2020/21 Boozy Punter Horse of the Season

Congratulations to the connections of...

Shishkin

A rule change at the start of the season meant that Cliff carried forward double points rights on Shishkin for the season. Martin, Neil, Peej and Steve were also on board with the selection.

We didn't have to wait long for the reappearance as Shishkin landed odds of 1/6 in a four-runner field, coming home by 23 lengths in a Beginners Chase at Kempton on 23 November. Nicky Henderson's stable star returned to Kempton on 27 December for a 13-length win at 1/3F in the Wayward Lad.

The final Cheltenham prep race was at Doncaster at the end of January. Nico De Boinville was on board as usual and went on from four out to win at 1/7F by eight and a half lengths by Eldorado Allen. That rival got 'closest' at Cheltenham in the Arkle but it was a 12 length victory this time for the 4/9 favourite.

The final appearance of the season came at Aintree. It perhaps wasn't the most convincing performance by a 1/8 shot but De Boinville had enough horse to ease to a three and a quarter length win over Funambule Sivola.

Already 6/4 favourite for next year's Champion Chase there could be plenty more points to come from Shishkin over the coming years.

Our top three this season were:

236.2 - Shishkin (22.2 + 42.2 + 42.2 + 77.4 + 52.2)

155.6 - Thyme Hill (48.8 + 24 + 82.8)

154.8 - Honeysuckle (51.4 + 51.6 + 51.8)

2020/21 Jumps Edition 25 - The Ed is celebrating

Headlines

Luna Shines Bright at Chepstow

Frodon lands Oaksey chase

Greaneteen lands Celebration Chase

Report

We start at Chepstow on Friday where Gran Luna (Bob), took her chance in the 2m 3f mares novice hurdle, Chased leader, not fluent 1st, jumped left 2nd, pushed along and disputed lead when mistake 2 out, soon led and ridden, 4 lengths ahead and mistake last, pushed out run-in, winning by 4l. She gets 24 points.

Before this Cod offered the Editor the draw, which the Ed declined

In the 2m 6f grade 2 chase Frodon (Cod, Neil), went to post, Jumped well, led, not fluent 17th, shaken up and hard pressed 2 out, headed and 1 length down last, ridden and rallied run-in, led again towards finish, winning gamely by a neck. He gets 21.3 points.

So at this point Cod was in front and the Editor needed a winner, and Cod again offered the Ed a draw, which I declined.

In the 2m grade 1 Celebration Chase Greaneteen ( Cliff), went to post, Jumped well, in touch with leaders, headway and went second 3rd, led going easily just after 3 out, shaken up and went clear 2 out, 5 lengths ahead last, pushed out final 110yds, winning comfortably by 3 ¾ l. He gets 62.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                April      Total

Cliff             140                  1093.8

Cod              161.1             1034.4

Peej              158.5                  959

Neil              142.6                 929.1

Tony           203.5                847.1

Steve             78.1                636.6

Martin           39.3                    587.5

Bob             77.4                       373.1          

So the Editor is Champion, Tony takes the Trainer of the Month

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2020/21 Jumps Issue 24 - Saturday shoot-out at Sandown

Sandown  - The Final showdown

Well the competition comes down to the final day and Cod has a better set of entries than the nervous Editor

Cod

2.30 Frodon, Mister Fisher, Tiger Roll

3.05 Altior

3.40 Clan Des Obeaux

4.15 Goshen

Cliff

3.05 Greaneteen, Put The Kettle On 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                April      Total

Cliff             77.4                  1031.2

Cod              139.8              1013.1

Peej              158.5                  959

Neil              121.9                   907.8

Tony           203.5                847.1

Steve             78.1                636.6

Martin           39.3                    587.5

Bob             53.4                       349.1          

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

FLAT COMPETITION STARTS SATURDAY 1 MAY

Entries by close of play TUESDAY 27 April

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News

The Punter pays tribute  to Lorna Brooke

Lorna Brooke has died following a heavy fall at Taunton this month, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has announced in a statement. The amateur jockey was treated on track and airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol on April 8 after falling from Orchestrated, trained by her mother Lady Susan Brooke, in the 2m7f handicap chase.

Brooke, a 7lb claiming amateur, rode 17 winners in Britain and Ireland, including when landing the inaugural running of a Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Moonlone Lane for Paul Stafford.

2020/21 Jumps Issue 23 - Nervy times ahead for the top of the table

Headlines

Monmiral

Clan Des Obeaux

Abracadaras is magic in Aintree Hurdle

Chantry solid as a House

Fakir D’oudairies

Livelove laughs at Rivals in Topham

Shishkin

Hill Turns back Thyme to win stayers hurdle

Report

We start at Aintree on Thursday where in the 2m 1f grade 1 Doom Bar juvenile hurdle Monmiral ( Bob) took his chance, Held up in behind leaders, not fluent 1st, not fluent 4th, headway and pressed leader 3 out, shaken up and led just after 2 out, hard pressed when good jump last, ridden clear run-in, kept on well, winning by 7 ½ l . He gets 53.4 points.

In the 3m 1f grade 1 Aintree Bowl chase, Clan Des Obeaux ( Cod, Neil), went to post, Prominent, tracked leader 3rd, left in lead 12th, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, soon shaken up and went clear, 14 lengths ahead last, kept on strongly, winning easily by 26 l. He gets  53.4 points.

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Aintree  Hurdle Abracadabras ( Cod), took his chance, Travelled strongly, towards rear, smooth headway on inner 3 out, not fluent but went second 2 out, soon joined leader cruising, mistake but led last, ridden and drifted left run-in, kept on well, always doing enough, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 86.4 points.

On Friday in the 3m 1f Mildmay novice chase, Chantry House ( Peej, Steve), went to post, Tracked leaders on inner, went second after 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, 2 lengths down and keeping on when left in lead 15 lengths ahead 2 out, soon hampered by faller, winning unchallenged by 32 l. He gets 52 points.

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Melling chase Fakir D’oudaries ( Peej, Tony), went to post, Jumped slightly left, tracked leaders, led after 3 out, shaken up and went clear after 2 out, 7 lengths ahead last, kept on well, winning  comfortably  by 11 l . Peej  gets 80.4 points, Tony 52.7

In the 2m 5f grade 3 handicap chase Livelovelaugh ( Tony), took his chance, Made virtually all, joined 4th, led clearly 7th, increased tempo and went clear Canal Turn (12th), going easily and 12 lengths ahead 3 out, reduced lead when mistake 2 out, ridden and went clear again run-in, winning comfortably by 4 ½ l. He gets 48 points.

On Saturday in the 2m grade 1 Maghull novice chase Shishkin ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post, Jumped left on occasions, tracked leader, led before 5th, increased tempo 7th, shaken up after 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on well final 110yds, winning comfortably by 3 ¼ l. Cliff gets 52.2 points, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve 26.1

In the 3m grade 1 stayers hurdle Thyme Hill ( Tony), Roxsana ( Cliff, Martin) took their chances, . Thyme Hill Midfield, headway home turn, challenging when mistake 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden after last, kept on strongly final 110yds, led towards finish, winning by a neck. He gets 82.8 points.

Roxsana Towards rear of midfield, headway home turn, ridden to lead after 2 out, mistake last, stayed on but no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd beaten a neck. Cliff gets 27.2 points, Martin  13.6

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                April      Total

Cliff             77.4                  1031.2

Cod              139.8              1013.1

Neil              121.9                   907.8

Peej              158.5                  959

Tony           203.5                847.1

Steve             78.1                636.6

Martin           39.3                    587.5

Bob             53.4                       349.1          

Aintree Grand Slam

Tony 183.5

Peej 158.5

Cod 139.8

Neil 79.5

Steve 78.1

Cliff 55.4

Bob 53.4

Martin 27.3

So congratulations to Tony who get s the 20 point bonus

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

FLAT COMPETITION STARTS SATURDAY 1 MAY

Entries by close of play TUESDAY 27 April

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2020/21 Jumps Issue 22 - Hell, yeah!

Headline

Hell is Red Hot at Newton Abbott

Report

At Newton Abbott on Saturday Hell Red (Neil), took his chance in the 2m 1f novice hurdle, Made all, shaken up after 2 out, unchallenged, winning by 6l. He gets 22.4 points. Plus 20 points for being the first punter winner at Newton Abbott.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                April      Total

Cliff             00                       951.8

Cod              00                  873.3

Neil              42.4                     828.3

Peej              00                     800.5

Tony           00                  643.6

Steve             00                    560.5

Martin           00                       548.2

Bob             00                         295.7          

Congratulations to Peej as March Trainer of the month

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

FLAT COMPETITION STARTS SATURDAY 1 MAY

Entries by close of play TUESDAY 27 April

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

News

Tiger Roll, Clan Des Obeaux, Mister Fisher, Real Steel, all go to post in the Betfair Bowl

Buveur D’Air will bid to roll back the years and win a second Betway Aintree Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old lifted Thursday’s Grade One prize over two-and-a-half miles in 2017, and was runner-up in 2019. Silver Streak, Abracadabras, McFabulous also have entries

Richard Johnson,With thanks to Peej, following his retirement, some stats - He hasn’t been prolific in the Punter competition with just 21 wins in the last nine seasons. (ninth in the overall list)

His best season was 2014/15 when he picked up five wins

His last winner in Punter colours was on Sporting John in the Scilly Isles at Sandown in February.

Johnson highlighted winning Cheltenham's 'big four' races among his highlights in the saddle, with his first Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble living out his days on Johnson's farm in Herefordshire, along with another of his Cheltenham Festival winners Menorah.

"To win the four big festival races within four years was the stuff of dreams, but I didn’t know how lucky I was," he added. "When you’re young you don’t understand, you think it will carry on forever."

For all his exploits at Cheltenham and Aintree, Balthazar King's two wins at Craon in western France – arguably the biggest jumping test anywhere in Europe bar possibly the Pardubice – stand out. Having landed the prize in 2013 on only Johnson's third ride in France, Balthazar King returned a year later off the back of an unlucky fall in the Prix Anjou Loire Challenge and, though showing his usual cat-like agility over the hugely varied obstacles, never travelled with his usual fluency. Turning back towards the stands for the final time Johnson was pushing away in fifth, while the French commentator intoned with an air of disbelief: "Balthazar King seems beaten." Johnson pulled his mount to the outside before conjuring a remarkable surge, passing his four rivals in the space of barely half a furlong either side of the final fence to win eased down. 

Aintree 2021 Grand Slam picks

Bob - Monmiral

Neil - Farclas

Martin - Cloth Cap

Tony - Livelovelaugh

Cliff - Senior Citizen

Peej - Song For Someone

Steve - Cloth Cap

Cod - Anibale Fly

2020/2021 - Jumps Issue 21 - No winners this week

 The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                March       Total

Cliff             221                       951.8

Cod              255                  873.3

Peej              351.5                     800.5

Neil              89.4                       785.9

Tony           201.3                  643.6

Steve             135.7                    560.5

Martin           51.2                       548.2

Bob             78.6                         295.7          

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

The next Grand Slam is Aintree entries by close of play Tuesday 6 April

FLAT COMPETITION STARTS SATURDAY 1 MAY

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

 

Paul Nolan is planning another big-race tilt with Latest Exhibition at Fairyhouse next month, although a decision on which race his stable star runs in at the Easter festival in will be delayed. Nolan, fresh from saddling Mrs Milner to win the Pertemps Final, opted to sidestep Cheltenham with Latest Exhibition, who has the options of the Irish Grand National on April 5 or the Gold Cup Novice Chase the previous day.

His chosen target could depend on Envoi Allen's participation in the latter, as Nolan explained: “A lot will depend on where Envoi Allen runs. I would say for Latest Exhibition it’s 50-50 between the Irish Grand National and the novice chase. It will be left right up until the last minute."

On Latest Exhibition, runner-up to Monkfish on his last two starts: Nolan added: “If someone was to tell me at the beginning of the season that the best horse in my yard would have a beginners' chase won at this time of year, and only a beginners' chase, I would have been shocked. I will try to rectify that at Fairyhouse.”

Cheltenham Festival winner Galvin will not run in the Irish National, but an outing in the Coral Scottish Grand National is still a possibility. The seven-year-old quickened up smartly to win the National Hunt Chase last week, proving stamina is no issue in the process. A second-season novice, he was transferred from Gordon Elliott to Ian Ferguson by owner Ronnie Bartlett before the Festival, but with Galvin having spent his early days with Ferguson, the handler already knew the horse well.

“There’s a possibility he could run in the Scottish National, but definitely not the Irish, – it will come too soon,” said Ferguson. “He’s been entered at Ayr, so we’ll see how he is between now and then. It looks to be coming up at the right time.

Dan Skelton is excited at the prospect of stepping Allmankind up in trip after he confirmed his Grade 1-winning stable star will spearhead the trainer's powerful team for the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr next month. 

Paul Nicholls hopes the application of first-time headgear can revive the fortunes of Clan Des Obeaux as he bids to make it third time lucky in the Betway Bowl at next week’s Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree.

Paul Nicholls hopes dual Grade One hero Frodon can sign his season off on a winning note by taking advantage of a drop in grade and distance at Sandown next month. The 11-times champion jumps trainer intends to run the nine-year-old in the extended two-and-three-quarter-mile Grade Two contest, which he captured in 2019 with the now-retired Black Corton.

Harry Fry is mulling over a potential big Flat target for Metier after confirming this season's impressive Tolworth Hurdle winner will not be heading to Aintree next week.

Tiger Roll heads 60 horses still in contention for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

With connections deciding against bidding for an historic third victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week, Tiger Roll is set to run in either the Irish equivalent on Monday or Aintree’s Betway Bowl three days later. Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud, said following Wednesday’s forfeit stage for the Irish Grand National: “No decision has been made on where Tiger Roll will run yet. “It will either be the Irish National or the Bowl.”

RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL

Tony wishes to propose the following rule change to the retained single picks rights.

Proposal is that retained rights last only  1 season, and in the 2nd season only the owner has the rights to the horse, but gets only single Points.

So as an example, I initially had Shiskin as a single pick. This season under Tony’s proposal, I would have kept it exclusively but received only single points.

Pease send yes to adopt, no reject by close of play 7th April, or submit amendments to the proposal