2020/21 Jumps Profile - Bob Olinger

5 y bg  Sholokov- Zenaide  (Bob)

One of the dark horse, could be anything brigade, he made his debut at Turtulla in November last year, winning a 3m 4 year old maiden point by 15 l from Mount Oscar, then having moved to Henry De Bromhead, made a winning rules debut at Gowran Park this March, winning a 2m 2f bumper by 10l from Coqolino.  He literally could turn out to be any thing

Trainer H.De Bromhead

2020/21 Jumps Profile - Ballyadam

5 y bg Fame and Glory – Grass Tips ( Bob, Tony)

Useful looking sort, he won his maiden 4 year old 3m point at Portrush in October last year beating Bold Enough 4l. He changed yards and reappeared at Navan in February this year, finishing 3rd in a 2m bumper, beaten 2 ¼ l behind Julies Stowaway (gave 1lb), then in March at Downpatrick , won a 2m 1f bumper by 18 l from I Don’t Get It (received 5lb). He had the summer off and reappeared at Down Royal at the end of October, winning a 2m maiden Hurdle by 12l from Colonel Mustard. (received 5 lb). Out of a classy stallion, he should progress to a decent level

Trainer Gordon Elliott recently told The Punter, "I think he’s a nice horse, he stays and has speed, everything you want. He’s not the biggest in the world and hurdling could be his game with the Royal Bond likely to be next. I think two miles will be his trip for now."

Trainer G.Elliott

2020/21 Jumps Profile - Benie Des Dieux

9y bm Great Pretender – Cana (Bob, Peej)

High class mare, it is not sure yet whether she stays over hurdles or goes chasing this season.  She made her debut at Royan La Palmyre,in June 2014,  finishing 4th in a 1m 2f stakes race, beaten 8l, then a month later at La Teste De Buch, was 6th over 1m 4f beaten 3 ½ l in another stakes race. She finished the season with a win at  Clairefontaine over 1m 6f in a another stakes , winning by 10 l. 

She reappeared in October Auteuil, winning a 2m 2f 3yeaqr old fillies hurdle by 1 ¾ l from Katkodile, then was only 4th in a similar event over course and distance, beaten 13 l behind Bonne A Marier (received 3lb). Given a break, she reappeared at Auteuil in April 2015, winning a 4/5 year old fillies and mares conditions hurdle over 2m2 f by ½ l from Ancolie De Cotte  ( gave 4lb), then at Enghien in September was 6th in a 2m 2f 4 year old listed hurdle, beaten 10 l ½ l behind Ardina (gave 4lb). 

In October, at the same track she was 3rd in a 4 year old conditions hurdle over 2m 3f, beaten 2 ¾ l behind Onsajaamais (gave 4lb), and in November at Auteuil, was 3rd in a 2m 2f 4 / 5 year old grade 3 fillies and mares hurdle, beaten 8 ½ l behind Martalette (gave 6lb). She then moved to Willie Mullins and after a year off, reappeared at Limerick in December 2016, winning a 2m 3f Beginners chase by 30 l from Leaders Questions. 

She was then absent for another year, and reappeared at Carlisle in December 2017, winning a 2m 4f mares listed chase by 8l from Tacenda , then in February 2018, fol-lowed up at Naas, taking a 2m listed mares chase by 2 ½ l from Asthuria. She then came to Cheltenham in March and won the 2m 4f grade 1 mares hurdle by ½ l from Midnight Tour and followed up at Punchestown in April, winning the grade 1 2m 4f mares Champion hurdle by 3l from Augusta Kate. 

Off again for a year, she reappeared at Cheltenham in the grade 1 2m 4f mares hurdle. Sent off 10/11 f and 3l clear, she was one of Ruby Walsh‘s more memorable last hurdle casualties, and Roksana was left to win. She atoned at Punchestown in May, winning the Mares Grade 1 Champion hurdle again, beating Stormy Island 9 ½ l, and finished the season at Auteuil, winning a 3m 1f grade 1 hurdle by 6 ½ l from De Bon Coeur. She has run twice this year, winning a 3m grade 2 hurdle at Gowran Park in January, beating Penhill 21 l, then was second at Cheltenham in the mares hurdle, beaten ½ l by Honeysuckle.

Trainer W.Mullins

2020/21 Jumps Profile - Al Boum Photo

8y bg Bucks Boum – Al Gane (Cod, Tony)

Some thing of a surprise winner of his first Gold Cup , he proved it no fluke when winning it again last season. He made his debut at Moulins in May 2015, falling in a 2m 1 f 3y hurdle. He moved to Willie Mullins in December that year and made his Irish debut at Fairyhouse in December 2016, finishing 3rd in a 2m 4f maiden hurdle, beaten 2 ½ l behind Minella Till Dawn, then in January 2017, won a 2m maiden hurdle at Thurles by 8 ½ l from Caro Des Flos.  He then won a 2m 4f grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April beating Stand up and Fight 4l,  and finished the season with 5th in the 3m grade 1 Irish novice hurdle at the Punchestown festival, 13 ¼ l behind Champagne Classic. He returned in November at Navan, winning a 2m 1f beginners chase by 7l from Tycoon Prince, then fell at Limerick in December. He reappeared at Leopardstown in February 201, finish-ing 2nd to Monalee in a 2m 5f grade 1 novice chase, then fell at Cheltenham in March in the RSA chase won by Presenting Percy. He then won the grade 1 Gold Cup novice chase over 2 4f at Fairy house in April beat-ing Shattered Love 1 l, then ran out at Punchestown in the grade 1 Champion novice chase. 

He reappeared at Tramore in January  winning a 2m 5g listed chase by 6l from Total Recall, then came to Cheltenham and won the 3m 2f grade 1 Gold Cup by 2 ½ l from Anibale Fly, and finished with 2nd at Punchestown in the 3m grade 1 Irish Gold Cup, beaten 2l by Kemboy.

Only seen twice last season, he reappeared at Tramore on New years day, winning a 2m 5f grade 3 chase by 6l from Acapella Bourgeois (received 11lb), before returning to Cheltenham and landing the Gold Cup by a neck from Santini. It is hard to win 2 let alone 3 Gold Cup’s and whist he sets the standard, he is unlikely to run many times, and looks vulnerable to Santini this season.

Trainer W. Mullins

2020/21 Jumps - Scoring system and bonus races

Scoring System

Grade 1 win - 25 points

Grade 2 win - 20 points

Grade 3 win - 15 points

Listed win - 12 points

Any other race win - 10 points

This is the bonus list ( Dates are a guide in some cases

13/11/20 

Glenfarclas Veterans' Handicap Chase (Qualifier) (Leg 9 Of The Veterans' Chase Series) 2m4½f,     Class 2 Cheltenham

14/11/20

BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m4½f, Class 1, Cheltenham

25/11/20

Coral Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (Grade 2)   2m3½f, Class 1, Ascot

Betfair Chase Haydock

2/12/20

 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3)   3m2f, Class 1, Newbury

Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1)     2m½f, Class 1, Newcastle

Hattons Grace Hurdle, Fairyhouse

9/12/20

 Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m2f, Class 1 Aintree

Racing Post Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m7½f, Class 1 Sandown

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) 1m7½f, Class 1, Sandown

16/12/20

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m5f, Class 1, Cheltenham

stanjames.com International Hurdle (Grade 2)  2m1f, Class 1, Cheltenham

23/12/20

 JLT Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m½f, Class 1, Ascot

Lavazza Jolie Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) 3m, Class 1, Ascot

26/12/20

All races (anywhere in UK and Ireland) on Boxing Day are Bonus races as a Punter Christmas Present

27/12/20

Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m5½f, Class 1 Chepstow  

28/12/20

Savills Chase (Grade 1) 3m Leopardstown

Future Champions Novice Hurdle Leopardstown

1/1/21 

Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4½f, Class 1, Cheltenham

7/1/21 

32Red Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m, Class 1, Sandown

14/1/21

32Red Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race)  2m5f, Class 1, Kempton

Betfred Classic Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m5f, Class 1Warwick

Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle Punchestown

21/1/21

stanjames.com Champion Hurdle Trial Hurdle (Grade 2)  1m7½f, Class 1, Haydock

Sodexo Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)  2m1f, Class 1, Ascot 

28/1/21

BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m1½f, Class 1 Cheltenham

29/1/21

Arkle Novice Chase  Leopardstown

Irish Champion Hurdle Leopardstown

4/2/21

Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f, Class 1, Sandown

BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m Leopardstown

11/2/20  

Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2) 2m7½f, Class 1, Newbury

Betfair Exchange Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Game Spirit Chase) 2m½f, Class 1, Newbury

Betway Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 2m, Class 1, Warwick

Irish Gold Cup Leopardtown

18/2/21

Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 3m, Class 1

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 2m5f, Class 1, Ascot

Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m7f, Class 1, Haydock

Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m4½f, Class 1, Haydock

Red Mills Trial Hurdle Gowran Park

25/2/21 

Betfred Eider Handicap Chase 4m½f, Class 2 Newcastle

Newlands Chase, Naas

4/3/21  

William Hill "High 5" Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m4f, Class 1 Newbury

BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase  3m2f, Class 2, Doncaster 

11/3/21

Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Sandown 2m, Class 1, 

Cheltenham Festival 

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Queen Mother Chase

World Hurdle

RSA Chase

Gold Cup

Ryan Air Chase

17/3/21

Betfred Midlands Grand National (An Open Handicap Chase) (Listed Race) 4m1½f, Class 1, Uttoxeter

25/3/21

EBF & TBA Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Finale (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) 2m4½f, Class 1 Newbury

6/4/21

Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f, Class 1, Aintree

Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f, Class 1, Aintree

7/4/21

Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)  3m1f, Class 1, Aintree

JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f, Class 1, Aintree 

8/4/21 Grand National day 

Grand National

Stayers Hurdle

22/4/21  Scottish Grand National meeting

Scottish Grand National and the Future Champion Novices' Chase (Grade 

27/4/21 ‘Whitbread’ meeting

Bet 365 Gold Cup

Only Bet Victor  HandicapChase,  Hennessey Gold Cup, International Hurdle, King George Chase, Savills Chase, Long Walk Hurdle, Irish Gold Cup, Clarence House Chase, Betfair Hurdle, Arkle Chase, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Chase, World Hurdle, RSA Chase, Gold Cup, Ryan Air Chase, Aintree Hurdle , Grand National get 12 2nd place bonus

2020/21 Jumps - Previous Champs and Chumps

Figures in brackets are point’s totals. 10 Horses were used up to jumps 99/2000 when we moved to 15.

From jump season 200/7 8 single picks get double points.

Hall Of Fame                              List Of Shame                             

Flat 1998   Steve

Flat 1999  Tony (276)            Spoon Bob (59)

Flat 2000 Bob    (497)           Spoon  Steve (105)

Flat 2001 Cod    (402)           Spoon  Cliff (99)

Flat 2000 John (794)            Spoon  Steve (259)

Flat 2003 Neil (601)             Spoon)  Steve) (229)

Flat 2004  John                    Spoon  Peej)

Flat 2005  Neil                      Spoon John   

Flat 2006 Neil (580)             Spoon Peej (224)

Flat 2007  Cliff 703             Spoon Martin 155     

Flat 2008  Cod 1019             Spoon  Steve

Flat 2009  Peej 874                Spoon Tony333

Flat 2010 Bob 958                  Spoon  John 456

Flat 2011 John967                Spoon    Steve    546

Flat 2012  Cod   881               Spoon    Peej   498

Flat 2013 Martin   778.5           Spoon   Bob   377

Flat 2014  Lee    1222.1             Spoon   Martin 443.1

Flat 2015  Cliff   1057.1            Spoon   Steve     340.8

Flat 2016   Bob   875.9             Spoon    Steve  328.1   

Flat 2017   Martin  821.2         Spoon Cod   184.5

Flat2018    Cliff     1254.8         Spoon  Cod  246.2

Flat 2019    Neil  1437.2            Spoon   Peej 545.4

Flat 2020   Cliff   872.4              Spoon   Cod    307.35 * short season due to Covid      

Jumps Hall Of Fame                    List Of  Shame

Jumps 98/99 Cliff                        Spoon Steve

Jumps 99/00 Cliff(541)                Spoon Steve (182)

Jumps 00/01 Bob (387)                Spoon Lee  (198)

Jumps 01/02 Martin (512)          Spoon Steve (161)

Jumps 02/03 Lee (618)                Spoon Cod  (238)

Jumps 03/04 Neil( 661)               Spoon Steve (361)

Jumps 04/05 John (571)             Spoon Steve (166)

Jumps 05/06 John (571)             Spoon Cliff (180)      

Jumps 06/07 Lee 705                   Spoon  Cod  203

Jumps 07/08 Cliff 703                Spoon   John 322

Jumps 08/09 Lee 737                 Spoon   Tony 249

Jumps   09/10  Bob 983              Spoon    Neil 497

Jumps 10/11   Martin 750         Spoon   Peej 481

Jumps 11/12    Cod   698           Spoon Neil 441

Jumps 12/13  Neil                       Spoon Cliff  

Jumps 13/14  Peej, 842.6          Spoon  Cliff   400.2

Jumps 14/15 Tony 910.6      Spoon 327.8

Jumps 15/16   Neil                 Spoon Steve 545.4  

  Jumps   16/17 Lee 1061                 Spoon   Bob  645.8           

Jumps 17/18  Steve    1035.84          Spoon  Bob  510.9

Jumps 18/19   Peej    1055.1               Spoon     Neil 559.1

Jumps 19/20  Steve 737.7                   Spoon  Cod 481.3  (Season stopped on March 20th due to Covid 19)

2020/21 Jumps - Editor's Introduction

It is amazing to think that the last big sporting event attended by the public was Cheltenham back in March, and it is currently very unlikely that in March this year a “normal festival “ will take place. 

We have to hope that by then some Covid restrictions will have eased and a crowd of some size will be permitted, and hopefully we can attend. 

The loss of the last part of the season, especially Aintree and Punchestown, means we are even more in the dark than previously regarding the novices, so it will be an interesting season. 

Al Boum Photo has already joined an elite band of back to back Gold Cup winners, and now aims to join the special group of those who have won 3. He will face stiff opposition, with top novices Champ and Minella Indo stepping up, along with last seasons close 2nd Santini. 

The Champion hurdle fell apart, Epatante was a good winner of a weak race so whether she can follow up will be interesting. Goshen was running away with the Triumph hurdle before tripping up when clear after the last, but has been disappointing on the flat, and Ribble Valley is a big hope up North, whist Buveur D’Air may be back. I am surprised Goshen is more popular than Epatante, and she has the 7lb Mares allowance, time will tell.

And finally, hopefully bringing the season to a climatic end, we will have the Grand National and Tiger Roll.

Lets hope we get through it 

Regards

The Editor