2023/24 Jumps Issue 16 - Entries drop ahead of Festival

Headline

Constitution Under Threat

Headline news

Constitution Hill's Cheltenham Festival appearance hangs in the balance after he posted his worst ever performance on a racecourse at Kempton on Tuesday morning, trailing home well behind two stablemates in his final serious bit of work before the defence of his Champion Hurdle title. It was a wholly unexpected turn of events for jump racing's equine superstar that left his trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley looking rather stunned among a small huddle of onlookers after he galloped on the all-weather circuit.

There is now significant doubt about whether the seven-year-old, unbeaten in eight races, will be fit to race at Prestbury Park in a fortnight’s time. He was immediately scoped in the racecourse stables and Henderson emerged soon after to report signs of an infection in the horse’s airways. “He stopped rather like a horse that had bled, but thankfully he hasn’t bled,” the Lambourn trainer said. “Significant mucus” was visible in the sample, however, and much now depends on the severity of the infection from which Constitution Hill is suffering.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Steve   159.59             662.43         

Peej    183.2               660.3

Cliff    170.37             507.87

Bob   205.57                 499.39

Martin    101.9              460.39

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Neil 119.13                    377.91

Congratulations to Bob who is February trainer of the month

More News

Kerry Lee is prepared to roll the dice and allow Nemean Lion to take his chance in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.The seven-year-old has had a successful campaign so far, which began in October when he won the Welsh Champion Hurdle by a length and a half on debut. He was fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham next time out and then ran an admirable race under a considerable amount of weight to finish the runner-up when stepping up in trip in the Lanzarote.

The Golden Horn gelding then tried Grade Two level to contest the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, a scaling back in trip as the race is run over a mile and seven furlongs. There he was the 6/5 favourite under Richard Patrick and justified those odds when securing a length and a half success over fellow Champion Hurdle entrant Colonel Mustard.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Newbury

1.50 Hercules Morse

3.00 General Medrano

Saturday  

Newbury

1.55 Bill Baxter

Kelso

1.42 My Drogo

2.50 Under Control

Navan

2.40 Maimie’s Magic

 

Sunday  

Huntingdon

3.40 General Medrano

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 15 - Two-horse race?

Headlines

Giovinco lands Newcastle points

Lion Roars in at Wincanton

Botox Has winning way at Haydock

Pic D’Orhy takes Ascot chase

Policeman in Charge at  Punchestown

Report

We start at Newcatle on Thursday where in the 2m 4f limited novice handicap chase Giovinco ( Bob, Cliff), took his chance, Led, headed with one circuit to go, pressed leader 6th, led again when mistake 7th, went clear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, going easily and good jump last, winning in a canter by 4l. He gets 11.37 points

On Saturday at Wincanton in the 2m grade 2 hurdle Nemean Lion ( Bob), wen to post, Prominent, pressed leader from 5th, led before 2 out, pushed along and kept on well run-in, always doing enough, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 44.4 points. 

At Haydock in the 3m grade 2 hurdle Botox Has (Cliff), took his chance, Raced in second, going best when disputed lead on inner home turn, pushed along when led clearly before 3 out, went clear approaching last, nudged out run-in,  winning comfortably by 9l. He gets 47 points.

At Ascot in the 2m 5f grade 1 Ascot Chase Pic D’Orhy ( Steve), took his chance, Made all, went clear after 6th, shaken up after 2 out, kept on, winning unchallenged by 5 ½ l He gets 80.26 points.

On Sunday at Punchestown in the 2m novice chase Mister Policeman ( Martin, Steve), went to post, Prominent, pecked on landing 1st, went second 6th, led going easily after 2 out, went clear when good jump last, stayed on, winning easily by 6l. He gets 11.4 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Steve   159.59             662.43         

Peej    183.2               660.3

Cliff    170.37             507.87

Bob   205.57                 499.39

Martin    101.9              460.39

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Neil 119.13                    377.91

News

Cheltenham Grand Slam

1 horse not currently in a string, entries to me by close Sunday 10 March

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Exeter

4.15 Big Fish

Warwick

3.15 General Medrano

Saturday 

Kempton

2.27 Nickle Back, Le Patron

3.37 Kitty’s Light

Chepstow

3.43 General Medrano, DR T J Eckleburg

 

Sunday  

Fontwell

3.30 Botox Has

4.00 Big Fish

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 14 - Scoreboard keeps ticking over

Headlines

Masaccio scores at Kempton

Shishkin lands Denman chase

Edward turns Rivals to Stone at Newbury

Days Brighten Bob’s Sunday

Report

We start at Kempton on Friday where in the 2m 5f novice hurdle Masaccio (Cliff), went to post, Raced in second, mistake 2nd, pressed leader 4th, led just after 4 out, went clear going easily before 2 out, winning in a canter by 8 ½ l. He gets  22.34 points.

At Newbury on Saturday in the 2m 7f grade 2 chase Shiskin ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), took his chance, Jumped left on occasions, raced in second, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, soon faced challenge, not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in winning by 4 ¼ l. Cliff gets 63.46 points, Neil, Steve 41.73

In the 2m grade 2 chase Edwardstone ( Martin) took his chance, Jumped well, made all, clear 4th, 9 lengths ahead when left well clear 2 out, winning unchallenged by 40 l. He gets 64.2 points.

At Navan on Sunday in the 2m 5f mares listed novice hurdle, Brighterdaysahead ( Bob), took her chance, Travelled strongly, prominent, went third halfway, led going easily 2 out, clear approaching last, nudged out and went further clear run-in, winning easily by 12l. She gets 26.2 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Peej    183.2               660.3

Steve   67.93               570.77         

Cliff    112                449.5

Martin    90.5              448.99

Bob   149.8                 443.62

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Neil 119.13                    377.91

Apologies to Steve (and thanks to Neil spotting), I missed his Lossiemouth points recently 21.58 added to his total

News

Jamie Snowden is eyeing a drama free preparation to the Cheltenham Festival with stable star You Wear It Well after the Listed Mares' Hurdle from Warwick's cancelled Premier raceday was saved. The race will form part of Virgin Bet Grand National Trial day at Haydock on Saturday, and will be run over 2m3f for the same prize-money of £30,000 it had originally been scheduled for at Warwick. That fixture last Saturday was cancelled due to waterlogging when heavy rain caused disruption to meetings across Britain and Ireland.

Venetia Williams has told the punter L’Homme Presse will tackle Saturdays Ascot chase.

Possible Cheltenham targets for JP McManus' classy novice chaser Iroko have also become clearer.

Iroko, an impressive winner of the Martin Pipe last year, had been set to miss the rest of the season following his chase debut win at Warwick in the autumn, but has made a quicker recovery than expected and could still run in the Turners Novices' Chase.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Kelso

1.50 Mamie’s Magic

3.20 Giovinco

3.55 Giovinco

Saturday 

Haydock

1.02 You Wear It Well

2.40 Botox Has, Nemean Lion

3.15 Iron Bridge, Famous Bridge

3.50 Ilovethenightlife

Ascot

1.15 Inthewaterside

3.00 Iron Bridge

3.35 L’Homme Presse, Pic D’Orhy

Wincanton

2.05 Nemean Lion , Rubaud

2.35 Dr T J Eckleburg

Sunday  

Punchestown

1.35 Mister Policeman

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 13 - Peej regains top spot

Headlines

Des Champs Gallops to Gold Cup Victory

El Fabiolo lands Dublin Chase

Nickle Earns the Dimes at Sandown

Bally Burns off rivals at Leoprdstown

State Man wins Irish Champion Hurdle

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Saturday where in the 3m Grade 1 Gold Cup Chase Galopin Des Champs ( Cod, Neil, Peej), took his chance, Made all, not fluent 4 out, increased tempo after 2 out, faced challenge approaching last, shaken up and kept on well run-in, winning comfortably by 4 ½ l. He gets 51.2 points.

At Sandown in the 2m 4f grade 1 Scilly Isles novice chase, Nickle Back (Bob), went to post, Took keen hold, jumped well, made all, 5 lengths ahead 3rd, went further clear 7th, 15 lengths ahead going best 3 out, ridden out run-in, winning unchallenged by7l. He gets 97.4 points.

On Sunday at Leopardstown in the 2m grade 1 novice hurdle Ballyburn ( Peej), took his chance, Travelled strongly, pressed leader, disputed lead after 3rd, led narrowly after 2 out (usual 3 out), went clear going best after last (usual 2 out), pushed out, winning comfortably by 7l. He gets 53.2 points. 

In the 2m 1f grade 1 Dublin Chase El Fabiolo (Not Martin), took his chance, Jumped right on occasions, didn't always jump with fluency, raced in second, mistake 4th, led going easily after last (usual 2 out), went clear when nudged along omitted last, winning easily by 8 ½ l. He gets 26.2 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle State Man ( Peej, Martin, ) took his chance, Travelled strongly, raced in second, led going easily home turn, went clear omitted last, winning easily by 5 ½ l. Peej  gets 52.6 points, Martin 26.3

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Peej    183.2               660.3

Steve   26.2               507.46.         

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Bob   123.6                 417.42

Martin    26.3              384.79

Cliff    26.2                  363.7

Neil 77.4                     336.18

News

Barry Connell is confident Marine Nationale can bounce back and showcase his true ability at the Cheltenham Festival despite the Arkle favourite disappointing at Leopardstown. The seven-year-old lost his unbeaten record with a lacklustre fifth in the Irish Arkle, with the trainer revealing nothing physical had come to light and instead blaming the holding ground for his ten-and-a-half-length defeat behind Il Etait Temps.

Nicky Henderson admits it is tricky to find faults in Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs but hopes Shishkin can finally lay down a major marker for the festival showpiece in Saturday's Betfair Denman Chase and establish himself as the premier threat to the reigning champion. The six-time champion trainer is of the belief his stable star would already have marked himself out as a Gold Cup contender had he not stumbled and unseated in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, stating the ten-year-old "hadn’t been asked anything at the time".

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Bangor

3.20 Favour And Fortune

Kempton

2.40 Masaccio

Saturday  

Newbury

2.05 Protektorat, Shishkin

2.40 Edwardstone

3.15 Lookaway, Luccia, 

3.50 Trelawne

Warwick

2.20 Matata

2.55 Youwearitwell

Sunday  

Exeter

2.05 Trelawne

2.35 Favour And Fortune

3.05 Favour And Fortune, Lookaway

3.35 My Drogo

Navan 

2.15 Brighterdaysahead

2.45 Sire Du Berlais

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 12 - Steve takes lead and January award

Headlines

Lossiemouth stars in International Hurdle

Noble Yeats lands Cleeve Hurdle

Jeriko Du Reponet  scores at Doncaster

Dysart Enos lands Doncaster hurdle

Marie is Rock Solid at Doncaster

Nightlife thrives in Plumpton day light

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Saturday where in the 2m 1f grade 2 hurdle Lossiemouth (Neil), took her chance, Took keen hold, held up in rear but in touch with leaders, headway 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, winning easily by 9 ½ l. She gets 43.18 points.

3m grade 2 hurdle Noble Yeats ( Cod), took his chance, position home Raced wide, prominent, pressed leaders 5 out, outpaced and lost position home  turn, ridden and rallied last, led run-in, kept on well, just held on , winning by a head. He gets 48 points.

At Doncaster in the 2m grade 2 novice hurdle Jeriko Du Reponet ( Steve), went to post, Didn't always jump with fluency, raced in third, disputed lead 3 out, hung left from 2 out, ridden approaching last, led and kept on well run-in, won going away by 1 ¼ l. He gets 43.34 points.

On Sunday at Doncaster Dysart Enos (Martin), took her chance in the 2m novice hurdle, Prominent, not fluent 4th, went second 5th, led 2 out, nudged along and went clear run-in, winning easily by 7l. She gets 22.24 points.

In the 3m grade 2 mares hurdle Marie’s Rock ( Steve), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon went second and pushed along, led narrowly last, ridden and kept on well run-in winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 45 points.

On Monday at Plumpton in the 3m 1f handicap hurdle Ilovethenightlife (Cliff), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, good headway and pressed leaders going easily 3 out, led home turn, went clear from 2 out, winning comfortably by 2 ¼ l. She gets 29 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        January     Total

Steve   155.64               481.26.         

Peej    42.4                477.1

Martin    33.97          358.49

Cod   48                   349.2

Cliff    61.93              337.65

Bob   30                     293.82

Neil 43.16                     258.78

Congratulations to Steve who is January trainer of the month

News

Gordon Elliott will swerve next weekend's Irish Gold Cup with Gerri Colombe in favour of keeping his second-season chaser fresh for another crack at Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 15. Some of the other major spring festivals could be on the cards for Gerri Colombe after that as he bids to add to his haul, which include three Grade 1s as a novice last season and another at Down Royal in November.

Dual Ryanair Chase winner Allaho has been ruled out of this year's Cheltenham Festival after picking up an injury when winning at Thurles.

Mouse Morris will bypass this weekend's Irish Gold Cup with Charlie Hall Chase winner Gentlemansgame and instead keep the eight-year-old fresh for a tilt at the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March

The Punter is sad to report the loss of Datsalrightgino at Cheltenham on Saturday

Britain's highest-rated novice chaser Grey Dawning will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after Dan Skelton ruled out a run in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase on Saturday. 

Weekend Entries

Saturday  

Leopardstown

1.20 An Tobar, Ballyburn

2.25 Marine Nationale, Gaelic Warrior, Letsbeclearaboutit, Mister Policeman

3.35 Galopin Des Champs, Fast Or Slow, 

Mussleburgh

1.40 Giovinco

Sandown

2.35 Le Patron, Nickleback, Trelawne

3.45 Iron Bridge

Sunday  

Leopardstown

1.10 Gaelic Warrior

1.40 Ballyburn, Brighterdaysahead

2.10 El Fabiolo, Fast Or Slow

2.45 State Man, Impaite Et Passe, Lossiemouth

3.50 An Tobar

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