The Centenary Festival
I think several of us asked why 2011 was billed as the Centenary Festival. There had been a National Hunt Meeting established in 1860 which moved around courses (and had been at Cheltenham in 1861, 1904 and 1905) but it found a permanent home at Prestbury Park in 1911.
The official title of the Cheltenham Festival is still the National Hunt Meeting. The earliest traceable reference to a "Festival" is in the Warwick Advertiser of 1907.
The most pointless dead-heat ever?
You may have missed this at the time but Woolcombe Folly and Mad Max dead-heated for 10th place in the Champion Chase!
Stat of the week (1)
The last 11 runnings of the Gold Cup has gone to a horse in the first three in the betting.
Three Previous Winners in the Gold Cup
The Editor wondered if 2011 was the first time three previous Gold Cup winners had run in the race before. There was certainly an instance in 1958 where Gay Donald (1955), Limber Hill (1956) and Linwell (1957) could not cope with new champion Kerstin. History repeated this year then!
Hat-trick heros
After Big Buck's made it three World Hurdles in a row a question was asked about horses that may have won three non-championship races at the Festival.
Half Free won the Mildmay of Flete in 1984 and then the Catchcart in 1986 and 1987.
Willie Wumpkins won the Golden Hurdle (now the Pertemps Final) in 1979, 1980 and 1981 having already claimed the Aldsworth Hurdle (now the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle) in 1973.
Baulking Green won the United Hunts Cup in 1963, 64, 65 & 67. Trained by Capt Tim Forster the horse was second in 1966 and beaten a short-head at the age of 15 in 1968. Last run at the Festival in 1973 the Cup is still a prize at May's Hunter Chase meeting.
Beau Normand won one of the divisions of the Gloucestershire Hurdle (now the Supreme Novices) in 1961 and the Spa Hurdle in 1963 and 1967.
Arctic Gold won the Broadway Chase (now the RSA) in 1950, the Catchcart in 1953 and Kim Muir in 1954.
Medoc II won the NH Juvenile Chase in 1938, the Seven Springs Handicap Chase in 1940 & 1941 (and the Gold Cup in 1942) while all the way back in the 1920s Dudley won the Amateur Riders Chase of 1923, the Grand Annual in 1924 & 1925 and the Coventry Cup Handicap Chase in 1928.
(With acknowledgements to The Complete Record).
Stat of the week (2)
For the second year running only Quevega won a race at the Festival after being off the track for more than 100 days. Indeed the second longest absence in 2011 for a winner was the 78 days of Chicago Grey and Big Buck's. In 2010 the second longest absence was the 83 days of Imperial Commander.
Despite those numbers Cue Card (94 days), Great Endeavour (94), Sunnyhillboy (94), Menorah (94), Alfa Beat (182), Time for Rupert (95), Woolcombe Folly (95), Aegean Dawn (117), Denman (111), Imperial Commander (118), Midnight Chase (98) and Weird Al (111) all had their supporters this time round and some of them were very warm orders but none could pick up the win.
Loking back as far as 1989 only Flagship Uberalles (95 days) has won the Champion Chase after such a lengthy absence. Cyborgo (363) is the only Stayer's winner to come back after such a long break and Garrison Savannah (92) is the only Gold Cup winner to break the 90-day hoodoo.
There has been no winner of the Champion Hurdle, Arkle, RSA Chase, Triumph Hurdle or Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle to defy a 90-day plus break in more than 20 years.
Is there a trend worth following here? More on this on a future edition of the Fence I fancy!
Whatever happened to Punjabi?
The 2009 Champion Hurdler weakened from three out in the 2010 renewal and only finished ninth behind Binocular, beaten 25 lengths. The horse's next outing was at Punchestown the following month in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle but this time finished last of eleven 35 lengths behind Hurricane Fly.
Timeform expected the horse to go novice chasing in 2010/11 and Nicky Henderson certainly echoed that in an interview with Attheraces in October saying that Punjabi: "Has come back looking bigger and stronger. He was slightly disappointing when defending his Champion Hurdle and at Punchestown after but he has now schooled over fences, taken to it very well and that’s now where his future lies. I'm pleased with what I’ve seen.”
Since then, nothing. Any info will be gratefully received at Fence Towers.
*Nov 2011 Update - After a visit to the Henderson stables The Judge has an update on Punjabi: "After his poor run in Ireland they found he had joint problems. They could have kept going with medication, but it would have meant only a short career, so they have rested him for a year to let nature do the repairs in the hope it will prolong his career. They intend to send him chasing if he jumps and his legs stand up to it."
Monday, 13 November 2017
Sponsor Study - Stan James
One for the Boozy Punter editor who likes this stuff!
The Champion Hurdle will have a new sponsor from 2011 after a five-year deal was struck with bookmaking operation Stan James. What do we know about that organisation?
Well, first things first, there is not and was not, a Stan James. The company was founded by Steve Fisher and James Holder, and is now owned by Fisher and his wife Anne. The company was named Stan James from taking the first two letters of Steve and Anne (Stan) and from James. Stan James opened their first shop in Compton, Berkshire in 1973.
They bought Betdirect in 2007, betterbet.com in 2008 and 27 branches of Pagebet earlier this year.
Now based in Marina Bay, Gibraltar the company has sponsored the 2,000 Guineas, King George VI chase and World Matchplay Darts. The Cheltenham Hurdle deal also covers three two-mile races leading up to The Festival. They are the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November, the International at Cheltenham in December and the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park in January.
There was a Stanley James who took 1-73 in a match for Otago against Fiji in 1954. He didn't bat though.
The Champion Hurdle will have a new sponsor from 2011 after a five-year deal was struck with bookmaking operation Stan James. What do we know about that organisation?
Well, first things first, there is not and was not, a Stan James. The company was founded by Steve Fisher and James Holder, and is now owned by Fisher and his wife Anne. The company was named Stan James from taking the first two letters of Steve and Anne (Stan) and from James. Stan James opened their first shop in Compton, Berkshire in 1973.
They bought Betdirect in 2007, betterbet.com in 2008 and 27 branches of Pagebet earlier this year.
Now based in Marina Bay, Gibraltar the company has sponsored the 2,000 Guineas, King George VI chase and World Matchplay Darts. The Cheltenham Hurdle deal also covers three two-mile races leading up to The Festival. They are the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November, the International at Cheltenham in December and the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park in January.
There was a Stanley James who took 1-73 in a match for Otago against Fiji in 1954. He didn't bat though.
Kauto Star's first Gold Cup
Written in April 2010, a look at the beaten horses in Kauto Star's first Gold Cup and what became of them.
2nd Exotic Dancer - beaten two and a half lengths in the Cheltenham showpiece Exotic Dancer franked the form less than a month later in the Martell Cup at Aintree beating four rivals. Although the horse ran with great credit, only finishing outside the first three once in ten more races beaten by Kauto three more times as well of the likes of Our Vic, Denman and Monet's Garden, there was only to be one more victory, a 20-length slamming of War of Attrition in the Lexus Chase of December 2008. Exotic Dancer died after finishing second at last year's Totesport Bowl at Aintree
3rd Turpin Green - five lengths behind Kauto at 40/1, it certainly led me to question the race at the time. Looking back though Turpin Green had beaten Exotic Dancer and finished second to Star De Mohaison in the previous 12 months. Nothing as good after the race though. Only one subsequent victory to report, a three-runner affair over 2m 5f at Haydock where it was the only one to complete the course. Has only once had a single figure starting-price since and was last seen finishing second in a Doncaster four-mile handicap in February at 33/1.
4th Monkerhostin - a further five lengths back. A decent sort but at the time had better form around two/two and a half miles so it was certainly a surprise to see it start at 8/1 co-favourite next time out in the Grand National. Has picked up two wins in the last three years, both Sandown handicaps, one of them the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2008 (also entered for this year's renewal) and one in February over three miles half a furlong . Now 13 was last seen lobbing around 14th of 16 in the Cross-Country race at the Festival.
5th Cane Brake - three-quarters of a length behind Monkerhostin, really hasn't done much else since. Was off the course for over 18 months after pulling-up in the 2007 Irish Grand National so clearly had problems. Third to Exotic Dancer in the 2008 Lexus and the same placing in a Clonmel Handicap hurdle last November. Pulled up in last year's Lexus and not seen since.
6th State of Play - (a further half-length behind). Started the race an 8/1 third favourite after winning the Hennessey the previous November. Best result since, a win in the 2008 Charlie Hall after finishing second in the race the year previously. Was pulled up behind Denman in last year's Hennessey. Not seen since but has entries in both the Grand National and the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
7th L'ami - 12 and a half lengths behind the winner on the day. Has won an egg and spoon race at Kilsheelan and a chase and cross-country at Punchestown since, all at odds on. Something of a dodgepot on the big occasion.
8th Neptune Collonges - Just touched off by L'Ami, was running in the race as a six-year old. Finished third in the 2008 Gold Cup and fourth in 2009. Missed this season through injury unfortunately. Has won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown twice, the Country Gentleman's Association Chase at Wincanton and the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown last year. Has picked up over £500k in prize money, a pretty good third string to have in the stable!
9th Kingscliff - Probably past his best. Had finished 10th to War of Attrition a year earlier. Back in 2003 had won the Foxhunters and the Tripleprint at Cheltenham and, in 2005, beat Beef or Salmon to win the Betfair Chase. Finished second in the Guinness Gold Cup next time out but didn't pick up another win until sent point-to-pointing at Loughrea last October.
10th Forget the Past - Third in the previous year's renewal, another one that looks to have been on the decline. Only one victory since, a chase worth £9k to the winner at Thurles in November 2007. Easily beaten in an Irish Point-to-point last October.
11th The Listener - Was going into the race off the back of a win in the Lexus Chase and then second to Beef or Salmon in the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Since the 2007 Gold Cup has won a John Durkan chase at Punchestown and went one better in the Henessey Cognac in February 2008. Fifth in the Ryanair Chase at the 2008 Festival so decent without being able to worry the best of the British. Last run was another Grade 1 victory in JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last November but picked up an injury which finished the season.
12th My Will - Had won Grade 2 and 3 events in the novice sphere and picked up a Handicap at Cheltenham the previous December but had no form to suggest a possible victory. Off the track from April 2007 to Nov 2008, finished fifth in the 2009 Gold Cup and seventh this year. Hasn't won a race since but third in last year's Grand National and a 40/1 chance for the big Aintree event this time.
13th Beef or Salmon - At eleven years old a fifth and final attempt at winning the big one after previous efforts of fell, fourth, pulled up and eleventh. Had beaten the likes of War of Attrition, Kicking King, Best Mate and Hedgehunter in Ireland but didn't win a race on these shores. Never won another race anywhere and was retired after 2008's Guinness Gold Cup.
14th Sybellius D'artaix - The last finisher, over 134 lengths behind Kauto, this vanity runner had finished seventh in the Queen Mother two days previously and went on to run in the Scottish National! Won a novice hurdle two and a half months later but that was the horse's only success in 20 other tries. Last out was in July 2009 finishing ninth in a Cartmel Handicap Chase.
PU Bob Bob Bobbin - A three-length fourth to Neptune Collonges in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle the previous November must have been the reason why this was in the race. That followed victory in a Handicap Chase over the likes of Distant Thunder and Simon but I can't see much else that would warrant a place in this company. Has had 15 races since winning just the one, a Veterans Handicap Chase at Newbury last year. Has had five runs this season, pulled up in the last three.
P Halcon Genelardais - Had won this season's Welsh National (beating Mon Mome amongst others) but was a soft ground specialist. Possibly 'in the grip of the handicapper' as In ten subsequent runs has finished second four times, third twice and fourth twice (one of those in Denman's Gold Cup). Also pulled up when Kauto regained the crown in 2009. Last run was seventh in last year's Welsh National and has entries in the Scottish version and the Bet365 Gold Cup.
F Marble Garden - the other vanity runner. Sandwiched this run between a 50+ length beating in Sublimity's Champion Hurdle and being pulled up in a Cartmel Handicap Chase three weeks later. Then went back to France, winning a three-runner hurdle (getting weight from the others) at Angers but failing to win in six more attempts. Last seen in December 2007 so possibly glue or someone's dinner by now.
UR Idle Talk - Second in the previous year's Royal and Sun Alliance Chase to Star de Mohaison but never hit those heights again. The horse unseated Richard Johnson in a Cheltenham handicap in the January before this race, got rid of Jason Maguire at the fifth on this day and then unseated the same jockey in the Grand National and Scottish National. A tricky ride by the looks of it! Has yet to win another race in 17 attempts and is entered for this year's Scottish National.
There you have it, quality race or sub-standard renewal? I'll let you decide - I think I'll sit on the fence!
2nd Exotic Dancer - beaten two and a half lengths in the Cheltenham showpiece Exotic Dancer franked the form less than a month later in the Martell Cup at Aintree beating four rivals. Although the horse ran with great credit, only finishing outside the first three once in ten more races beaten by Kauto three more times as well of the likes of Our Vic, Denman and Monet's Garden, there was only to be one more victory, a 20-length slamming of War of Attrition in the Lexus Chase of December 2008. Exotic Dancer died after finishing second at last year's Totesport Bowl at Aintree
3rd Turpin Green - five lengths behind Kauto at 40/1, it certainly led me to question the race at the time. Looking back though Turpin Green had beaten Exotic Dancer and finished second to Star De Mohaison in the previous 12 months. Nothing as good after the race though. Only one subsequent victory to report, a three-runner affair over 2m 5f at Haydock where it was the only one to complete the course. Has only once had a single figure starting-price since and was last seen finishing second in a Doncaster four-mile handicap in February at 33/1.
4th Monkerhostin - a further five lengths back. A decent sort but at the time had better form around two/two and a half miles so it was certainly a surprise to see it start at 8/1 co-favourite next time out in the Grand National. Has picked up two wins in the last three years, both Sandown handicaps, one of them the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2008 (also entered for this year's renewal) and one in February over three miles half a furlong . Now 13 was last seen lobbing around 14th of 16 in the Cross-Country race at the Festival.
5th Cane Brake - three-quarters of a length behind Monkerhostin, really hasn't done much else since. Was off the course for over 18 months after pulling-up in the 2007 Irish Grand National so clearly had problems. Third to Exotic Dancer in the 2008 Lexus and the same placing in a Clonmel Handicap hurdle last November. Pulled up in last year's Lexus and not seen since.
6th State of Play - (a further half-length behind). Started the race an 8/1 third favourite after winning the Hennessey the previous November. Best result since, a win in the 2008 Charlie Hall after finishing second in the race the year previously. Was pulled up behind Denman in last year's Hennessey. Not seen since but has entries in both the Grand National and the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
7th L'ami - 12 and a half lengths behind the winner on the day. Has won an egg and spoon race at Kilsheelan and a chase and cross-country at Punchestown since, all at odds on. Something of a dodgepot on the big occasion.
8th Neptune Collonges - Just touched off by L'Ami, was running in the race as a six-year old. Finished third in the 2008 Gold Cup and fourth in 2009. Missed this season through injury unfortunately. Has won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown twice, the Country Gentleman's Association Chase at Wincanton and the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown last year. Has picked up over £500k in prize money, a pretty good third string to have in the stable!
9th Kingscliff - Probably past his best. Had finished 10th to War of Attrition a year earlier. Back in 2003 had won the Foxhunters and the Tripleprint at Cheltenham and, in 2005, beat Beef or Salmon to win the Betfair Chase. Finished second in the Guinness Gold Cup next time out but didn't pick up another win until sent point-to-pointing at Loughrea last October.
10th Forget the Past - Third in the previous year's renewal, another one that looks to have been on the decline. Only one victory since, a chase worth £9k to the winner at Thurles in November 2007. Easily beaten in an Irish Point-to-point last October.
11th The Listener - Was going into the race off the back of a win in the Lexus Chase and then second to Beef or Salmon in the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Since the 2007 Gold Cup has won a John Durkan chase at Punchestown and went one better in the Henessey Cognac in February 2008. Fifth in the Ryanair Chase at the 2008 Festival so decent without being able to worry the best of the British. Last run was another Grade 1 victory in JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last November but picked up an injury which finished the season.
12th My Will - Had won Grade 2 and 3 events in the novice sphere and picked up a Handicap at Cheltenham the previous December but had no form to suggest a possible victory. Off the track from April 2007 to Nov 2008, finished fifth in the 2009 Gold Cup and seventh this year. Hasn't won a race since but third in last year's Grand National and a 40/1 chance for the big Aintree event this time.
13th Beef or Salmon - At eleven years old a fifth and final attempt at winning the big one after previous efforts of fell, fourth, pulled up and eleventh. Had beaten the likes of War of Attrition, Kicking King, Best Mate and Hedgehunter in Ireland but didn't win a race on these shores. Never won another race anywhere and was retired after 2008's Guinness Gold Cup.
14th Sybellius D'artaix - The last finisher, over 134 lengths behind Kauto, this vanity runner had finished seventh in the Queen Mother two days previously and went on to run in the Scottish National! Won a novice hurdle two and a half months later but that was the horse's only success in 20 other tries. Last out was in July 2009 finishing ninth in a Cartmel Handicap Chase.
PU Bob Bob Bobbin - A three-length fourth to Neptune Collonges in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle the previous November must have been the reason why this was in the race. That followed victory in a Handicap Chase over the likes of Distant Thunder and Simon but I can't see much else that would warrant a place in this company. Has had 15 races since winning just the one, a Veterans Handicap Chase at Newbury last year. Has had five runs this season, pulled up in the last three.
P Halcon Genelardais - Had won this season's Welsh National (beating Mon Mome amongst others) but was a soft ground specialist. Possibly 'in the grip of the handicapper' as In ten subsequent runs has finished second four times, third twice and fourth twice (one of those in Denman's Gold Cup). Also pulled up when Kauto regained the crown in 2009. Last run was seventh in last year's Welsh National and has entries in the Scottish version and the Bet365 Gold Cup.
F Marble Garden - the other vanity runner. Sandwiched this run between a 50+ length beating in Sublimity's Champion Hurdle and being pulled up in a Cartmel Handicap Chase three weeks later. Then went back to France, winning a three-runner hurdle (getting weight from the others) at Angers but failing to win in six more attempts. Last seen in December 2007 so possibly glue or someone's dinner by now.
UR Idle Talk - Second in the previous year's Royal and Sun Alliance Chase to Star de Mohaison but never hit those heights again. The horse unseated Richard Johnson in a Cheltenham handicap in the January before this race, got rid of Jason Maguire at the fifth on this day and then unseated the same jockey in the Grand National and Scottish National. A tricky ride by the looks of it! Has yet to win another race in 17 attempts and is entered for this year's Scottish National.
There you have it, quality race or sub-standard renewal? I'll let you decide - I think I'll sit on the fence!
Cheltenham 2010 Follow-up
Before I get stuck in to the meat of this edition we'll have a quick quiz question. George Nympton finished eighth in the Fred Winter this week, is the horse named after a place or a person? Answer at the bottom of this post.
Racing Abroad
The Velka Pardubice takes place on the second Sunday in October. Charlie Mann won the race in 1995 with It's a Snip. Pardubice is 65 miles from Prague - they make Semtex there!
Among Auteuil's big races are the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris held in May (First Gold and The Fellow have won this in the past), the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle - Dawn Run won in 1984 but lost her life there in 1986) in June and the Prix La Haye Jousselin in November, a race also won by the Fellow and First Gold and seven times in a row in the nineties by Al Capone II.
Shorts
The Tingle Creek Chase was a Limited Handicap when Desert Orchid won the race in 1988. I believe it became a Grade 1 in 1994.
Sorry Cod, but I can find no record of an organisation called the Foxhunters Trust. The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) is the body responsible for the administration, management, promotion and development (governance and strategy) of Point-to-Point racing. Robert Waley-Cohen is the current Chairman of the PPA.
The last 10 year-old to win the Gold Cup was Cool Dawn in 1998. Cool Ground was another 10 y-o winner in 1992 as were Desert Orchid in 1989 and Charter Party the year before. Silver Buck (1982) is the only other in the last 30 years, The Dikler (1973) the only other in the last 40.
The King George VI is even worse for horses in the double figure age bracket with only Edredon Bleu (2003), Desert Orchid (1989 & 90) and Wayward Lad (1985) managing the feat in the last fifty years.
Desert Orchid
As Dessie got mentions in two of the above 'shorts' I thought I'd share an extraordinary sequence of runs by the great grey.
27 Oct 1988 - Wins the 2m 5f Terry Biddlecombe Challenge Trophy Chase at Wincanton. Beats Bishops Yarn and three others off level weight of 11st 8lb.
03 Dec 1988 - Wins the 2m Tingle Creek. Carrying 12st and conceding 20lb to Jim Thorpe who finishes a 12 length second, Panto Prince (receiving 18lb) was half a length back in third
26 Dec 1988 - Wins the 3m King George. Beats Kildimo by four lengths, five further lengths back to Vodkatini.
14 Jan 1989 - Wins the 2m Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Ascot. Managing to beat Panto Prince by a head despite conceding 22lbs.
4 Feb 1989 - Wins the Gainsborough Chase over 3m 1/2f at Sandown. Beats Pegwell Bay by 3/4 length despite conceding 18lbs.
16 Mar 1989 - Wins the Gold Cup.
Six top quality wins in 140 days if my maths is right. And still fit enough to tackle the Martell Cup (where he fell) three weeks later. They made them tough in those days!
Quiz Answer
George Nympton is in Devon. If you're driving from Barnstaple to Tiverton head south through South Molton.
Racing Abroad
The Velka Pardubice takes place on the second Sunday in October. Charlie Mann won the race in 1995 with It's a Snip. Pardubice is 65 miles from Prague - they make Semtex there!
Among Auteuil's big races are the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris held in May (First Gold and The Fellow have won this in the past), the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle - Dawn Run won in 1984 but lost her life there in 1986) in June and the Prix La Haye Jousselin in November, a race also won by the Fellow and First Gold and seven times in a row in the nineties by Al Capone II.
Shorts
The Tingle Creek Chase was a Limited Handicap when Desert Orchid won the race in 1988. I believe it became a Grade 1 in 1994.
Sorry Cod, but I can find no record of an organisation called the Foxhunters Trust. The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) is the body responsible for the administration, management, promotion and development (governance and strategy) of Point-to-Point racing. Robert Waley-Cohen is the current Chairman of the PPA.
The last 10 year-old to win the Gold Cup was Cool Dawn in 1998. Cool Ground was another 10 y-o winner in 1992 as were Desert Orchid in 1989 and Charter Party the year before. Silver Buck (1982) is the only other in the last 30 years, The Dikler (1973) the only other in the last 40.
The King George VI is even worse for horses in the double figure age bracket with only Edredon Bleu (2003), Desert Orchid (1989 & 90) and Wayward Lad (1985) managing the feat in the last fifty years.
Desert Orchid
As Dessie got mentions in two of the above 'shorts' I thought I'd share an extraordinary sequence of runs by the great grey.
27 Oct 1988 - Wins the 2m 5f Terry Biddlecombe Challenge Trophy Chase at Wincanton. Beats Bishops Yarn and three others off level weight of 11st 8lb.
03 Dec 1988 - Wins the 2m Tingle Creek. Carrying 12st and conceding 20lb to Jim Thorpe who finishes a 12 length second, Panto Prince (receiving 18lb) was half a length back in third
26 Dec 1988 - Wins the 3m King George. Beats Kildimo by four lengths, five further lengths back to Vodkatini.
14 Jan 1989 - Wins the 2m Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Ascot. Managing to beat Panto Prince by a head despite conceding 22lbs.
4 Feb 1989 - Wins the Gainsborough Chase over 3m 1/2f at Sandown. Beats Pegwell Bay by 3/4 length despite conceding 18lbs.
16 Mar 1989 - Wins the Gold Cup.
Six top quality wins in 140 days if my maths is right. And still fit enough to tackle the Martell Cup (where he fell) three weeks later. They made them tough in those days!
Quiz Answer
George Nympton is in Devon. If you're driving from Barnstaple to Tiverton head south through South Molton.
Thursday, 2 November 2017
Where we finished!
Where have we all finished in the competition over the years? Since 2012/13 anyway.
(Most recent comp (2025/26 Jumps) on left)
Bob - 3-3-2-7-3-1-4-3-5-7-8-3-5-6-2-6-8-6-10-1-5-2-7-4-7-8-3
Cliff - 7-7-4-2-4-2-7-5-3-5-1-1-4-3-5-1-4-2-9-4-3-1-2-7-8-2-9
Cod - 5-1-6-3-7-6-6-7-4-4-2-8-8-7-3-8-7-9-8-5-7-5-4-3-5-5-8
Martin - 6-2-7-6-5-5-5-6-7-3-7-6-6-5-6-7-3-1-3-8-8-8-6-9-6-1-6
Neil - 1-6-3-1-6-3-2-1-6-6-4-5-7-1-8-2-6-3-7-3-1-6-8-6-3-6-1
Peej - 4-5-5-4-1-7-1-2-1-8-3-7-3-8-1-5-5-7-5-7-6-3-5-8-1-4-7
Steve - 2-4-1-5-2-4-3-4-2-1-6-4-1-4-4-3-1-4-4-9-9-9-9-5-4-3-5
Tony (last appearance 2021) - 2-5-2-2-2-7-4-2-8-6-2-4-4-1-2-2-7-4
Lee (last appearance 2017) - 5-1-6-2-7-3-1
John finished second in the 2012/13 Jumps season
Micky finished second in the 2016/17 Jumps season
Micky finished second in the 2016/17 Jumps season
I've split out Flat and Jumps as well. Most recent on the left.
Flat
Bob - 3 -7-1-3-7-3-6-6-6-1-2-4-8
Cliff - 7-2-2-5-5-1-3-1-2-4-1-7-2
Cod - 1-3-6-7-4-8-7-8-9-5-5-3-5
Martin - 2-6-5-6-3-6-5-7-1-8-8-9-1
Neil - 6-1-3-1-6-5-1-2-3-3-6-6-6
Peej - 5-4-7-2-8-7-8-5-7-7-3-8-4
Steve - 4-5-4-4-1-4-4-3-4-9-9-5-3
Jumps
Bob - 3-2-3-4-5-8-5-2-8-10-5-7-7-3
Cliff - 7-4-4-7-3-1-4-5-4-9-3-2-8-9
Cod - 5-6-7-6-4-2-8-3-7-8-7-4-5-8
Martin - 6-7-5-5-7-7-6-6-3-3-8-6-6-6
Neil - 1-3-6-2-6-4-7-8-6-7-1-8-3-1
Peej - 4-5-1-1-1-3-3-1-5-5-6-5-1-7
Steve - 2-1-2-3-2-6-1-4-1-4-9-9-4-5
2017 Boozypunter Horse of the Season
Congratulations to...
Enable
with six wins in the season and an excellent 254.3 points.
That scoring season started in May with the an eased down victory in the Cheshire Oaks. ('Impressive' to our esteemed Editor's eyes). Three weeks later John Gosden's star filly was at Epsom to pick up the Oaks by five lengths from the odds-on Rhododendron. We wouldn't see 6/1 about this horse again!
Frankie Dettori was forming a fine partnership with Enable and they went to the Curragh in July for the Irish Oaks. The race ended in another eased down victory, this time by five and a half lengths from Rain Goddess. Enable was out again just two weeks later and there was another Group One in the bag - this time ('storming to glory' - editor) in the King George with Ulysses the closest pursuer.
Four to one on favourite for the Yorkshire Oaks at the end of August, the odds were landed in style at York. 'Very readily' by five lengths from Coronet.
Given a break after the York win, there was one more target - the Arc. Kept handy by Dettori the daughter of Nathaniel quickened, went away from the field and stayed on to win by two and a half lengths from Cloth of Stars. A great season, a worthy winner.
254.3 - Enable (14.6 + 56.4 + 51.4 + 52.1 + 26.2 + 53.6)
235 - Decorated Knight (57.8 + 24 + 153.2)
221 - Capri (113.2 + 107.8)
Lee, Martin and Steve's totals were all boosted by our Horse of the Season.
Enable
with six wins in the season and an excellent 254.3 points.
That scoring season started in May with the an eased down victory in the Cheshire Oaks. ('Impressive' to our esteemed Editor's eyes). Three weeks later John Gosden's star filly was at Epsom to pick up the Oaks by five lengths from the odds-on Rhododendron. We wouldn't see 6/1 about this horse again!
Frankie Dettori was forming a fine partnership with Enable and they went to the Curragh in July for the Irish Oaks. The race ended in another eased down victory, this time by five and a half lengths from Rain Goddess. Enable was out again just two weeks later and there was another Group One in the bag - this time ('storming to glory' - editor) in the King George with Ulysses the closest pursuer.
Four to one on favourite for the Yorkshire Oaks at the end of August, the odds were landed in style at York. 'Very readily' by five lengths from Coronet.
Given a break after the York win, there was one more target - the Arc. Kept handy by Dettori the daughter of Nathaniel quickened, went away from the field and stayed on to win by two and a half lengths from Cloth of Stars. A great season, a worthy winner.
254.3 - Enable (14.6 + 56.4 + 51.4 + 52.1 + 26.2 + 53.6)
235 - Decorated Knight (57.8 + 24 + 153.2)
221 - Capri (113.2 + 107.8)
Lee, Martin and Steve's totals were all boosted by our Horse of the Season.
2017 Flat Issue 25 - amended final table
Headline
Report
Librisa Breeze’s Home At Ascot
Report
At Ascot on
Champions day Librisa Breeze ( Neil), took her chance in the 6f group 1 sprint,
held up disputing 8th, smooth progress 2 out, delivered to lead
inside last, edged right, kept on strongly under pressure to win by 1 ¼ l. She gets
69.8 points.
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
October Total
Martin 127.9
821.2
Cliff 124.5 818.6
Neil
126.8
754.1
Steve 223.6
702
Lee
88.8
683.8
Bob
74.3
645.3
Peej
21.8 643.7
Tony 83.2
596.7
Cod
26.2 184.5
So congratulations to Martin, who is Champion,
And to Steve, who is October trainer of the month.
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