2023/24 Jumps Issue 14 - Scoreboard keeps ticking over

Headlines

Masaccio scores at Kempton

Shishkin lands Denman chase

Edward turns Rivals to Stone at Newbury

Days Brighten Bob’s Sunday

Report

We start at Kempton on Friday where in the 2m 5f novice hurdle Masaccio (Cliff), went to post, Raced in second, mistake 2nd, pressed leader 4th, led just after 4 out, went clear going easily before 2 out, winning in a canter by 8 ½ l. He gets  22.34 points.

At Newbury on Saturday in the 2m 7f grade 2 chase Shiskin ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), took his chance, Jumped left on occasions, raced in second, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, soon faced challenge, not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in winning by 4 ¼ l. Cliff gets 63.46 points, Neil, Steve 41.73

In the 2m grade 2 chase Edwardstone ( Martin) took his chance, Jumped well, made all, clear 4th, 9 lengths ahead when left well clear 2 out, winning unchallenged by 40 l. He gets 64.2 points.

At Navan on Sunday in the 2m 5f mares listed novice hurdle, Brighterdaysahead ( Bob), took her chance, Travelled strongly, prominent, went third halfway, led going easily 2 out, clear approaching last, nudged out and went further clear run-in, winning easily by 12l. She gets 26.2 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Peej    183.2               660.3

Steve   67.93               570.77         

Cliff    112                449.5

Martin    90.5              448.99

Bob   149.8                 443.62

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Neil 119.13                    377.91

Apologies to Steve (and thanks to Neil spotting), I missed his Lossiemouth points recently 21.58 added to his total

News

Jamie Snowden is eyeing a drama free preparation to the Cheltenham Festival with stable star You Wear It Well after the Listed Mares' Hurdle from Warwick's cancelled Premier raceday was saved. The race will form part of Virgin Bet Grand National Trial day at Haydock on Saturday, and will be run over 2m3f for the same prize-money of £30,000 it had originally been scheduled for at Warwick. That fixture last Saturday was cancelled due to waterlogging when heavy rain caused disruption to meetings across Britain and Ireland.

Venetia Williams has told the punter L’Homme Presse will tackle Saturdays Ascot chase.

Possible Cheltenham targets for JP McManus' classy novice chaser Iroko have also become clearer.

Iroko, an impressive winner of the Martin Pipe last year, had been set to miss the rest of the season following his chase debut win at Warwick in the autumn, but has made a quicker recovery than expected and could still run in the Turners Novices' Chase.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Kelso

1.50 Mamie’s Magic

3.20 Giovinco

3.55 Giovinco

Saturday 

Haydock

1.02 You Wear It Well

2.40 Botox Has, Nemean Lion

3.15 Iron Bridge, Famous Bridge

3.50 Ilovethenightlife

Ascot

1.15 Inthewaterside

3.00 Iron Bridge

3.35 L’Homme Presse, Pic D’Orhy

Wincanton

2.05 Nemean Lion , Rubaud

2.35 Dr T J Eckleburg

Sunday  

Punchestown

1.35 Mister Policeman

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 13 - Peej regains top spot

Headlines

Des Champs Gallops to Gold Cup Victory

El Fabiolo lands Dublin Chase

Nickle Earns the Dimes at Sandown

Bally Burns off rivals at Leoprdstown

State Man wins Irish Champion Hurdle

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Saturday where in the 3m Grade 1 Gold Cup Chase Galopin Des Champs ( Cod, Neil, Peej), took his chance, Made all, not fluent 4 out, increased tempo after 2 out, faced challenge approaching last, shaken up and kept on well run-in, winning comfortably by 4 ½ l. He gets 51.2 points.

At Sandown in the 2m 4f grade 1 Scilly Isles novice chase, Nickle Back (Bob), went to post, Took keen hold, jumped well, made all, 5 lengths ahead 3rd, went further clear 7th, 15 lengths ahead going best 3 out, ridden out run-in, winning unchallenged by7l. He gets 97.4 points.

On Sunday at Leopardstown in the 2m grade 1 novice hurdle Ballyburn ( Peej), took his chance, Travelled strongly, pressed leader, disputed lead after 3rd, led narrowly after 2 out (usual 3 out), went clear going best after last (usual 2 out), pushed out, winning comfortably by 7l. He gets 53.2 points. 

In the 2m 1f grade 1 Dublin Chase El Fabiolo (Not Martin), took his chance, Jumped right on occasions, didn't always jump with fluency, raced in second, mistake 4th, led going easily after last (usual 2 out), went clear when nudged along omitted last, winning easily by 8 ½ l. He gets 26.2 points.

In the 2m grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle State Man ( Peej, Martin, ) took his chance, Travelled strongly, raced in second, led going easily home turn, went clear omitted last, winning easily by 5 ½ l. Peej  gets 52.6 points, Martin 26.3

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        February    Total

Peej    183.2               660.3

Steve   26.2               507.46.         

Cod   77.4                  426.6

Bob   123.6                 417.42

Martin    26.3              384.79

Cliff    26.2                  363.7

Neil 77.4                     336.18

News

Barry Connell is confident Marine Nationale can bounce back and showcase his true ability at the Cheltenham Festival despite the Arkle favourite disappointing at Leopardstown. The seven-year-old lost his unbeaten record with a lacklustre fifth in the Irish Arkle, with the trainer revealing nothing physical had come to light and instead blaming the holding ground for his ten-and-a-half-length defeat behind Il Etait Temps.

Nicky Henderson admits it is tricky to find faults in Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs but hopes Shishkin can finally lay down a major marker for the festival showpiece in Saturday's Betfair Denman Chase and establish himself as the premier threat to the reigning champion. The six-time champion trainer is of the belief his stable star would already have marked himself out as a Gold Cup contender had he not stumbled and unseated in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, stating the ten-year-old "hadn’t been asked anything at the time".

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Bangor

3.20 Favour And Fortune

Kempton

2.40 Masaccio

Saturday  

Newbury

2.05 Protektorat, Shishkin

2.40 Edwardstone

3.15 Lookaway, Luccia, 

3.50 Trelawne

Warwick

2.20 Matata

2.55 Youwearitwell

Sunday  

Exeter

2.05 Trelawne

2.35 Favour And Fortune

3.05 Favour And Fortune, Lookaway

3.35 My Drogo

Navan 

2.15 Brighterdaysahead

2.45 Sire Du Berlais

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 12 - Steve takes lead and January award

Headlines

Lossiemouth stars in International Hurdle

Noble Yeats lands Cleeve Hurdle

Jeriko Du Reponet  scores at Doncaster

Dysart Enos lands Doncaster hurdle

Marie is Rock Solid at Doncaster

Nightlife thrives in Plumpton day light

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Saturday where in the 2m 1f grade 2 hurdle Lossiemouth (Neil), took her chance, Took keen hold, held up in rear but in touch with leaders, headway 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, winning easily by 9 ½ l. She gets 43.18 points.

3m grade 2 hurdle Noble Yeats ( Cod), took his chance, position home Raced wide, prominent, pressed leaders 5 out, outpaced and lost position home  turn, ridden and rallied last, led run-in, kept on well, just held on , winning by a head. He gets 48 points.

At Doncaster in the 2m grade 2 novice hurdle Jeriko Du Reponet ( Steve), went to post, Didn't always jump with fluency, raced in third, disputed lead 3 out, hung left from 2 out, ridden approaching last, led and kept on well run-in, won going away by 1 ¼ l. He gets 43.34 points.

On Sunday at Doncaster Dysart Enos (Martin), took her chance in the 2m novice hurdle, Prominent, not fluent 4th, went second 5th, led 2 out, nudged along and went clear run-in, winning easily by 7l. She gets 22.24 points.

In the 3m grade 2 mares hurdle Marie’s Rock ( Steve), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon went second and pushed along, led narrowly last, ridden and kept on well run-in winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 45 points.

On Monday at Plumpton in the 3m 1f handicap hurdle Ilovethenightlife (Cliff), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, good headway and pressed leaders going easily 3 out, led home turn, went clear from 2 out, winning comfortably by 2 ¼ l. She gets 29 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        January     Total

Steve   155.64               481.26.         

Peej    42.4                477.1

Martin    33.97          358.49

Cod   48                   349.2

Cliff    61.93              337.65

Bob   30                     293.82

Neil 43.16                     258.78

Congratulations to Steve who is January trainer of the month

News

Gordon Elliott will swerve next weekend's Irish Gold Cup with Gerri Colombe in favour of keeping his second-season chaser fresh for another crack at Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 15. Some of the other major spring festivals could be on the cards for Gerri Colombe after that as he bids to add to his haul, which include three Grade 1s as a novice last season and another at Down Royal in November.

Dual Ryanair Chase winner Allaho has been ruled out of this year's Cheltenham Festival after picking up an injury when winning at Thurles.

Mouse Morris will bypass this weekend's Irish Gold Cup with Charlie Hall Chase winner Gentlemansgame and instead keep the eight-year-old fresh for a tilt at the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March

The Punter is sad to report the loss of Datsalrightgino at Cheltenham on Saturday

Britain's highest-rated novice chaser Grey Dawning will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after Dan Skelton ruled out a run in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase on Saturday. 

Weekend Entries

Saturday  

Leopardstown

1.20 An Tobar, Ballyburn

2.25 Marine Nationale, Gaelic Warrior, Letsbeclearaboutit, Mister Policeman

3.35 Galopin Des Champs, Fast Or Slow, 

Mussleburgh

1.40 Giovinco

Sandown

2.35 Le Patron, Nickleback, Trelawne

3.45 Iron Bridge

Sunday  

Leopardstown

1.10 Gaelic Warrior

1.40 Ballyburn, Brighterdaysahead

2.10 El Fabiolo, Fast Or Slow

2.45 State Man, Impaite Et Passe, Lossiemouth

3.50 An Tobar

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 11 - Allaho and L'Homme Presse impress

Headlines

Allaho scores at Thurles

Inthewaterside swamps rivals

L’Homme presse takes Fleur De Lys

Report

We start at Thurles on Sunday where in the 2m 4f grade 2 chase Allaho (Cliff, Peej) took his chance Travelled strongly, jumped left on occasions, made all, faced challenge but going easily 3 out, went clear when nudged along after 2 out,  winning easily by 13l. Peej gets 42.4 points, Cliff 21.2

At Lingfield in the 2m 6f class 2 chase, L’Homme Presse (Cliff, Martin), went to post, Raced in second, not fluent 1st, pushed along and led just before 3 out, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden run-in, edged right final 110yds, stayed on winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 11.73 points.

In the 2m 3f handicap hurdle Inthewaterside ( Bob), went to post, Made all, not fluent 3rd, shaken up after 2 out, joined last, soon ridden, kept on well and went clear inside final 110yds, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 30 points.

On Wednesday at Fairyhouse, Mirazur West ( Steve), went to post in the 2m maiden hurdle, Made all, didn't always jump with fluency, took keen hold, going easily before 2 out, soon went further clear, winning  easily by 11l. He gets 22.8 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        January     Total

Peej    42.4                477.1

Steve   67.3               392.92           

Martin    11.73          336.25

Cod   00                   301.2

Cliff    32.93               308.65

Bob   30                     293.82

Neil 00                       215.62

News

Jamie Snowden believes Saturday's Paddy Power Cotswold Chase will provide a clearer idea as to whether he aims Datsalrightgino at the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup or Randox Grand National this spring, but says his Coral Gold Cup hero is in tip-top condition for the test.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Sandown

2.25 General Medrano

Saturday 

Doncaster

1.30 Jericho Du Reponet

2.05 Lossiemouth, Luccia, You Wear It Well

2.40 Big Fish

3.15 Famous Bridge

Cheltenham

12.40 Unexpected Party

1.15 Bill Baxter

1.50 Stay Away Fay, Datsalrightgino

2.25 Jonbon

3.00 Impaire Et Passe, Lossiemouth, Love Envoi, Rubaud

3.35 Botox Has, Marie’s Rock, Noble Yeats

4.10 Lookaway

Uttoxeter

12.48 Foxey

Sunday  

Doncaster

12.48 Dysart Enos

2.40 Marie’s Rock, You Wear It Well

Naas

2.45 Letsbeclearaboutit

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 10 - Forst January points

Headlines

Dawn Breaks over Warwick

Report

We start at Warwick on Saturday where in the 3m grade 2 novice chase Grey Dawning ( Steve), went to post, In touch with leaders, headway 14th, led and jumped left 2 out, 5 lengths ahead when jumped left last, winning easily by 14l. He gets 44.5 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        January     Total

Peej    00                    434.7

Steve   44.5               370.12           

Martin    00             324.52

Cod   00                   301.2

Cliff    00               275.72

Bob   00                     263.82

Neil 00                       215.62

News

If the BetMGM Clarence House Chase beats the weather, El Fabiolo will be there to try and beat Jonbon again. That was the message from Willie Mullins on Wednesday as last year's impressive Arkle winner returned to the top of the market at 1-2 with Ladbrokes after drifting significantly on Tuesday. 

But should Ascot fail to beat the big freeze, there will be welcome compensation for racing fans as Thurles is set to welcome the mighty Allaho for the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase on Sunday.

Nicky Henderson's Supreme Novices' second favourite Jeriko Du Reponet will continue to follow the Shishkin route to the Cheltenham Festival, with the trainer nominating the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon next month to put the finishing touches to the unbeaten five-year-old.

Last season's Martin Pipe winner Iroko could yet make it to the Cheltenham Festival, with joint-trainer Oliver Greenall revealing the six-year-old had recovered quicker than expected from a foot injury previously thought to have ruled him out for the season. On Tuesday he was a surprise entry for the Arkle, for which he is a best-priced 25-1, and Turners, for which he is a 16-1 chance. Speaking to the Racing Post on Wednesday while on holiday, Greenall said that while the entry was tentative, the exciting chaser was back in work.

Weekend Entries

Saturday 

Haydock

12.25 Unexpected Party

3.15 Famous Bridge

Ascot

1.50 Maries Rock, You wear it well, Ilovethenightlife

2.25 Unexpected Party

3.37 El Fabiolo, Jonbon, Unexpected Party

Navan

1.20 Dr Eggman

Sunday 

Fakenham

2,40 Ilovethenightlife

Thurles

1.05 Allaho

Lingfield

3.00 L’Homme Presse, Protektorat

4.10 Inthewaterside

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 9 - A very quiet week

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Peej    318.9                 434.7

Steve   192.87               325.62           

Martin    242.67          324.52

Cod   301.2                  301.2

Cliff    249.22               275.72

Bob   177.22                     263.82

Neil 215.62                       215.62

News

L'Homme Presse is pleasing connections ahead of his long-awaited return to action in Lingfield's Fleur De Lys Chase with co-owner Andy Edwards admitting he will be as excited as any racing fan at the prospect of a Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup clash with Galopin Des Champs, should all go well a week on Sunday.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Naas

1.12 Mister Policeman

2.12 An Tobar

Saturday 

Warwick

1.50 Unexpected Party

2.25 Grey Dawning, Trelawne

Kempton

1.30 Chianti Classico

2.05 Pic D’Orhy, Edwardstone

2.40 Nemean Lion, Langer Dan

Wetherby 

1.10 Trelawne

Fairyhouse

1.57 Letsbeclearaboutit

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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

2023/24 Jumps Issue 8 - More festive winners and old favourites retire

Headlines

Des Champs Gallops in at Leopardstown

Irish makes his point

Warrior fights off rivals at Limerick

Bally Burns off Rivals at Leopardstown

Man States his Cheltenham case at Leopardstown

Jeriko Du Reponet wins at Newbury

Captain in Command of Challow Hurdle

Report 

We start at Leopardstown on Thursday where in the 3m grade 1 Savills chase Galopin Des Champs ( Cod, Neil, Peej), Gerri Colombe ( Bob, Cliff, Martin, Neil) took their chances.

Galopin Des Champs, Travelled strongly, raced wide, pressed leader, briefly led 9th, joined leader 2 out, switched right when led going easily towards near side before last, soon nudged along and went clear, stayed on, winning impressively by 23 l. He gets 52.1 points.

Gerri Colombe, Prominent, pressed leaders when ridden after 2 out, went second but no chance with winner approaching last, kept on, just held second, beaten 23l. He gets 13.02 points

In the 2m 7f grade 1 Christmas Hurdle Irish Point ( Neil) went to post, Travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, headway and prominent before 2 out, joined leader going easily after 2 out, led and went clear before last, pushed out, stayed on, winning easily by 11l. He gets 53.4 points

At Limerick in the 2m 31 Faugheen novice chase Gaelic Warrior (Bob), went to post, Jumped well, made all, soon clear, not fluent 3rd, reduced lead 5th, 1 length ahead halfway, went clear going easily after 2 out, eased run-in, winning impressively by 5 ½ l. He gets 52.8 points.

On Friday at Leopardstown in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Ballyburn (Peej), went to post, Took keen hold, raced in third, disputing second after 2 out (usual 3 out), led going easily last (usual 2 out), soon went well clear, impressively by 25l. He gets 22.2 points. 

In the 2m grade 1 Matheson hurdle State Man (Peej, Martin ) went to post, Travelled strongly, chased clear leader, not fluent 4th, pressed leader 3 out, led going easily after 2 out, faced challenge but going best before last, went clear when pushed out run-in, winning comfortably by 3 ½ l. Peej gets 52.8 points, Martin 26.4 points.

On Saturday at Newbury in the 2m Introductory hurdle Jeriko Du Reponet ( Steve), wen to post, Raced in second, led narrowly 2 out, shaken up run-in, soon quickened and led clearly, kept on, nudged out, winning comfortably by 1 ¾ l. He gets 22.8 points.

In the 2m 4f grade 1 Challow Hurdle Captain Teague ( Bob, Cliff, Steve), took his chance, Prominent, challenging when not fluent 2 out, pushed along and led approaching last, ridden and wandered around run-in, always doing enough, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 28 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        December     Total

Peej    318.9                 434.7

Steve   192.87               325.62           

Martin    242.67          324.52

Cod   301.2                  301.2

Cliff    249.22               275.72

Bob   177.22                     263.82

Neil 215.62                       215.62

Congratulations To Peej who is December trainer of the month

News

Impaire Et Passe will be entered in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as connections consider the best route forward for last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner. The five-year-old finished second to Teahupoo on his seasonal return in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in early December before filling the same position to stablemate State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on Friday

Noble Yeats finished fourth in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup but has not been entered for a second crack in March. The 2022 Grand National winner, who went on to score in Grade 2 company back at Aintree eight months later, was beaten around 15 lengths behind Galopin Des Champs last season, but Robert Waley-Cohen's chaser was not put in the Gold Cup when entries closed on Tuesday.

"He'll be going for the Grand National," said trainer Emmet Mullins. "We've had our go at the Gold Cup and it didn't pan out."

Fastorslow could get a surprise entry over two miles and a furlong at the Dublin Racing Festival next month, but the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March remains the number-one target for the horse bookmakers believe is the biggest threat to defending champion Galopin Des Champs.

Sean and Bernardine Mulryan's dual Grade 1 winner featured among a historic low of 20 horses when entries for the Gold Cup were revealed on Tuesday, a drop of seven from the worst figure in the modern era, set in 2023.

Old Favourites Retire

Owner Paul Vogt described Frodon as “the people’s horse” when reflecting on his popular chaser’s career following the 11-year-old’s retirement on Friday. Frodon finished fifth in Tuesday’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase – a race he won in 2020 when making all under Bryony Frost – and will now be looked after by his regular race-rider on Exmoor alongside former stablemate Black Corton. His other top-level victories came in the Ryanair Chase in 2019 and the Down Royal Champion Chase in 2021, finishing in the first three in 33 of his 52 starts including 19 wins.

Vogt, who owned Frodon with Ian Fogg for a year before becoming his outright owner in 2017, said: “We were planning on retiring him this season and the timing is right. He went out on a really good note and gave a wonderful round of jumping at Kempton. He’s been a brilliant racehorse and we’ll never find another like him. He had so much heart and ability and was a fabulous jumper.

“It’s very nice Bryony is going to have him and she’s going to do all sorts with him, including some showjumping, to keep him busy and amused. Bryony and Frodon made each other and they had such a great rapport. We kept Bryony on him after she’d lost her claim; she was very loyal to us and we were very loyal to her.”

Sceau Royal, winner of 17 races under Rules including three Grade 2 Elite Hurdles at Wincanton, has been retired. Trained by Alan King and typically ridden by Daryl Jacob, the 11-year-old had been unplaced in three starts this season having failed to get his head in front since winning a Listed event at Kempton in October 2022.

Part-owner Simon Munir posted on X: "We have decided the time has come to retire our Double Green flag bearer Sceau Royal 54 career runs winning 17 times - he has joined a family in Exmoor where he will be Show Jumping and embarking upon a ROR programme thanks Sceau & Alan King for the wonderful memories."

Jacob commented: "Well what can I say about my best friend. Your heart, ability, willingness, bravery, you had everything. You were my winning most horse (15) - I will cherish all of those wonderful days together and will really miss you. Happy retirement buddy."

  

Weekend Entries

Saturday 

Sandown

1.50 Unexpected Party

2.25 You Wear It Well, Ilovethenightlife

3.37 Nemean Lion, Langer Dan

Wincanton

3.15 Inthewaterside, Ilovethenightlife

Sunday 

Naas

1.00 Mister Policeman

2.00 An Tobar

Chepstow

2.27 Chianti Classico

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

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

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

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