2025/26 Jumps Issue 7 - Quiet before the festive action

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              December         Total

Neil            96.03             298.71

Steve         37.77              199.95

Martin      60.67             171.63

Bob           37.77             171.23

Peej           48.93           169.82

Cliff          59.4               97.8

Cod        00              11.29

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      18          7

Bob           14            6

Cliff           16          4

Neil          21         9

Peej           11           4

Cod           14             1

Steve          17            7

The Weeks Losers

Strong Leader, Doddiethegreat, Johhny who, Hot Fuss

Weekend Runners

Friday   

Kempton

1.20 Jimmy Du Seuil, Wendigo

1.55 Sir Gino, Anzadam, Celtic Dino, 

2.30 Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, The Jukeboxman, Il Est Francais, Banbridge

Aintree

1.05 Mydaddypaddy, 

2.50 Mambonumberfive

Leopardstown

12.35 Doctor Du Mesnil

1.10 Narciso Has

2.20 Salvator Mundi

Saturday 

Chepstow

2.50 Haiti Coloeurs

Kempton

1.55 Lump Sum, Mambonumberfive

2.30 Thistle Ask

Leopardstown

12.37 Salvator Mundi, Brighterdaysahead

1.12 Marine Nationale, Majborough, Dino Blue

3.00 Captain Cody

Sunday 

Leopardstown

1.55 Teauphoo, Ballyburn

2.30 Inothewayourthinkin, Galopin Des Champs, Fast Or Slow, Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, Lecky Watson, I am Maximus

3.05 Jordans

Limerick

1.40 Final Demand, Jimmy Du Seuil, 

Monday 

Leopardstown

12.12 Doctor Du Mesnil, 

1.22 Wodhooh

2.32 Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead, Wodhooh, Anzadam, Irancy, 

3.40 Bud Fox, 

Newbury

2.22 Juracon

3.00 No Drama This End

News

Keith Donoghue is convinced the real Inothewayurthinkin will stand up at Leopardstown next Sunday – a fitter, sharper and better version than the one he rode when beaten out of sight in the John Durkan Chase on his reappearance. 

Jamie Snowden's yard has excelled since the start of the core jumps season and the trainer will seek to end the year on a high when Wendigo bids for Boxing Day glory in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Owned by the Racing Club syndicate, the six-year-old produced a career-best performance when winning the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury last month on just his second start over fences.

No Drama This End, one of Britain's most talked-about novice hurdlers this season, looks set to put his lofty reputation on the line in Monday's Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.00). Harry Cobden has already been booked to ride and is one of 13 entered in the 2m4½f Grade 1 at Newbury. Victory for Paul Nicholls could see him enhance his strong Cheltenham Festival credentials further.

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Punter Diary

Eat, drink be merry this week

2025/26 Jumps Issue 6 - Neil stretches lead

Headlines

Diva Shines at Warwick

Masked Man mugs Lingfield Rivals

Drama as Editor misses Sandown Winner

Regent Strolls to Wincanton Victory

Report

Apologies to Neil as I missed No Drama This End at Sandown last week in the 2m 4f grade 2 novice hurdle, In touch with leaders, not fluent 5th, headway and led 2 out, clear run-in, winning easily by 5l, he gets 42.9 points. 

At Warwick on Thursday where in the 2m 4f listed mares chase Diva Luna (Martin), took her chance, Made all, not fluent 5th, went clear before 2 out, pushed along before last, winning readily by 3 ½ l. She gets 26.5 points.

At Lingfield on Saturday in the 2m 3f novice hurdle Masked Man ( Peej), took his chance, Didn't always jump with fluency, made all, winning in a canter by 2 ½ l. He gets 22.2 points

On Tuesday at Wincanton Regents Stroll ( Bob, Martin, Steve), went to post in the 2m 4f Beginners Chase, Raced wide throughout, made all, increased tempo before 3 out, shaken up approaching last, eased when clear final 110yds, winning by 4 ¼ l. He gets 11.37 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              December         Total

Neil            96.03             298.71

Steve         37.77              199.95

Martin      60.67             171.63

Bob           37.77             171.23

Peej           48.93           169.82

Cliff          59.4               97.8

Cod        00              11.29

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      16           7

Bob           14            6

Cliff           16          4

Neil          21         9

Peej           11           4

Cod           12             1

Steve          17            7

The Weeks Losers

Kingston Queen, Iberico Lord, The Juke Box Kid, Jagwar, Kateria, Queenofthejukebox, Bambino Fever

Weekend Runners

 

Saturday  

Ascot

2.25 Strong Leader, Doddiethegreat

3.00 JohhnyWho

News

Diva Luna may have looked good on paper last season but Ben Pauling believes best is still yet to come as he targets the Grade 1 Scilly Isles for his exciting novice chase.

Dan Skelton has ruled out a trip to Ireland over Christmas with his Betfair Chase winner Grey Dawning.

He was given an entry in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown where potential opponents could have included Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin.

But he'll instead wait for Trials Day next month. Speaking to The Punter on Saturday the trainer said: “He’s going to come back to Cheltenham for the Cotswold Chase."

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 5 - Neil takes November trainer honours

Headlines

La La La La Lulamba

Il Et Tait Temps lands Tingle Creek

Oh Red And Blue Dobbie Dobbie do

Baron Steals Points at Uttoxeter

Report

We start at Sandown on Saturday where in the 2m grade 1 Henry V111 novice case Lulamba ( Bob, Cliff, Neil, Steve), went to post, Prominent, pecked on landing 1st, soon dropped to last, headway and went second 6th, joined leader going easily 2 out, led after 2 out, went clear from last, winning impressively by 9 ½ l. He gets 26.4 points. 

In the 2m grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase, Il Etait Temps ( Neil, Peej), took his chance, Prominent on inner, led narrowly after 3 out, pushed along and went clear after 2 out, kept on well, winning by 9l. He gets 26.73 points.

At Huntingdon on Sunday in the 2m handicap hurdle We’re Red And Blue ( Cliff), went to post, Raced in second, pressed leader 4th, led before 2 out, ridden out run-in, winning by 2l. He gets 33 points.

On Tuesday at Uttoxeter, Baron Noir ( Martin), went to post in the 2m maiden hurdle, in touch with leaders, headway before 3 out, pressed leader before last, not fluent last, soon ridden, led inside final 110yds, winning cosily by ¾ l. He gets 22.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              December         Total

Neil            53.13             255,81

Steve         26.4              188.58

Bob           26.4             159.86

Peej           26.73           147.62

Martin      22.8               133.76

Cliff          59.4               97.8

Cod        00              11.29

Congratulations to Neil who was November Trainer of the Month

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      13           5

Bob           12            5

Cliff           14           4

Neil          18         8

Peej           10           4

Cod           9             1

Steve          16            6

The Weeks Losers

Doyen Quest, Sober Glory, Be Aware, Lump Sum, Jonbon, L’Eau Du Sud, Majborough, Banbridge, Loaded And Locked

Weekend Runners

Friday   

Cheltenham

12.05  Masked Man, Kingston Queen, 

1.15 Iberico Lord

Bangor

2.07 The Juke Box Kid

Saturday    

Cheltenham

12.40 The Juke Box Kid

1.50 Jagwar, Kalif Du Berlais

Doncaster

2.40 Kateria

Lingfield

12.47 Masked Man

Sunday 

Carlisle 

12.40 The Juke Box Kid

Southwell

2.00 Queenofthejukebox

News

Champion Hurdle contender William Munny will now be redirected to the Dublin Racing Festival after suffering a minor setback on Saturday morning which has ruled him out of the Christmas period.

The seven-year-old has been well supported for the Champion Hurdle in the last week, particularly in the aftermath of last weekend's dramatic Fighting Fifth, and he is now a general 8-1 chance for the festival day one highlight.

Josh Guerriero believes there is significant improvement to come from the progressive Jagwar and hopes the Cheltenham Festival winner can kickstart the yard's season in Saturday's December Gold Cup.

The fast-changing Champion Hurdle picture was given another twist on Sunday as Gordon Elliott opened the door for Brighterdaysahead to potentially return over hurdles at Christmas.

With State Man ruled out for the season, Constitution Hill's future over hurdles in doubt after his latest crashing fall in the Fighting Fifth and William Munny's return delayed, there have been recent moves to add others into what is a chaotic picture.

Lossiemouth is the Champion Hurdle favourite, a position she solidified with an effortless return in the Morgiana Hurdle last month, while Sir Gino looks increasingly likely to make his return to action in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton for Nicky Henderson. And now Elliott has hinted the planned chasing campaign of Brighterdaysahead could be off, with Gigginstown's brilliant six-year-old mare a candidate to be supplemented for the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.

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2025/26 Jumps Issue 4 - Five more winners

Headlines

Mambonumberfive tops Newbury Charts

Wendigo Lands John Francombe Chase

Jimmy Jumps them silly at Fairyhouse

Paddy’s The Daddy at Haydock

Report

We start at Newbury on Friday where Mambonumberfive (Cliff), took his chance, in the 2m limited novice handicap chase, Towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway 5 out, led 3 out, kept on well, wining by 2l. He gets 27 points.

In The 2m 4f grade 2 novice chase Wendigo (Martin), went to post, Prominent, chased clear leader 2nd, headway 5 out, pressed leader 3 out, led last, kept on well, winning by 2l. He gets 47 points.

At Fairyhouse in the 2m 5f Beginners Chase, Jimmy Du Seuil (Martin) went to post, Made all, going easily 2 out, pushed along and kept on well run-in, ridden and went clear final 110yds winning by 4l. He gets 25.76 points

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Hattons Grace hurdle Teauphoo (Peej, Steve), went to post, Prominent, pressed leader before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, faced challenge inside final 110yds, just did enough , winning by a nose , Peej gets 54 points,Steve 27, 

On Wednesday at Haydock in the 2m Introductory hurdle Mydaddypaddy ( Bob), went to post, Travelled strongly, raced in third, switched right and headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, going best and led approaching last, soon clear, winning easily by 7l. He gets 22.4 points..

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              November         Total

Neil            202.68       20268

Steve         162,18           162.18

Bob           133.46             133.46

Peej           120.89             120.89

Martin      110.96               110.96

Cliff          38.4               38.4

Cod        11.29              11.29

Apologies to Neil, I underscored him 10 points, last week now adjusted

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      11           4

Bob           9            3

Cliff           9           2  

Neil          14           6

Peej           9              2

Cod           9             1

Steve          12              5

The Weeks Losers

Salvator Mundi, Regents Stroll,Kingston Pride, Strong Leader, Doddiethegreat, Hewick, Myretown, Resplendent Grey, Constitution Hill, The New Lion, Anzadam, Jordans , Narciso Has, Captain Cody, Ballyburn, Akimos

Weekend Runners

Friday   

Sandown

2.20 Doyen Quest

Saturday  

Sandown

12.10 Sober Glory

1.50 Lulamba, Be Aware, Lump Sum

2.25 Iberico Lord, Kateria

3.00 Il Etait Temps, L’Eau Du Sud, Jonbon, 

Sunday 

Huntingdon

1.15 We’re Red And Blue

3.00 Jonbon, 

Cork

2,50 Banbridge, Majborough, 

News

After Constitution Hills lastest fall Nicky Henderson told The PunterI don't know where to go or what to do right now. "We're running out of options. I don't know if Kempton [the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day] is an option. Let's just let the dust settle and see what's happening. I couldn't tell you what we're going to do next right now. I don't know where to go next or what to do at the moment."

"We need to take a breath and be rational because it shakes you to bits. It's really sad. Can we go on asking him to do it? It doesn't seem fair on anybody. Poor Michael [Buckley, owner], I cried for him.

"Everyone's pretty mentally bruised right now."

I wouldn't be jesting if I said if there was a two-mile maiden on the Flat we could run there. Seriously, why not? I'm not saying the Ascot Gold Cup, but why not run him on the Flat? He's a very, very, very good horse, so it's very sad when you have a horse as good as that and it goes wrong."

Henderson on Monday ruled out retirement for Constitution Hill after his third fall in four outings, but it is the possibility of Sir Gino appearing in Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle that caused the most significant shockwaves to the Cheltenham Festival market. He is now no bigger than 5-1 for the opening-day feature in March, having been significantly bigger last weekend.

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