Festival preview edition - 8.3.13

Well here we go again !  It looks like being a damp and chilly one weather wise, and once again trying to sift through running plans makes this preview a bit of a lottery. Peej has already done sterling worl on trends and stats so I am not repeating any of those, so here are the punters views.

Tuesday

1.30

Punter Likes , Doding Bullets, Melodic Rendezous, My Tent or Yours, Puffin Billy, Un Atout

 I am not totally convinced that My Tent or Yours is the good thing many think, and a tough handicap hurdle is not the ideal warm up, so  The Punter goes,
1 Dodging Bullets, 2 My Tent Or Yours, 3, Melodic Rendezous.

2.05  Simonsig looks a good thing but again missed his prep race and Overturn will ensure a really tough race. Had Avika Ligeonniare not fallen last time I would fancy him more highly.

Punter goes 1 Overturn, 2 Simonsig, 3 Arvika Ligeonniare

 2.40

Guessing what runs is the big one here, JJ O’Neill and Venitia Williams hold the key for me, and have multiple entries with similar chances.

1 Relax, 2 Alfie Sherin, 3 Pete The Feat

3.20

I still think Rock On Ruby is going to be thereabouts and at 6/1 for a defending champ is solid e/w value, but the more I look the more I like Zarkandar.

1 Zarkandar, Rock On Ruby, 3 Hurricane Fly

4.00

The cross country chase ! Balthazar King won last year and follow ups are frequent, and he has a live chance, Chicago Grey is a high class sort, Double Dizzy , Leach and Scail have chances. I am told Martin Keighley has specially prepared Any Currency for this and expects a big run.

1 Balthazar King, 2 Any Currency, Chicargo Grey

4.40

1, Quevega , Kentford Grey Lady 3, Une Artiste

5.15

Another competitive handicap, Howards Legacy, Nuts N Bolts, The Druids Nephew, Fourjacks, Buckers Bridge catch my eye and are very close in the ratings.

1 Fourjacks 2 Howards Legacy 3 Nuts N Bolts

Wednesday 

1.30
Jockety bookings are as important as any thing in the 4m amateur chase, so a real pin stick at present

1 Back In Focus, 2 Harry Topper, 3 Rose of The Moon

2.05

Irelands hot pot Pont Alexandre goes here and I am told that Jackdaws Castle consider Tarquin Du Seuil their best of the week. Others taht should figure are The New one and Bondage who is a course and distance winner as is the New One. I am going to go with a bit of value e/w

1 Tarquin Du Seuil , 2 Pont Alexandre 3, The New One

2.40

Dynaste looks a good thing but how often have they failed in this !  Paul Nicholls has 3 with live chances, Sire Collonges gave 9lb to Our Father over c/d in his only defeat but Rocky Creek and Unioniste could be the Nicholls rep instead. Unioniste had Our Father behinf at Newbury so

1 Sire Collonges 2 Dynaste, Boston Bob

3.20

This could be the smallest field for a while at the Festival.

1 Sprinter Sacre 2 Sizing Europe  3 Wishful Thinking

4.00

If I even pick a runner from the 200 entries I will be pleased !

Carlo Brigante won this 2 years ago and if he reverts to hurdles here has a big chance again. Native Gallery , Kells Belle Double Ross, Bondage Ericht also holdchances.

1.     Ericht, 2 Native Gallery 3 Double Ross

4.40

One of the weaker and dangerous races , Juvenile handicap hurdle !

1 Ruacana, 2 Cockney Sparrow, Saphir Du Rheu

5.15            
The Bumper, As always Willie Mullins has numerous enties, Union Dues looks the best of them, Le Vent d’Antan also from across the water looks a big player. From the English side Vieux Lion Rouge, Milo Milan Oscar Rock should go well.

1 Vieux Lion Rouge 2 Le Vent D’Antan , Oscar Rock

Thursday 

1.30

1 Aupcharlie 2 Third Intention 3 Molotof

2.05

Ely Brown 2 Jetson 3 Knock A Hand

2.40 

1Rocky Creek 2 Tofino Bay  3Houblon Des Obeaux

3.20

Despite the absence of Big Bucks this does not look wide Open and some potential contenders have also fallen to injury.

Reve De Sivola looks the pick, Oscar Whiskey and Zaidapour in that order

4.00

Vino Griego, Hectors Choice, Mad Moose are all c/d winners with chances, Kapga De Cerisy, Big Fella Thanks Call the Police also come in to the reckoning.

1 Kapga De Cerisy, 2 Mad Moose 3, Vino Griego

 4.40

Rose Of The Moon, 2 Magnaminity 3 Harry The Viking

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  141.7        629.8

Bob                179.2         518.5

Steve                93.9        488.7

John            146.9          481.6

Tony               107.1        457.3

Martin           82.1           413.4

Cod              93.8              363.7

Cliff            118.5           343.9 

Peej             53.3            326.3

News

Alderwood was a notable absentee from the Rewards4 Racing Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase at next week's Cheltenham Festival

Tom Scudamore has reaffirmed his faith in Grands Crus after the David Pipe-trained gelding went through his paces after racing at Exeter on Tuesday

Jumps Edition 15 - 1.3.13

Headlines

Bob On Song as Melody Wins Again

Report

A quiet week as we enter the pre Cheltenham lull but Glens Melody ( Bob), kept the score board ticking over as she won the fillies 2m 4f  novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday, Soon tracked leaders, closed up going well straight, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well run-in, winning by 2 ¾ l. She gets 33 points.

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  141.7        629.8

Bob                179.2         518.5

Steve                93.9        488.7

John            146.9          481.6

Tony               107.1        457.3

Martin           82.1           413.4

Cod              93.8              363.7

Cliff            118.5           343.9 

Peej             53.3            326.3

.

So Bob is trainer of Month, well done,

News

Don Cossack will not line up at the Cheltenham Festival after finishing only third at Naas last Sunday.

The six-year-old was a top bumper horse last term but has won just one of his four starts over hurdles this term, finishing well adrift of Annie Power and Defy Logic in a Grade Two heat most recently.

Trainer Gordon Elliott had entered him for both the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, but he will miss those engagements and wait for targets later in the spring

Jumps Edition 14 - 22.2.13

Headlines

Tominator scores at Sandown

Card on que at Ascot

Zarkandar in Champion form at Wincanton

Report

We start at Sandown last Friday with what seems an inevitable winner for the Church string. Tominator  (Martin,  Neil) went to post in the 2m novice hurdle, Chased leader, not fluent 5th, demoted to 3rd 3 out, went 2nd last, edged right inside final 100 yards, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, winning by 1 ¼ l, he gets 12.5 points.

On Saturday at Ascot, Cue Card ( John, Martin, Peej), took his chance in the 2m 5f Ascot Chase, Made all, mistake 11th, hard pressed 2 out, driven clear last, winning  readily by 6l . He gets 27.5 points.

At Wincanton in the 2m grade 2 Hurdle , Zarkandar ( Bob, Steve, Tony), went to post, Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, ridden clear and edged right after last, ran on well winning by 4 ½ l. He has Champion hurdle place claims at least. He gets 26.2 points.

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  141.7        629.8

Steve                93.9        488.7

Bob                146.2         485.5

John            146.9          481.6

Tony               107.1        457.3

Martin           82.1           413.4

Cod              93.8              363.7

Cliff            118.5           343.9 

Peej             53.3            326.3

News

Trainer Donald McCain has challenged Overturn's Racing Post Arkle rivals to take him on for the lead in the Cheltenham contest on March 12 A winner of major handicaps on the level and good enough to be runner-up in a Champion Hurdle by employing front-running tactics, there have been rumblings the way to upset the nine-year-old is to challenge him upfront 

However, McCain does not see that as an issue as he believes nothing will be able to live with Overturn over the first few fences. "I don't think anybody needs to question the way Overturn is ridden," the Cholmondeley handler told The Punter

"I keep reading about horses that are going to take him him on, but he's led Chesters Cups, Northumberland Plates and Champion Hurdles so I don't see why anything should change, that's just his way of racing. 

"If something wants to go quicker than him, get on with it and good luck

Puffin Billy is making good progress since he suffered a setback in defeat at Exeter Previously unbeaten, Oliver Sherwood's promising five-year-old returned lame when behind Melodic Rendezvous and Sherwood subsequently found puss in his foot. "He's fine," said Sherwood. "We got a shoe back on him on Friday, he's been swimming regularly and he did two canters this morning

Jumps Edition 13 - 14.2.13

Headlines

Conti On Gold Trail

Champagne Corks Pop at

Boston Bob

Tent May be Pitched at Champion Hurdle

Peddlers Cross

Report

Wer start at Newbury last Saturday where Silviniaco Conti ( Cliff John, Neil, Steve), took his chance in the 3m grade 2 chase, Tracked leading trio, went 3rd after 8th, disputing close 2nd after 13th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and in command before last, driven out, winning by 6l. He gets 26.5  points.

In the 2m grade 3 handicap hurdle My Tent Or Yours ( Martin, Steve), went to post, Took keen hold held up in close touch on inside and always travelling well, went 2nd on bit before 2 out, led between last 2, 4 lengths ahead last, kept on strongly flat, winning impressively by 5l , he gets 30.1 points.

Across the water at Leopardstown, in the 2m2f grade 1 novice hurdle, Champagne Fever ( Bob, Cliff), took his chance, Made all, not fluent 1st, ridden approaching last and kept on well under pressure run-in, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 27.8 points.

In the 2m 5f grade 1P.J Moriarty novice chase Boston Bob ( Bob, Cod, John), took his chance , Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression early run-in, kept on well under pressure to lead on line, winning by a nose. He gets 27 points.

In the 3m grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup Sir Des Champs (Bob, Cod, John, Neil, Tony), and Flemenstar ( Bob, Cod, Martin, Tony), went to post. Sir Des Champs, Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead 3 out, ridden entering straight and steadied last, kept on well under pressure run-in, extending advantage at finish, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 54.8 points. Flemenstar, Held up in 4th, 3rd before halfway, pushed along in 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in but no impression closing stages, finishing 2^nd beaten 1 ¾ l. He gets 12 points.

At Mussleburgh on Wednesday Peddlers Cross ( Bob), went to post in the 2m 6f hurdle, Tracked leader, led 3 out, shaken up and kept on well from last, winning by 1 ¾ l he gets 26.2 points.

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  129.2         617.3

Steve                67.7        462.5

Bob                120         459.3

John            119.4          454.1

Tony               80.9        431.1

Martin           42.1           373.4

Cod              93.8              363.7

Cliff            118.5           343.9 

Peej             25.8            298.8

News

Al Ferof is to be aimed at the King George VI Chase next Christmas after being forced to miss the rest of this season through injury.

The Paul Nicholls-trained grey looked set for a profitable campaign when winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his first runof the winter in November.

However, he suffered a slight tendon injurywhich has put him on the sidelines.

"He's making a full recovery. He's had a small operation and he's having three hours on the walker every day," owner John Hales told The Punter

Connections of My Tent Or Yours have not ruled out supplementing the impressive Betfair Hurdle winner for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

Grandouet will not run in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday Trainer Nicky Henderson said that while concerns over a setback earlier in the week had dispersed, he did not want to run on very testing ground after an interrupted preparation

Jumps Update 12 - 7.2.13

Headlines

Ruby Has Rock Solid Champion claims

Europe Still a Sizeable Threat

Overturn heads foe Arkle

Frontdoor slams rivals at Carlisle

Mr Mole, puts rivals in a hole At Taunton

Report

Quite a busy week as the weather has relented a bit , we start at Musselburgh on Sunday, where in the 2m novice chase, Overturn ( John, Neil, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Jumped well, made all, clear after 8th, winning unchallenged by 29l . He gets 11.1 points and it’s next stop the Arkle chase at Cheltenham.

At Punchestown, Sizing Europe ( Cliff, Tony), went to post in the 2m grade 2 chase, Made all, clear early, reduced advantage 3rd, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly, winning by 10l, he gets 26.1 points.

At Doncaster in the 2m listed hurdle Rock On Ruby ( Cliff, Peej), took his chance, Tracked leader, challenged before 3 out, led 3 out, pressed when left clear last, kept on., winning by 3l. He gets 14.7 points.

On Wednesday at Carlisle in the 3m 1f handicap hurdle, Shutthefrontdoor ( Neil), went to post, Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, went 4th before and not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on to lead towards finish winning by ½ l. He gets 36.8 points.

At Taunton today in the 2m novice handicap hurdle Mr Mole (Cliff), went to post, Keen early, in touch, smooth headway 3 out, soon every chance, led on bit after last, winning  easily by 2 ¾ l.  He gets 23.4 points.

Table

Points

                       February   Total

Neil                  47.9         536

Steve                11.1        405.9

Tony               26.1        376.3

Bob                                 339.3

John             11.1           345.8

Martin                            331.3

Peej             25.8            298.8

Cliff            64.2              289.6

Cod                                269.9

News

Arkle favourite Simonsig will miss his intended Cheltenham prep race after being ruled out of the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury.

Henderson told The Punter: "Simonsig's trachea wash result today was 95 per cent but we'd only run if it was 100 per cent.

Shutthefrontdoor is by no means certain to line up at the Cheltenham Festival, despite completing a hat-trick over hurdles at Carlisle on Wednesday.

The final of that staying contest is among several Cheltenham options, along with the Coral Cup, the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

We'll see how he comes out of the race and take it from there. We'll what the ground is like and see when we get to that time. He wouldn't be a definite runner in any of the races there, but we will see how things are with him nearer the time."

Jumps Update 11 - 31.1.13

Headlines

Super Sacre

Glen hits winning Melody

Hurricane flies again

Report

Well we did get a bit of action last week end, starting at Cheltenham where Sprinter Sacre ( All), went to post in the 2m grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase, Tracked clear leader before 2nd, close up 5th, led 7th, made rest, drew clear on bit when pecked slightly 2 out, winning unchallenged by 14l. He gets 26.2 points, and I find it hard to see him being beaten for some while.

On Sunday at Leopardstown, Glens Melody (Bob), took her chance in the 2m 2f listed mares novice hurdle, Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 2 out, improved to led approaching last, ridden clear run-in winning by 4 ½ l. She gets 39.6 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle Hurricane Fly ( Neil, Tony) and Thousand Stars ( Cliff, John) went to post. Hurricane Fly, Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd after 3 out, cruised into lead entering straight, soon stretched clear, eased closing stages run-in, wining by 5l. He gets 26.1 points.

Thousand Stars, Led and disputed, led after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no chance with winner and kept on same pace, pressed for 2nd run-in, just held on for 2^nd, beaten 5l . He gets 12 points.

Points

                       January    Total

Neil                  125.8        488.1

Steve               49          394.8

Tony                52.3        376.3

Bob             77.7            339.3

John             63             334.7

Martin           37.8        331.3

Cod               26.2           269.9

Peej             51                273

Cliff            61.4             225.4

So Neil continues to set a fierce gallop and is trainer of the Month for January, Congratulations.

News

Rock On Ruby and Darlan feature among a total of 19 entries for the 32Red Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson also giving an entry to another of his Champion Hurdle hopes Grandouet. Harry Fry has confirmed last year's Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby is "quite likely to run" at Doncaster's additional fixture on Monday.

 

Tom Mullins is likely to run both Alderwood and Fosters Cross in the rearranged Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. Mullins is most looking forward to giving Alderwood his first run in handicap company.

Alderwood won the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and opened his account over fences at Navan recently.

Alderwood is picking up all the time. He's come out of the race well and has come on a bit since.

"It will be his first handicap over fences and hopefully it will go smoothly."