The voice of racing men since 1998

Thursday, 13 November 2025

2025/26 - 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      
Flat 2021 Steve 802.8                Spoon Peej    217.75
Flat 2022   Neil 838.73                Spoon Cod 250.8
Flat 2023   Bob  995.46              Spoon   Peej  432.74
Flat   2024 Neil 1039.33              Spoon  Bob 553.22
Flat   2025  Cod 1037.94             Spoon  Cliff  328.98 

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)
Jumps 20/21  Cliff   1093.8           Spoon  Bob   373.1
Jumps 21/22    Peej 1203.92         Spoon Martin 427.99
Jumps 22/23  Peej  1226.22             Spoon  Cliff  680.42
Jumps 23/4    Peej   1111.9                  Spoon Cod 639. 57
Jumps 24/5    Steve 794.57               Spoon Martin 351.45

2025/26 Jumps - Editor's Introduction

Well here we go again, another Jumps competition and a transitional season as a number of old favourites have departed the scene. 

One notable fact is that whilst Willie Mullins is the dominant training force J P McManus is the dominant owner and he has no fewer than 10 entries in our list.

The biggest surprise is that no one has picked Kopek Des Bordes. 

There are some interesting things to ponder this season, Ballyburn goes back over hurdles, last seasons Champion hurdler is not even in any strings, and then we have Constitution Hill. Nicky Henderson told the Punter "No obvious injuries have been as a result of his falls last season, and I am delighted to say he returns 100% sound. Once again, the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle would be the first objective, and he is not carrying as much condition as usual for this time of the year. The Christmas Hurdle would again be an objective, and we would like to hope he is performing to his best as he tries to win the Champion Hurdle back." Neil and I keep the faith. 

The New Lion is to be aimed at The Champion hurdle despite never racing below 2 miles 4f   he is the most popular pick with 6 of us trusting he will do it.

One of the biggest factors in deciding where the Championship goes could be the ground. Soft ground horses may be in for a quiet season unless the heavens open in the next week or so.

We have a total of 98 different horses 37 of which are in here, so good luck to all.

Regards

The Editor

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

2025 Boozy Punter Horse of the Season

Congratulations to...

Calandagan

The Cod single pick started the Punter season with a second place, half a length behind Jan Brueghel, in Epsom's Coronation Cup. That was worth 26.6 points but the scoring was about to take off.

At the end of June Mickael Barzalona piloted the horse to victory at 2/1 on in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, sprinting clear in the final 150 yards to beat Aventure and earn Cod 53 points.

It was back to Ascot in July to tackle the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The 11/10F gave three pounds and a length beating to Kalpana and totted up another 79.2 points for Cod's title charge.

F-H Graffard sent the horse back to Ascot in October for the Champion Stakes. This time it was only second favourite behind Ombudsman but Barzalona produced the horse a furlong out to run on well and take the win by two and a quarter lengths and earn Cod another 79.2 points.

Cod had clinched the title before this but the 78.4 points propelled him to the biggest ever winning margin in the Punter competition.

The top three:

237.2 - Calandagan (26.6 + 53 + 79.2 + 78.4)
224.18 - Delacroix (32.68 + 84.1 + 27.4 + 81)
214.8 - Ombudsman (91.8 + 29.3 + 80.5 + 13.2)

(Second place Delacroix was also a Cod single pick.)

Friday, 24 October 2025

2025 - Flat Issue 26 - Record winning margin for The Fish

Headlines

Kalpana crowned Queen of Ascot

Report

We Start at Ascot On Saturday where in the 1m 4f Group 1 Fillies and mares stakes, Kalpana (Martin, Steve), took her chance, Raced in second, pressed leader over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, winning  readily by 2 ½ l She gets 27.38 points.

In the 1m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth stakes The Lion In Winter ( Bob,, Cliff, Neil, Steve) went to post, Sweating, in touch with leaders, headway then led narrowly under 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on , 2nd beaten 1 ¼ l. He gets 16.3 points.

In the 1m 2f Group 1 Champion Stakes Calandagan ( Cod), Ombudsman ( Steve), took their chances, 
Calandagan, In rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 78.4 points. Ombudsman, Raced in last, raced wide home turn, soon headway on near side of group, went second over 1f out, no extra final 110yds, 2nd beaten 2 ¼ l. He gets 13.2 points.

In the 1m handicap Crown of Oaks (Martin), went to post, Raced near side, made virtually all, nudged along over 2f out, faced challenges inside final furlong, kept on, winning by a neck. He gets 35.1 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
              October            Total
Cod        111.4                 1037.94
Martin      119.98             633.6
Bob           16.3                 611.8
Steve         56.88           563.19
Peej           82.6              433.02
Neil            46.3                418.94
Cliff          52.3                328.98
So Cod is Champion, congratulations, Martin takes last trainer of the month

Stats Per String
           Runs        Wins
Martin      54         7
Steve         61         7
Bob           46       13
Cliff           52       7
Neil           59         9
Peej           64      11
Cod           63     20

The Weeks Losers
Ballet Slippers, The Lion In Winter, Dancing Gemini, Fallen Angel , Field of Gold , Ombudsman, Almaqam, Economics

First Course Winner Bonus is available at 
In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Worcester

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

Thursday, 16 October 2025

2025 Flat Issue 25 - Cod can't be caught

Headlines

Damysus lands Darley Stakes

Report

We start at Newmarket on Saturday where in the 1m 1f  Group 3 Darley stakes Damysus (Cliff) went to post, In touch with leaders, headway over 2f out, edged left and pressed leader over 1f out, led 1f out, kept on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 36 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
              October            Total
Cod        33                    959.54
Martin      57.5               606.22
Bob           00                 595.5
Steve         00                 506.31
Peej           82.6              433.02
Neil            30                402.64
Cliff          36                 312.69

Stats Per String
           Runs        Wins
Martin      50         15
Steve         58           6
Bob           43         13
Cliff           49          7
Neil           56          9
Peej           62        11
Cod           60        19

The Weeks Losers
Cosmic Year, Audience, Copper Knight, Gladius, Celandine, Back In Black

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Haydock
3.05  Arctic Grey

Saturday 

Ascot
1.30 Sunway
2.45 Kalpana, Tiffany, Ballet Slippers
3.25 Field Of Gold, Rosallion, Fallen Angel, The Lion In Winter, Delacroix, Dancing Gemini
4.05 Ombudsman, Delacroix, Calandagan, Almaqam, Almeric, Economics, The Lion In Winter
4.40 Crown Of Oaks, Back In Black


First Course Winner Bonus is available at 
In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Worcester

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

Sunday, 12 October 2025

2025 Flat Issue 24 - Martin takes second

Headlines

Rivals Take Doctor’s Medicine at Salisbury

Report

We Start at Salisbury on Thursday where in the 6f handicap Dr Strangelove ( Peej), went to post, in touch with leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on winning by 1l. He gets 82.6 points.

On Friday at Ascot in the 1m 4f novice stakes Aegean Prince ( Neil), went to post, Made all, clear under 2f out, went further clear final furlong, Winning impressively by 8l. He gets 30 points.

On Saturday at Newmarket in the 1m group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes Fallen Angel ( Martin), took her chance, Made all, up the centre early, drifted left from over 2f out, ridden when towards near side from over 1f out, kept on well, winning comfortably by 2 ¼ l. She gets 57.5 points

At Redcar in the 5f handicap Copper Knight (Cod), went to post, Raced near side alone, prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on and led towards finish, winning by 1l. He gets 33 points

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
              October            Total
Cod        33                    959.54
Martin      57.5                 606.22
Bob           00                  595.5
Steve         00                 506.31
Peej           82.6              433,02
Neil            30                402.64
Cliff          00                 276.69

Stats Per String
           Runs        Wins
Martin      49          15
Steve         56           6
Bob           43            13
Cliff           46          6
Neil           55          9
Peej           61      11
Cod           59    19

The Weeks Losers
Nightwalker, Nardra, Carrytheone, Jonquil, Sunway , Alsakib, Bay City Roller, Sosie, KLalpana, Hotazhell, White Birch, Aventure , See The Fire, Desperate Dan

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Newmarket
2.25 Cosmic Year, Audience, Ide’s Of March

York
4.25 Copper Knight

Saturday 

Newmarket
1.15 Damysus, Gladius
4.50 Celandine

Sunday 

Goodwood
4.47 Back in Black

First Course Winner Bonus is available at 
In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Worcester

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

Thursday, 2 October 2025

2025 Flat Issue 23 - Arc weekend entries

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
              September            Total
Cod        140.9                  926.54
Bob           70.23                  595.5
Martin      79.96              548.72
Steve         00                 506.31
Neil            57.26                372.64
Peej           00                   350.42
Cliff          13.35                 276.69

So Congratulations to Cod who is trainer of the month

Stats Per String
           Runs        Wins
Martin      45    14
Steve         53           6
Bob           43            13
Cliff           45          6
Neil           51            8
Peej           59      10
Cod           53       18

The Weeks Losers
Completely Random, Tiffany, Detain, Opera Ballo, Copper Knight, Ides of March

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Ascot
3.30 Aegean Prince
4.05 Nightwalker

Saturday 

Newmarket
2.40 Fallen Angel
5.00 Saariskela

Ascot
1.15 Nardra
2,25 Crystal Black, Sunway, Alsakib
3.00 Celandine
3,35 Back In Black, Carrytheone

Redcar
5.50 Copper Knight

Newcastle
7.45 Dr Strangelove

Wolverhampton
7.00 Saariskela

Keenland 
10.48 Jonquil

Longchamp
12.58 Sunway, Alkasib
4.00 Ballet Slippers
4,35 Bay City Roller, Damysus

Sunday 

Longchamp
3.05 Kalpana, Sosie, White Birch, Hotazhell, Aventure
3.50 See The Fire
4.25 Zaringa

News
John and Thady Gosden's power pair Ombudsman and Field Of Gold took to the Limekilns on Wednesday for the first time in many months to commence their serious build-up to Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on October 18. 

First Course Winner Bonus is available at 
In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Worcester

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