2023/24 Jumps Issue 7 - Hewick is a 100-pointer for Cod

Headlines

Bridge’s Fame rises at Haydock

Luccia takes Ascot handicap

Hewick is Crowned King Of Kempton

Hill remains too Big for Rivals to Climb

Marine Sails home at Leopardstown

Report

We start at Haydock on Saturday where in the 3m 1f handicap chase, Famous Bridge (Cliff), went to post, Held up in rear, headway 13th, went second before 4 out, ridden 2 out, pressed leader last, stayed on to lead run-in, bumped but went clear towards finish, winning by 1l. He gets 27 points.

At Ascot in the 2m handicap hurdle Luccia (Martin) took her chance, Took keen hold, made virtually all, good jump last, soon ridden and hung right, always doing enough, winning by a neck. She gets 31 points.

At Kempton on Boxing Day Hewick (Cod), Bravemansgame ( Neil, Steve)went to post in the 3m grade 1 Ling George V1 chase. Hewick, In touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, dropped to last and pushed along briefly 7th, outpaced 10th, not fluent and ridden 13th, still plenty to do 3 out, left in third just after 2 out, headway approaching last, kept on well to lead inside final 110yds, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 103.4 points.

Bravemansgame, in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, went second home turn, challenging from 3 out, left in lead then hampered and headed just after 2 out, rallied last, went second again final strides, 12nd 1 ½ l He gets 13.7 points

Constitution Hill (Bob, Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej), went to post, Took keen hold, jumped well, prominent, nudged along to lead 2 out, soon clear,  winning  easily  by 9 ½ l. He gets 51.1 points.

On Wednesday at Leopardstown, Marine Nationale ( Bob, Cod, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post in the 2m 1f beginners Chase, , Jumped well, made all, travelled strongly, going easily 2 out, shaken up and went clear run-in, winning impressively by 8 ½ l. He gets 11.2 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Peej    191.8                   307.6

Steve   142.07                 274.82           

Martin    203.45          285.1

Cod   249.1                   249.1

Cliff    208.2               234.7

Bob   83.4                     170.4

Neil 97.1                       97.1

  

Weekend Entries

Friday

Doncaster 

2,15 Lady Adare

Leopardstown

12.35 Ballyburn, Mirazur West

1.10 Brighterdaysahead

2.20 State Man, Impaire Et Passe, Irish Point

Kelso 

2.28 Maimie’s Magic

Saturday  

Newbury

12.40 Willmount 

1.50 Langer Dan 

3.00 Captain Teague , Willmount, Jeriko Du Reponet, lookaway, Masaccio

Haydock

12.50 Jerico Du Reponet

Sunday 

Warwick

1.30 Foxey

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 6 - Martin's week

Headlines

Dysart Enos scores at Cheltenham

War Wins at Ludlow

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Friday where in the 2m 1f novice hurdle Dysart Enos ( Martin), went to post, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second going easily 2 out, led approaching last, ridden run-in, ran on well, winning by 2 ¾ l. She gets 23.68 points.

Yesterday at Ludlow, in the 2m novice hurdle Go To War (Martin), took his chance, Prominent, pushed along 3 out, challenging 2 out, led approaching last, went clear run-in, winning  comfortably by 7 ½ l. He gets 23.34 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Steve   117.17                 249.92           

Peej    129.5                   245.3

Martin    121.35          203

Cliff    130.1            156.6

Cod   134.5                   134.5

Bob   21.1                     108.1

Neil 21.1                       21.1

News

Fergal O'Brien has paid tribute to the importance of Gold Cup-winning jockey Paddy Brennan to the rapid rise of Dysart Enos, who is now a general 4-1 chance to give the Gloucestershire-based trainer a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle. 

Carrying the colours of the Good Stock Syndicate, Dysart Enos took the opening race of Cheltenham's Christmas meeting in impressive fashion on Friday, adding a second win over hurdles to her three victories last season in bumpers.

Gerri Colombe, one of the rising stars of the staying chase division, is not guaranteed to take his place in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, with connections set for a nervy week of weather watching before Boxing Day. The seven-year-old shot to the head of the market for the Grade 1, overtaking longtime favourite Bravemansgame, after "serious money" came for him last month but on Monday he had drifted out to 4-1 generally (from 3s).

Bookmakers now consider Allaho the one to beat in a wide-open King George after Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins confirmed the two-time Ryanair Chase winner would travel to Kempton, and he was duly cut to 7-4. Whether Gerri Colombe lines up will depend on the conditions, according to owner Robcour's Brian Acheson, with the ground currently a mix of good to soft and good and a relatively dry week ahead.

Gerri Colombe – viewed by many as the most likely contender to deny Galopin Des Champs a Cheltenham Gold Cup repeat – took his record to nine from ten when motoring home in Down Royal's Champion Chase in November for Gordon Elliott. He has never raced on any surface quicker than good to soft and also has an entry in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Acheson said: "It's going to be down to the weather whether Gerri Colombe goes to the King George. They are due a bit of rain early this week but there's not much after that and if we travel over, we have to go on Saturday so we haven't decided whether he'll go yet."

Shark Hanlon has confirmed stable star Hewick will bid for Grade 1 glory in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, but he will have to find a new jockey after Jordan Gainford was injured last week.

Galopin Des Champs is set to deviate from last season's path to Gold Cup glory as Willie Mullins is keen to have a crack at the Savills Chase next week at Leopardstown, a move which may come as a surprise to many and is likely to result in his best price of 7-4 shortening considerably. The highest-rated horse in training only made two appearances before the Cheltenham Festival last season, winning the John Durkan Chase and the Irish Gold Cup, but the longer gap between the former event and Christmas this season has prompted Mullins to have a rethink. 

Weekend Entries

  

Friday 

Ascot

3.05 Unexpected Party

3.40 Captain Bellamy

Saturday 

Haydock

2.00 Famous Bridge, Bill Baxter

Ascot

2.25 Botox Has

3.35 Lookaway, Luccia, Nemean Lion

Boxing Day  

Down Royal 

12.48 Maimie’s Magic

Leopardstown

12.35 Ballyburn, Mirazur West

2.20 Mister Policeman, Gaelic Warrior, Inthepocket

Wetherby 

1.35 Bill Baxter, Iron Bridge, Famous Bridge

Aintree

1.05 Favour and Fortune

1.40 Langer Dan

Kempton

12.45 General Medrano

1.20 Giovinco

1.55 Constitution Hill, Nemean Lion, Rubaud

2.30  Allaho, Bravemansgame, Shishkin, Gerri Colombe, Hewick, , 

3.40 Kitty’s Light

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 5 - A rare 100-pointer on the scoreboard

Headlines

Fay Keeps Rivals Away at Sandown

Le Patron is King at Sandown

Jonbon sends a Tingle round Sandown

El Fabiolo lands the Hilly Way

Rivals Out Foxed at Lingfield

Report

We start at Sandown on Friday where in the 3m grade 2 novice chase Stay Away Fay ( Martin, Steve), went to post, made all, increased tempo 12th, hampered by loose horse before 3 out, hampered by loose horse and steadied after 3 out, soon pushed along, joined approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, stayed on, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 21.73 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Henry VIII novice Chase Le Patron ( Cliff), took his chance, Raced in second, not fluent 8th, not fluent 4 out, led just before 3 out, good jump 2 out, clear approaching last, ridden and reduced lead run-in, kept on, winning by 1n ¼ l. He gets 109 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase Jonbon (Martin, Steve), went to post, Raced in second, briefly led 5th, not fluent 3 out, pressed leader going best just after 2 out, led before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 52.6 points.

At Cork on Sunday in the 2m grade 2 chase El Fabiolo ( Not Martin), took his chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, awkward jump 2nd, led going best 4 out, went clear when not fluent last, ridden briefly and ran on well run-in winning by 4 ¾ l. He gets 21.1 points.

On Monday at Lingfield in the 2m novice handicap chase Foxey (Cod), took his chance, Jumped well, pressed leaders, led 3 out, went clear from 2 out, comfortably, winning by 9l. He gets 31 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Steve   117.17          249.92           

Peej    129.5             245.3

Cliff    130.1            156.6

Martin    74.33          155.98

Cod   134.5                   134.5

Bob   21.1                     108.1

Neil   21.1                       21.1

News

One of the sport's first Premier racing fixtures next month has received a major boost with trainer Dan Skelton ruling out Grade 1 options over Christmas to send Protektorat to the Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield. However, last year's Betfair Chase winner could be seen again as soon as this weekend after being entered in the 3m2f handicap chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Protektorat, who last ran in handicap company when finishing second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, trailed home last of the four runners in his repeat bid at Haydock last month and has been ruled out of the Grade 1 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton and Savills Chase at Leopardstown this month.

Instead, Skelton has set his sights primarily on the £165,000 feature race on the final day of Lingfield's three-day Winter Million meeting, which takes place from January 19-21. 

Weekend Entries

  

Friday

Cheltenham

12.05 Dysart Enos

12.40 Grey Dawning, Trelawne

1.15 Nemean Lion

Saturday 

Doncaster 

2.05 Langer Dan

Hereford

1.35 Langer Dan

2.13 Dr T J Eckleburg

Cheltenham

12.40 Trelawne

2.25 Protektorat

3.35 Ilovethenightlife, Luccia

Sunday  

Navan

1.45 Maimies Magic

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

Leg 15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 4 - One Punter not yet on scoreboard

Headlines

Jeriko Du Reponet stars at Newbury

Gino gets it all right at Newbury

Tea is Hot at Fairyhouse

Doctor Answers the Call at Ludlow

Report

We start at Newbury on Friday where in the 2m  maiden hurdle  Jeriko Du Reponet (Steve), went to post, In touch with leaders on inner, headway and shaken up 2 out, led last, winning  easily by 3 ¼ l. He gets 23.74 points

At Newbury on Saturday in the 3m 2f Premier handicap chase Datsalrightgino (Cod), took his chance, Towards rear on inner, headway from 4 out, went second just before 2 out, pressed leader approaching last, soon led, ridden and kept on run-in, winning by 3 ¾ l. He gets 82.4 points. 

At Fairyhouse on Sunday in the 2m 4f grade 1 Hatton’s Grace hurdle Teahupoo ( Peej), went to post, n touch with leaders on outer, headway and disputed lead before 2 out, clear with one other before last, ridden and led when edged right run-in, kept on well , winning by 1l. He gets 80.4 points.

Yesterday at Ludlow in the 2m novice handicap chase, Dr T.J Eckleburg (Peej), took his chance, Raced in third, went second and awkward jump 4th, ridden 3 out, led after 2 out, 1 length ahead last, kept on and just did enough, winning by ½ l;. He gets 28 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Peej    108.4                   224.2

Steve   23.74                 154.49           

Bob   00                     87

Cod   82.4                   82.4

Martin    00           81.65

Cliff    00               26.5

News

Nicky Henderson reported Constitution Hill is "more and more likely" to make his seasonal return in Saturday's rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown despite a significant market drift for the Grade 1 on Tuesday. The brilliant six-year-old was one of eight horses entered at Monday's five-day stage, but was pushed out to evens (from 1-3) with Paddy Power and Betfair for the £80,000 contest before quickly being cut back to 30-100.

However, the Seven Barrows trainer explained his seven-time winner is doing well after an overnight stay at Doncaster on Friday due to Newcastle's Fighting Fifth card being cancelled, and he is on course to feature this weekend. Speaking on Tuesday evening, Henderson said: "In all probability he's going to run, but there's nothing to add or subtract from what I said Monday – he's in great form."

Constitution Hill took his first step towards stardom on Saturday's Sandown card two years ago and big-spending owner Olly Harris is dreaming of following the same path to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March with Willmount, who could kickstart a glittering day for the Nicky Henderson stable.

Grade 1-winning owner Harris, describes Willmount as potentially the best horse he has had.

The Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham next month has emerged as the next likely slot for Coral Gold Cup winner Datsalrightgino – but trainer Jamie Snowden says there is a possibility he could be supplemented for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26. "He's gone up 11lb to 159, so you're slightly forced into Graded races on the back of that and the Cotswold Chase is the most obvious option," said Snowden, still floating on cloud nine after the biggest victory of his career at Newbury last weekend.

Weekend Entries

  

Friday 

Sandown

2,.5  Stay Away Fay, Giovinco

Saturday 

Sandown

3.00  Jonbon, Edwardstone

Aintree

3.15 Langer Dan

Sandown 

11.35 Willmount, 

12.05 Ilovethenightlife

1.15 Constitution Hill, Shishkin, You Wear It Well, Irish Point

1.50 Unexpected Party, Le Patron

2.25 Langer Dan

Navan

12.32 Dr Eggman

Sunday 

Kelso

1.35 Giovinco

3.05 Maimie’s Magic

Huntingdon

1.55 Edwardstone

Cork

12.45 Dr Eggman

2.15 El Fabiolo

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

Leg 15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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