2022/23 Boozy Punter Horse of the Season

Congratulations to

State Man

Though State Man was decisively beaten by Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, our single pick rules meant that Willie Mullins' star hurdler was our top points scorer this season.

Eventual champion Peej was the Punter with the single pick and would have been delighted with a comfortable season-opening 51.4 points win in the Morgiana Hurdle in November. Paul Townend on board (as he was for all the runs) the 4/9 favourite and old stager Sharjah four lengths behind in second.

Four and a quarter lengths was the margin at the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December as State Man delivered 53.2 points when coming home at 4/6F ahead of Vauban.

It was back to Leopardstown in February for the Irish Champion Hurdle. This time it was two-time Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle that was beaten into second, by four and three quarter lengths, by the 6/5 favourite. That earned Peej 78.8 points.

There was another 23.4 points for that runner-up spot in the Champion Hurdle but with the Punchestown Festival falling into our competition this year there was a chance for redemption.

Despite a less-than-textbook jump at the last, State Man came home comfortably at 2/5F for 52.4 points - Vauban the closest challenger three lengths in arrears.

The top three:

259.2 - State Man (51.4 + 53.2 + 78.8 + 23.4 + 52.4)

207.36 - Lossiemouth (38 + 63.2 + 54.76 + 52.4)

204.91 - Constitution Hill (51.25 + 51.15 + 51.37 + 51.14)

2022/23 Jumps Issue 26 - Peej retains title

Headlines

Man States Claim to be Irish Champion

Lossiemouth lands Champion 4 year old hurdle

Report

We start at Punchestown on Friday where in the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion hurdle State Man (Peej), took his chance, Made all, travelled strongly, faced challenge but going easily after 2 out, went clear before last, not fluent last, pushed out, winning comfortably by 3l. He gets 52.4 points.

And so on to the last day, at Punchestown on Saturday in the 2m grade 1 4 year old Champion hurdle, Lossiemouth (Neil), went to post, Travelled strongly, raced in third, went second after 2 out, led when shaken up before last, went clear when ridden and edged right run-in, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 52.4 points.

And so at Sandown in the 2m grade 1 Celebration Chase Jonbon ( Martin, Steve), took his chance, Disputed lead, led clearly after 2nd, bad mistake and headed 4th, soon in touch with leaders, went second 3 out, ridden and led again approaching last, kept on well run-in winning by 3 ¾ l. He gets 26.62 points.

In the 3m 4f handicap Chase, Kitty’s Light (Cod) took his chance, Towards rear of midfield, headway 4 out, pushed along 3 out, went second 2 out, led last, ridden and edged left run-in, kept on well, winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 37.5 points.

In the 2m 6f grade 2 Oaksey Chase Hewick (Cod), took his chance, Disputed lead, led clearly 8th, mistake and headed 13th, soon prominent, ridden and pressed leader after 2 out, jumped right but led again just after last, kept on well run-in, won going away by 4l. He gets 44.4 points.

Finally in the 2m 5f grade 2 hurdle Knappers Hill (Cliff), took his chance, Held up in rear but in touch with leaders, hit 4th, pushed along and headway to lead 2 out where not fluent, hung right last, ridden run-in, just held on, winning by a neck. He gets 53 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          April      Total

Peej      130.14            1226.22

Neil        182.89       1175.34

Steve      211.48         1096.34

Bob          129.94       840.46

Martin     103.95      748.81

Cod       283.3             739.1

Cliff        184.64           680.42

So congratulations to Peej, who is Champion, and Cod is April 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

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

2022/23 Jumps Issue 25 - Crown and Spoon to be decided on Saturday

Headlines

Gino gets it Right at Ayr

Kitty’s Light Shines Bright

Another Facile win for Vega

Energumene lands Champion Chase

Report

We start at Ayr on Saturday where in the 2m 4g grade 2 novice chase Datsalrightgino (Cod) took his chance, Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 4 out, went second 3 out, ridden 2 out, disputed lead last, led run-in, went clear towards finish, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 78.8 points.

In the 4m handicap Chase Kitty’s Light ( Cod), went to post, Held up in midfield, headway 5 out, went second just after 3 out, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, soon led narrowly, ridden and kept on well run-in, went clear inside final 110yds winning by 3l. He gets 40 points.

At Punchestown on Tuesday Facile Vega (Bob, Cod, Neil, Peej), took his chance in the 2m grade 1 Champion novice hurdle, Prominent, went third after 3rd, went second 4th, bad mistake but recovered 3 out, led narrowly going easily 2 out, shaken up and 2 lengths ahead approaching last, pushed out and went further clear run-in, winning easily by 7 ½ l. He gets 26.6 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Champion Chase Energumene (Bob, Steve), went to post, In touch with leaders, mistake 4th, headway when mistake 4 out, went second 3 out, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied run-in, led again towards finish  winning by ¾ l. Bob gets 52.2 points Steve 26.1

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          April      Total

Peej      77.74            1173.82

Neil        130.49       1122.94

Steve      184.86         1069.72

Bob          129.94       840.46

Martin     77.33      722.19

Cod       201.4             657.2

Cliff        131,64           627.42

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Perth

1.30 Letterston Lady

Punchestown

5.25 State Man, Vauban, Pied Piper, Epatante

6.00 Champ Kiely . Facile Vega, High Definition, 

Chepstow 

4.45 All The Glory

Saturday 

Sandown

1.40 Jonbon, Greaneteen, First Flow

2.15 Hewick, Kitty’s Light, 

2.50 First Flow, Hewick, McFabulous, Eldorado Allen

3.25 Fable

4.00 Knappers Hill, Mcfabulous, Thyme Hill

Punchestown

3.50 Epatante, Marie’s Rock

5.00 Scriptwriter, Lossiemouth

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13 Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

2022/23 Jumps Issue 24 - Still in the balance

Headlines

Banbridge Lands Manifesto Chase

Shishkin Lifts Aintree Bowl

Constitution Hill takes Aintree Hurdle

Jonbon wins Maghull chase

Report

We start at Aintree on Thursday where in the 2m 4f grade 1 Manifesto novice chase Banbridge ( Cod), went to post, Prominent, led just after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 56 points.

In the 3m 1f Aintree Bowl Chase Shishkin ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), took his chance, prominent, not fluent 5th, bit short of room and switched right before 13th, pushed along and went second before 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, ridden and rallying when good jump last, soon led, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. Cliff gets 80.5 points, Neil Steve, 52.75

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Aintree Hurdle Constitution Hill (Not Cod), went to post, Jumped well, made all, shaken up run-in, winning unchallenged by 3l. He gets 51.14 points.

On Saturday in the 2m grade 1 Maghull novice chase Jonbon (Martin, Steve), took his chance, Raced in second, disputed lead 8th, led 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, 7 lengths ahead when left clear last, winning easily by 43 l. He gets 26.19 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          April      Total

Peej      51.14            1147.22

Neil        103.89       1096.34

Steve      158.76         1043.62

Bob          51.14       761.66

Martin     77.33      722.19

Cliff        131,64           627.42

Cod       56              511.8

Aintree Grand Slam

Cliff     131.64

Steve  130.08

Neil 103.89

Martin 77.33

Cod      56

Bob      51.14

Peej      51.14

So the editor picks up the Aintree 20 points.

News

Galopin Des Champs will grace the Punchestown festival with his presence next Wednesday after Willie Mullins gave officially the best horse in training the green light to contest the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Since the turn of the century only three horses have completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown Gold Cup double in the same season – Kicking King (2005), War Of Attrition (2006) and Sizing John (2017) – but Galopin Des Champs is sure to be a warm order to become the fourth following his decisive victory in jump racing's most prestigious prize last month.

Christian Williams hopes that "people's favourite" Kitty's Light can follow in the footsteps of stablemate Win My Wings and secure another major victory for the trainer in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday (3.35). Williams achieved a dream one-two in the four-mile contest 12 months ago when Win My Wings triumphed from Kitty's Light and believes a similar performance from last year's runner-up could see the seven-year-old follow up his Eider success at Newcastle in February. 

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Ayr

2.25 The Carpenter

4.10 Huelgoat

Fontwell

2.50 Fable, Huelgoat

Saturday 

Ayr

2.25 First Street, Soaring Glory

3.00 Datsalrightgino, Mcfabulous

3.35 Dusart, Kitty’s Light, Lord Accord

4.10 Castle Rushen

Flat Competition starts Saturday 6 May, closing date for strings is Monday 1 May

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg13 Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

2022/23 Jumps Issue 23 - Aintree Awaits

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          March       Total

Peej      222.42              1096.08

Neil        284.4            992.45

Steve      173.15         913.54

Bob          214.27          710.52

Martin     142.47            644.86      

Cliff        183.62           475.78

Cod       93                 455.8

News

Bravemansgame was ruled out of Thursday's Aintree Bowl Chase on Wednesday evening following an intervention by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prohibiting him from taking part.

The Paul Nicholls-trained runner was due to compete under the sole ownership of Bryan Drew after John Dance was removed as joint-owner on Tuesday when his company, WealthTek LLP, was placed in special administration by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The BHA released a statement on Wednesday evening which read: "In light of new information, including a court order, provided to the BHA on Wednesday 12 April by the Financial Conduct Authority Bravemansgame is no longer able to take part in the race and has been withdrawn.

Weekend Entries

Friday

Aintree 

1.45 Mcfabulous, Stage Star

2.20 Jungle Jack

2.55 American Mike

3.30 Fakir D’Oudairies, Hitman

4.40 The Carpenter

5.15 Knappers Hill, Call Of The Wild

Saturday

Aintree 

1.45 Jonbon

3.00 Crambo, The Carpenter, 

3.35 Eldorado Allen, Marie’s Rock, Flooring Porter, Thyme Hill, 

4.15 Eldorado Allen

5.15 Noble Yeats, Galvin, Galliard Du Mesnil, Capodano, 

Flat Competition starts Saturday 6 May, closing date for strings is Monday 1 May

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13 Neil

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

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

Aintree Grand Slam Picks

Steve - Delta Work

Bob, Neil - AL Dancer

Cliff - You Wear It Well

Cod - Banbridge

Peej - Baby Sage

2022/23 Jumps Issue 22 - Steve Strikes Gold

Headlines

Two Takes Gold At Ascot

Report

At Ascot on Sunday in the 3 handicap chase Two For Gold (Steve), , went to post, Jumped well, prominent, pressed leaders 6th, went second 11th, led 3 out, pushed along 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, pushed out, winning by 3 ½ l. He gets 28.68 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

          March       Total

Peej      222.42              1096.08

Neil        284.4            992.45

Steve      173.15         913.54

Bob          214.27          710.52

Martin     142.47            644.86      

Cliff        183.62           475.78

Cod       93                 455.8

News

Aintree Grand Slam, 1 horse not currently in any string, to be submitted by close of play Tuesday 11 April

High Class 2 year old filly Commissioning has been retired.

Nicky Henderson has not ruled out the possibility of his unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill switching to fences next season. The Michael Buckley-owned six-year-old took his record to a perfect six from six with a demolition job over State Man in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this month, and attention now switches to the Aintree Hurdle on April 13. Constitution Hill will bid for a sixth successive Grade 1 victory when he runs at the Grand National festival in a race that could bring an end to his hurdling career.

Henderson said: "It's possible Aintree could be his last run over hurdles. Everything is possible."

"There are more opportunities over fences to start with, which would lead to the Arkle and the Champion Chase or maybe even the Gold Cup if he stays. A real superstar is a horse that can adapt to everything."

Fakir D'Oudairies remains firmly on course to bid for a Marsh Chase hat-trick at Aintree with Joseph O'Brien convinced springtime brings the best out of his four-time Grade 1 winner.

Weekend Entries

Saturday

Haydock 

2.05 All The Glory

Fairyhouse

5.05 Pied Piper

Sunday 

Plumpton

4.15 Dr T J Eckleburg

Fairyhouse

3.10 High Definition

3.45 American Mike, High Definition

4.55 Appreciate It, Galliard Du Mesnil, Sir Gerhard

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg13 Neil

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

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