2017/18 Jumps Issue 6 - The latest action

Headlines

Notch is Tops at Taunton

Shakira is a Rosy Apple

Is Destination the Next Star

Report

We start at Taunton last Thursday where in the 2m 5f grade 2 chase, Top Notch ( Martin, Steve), went to post, tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, hit last, ridden out, winning by 31/4 l. He gets 21.3 points.

On Saturday at Cheltenham, Apples Shakira ( Steve), took her chance in the 2m Juvenile hurdle, tracked leader, led travelling strongly turning in, drew clear run in, not extended , winning by 3 ½ l . She gets 26.04 points.

On Sunday at Navan in the 2m 4f novice hurdle, Next Destination ( Tony), took his chance, held up behind leaders, 4 th ½ way, headway and going well before 3 out, slight mistake and lost place, switched right before 2 out, progress and going best to lead last, driven clear run in , winning by 5 ½ l. He gets 34 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 December      Total

Cliff                201.6               329.3

Martin           124.9                 326.9

Cod                 148.3              267.8

Steve              125.14             229.94

Peej                 104.8                226.8

Neil               139.2                193.3

Tony               99.8             99.8

Bob                 60.1              60.1

News

Mite Bite, Bristol De Mai, Thistlecrack, Disko and Fox Norton, all hold entries in the King George on Boxing Day

Elgin will try to maintain his fine form this season by defying top-weight in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Cheltenham Festival hero Willoughby Court remains on course to return to Prestbury Park in the Betbright Dipper Novices' Chase on New Year's Day.

Faugheen will face a maximum of five rivals if he takes up his entry in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29, Mullins, who won this race four times with the legendary Hurricane Fly, could also saddle Cilaos Emery, who was fourth on his reappearance in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse.

Sizing John and Yorkhill remain on course for a mouth-watering clash at Leopardstown after both featured among 22 confirmations for the Leopardstown Christmas Chase on December 28.

Plans are fluid for the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Waiting Patiently who is not far off returning to action.

The chaser, who beat subsequent Tingle Creek hero Politologue as a novice, was a winner at Carlisle on his seasonal return last month.

He was under consideration firstly for the Tingle Creek Chase, then the John Durkan or Caspian Caviar Gold Cup but a minor setback ruled him out of all three races.

"He'll run anything between the next two to six weeks. There are options for him at Cheltenham, Ascot and Haydock," Jefferson's daughter and assistant, Ruth.told the Punter

2017/18 Jumps Issue 5 - things continue to roll along nicely

Headlines

Black has heart of a Lion at Aintree

Royal is Sceau good at Sandown

John cuts opponents down to size

Un De Sceaux  strolls home

Report

We start at Aintree on Saturday where in the 3m 1f handicap chase, Blacklion ( Cod, Martin, Neil), went to post, Held up towards rear, steady headway from 11th, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, clear before elbow, stayed on strongly, winning by 9l. He gets 52.5 points.

At Sandown in the Grade 1 Henry V111 novice chase, Sceau Royal ( Cliff), took his chance, In touch, smooth headway after 3 out, led on bit approaching last, ran on strongly, winning impressively by 11l. He gets 52.6 points.

On Sunday at Punchestown in the 2m 4f grade 1 John Durkan memorial chase Sizing John ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Peej), went to post, Chased leaders in 3rd, mistake 2nd, disputed 2nd from 5th, jumped up to challenge briefly 6 out, jumped up to dispute 3 out, soon led travelling best, shaken up to assert before last, pushed out run-in and kept on strongly, winning comfortably by 7l . He gets 27.2 points.

At Cork in the 2m grade 2 chase, Un De Sceaux ( Cliff, Peej, Tony), went to post, Led, ran freely early, 2 lengths clear at 6th, asserted before 4 out, clear after 2 out, kept on well, eased closing stages, winning very easily by25l . He gets 26.5 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 December      Total

Cliff                201.6               329.3

Martin           103.6                  305.6

Cod                 148.3              267.8

Peej                 104.8                226.8

Neil               139.2                193.3

Steve              77.8                 182.6

Tony               65.8               65.8

Bob                 60.1              60.1

News

Jessica Harrington will let the dust settle on Sizing John's comeback victory at Punchestown on Sunday before deciding whether to run him again over the festive period.

Un De Sceaux is likely to bid for an historic third victory in next month's Clarence House Chase at Ascot following his dominant comeback victory at Cork on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old travelled and jumped with his trademark enthusiasm throughout the Hilly Way Chase and came home 25 lengths clear of Kerry Lee's British challenger Top Gamble.

Alan King has raised the possibility of Yanworth tackling the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

The dual Grade One-winning hurdler has emerged triumphant on just one of his three chase starts so far this season, most recently having to settle for second behind Willoughby Court at Newbury.

However, the seven-year-old has yet to tackle a trip in excess of two and a half miles over fences, so the three-mile Kempton race, better known as the Feltham, would represent a different test for the former top-class stayer hurdler.

Alan King has identified the Sky Bet Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster on January 27 as the likely next port of call for Sceau Royal.

Nicky Henderson would have no concerns about sending Altior straight for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival without a prep run. Henderson told the Punter,  "The Game Spirit is probably the last chance before Cheltenham. We have got to play it by the book and we can't go any faster than the rule book says. He is not even being ridden yet. He is allowed to walk at the moment.

Colin Tizzard looks set to launch a three-pronged assault on the 32Red King George VI Chase with defending champion Thistlecrack increasingly likely to be joined by stablemates Cue Card and Fox Norton.

2017/18 Jumps Issue 4 - the action continues at a pace

Headlines

Our Valentina stars at Carlisle

Willoughby court lands Newbury honours

Act is Valiant in Newcatle win

Buveur D’Air lands Fighting Fifth

Apples Jade wins Hatton Grace

Report

We start at Newbury last Friday where in the 2m 4f grade 2 novice chase, Willoughby Court ( Cliff Cod) , went to post, jumped well tracked leader went left 3^rd, led narrowly 8^th, quickend pace to draw clear approaching 4 out, stayed on strongly, ridden out to win by 3l. He gets 17.5 points.

At Newcastle on Saturday in the 2m Juvenile hurdle, Act Of Valour ( Peej), took his chance, jumped well chased leader, smooth headway to lead before 3 out, shaken up after next, kept on well from last, winning by 2l He gets 27.6 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Buveur D’Air ( Cliff, Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve,) took his chance, raced enthusiastically, tracked leaders, went 2^nd 4^th, led going well 3 out, quickend clear on bit after next , wining in a canter by 3 ½ l. He gets 51.1 points.

At Fairyhouse on Sunday Apples Jade ( Cliff, Peej, Steve), went to post in the 2m 4f Hatton’s Grace hurdle, made all ,  in command approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well run in, winning by 9l. She gets 26.7 points.

we come to the star of the week end, Our Valentina (Neil), part owned by Mr C went to Carlisle for the 2m 4f mares handicap hurdle. An over night price of around 11/2 collapsed when Mr C was spotted on course and she was sent off 9/4 f, held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out kept on well from last to win by a head. She gets 35.6 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 December      Total

Martin           51.1                  227.1

Cliff                95.3               223

Cod                 68.6               188

Steve              77.8                 182.6

Peej                 51.1                173.1

Neil               86.7                   141.1

Tony               39.3               39.3

Bob                 32.9              32.9

Congratulations to Martin who was November trainer of the month

News

Nigel Twiston-Davies still feels Blaklion could be the horse to provide him with a third Grand National ahead of the Randox Health Becher Chase over the famous Aintree fences on Saturday.

The Tingle Creek has a high class entry list at present, Charbel, Douvan, Fox Norton and Un De Sceau all hold entries.

Djakadam and Sizing John both remain in contention following the confirmation stage for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam has claimed the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One in each of the last two years and is on course to bid for the hat-trick this weekend.

Having sidestepped last month's Betfair Chase at Haydock, Jessica Harrington's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John is also due to make his seasonal reappearance in County Kildare.

Mullins has also left in Douvan, Shaneshill and Un De Sceaux, although Douvan appears bound for Saturday's Tingle Creek at Sandown and Un De Sceaux is set to make his comeback in Sunday's Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Other contenders for the John Durkan include Mouse Morris' Clonmel Oil Chase winner Alpha Des Obeaux, Noel Meade's Disko and the Kerry Lee-trained Top Gamble, who is the only British-trained horse to stand their ground.

In the grade 1 novice chase at Sandown, Capitaine, Finnians Oscar and Sceau Royal all hold entries.

2017/18 Jumps Issue 3 - Martin's bid for the double continues

Headlines

Benatar Lands Plumpton Chase

Bristol Stars at Haydock

Notch is Top class at Ascot

Sharjah

Min

Samcro

La Bague Roi

Report

We start at Plumpton where in the 2m 3f novice chase, Benatar ( Neil , Peej), went to post, left in lead 1^st, made rest, mistake 8^th, in command from 3out, idling and kept up to work between last 2, eased near finish wining by 9l, he gets 11.3 points.

At Ascot on Saturday in the 2m 5f grade 2 chase, Top Notch ( Martin, Steve), went to post, close up , tracked leaders, led well before 2 out, , soon clear, fine jump at last, winning impressively by 8l. He gets 27.6 points

At Haydock in the 3m 1f Lancashire chase, Bristol De Mai ( Neil, Peej, Steve) took his chance, wore ear plugs, made all went clear before 4 out, well in command when mistake 2 out , won very easily by 57 l . He gets 26.8 points

At Gowran Park in the 2m novice hurdle Sharjah ( Martin), took his chance, led and disputed lead at slow pace, settled in 2^nd before 2^nd, lost place briefly after 3^rd, slight mistake 3 out headway and going best to challenge 2 out, pushed out to lead run in, soon asserted winning comfortably by 4l. He gets 26 points.

In the 2m 4f chase Min ( Cod, Peej Tony), went to post, close up, led 1^st, jumped big, made rest, raced keenly, extended advantage from 5 out, winning very easily by 36l. He gets 13.1 points.

On Sunday at Navan in the 2m 4f grade 2 novice hurdle Samcro ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil) went to post, chased leaders, 4^th ½ way, headway and travelling well 3 out, led next, eased clear on bit between last 2, in command and won easily by 12l. He gets 16.3 points.

In the 3m mares hurdle at Kempton on Monday La Bague Au Roi ( Martin) took her chance, Tracked leading pair, led 6th, stretched on from 3 out, hard pressed when fumbled last, headed briefly flat but soon rallied to lead again, driven out winning by ½ l She gets 31 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 November       Total

Martin           179                  176

Cliff                127.7                127.7

Cod                 119.4                 119.4

Steve              104.8               104.8

Peej                 94.4                94.4

Neil               54.4                   54.4

Tony               39.3               39.3

Bob                 32.9              32.9

News

Thistlecrack is due to make his reappearance on Friday at Newbury where Wholestone and Uknowhatimeanharry also have entries.

Cloudy Dream could try to get back on the winning trail in the Betfred Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday week.

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the seven remaining entries in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Stayers' Hurdle hero Nichols Canyon, smart novice Cilaos Emery and the mare Augusta Kate could attempt to give the champion trainer a fourth win in the Grade One feature.

"Nichols Canyon is in the Hatton's Grace over two and a half miles," said assistant trainer Patrick Mullins. "He's a Stayers' Hurdle winner and we didn't go back to two miles because we don't want to be revving him up, as we are making a stayer out of him."

Last year's winner Apple's Jade - who is also in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday - could be joined by her Gordon Elliott-trained stablemate Mick Jazz.

Annamix, one of Willie Mullins' exciting French recruits, is out for the season.