancer
Cliff - You Wear It Well
Cod - Banbridge
Peej - Baby Sage

Thursday, 6 April 2023

2022/23 Jumps Issue 22 - Steve Strikes Gold

Headlines

Two Takes Gold At Ascot

Report

At Ascot on Sunday in the 3 handicap chase Two For Gold (Steve), , went to post, Jumped well, prominent, pressed leaders 6th, went second 11th, led 3 out, pushed along 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, pushed out, winning by 3 ½ l. He gets 28.68 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
          March       Total
Peej      222.42              1096.08
Neil        284.4            992.45
Steve      173.15         913.54
Bob          214.27          710.52
Martin     142.47            644.86      
Cliff        183.62           475.78
Cod       93                 455.8

News
Aintree Grand Slam, 1 horse not currently in any string, to be submitted by close of play Tuesday 11 April

High Class 2 year old filly Commissioning has been retired.

Nicky Henderson has not ruled out the possibility of his unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill switching to fences next season. The Michael Buckley-owned six-year-old took his record to a perfect six from six with a demolition job over State Man in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this month, and attention now switches to the Aintree Hurdle on April 13. Constitution Hill will bid for a sixth successive Grade 1 victory when he runs at the Grand National festival in a race that could bring an end to his hurdling career.
Henderson said: "It's possible Aintree could be his last run over hurdles. Everything is possible."

"There are more opportunities over fences to start with, which would lead to the Arkle and the Champion Chase or maybe even the Gold Cup if he stays. A real superstar is a horse that can adapt to everything."

Fakir D'Oudairies remains firmly on course to bid for a Marsh Chase hat-trick at Aintree with Joseph O'Brien convinced springtime brings the best out of his four-time Grade 1 winner.


Weekend Entries

Saturday

Haydock 
2.05 All The Glory

Fairyhouse
5.05 Pied Piper

Sunday 

Plumpton
4.15 Dr T J Eckleburg

Fairyhouse
3.10 High Definition
3.45 American Mike, High Definition
4.55 Appreciate It, Galliard Du Mesnil, Sir Gerhard


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
Leg13 Neil

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

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