2014/15 Jumps Edition 13 - the winners keep coming

Headlines

Succes for Balder at Ascot

Wood is Very Good at Navan

Champagne Fever building for Chltenham

Chapel Hall scores at Fontwell

Report

We start at Fontwell last Thursday where in the 1m 6f bumper, Chapel Hall ( Martin) took his chance, tracked leaders, squeezed up on bend after 7f , ridden to lead 2 out, stayed n to assert close home, winning by 2l. He gets 24.2 points.

At Ascot on Saturday in the 2m 5f grade 1 Ascot Chase, Balder Succes ( Peej, Steve, Tony), took his chance, held up in rear, but in touch, joined leaders 12^th, led after next 2l clear 2 out, ridden before last, driven out, winning by 3 1/4l. He gets 29 points.

He now heads to the Ryan air but has a shocking record at Cheltenham

At Gowran Park in the 2m 4f grade 2 chase Champagne Fever ( Neil, Peej, Tony) went to post, held up behind leaders, took closer order approaching 3^rd, raced keenly, led from 9^th, travelling strongly 3 out, eased clear approaching 2 out, in command when steadied last, winning easily by 4 ½ l. He gets 21.4 points.

On Sunday at Navan in the 3m grade 2 novice chase, Very Wood (Peej), took his chance, tracked leaders, disputed lead from 7^th, led from 8^th, headed 10^th, not fluent 11^th, jumped right 12^th, regained lead 2out, going beat approaching last, soon clear and kept on well run in , winning by 4 ½ l. He gets 52 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   February     Total

Tony          123.7              544.9

Lee                                  429.8

Cliff           23.6              427.9

Neil            66.9              367.5

Peej            102.4            329.1

Steve          64                 297.1

Martin         24.2             294.7

Cod           13.3               254.5

Bob            13.5              243.7

News

Sire De Grugy is set to have a second prep run for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Chepstow on Saturday

Paul Nicholls believes he has Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Silviniaco Conti at the "top of his form".    Road To Riches is set to have a workout at the weekend as his preparation for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup reaches fever pitch.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 12 - latest

Headlines

Valtat is Vibrant at Warwick

Apache slays rivals in Ireland

Kings Palace scores at Newbury

Southfield Theatre wins at Exeter

Holywell on Gold Cup trail

Report

We start at Warwick last Saturday where in the 2m grade 2 novice chase, Vibrato Valtat (Neil)went to post, tracked leaders, going well, went 2^nd after 8^th, led on bit after 2 out, cruised clear flat, winning impressively by 4 ½ l.  He will test UnDe Sceaux in the Arkle . He gets 33 points.

At Kempton Kings Palace (Steve), took his chance in the 3m novice chase, made virtually all, jumped slowly 10^th, blundered and joined 3 out, came back on bridle and well on top run in winning cleverly by 1l. He gets 22.2 points.

On Sunday at Exeter in the 2m 3 f novice chase, Southfield Theatre (Cliff), took his chance, jumped well, made all, ridden after 2 out, ran on well, ridden out, winning by 2 ¾ l. He is a solid each way bet for the RSA. He gets 23.6 points.

At Leopardstown, in the 2m 5f grade 1 novice chase Apache Stronghold ( Tony), went to post, waited with in rear, mistake when mid field 8^th, headway from 3 out, ridden to challenge before last, led narrowly run in, kept on well to retain narrow advantage, all out winning by ½ l. He would also be a player in the RSA if taking his chance. He gets 60 points.

Today at Kelso Holywell ( Cod, Steve, Tony) went to post in the 3m 2f chase, Made all, clear before 4 out, winning easily by 25 l. He gets 13.3 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   February     Total

Tony          73.3              494.5

Lee                                  429.8

Cliff           23.6              427.9

Neil            45.5             346.1

Martin                            270.5

Steve          35.5               268.1

Cod           13.3               254.5

Bob            13.5              243.7

Peej                                 226.7

Congratulations to Lee who was January trainer of the month

News.

Noel Meade has confirmed the JLT Novices' Chase as the intended Cheltenham Festival target for Apache Stronghold following his thrilling triumph at Leopardstown on Sunday

Shutthefrontdoor is being trained for the Crabbie's Grand National after being taken out of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest forfeit stage

Connections of More Of That will not make an immediate decision on whether Jonjo O'Neill's charge will defend his crown in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle after he was found to have bled following a workout on Wednesday morning

2014/15 Jumps Edition 11 - A quiet week

Headlines

Hargam Lands Triumph Trial

Report

At Musselburgh last Sunday Hargam ( Bob, Neil), took his chance in the 2m listed hurdle, prominent., not fluent first, smooth headway to lead 2 out, quickend clear on bridle run in, winning readily by 6l. He gets 13.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January     February     Total

Lee            126.4                           429.8

Tony           61.9                           421.2

Cliff            112.8                        404.3

Neil           26.1         13.5           313.1

Martin       26.1                           270.5

Bob          103.7        13.5           243.7

Cod           72.6                           241.2

Steve          54.1                          232.6

Peej          85.6                             226.7

Congratulations to Lee who was January trainer of the month

News.

Irving will attempt to throw his hat back into the ring for the Stan James Champion Hurdle when he runs at Wincanton, a week on Saturday in the Kingwell,. If it all goes well it will then be all systems go for the Champion Hurdle."

Irving's price for the Champion Hurdle ranges from 25-1 to 40-1 with the sponsors.

The Tullow Tank will bid to redeem his reputation in Sunday's Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Josses Hill bids to further his claims for top honours at the Cheltenham Festival next month when he lines-up for the Racing UK 1 Price 3 Devices Graduation Chase at Kempton on Friday

Sign Of A Victory has been given the go ahead to carry top weight in Saturday's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, for which a full field of 24 are set to go to post

JONJO O'NEILL has ruled Betfred Gold Cup contender Holywell out of Saturday's Denman Chase, due to the unsuitability of the ground at Newbury, but has given go-ahead for fellow Cheltenham Festival winner Taquin Du Seuil to line up in the Betfair-backed Grade 2.

The punter also understands that Dynaste misses the rest of the season having sustained an injury

2014/15 Jumps Edition 10 - Half the table trying to avoid the spoon

Headlines

Saphir Sparkles at Cheltenham

UnDe Sceaux Impressive at

Clouds Clear at Cheltenham

Report

We start at Cheltenham last Saturday where in the 3m 1f grade 2 chase, Many Clouds ( Cod, Lee), took his chance, soon disputing lead, led from 14^th, ridden when challenged 2 out, stayed on very gamely from last, edged right towards finish , driven  out, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 29.8 points.

In the 3m grade 2 hurdle Saphir Du Rheu ( Bob, Cliff, Lee), went to post, tracked leaders, travelling well in close 2^nd after 2 out, ridden after last, led entering last 100 yards, driven out, winning by a neck. He gets 28.7 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday Un De Sceaux ( Cod, Peej), took his chance in the 2m 1f grade 1 Arkle Novice Chase, made all 2l clear 3 out, pressed closely 2 out, still travelling well in lead approaching last, pushed clear run in , winning impressively by 15 l. He gets 26.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Lee            126.4          429.8

Tony           61.9          421.2

Cliff            112.8         404.3

Neil           26.1           299.6

Martin       26.1          270.5

Cod           72.6          241.2

Steve          54.1         232.6

Bob          103.7        230.2

Peej          85.6           226.7

News.

Al Ferof's next planned appearance in the Betfair Ascot Chase is set to determine his Cheltenham Festival target, according to owner John Hales.

Paul Nicholls' grey still holds entries in the Gold Cup, the Ryanair Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase, for which he is the shortest price of all three races in the ante-post betting.

But Hales wants to assess Al Ferof's next performance before thoughts turn to the Festival in March.

He told the punter: "Al Ferof is very well and is going to Ascot on February 14.

"He's in the three races at Cheltenham, but we'll probably have a better idea about where we stand after Ascot. Circumstances can change so it's not something that we can rush into."

Salsify, the 2013 Foxhunter Chase winner, could be in line for a popular return to Cheltenham in March Rodger Sweeney's prolific 10-year-old has been sidelined since December 2013 because of injury but has been earmarked for an imminent comeback.

Salsify is due to contest the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase - a race he won between 2012-13 - at Leopardstown on Sunday week, after which he will be geared up for the Foxhunter.

Nicky Henderson can see no reason why Sprinter Sacre should not improve on his comeback effort in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. You saw what he did at Ascot. That was all right. He's only got to come along from there, then we will be happy," said Henderson.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 9 - Cheltenham countdown is on

Headlines

Vautour Strolls home At Leopardstown

The New One Scrambles home at Haydock

Djakadam

Report

We start at Haydock on Saturday where in the 2m grade 2 hurdle, The New One ( Cliff, Lee, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post, jumped right several times, chased leaders, went 2^nd 5^th, lost 2^nd before 3 out, where mistake, rallied approaching 2 out, to regain 2^nd, 2l down at last, stayed on well run in, all out, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 26.1 points.

At Leopardstown on Sunday Vautour ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Peej) went to post in the grade 2 novice chase, made all, jumped slightly left at times, extended advantage before 5^th, not fluent 7^th, pressed closely but still going well before 2 oput, in command and still travelling approaching last, left well clear winning easily by 92l.

He gets 16.2 points.

 

Today at Gowran Park in the 3m 1f handicap chase, Djakadam (Bob, Cliff, Lee), took his chance, Mid-division early, chased leaders from 6th, 4th halfway, improved to dispute before straight, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly, winning by 8l.

He gets 30.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           61.9          421.2

Cliff            84.1         375.6

Lee            67.9          371.3

Neil           26.1           299.6

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          54.1         232.6

Bob          75               201.5

Peej          59              200.1

Cod           16.2             184.8

News.

Kings Palace and Don Poli are the headline acts in an entry of 54 for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham on March 11.

Easter Day is 9/2 favourite with the sponsors for Saturday's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster after 15 horses were declared.

Gary Moore has conceded that Sire De Grugy is likely to be short of peak fitness when he makes his eagerly-awaited return in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 7.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 8 - Tony piling on the pressure

Headlines

Balder finds Succes At Kempton

Josses Hill Scrpaes Home At Doncaster

Cossack Wins at Thurles

Report

We start at Doncaster last Friday where in the 2m novice chase Josses Hill ( Cliff, Lee, Steve), took his chance, chased leading pair, to 3^rd, headway to close 7^th, close 2^nd 2 out, soon driven, led last stayed on flat, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 11.3 points.

 

At Kempton on Saturday Balder Succes ( Peej, Steve, Tony), went to post, chased leader, jumped in to lead 12^th, drew clear after 3 out, well in command when dived at last, pushed out, winning comfortably by 1l. He gets 16.7 points.

Today at Thurles Don Cossack (Tony), took his chance in the 2m 4f grade 2 chase, Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2 out, ridden to challenge and left clear last, kept on well, winning by 44l. He gets 45.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           61.9          421.2

Lee            11.3            314.7

Cliff            11.3        302.8

Neil           00           273.5

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          28           206.5

Cod           00             168.6

Peej          16.7            157.8

Bob          28.4            154.9

News.

Exciting novice chaser Josses Hill could make an appearance at Musselburgh next month on his way to Cheltenham

Annie Power tops a list of 48 entries for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle which will be run as a Grade One contest for the first time at this year's Cheltenham Festival

Sprinter Sacre is set to line up for the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday after trainer Nicky Henderson "pressed the green button" following an all-important walk of the course on Thursday morning

Owner Andy Stewart has revealed Saphir Du Rheu will revert to smaller obstacles for a likely tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

2014/15 Jumps Edition 7 - only one winner

Headlines

Aurore Lights Up Sandown

Report

At Sandown on Saturday in the 2m 4f listed mares hurdle Aurore D’Estruval ( Bob), took her chance, always going well behind leaders, effort on bit 2 out, lead approaching last, driven out , winning by2l. She gets 28.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               January      Total

Tony           00             359.3

Lee            00            303.4

Cliff            00          291.5

Neil           00           273.5

Martin       00            244.4

Steve          00            178.5

Cod           00             168.6

Bob          28.4            154.9

Peej          00               141.1

Apologies, Tony’s points were wrongly shown last week, now correct and he was trainer of the Month

News

Gordon Elliott will consider letting stable star Don Cossack turn out for next week's Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles

Racegoers at Doncaster on Friday are in for a treat when 2011 Cheltenham Bumper winner Cheltenian takes on last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Josses Hill over fences at Doncaster.

Nicky Henderson does not expect Simonsig to run again this season after the grey was not entered in any of the championship races at the Cheltenham Festival