Aintree Grand National Festival - Leading Trainer

The second of our Leading Trainer awards.

Most points scored at the Grand National Meeting and you're the meeting's leading trainer. In the event of tie, the number of winners and then the number of places will decide the award,

Roll of Honour

2026 - Steve - 116.0

2025 - Peej 116.0

2024 - Bob  159.65

2023 - Cliff 131.64

2022 - Steve 137.8

2021 - Tony 183.5

2020 - No competition
2019 - Peej 334.6
2018 - Bob, Martin, Peej, Steve 80.0
2017 - Lee, Peej, Steve 79.5
2016 - Neil 80.0
2015 - Cod 209.9
2014 - Steve 133.9
2013 - Bob 117.1

Winners 2013 - 2026

26 - Steve

24 - Peej

21 - Bob

18 - Cliff

17 - Martin, Neil
16 - Cod 

16 - Tony

5 - Lee
2 - John

2026 (Four winners between us)

Steve -116 (Two winners)

Cod - 86 (One winner)

Bob - 55.26 (One winner)

Martin - 31 (One winner)

Neil - 31 (One winner)

2025 (Six winners between us)

Peej - 116 (Three winners)

Neil - 111.5 (Three winners)

Steve - 110.84 (Three winners)

Bob - 57.5 (One winner)

Cliff - 57 (Two winners)

Cod - 30.4 (One second)

2024 (Four winners between us)

Bob - 159.65 (Three winners)

Martin - 105.35 (Two winners)

Cliff - 105.25 (Two winners)

Neil - 105.25 (Two winners)

Steve - 52.1 (One winner)

Cod - 52 (One winner)

Peej - 52 (One winner)

2023 (Four winners between us)

Cliff - 131.64 (Two winners)

Steve - 130.08 (Three winners)

Neil - 103.89 (Two winners)

Martin - 77.33 (Two winners)

Cod - 56 (One winner)

Bob - 51.14 (One winner)

Peej - 51.14 (One winner)

2022 (Six winners between us)

Steve - 137.8 (Three winners)

Neil - 99.8 (Two winners)

Cod - 97.8 (Two winners)

Peej - 78.82 (One winner)

Cliff - 53.8 (One winner)

Bob - 27 (One winner)

Martin - 0

2021 (Eight winners between us)

Tony - 183.5 (Three winners)

Peej - 158.5 (Three winners)

Cod - 139.8 (Two winners)

Neil - 79.5 (Two winners)

Steve - 78.1 (Two winners)

Cliff - 69.4 (One winner, one second)

Bob - 53.4 (One winner)

Martin - 39.7 (One winner, one second)

2019 (Nine winners between us)

Peej - 334.6 (Five winners, one second)
Bob - 130.5 (Three winners, one second)
Tony - 123.3 (Two winners, one second)
Cliff - 99.7 (Two winners, one second)
Cod - 97.4 (One winner, one second)
Martin - 94.6 (One winner, one second)
Steve - 53.8 (One winner, two seconds)
Neil - 12 (One second)

2018 (Two winners between us)

Bob - 80.0 (Two winners)
Martin - 80.0 (Two winners)
Peej - 80.0 (Two winners)
Steve - 80.0 (Two winners)
Cliff - 0
Cod - 0
Neil - 0
Tony - 0

2017 (Two winners between us)

Lee - 79.5 (One winner)
Peej - 79.5 (One winner)
Steve - 79.5 (One winner)
Martin - 51.4 (One winner)
Bob - 28.1 (One winner)
Cod - 24 (One second)
Cliff - 0
Neil - 0
Tony - 0

2016 (Five winners between us)

Neil - 80.0 (Two winners)
Cliff - 77.5 (Two winners)
Martin - 77.5 (Two winners)
Tony - 77.5 (Two winners)
Bob - 52.6 (Two winners)
Lee - 52.6 (Two winners)
Cod - 36.4 (One winner)
Peej - 26.2 (One winner)
Steve - 26.2 (One winner)

2015 (Seven winners between us)

Cod - 209.9 (Three winners)
Tony - 139.0 (Three winners)
Lee - 110.3 (Two winners)
Cliff - 108.2 (Three winners)
Peej - 83.9 (Two winners)
Steve - 30.7 (One winner)
Martin - 27.6 (One winner)
Neil - 27.6 (One winner)
Bob - 27.4 (One winner)

2014 (Six winners between us)

Steve - 133.9 (Three winners)
Tony - 120.6 (Three winners)
Cod - 86.5 (Two winners)
Cliff - 54.6 (Two winners)
Peej - 54.6 (Two winners)
Bob - 26.5 (One winner)
Martin - 26.5 (One winner)
Neil - 26.5 (One winner)

2013 (Four winners between us)

Bob - 117.1 (Three winners)
Steve - 114.1 (Three winners)
Tony - 104.8 (Three winners)
Martin - 69.8 (Three winners)
John - 55.7 (Two winners)
Cod - 43.4 (Two winners)
Peej - 43.4 (Two winners)
Neil - 26.3 (One winner)
Cliff - 26.1 (One winner)

2018/19 Jumps Issue 21 - Aintree shakes up the table

Headlines

Lostintranslation lands Mildmay

Min Lands Melling Chase

Cadmium lands

Cap fits in Stayers hurdle

Tiger Rolls in to Aintree History

Report

We start at Aintree on Friday where in the 3m grade 1 Mildmay novice chase Lostintranslation ( Martin), went to post, Held up in 3rd, close up 4 out, left clear 2nd next, poised to challenge between last 2, led before last where not fluent, pushed clear flat, in no danger after, winning easily by 6l. He gets 82.6 points.

In the 2m 3f grade 1 Melling Chase Min, ( Peej, Tony) went to post, Raced freely, made all, asserting 2 out, soon easily drew clear, wining  impressively by 20l. He gets 52.7 points.

In the grade 3 2m 6f handicap chase Cadmium ( Peej), took his chance, Led 2nd, made rest, went right 13th (valentines), drew clear before last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, winning by 6l. He gets 73.4 points.

In the 3m 1f grade 1 Stayers Hurdle, If The Cap Fits ( Bob, Cliff, Peej), went to post, Held up in mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, switched right and blundered last, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides, winning by a head. He gets 57.9 points.

In the 4m 2f Grand National handicap chase, Tiger Roll (Cod) went to post, Held up in mid-division, tracked leaders 22nd (2nd beechers), pecked 26th, close 3rd going well 3 out, soon poised to challenge, led last, pushed clear before elbow, ridden out, stayed on well, winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 85.4 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 March                     Total

Peej           334                       969.8

Bob            130.5                        965.2

Cod         97.4                           914.2

Steve         53.8                         844.2

Cliff          99.7                          761.7

Martin  94.6                      645.3

Tony      70.6                                       583.6

Neil         12                              533

2018/19 Jumps Issue 20 - Hectic day at Aintree

Headlines

Kalashnikov fires at Aintree

Kemboy Bowls Home

Sundae is Sweet in Aintree hurdle

Queen Dances home in Bumper

Report

At Aintree today in the 2m 4f Grade 1 novice chase, Kalashnikov ( Bob, Cliff, Steve), took his chance, Tracked leaders, close 3rd 4 out, driven to lead narrowly when blundered 2 out, ridden between last 2, 3 lengths clear after last, kept on, all out towards finish, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 29.8 points.

In the 3m 1f grdae 1 Aintree Bowl Chase, Kemboy ( Peej), Clan Des Obeaux ( Cliff, Steve) went to post, Kemboy Disputed lead until led 4th, made rest and tended to jump slightly right, going well when pressed 2 out, drew readily clear approaching last, ridden and asserted further clear flat, ran on, winning  impressively by 9l He gets 80 points.

Clan Des Obeaux, Tracked leaders, switched towards outside before 5th, pushed along 4 out, one pace when hung left between last 2, ridden and stayed on to snatch 2nd final strides, no chance with impressive winner, beaten 9l. He gets 12 points.

In the 2m 4f Grade 1 Aintree hurdle, Supersundae ( Peej, Tony), Buveur D’Air (not Cliff), took their chances.

Supersundae, Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 4 out, left in lead 3 out, pressed next, kept on flat, gamely kept finding enough to hold off challengers, in command inside final 100 yards, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 58.6 points.

Buveur D’Air, Tracked leader until 2nd, left 2nd on bend after 5th, leader soon went clear, closed after 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, challenging 2 out, pressing winner flat, held final 100 yards, kept on 2^nd beaten 1 ¼ l. He gets 12 points.

In the 2m grade 2 mares bumper The Glancing Queen ( Bob), took her chance, Tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge over 2f out, led when shaken up well over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well final 120 yards, winning by 2 1/4l.

She gets 30. 8  points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 April                    Total

Bob            72.6                        907.3

Steve         53.8                         844.2

Cod         12                            828.8

Peej           150.6                       785.8

Cliff          41.8                          703.8

Martin  12                      562.7

Tony      70.6                                       583.6

Neil         12                              533

Congratulations to Martin who  was March trainer of the month

News

Ms Parfois will miss the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree after a slight setback compounded fears about ground unlikely to be soft enough for her.Trainer Anthony Honeyball revealed the mare has been suffering from a poisoned foot - and although it is not serious, she was still not sound on Monday.

"She's not running - it's a combination of factors," said Honeyball. "She's not quite right. She's had a poisoned foot and is not sound today. We could probably get her right - but she's not where we want her to be at the minute."

Last year's one-two Politologue and Min will renew rivalry in the JLT Chase at Aintree.The Paul Nicholls-trained Politologue got the better of Willie Mullins' hot favourite Min by a neck in last season's renewal of a two-and-a-half-mile Grade One better known as the Melling Chase. Politologue returns to Merseyside in fine form on Friday, after filling the runner-up spot behind Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Min, on the other hand, lines up with something to prove - having finished a disappointing fifth in the same race. The reopposing pair feature in a final field of seven runners. Ruth Jefferson's stable star Waiting Patiently bids to get back on the winning trail after being blown away by the Nicholls-trained Cyrname when defending his crown in the Ascot Chase in February.

If The Cap Fits If The Cap Fits bypassed Cheltenham with Aintree in mind, and runs in the stayers hurdle

The Punters 3 against the field in the Grand National.

Whilst I would love to see Tiger Roll win again, and I think he will run a big race he is  no price, so the Punter will go for 3 e/w shots, Rock The Kasbah, Step Back and Walk in The Mill

2018/19 Jumps Issue 19 - Neil off the bottom

Headlines

Annamix lands Clonmel Maiden

Report

At Clonmel yesterday Annamix ( Neil) took his chance in the 2m maiden hurdle, Raced in 2nd, slight mistake 2nd, clear of remainder with eventual runner-up approaching 5th where not fluent, on terms straight, gained narrow lead after 2 out, mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 23.6 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 March                     Total

Bob            132.6                        836.7

Cod         202.3                            816.8

Steve         129.7                         790.4

Cliff          51.4                           662

Peej           117.7                           635.2

Martin    209.1                        550.7

Neil         75                               521

Tony      63.4                                       513

News

Alan King is leaning towards keeping Sceau Royal at two miles for an outing in the bet365 Celebration Chase on the final day of the season at Sandown.

The weights for the Randox Health Grand National will go up by at least four pounds on Monday with Bristol De Mai missing the Aintree showpiece. Twiston-Davies said: "He's fine and the plan is to run in the Bowl. It was just decided that on his Gold Cup form he ought to win the Bowl and it's possibly the easier option. He's in good form."

2018/19 Jumps Issue 18 - No points but much news

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 March                     Total

Bob            132.6                        836.7

Cod         202.3                            816.8

Steve         129.7                         790.4

Cliff          51.4                           662

Peej           117.7                           635.2

Martin    209.1                        550.7

Tony      63.4                                       513

Neil         51.4                               497.4

News

Sceau Royal has options at Aintree and Sandown after giving Altior a run for his money in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.Alan King's charge led at the final fence, only to be run out of it in the closing stages, finishing third.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, told the punter "He could go over two and a half (miles) at Aintree or we may just wait and go for the Celebration Chase at Sandown, where we could have to take on Altior again.

Paul Nicholls has told the punter he  has not ruled out giving Clan Des Obeaux the chance to add another Grade One victory to his name this season in the Betway Bowl at Aintree. "We will let the dust settle, the Bowl at Aintree is a possibility as three-miles-one around Aintree on a flat track would suit him well, but I've just got to speak to the owners."

Owner Philip Reynolds has confirmed Presenting Percy is likely to miss the rest of the season after returning lame following the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Tiger Roll is all set to bid for his second successive Randox Health Grand National next month, trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed.

Evan Williams is looking forward to stepping Silver Streak up to two and a half miles in the Betway Aintree Hurdle, after the grey was the first British-trained runner past the post in the Champion Hurdle.

Elegant Escape was one of 16 horses scratched from the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree at the latest forfeit stage.

Colin Tizzard’s charge had been a leading fancy for the race having won the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow and finished sixth in last week’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls has taken Black Corton out

Blaklion enjoyed an away day as Phil Kirby stepped up his preparations for the Randox Health Grand National with a racecourse gallop at Wetherby.

Bought for £300,000 by owner Darren Yates specifically to run at Aintree next month, Blaklion has been allotted a weight of 10st 12lb for the £1 million contest - having finished fourth in it in 2017 and won the Becher Chase later that year.

Cheltenham Festival - Leading Trainer

It's not the top prize we play for but why not have another award?

Most points scored at the Cheltenham Festival and you're the meeting's leading trainer. In the event of a tie, the number of winners and then the number of places will decide the award,

Roll of Honour

2026 - Bob (162.98)

2025 - Cliff (223.2)

2024 - Peej (365.1)

2023 - Neil (258.4)

2022 - Steve (165.13)

2021 - Peej (308.7)

2020 - Tony (202.3)
2019 - Martin (209.1)
2018 - Steve (312.5)
2017 - Tony (328.2)
2016 - Lee (263.1)
2015 - Lee (180.4)
2014 - Neil (236.3)
2013 - John (239.2)

Festival Winners 2013 - 2026

45 - Peej
37 - Cod
33 - Steve

29 - Cliff, Neil

26 - Bob

24 - Martin

25 - Tony

11 - Lee
5 - John
1 - Micky

2026 (six winners between us)

Bob - 162.68 (Two wins, one second)

Cod - 133.56 (Two wins)
Neil - 133.3 (Two wins)
Peej - 81.9 (One win, one second)
Steve - 27 (One second)

Cliff - 0

Martin - 0

2025 (seven winners between us)

Cliff - 195.7 (Four wins)

Steve -118 (Two wins, two seconds)

Peej - 87.5 (Two wins, two seconds)

Neil - 84.84 (Three wins, one second)

Cod - 42.4 (One win, one second)

Bob  - 29 (One win)

Martin - 0

2024 (Twelve winners between us)

Peej - 365.01(Six wins)

Neil - 167.43 (Three wins, two seconds)

Bob - 95.1 (One win, one second)

Cliff - 92.34 (One win, one second)

Martin - 88.5 (Two wins, one second)

Cod - 86.91 (Two wins)

Steve - 83.62 (Three wins)

2023 (Eight winners between us)

Neil - 258.4 (Five wins, two seconds)

Peej - 222.42 (Four wins, one second) 

Bob - 145.17 (Two wins, one second)

Steve - 144.47 (Two wins, three seconds)

Cliff - 106.42 (Two wins, one second)

Martin - 105.47 (One win, three seconds)

Cod - 93 (Two wins)

2022 (Eight winners between us)

Steve - 165.13 (Three wins, two seconds)

Peej - 157.09 (Three wins)

Cod - 156.16 (Two wins, one second)

Cliff - 123.43 (Two wins, one second)

Bob - 109.2 (Two wins)

Neil - 98.23 (Two wins)

Martin - 27.8 (One second)

2021 (Twelve winners between us)

Peej - 308.7 (Five wins, one second)

Cod - 255 (Five wins)

Cliff - 221 (Three wins)

Tony - 176.5 (Three wins, one second)

Steve - 135.7 (Three wins)

Neil - 89.4 (One win, one second)

Bob - 54.6 (One win)

Martin - 51.2 (One win)

2020 (Nine winners between us)

Tony - 202.3 (Four wins, one second)
Martin - 169.7 (Three wins, one second)
Steve - 153.1 (Three wins, one second)
Cod - 144.8 (Three wins, one second)
Cliff - 119.9 (Three wins)
Peej - 115.1 (Two wins, two seconds)
Bob - 68.0 (Two wins, one second)
Neil - 57.0 (One win)

2019 (Six winners between us)

Martin - 209.1 (Three wins, two seconds)
Cod - 202.2 (Three wins, one second)
Bob - 132.6 (Two wins, two seconds)
Steve - 129.7 (Two wins, two seconds)
Peej - 117.7 (Two wins, one second)
Tony - 63.4 (One win, one second)
Cliff - 51.4 (One win)
Neil - 51.4 (One win)

2018 (Seven winners between us)

Steve - 312.5 (Four winners, one second)
Tony - 256.8 (Three winners, two seconds)
Peej - 139.3 (Two winners, three seconds)
Cliff - 129.9 (Three winners)
Neil - 129.9 (Three winners)
Martin - 115.3 (Two winners, one second)
Cod - 102.1 (Two winners, two seconds)
Bob - 90.4 (Two winners, one second)

2017 (Ten winners between us)

Tony - 328.2 (Four winners)
Peej - 285.1 (Five winners, one second)
Cod - 166.7 (Four winners)
Martin - 163.8 (Four winners)
Lee - 140.0 (Four winners)
Steve - 107.1 (Two winners)
Cliff - 78.6 (Two winners)
Bob - 78.6 (Two winners)
Neil - 51.2 (One winner)
Micky - 29.3 (One winner)

2016 (Eleven winners between us)

Lee - 263.1 (Five winners, two seconds)
Cliff - 227.2 (Four winners, two seconds)
Tony - 227.2 (Four winners, two seconds)
Steve - 207.0 (Four winners)
Martin - 176.4 (Three winners, one second)
Cod - 173.0 (Three winners, two seconds)
Peej - 171.0 (Three winners, three seconds)
Bob - 132.1 (Three winners, two seconds)
Neil - 91.0 (Two winners, one second)

2015 (Four winners between us)

Lee - 180.4 (Two winners, two seconds)
Peej - 154.6 (Three winners, one second)
Cod - 130.6 (Three winners)
Cliff - 127.0 (Two winners, three seconds)
Bob - 103.0 (Two winners, two seconds)
Martin - 75.8 (One winner, one second)
Tony - 51.8 (One winner)
Neil - 0
Steve - 0

2014 (Six winners between us)

Neil - 236.3 (Two winners, two seconds)
Peej - 211.6 (Two winners, two seconds)
Bob - 165.8 (One winner, one second)
Steve - 149.5 (Two winners, one second)
Cod - 138.5 (Two winners, two seconds)
Martin - 126.5 (Two winners, one second)
Tony - 87.5 (One winner, two seconds)
Cliff - 12 (One second)

2013 (Eight winners between us)

John - 239.2 (Five wins, two seconds)
Peej - 227.2 (Five wins, one second)
Tony - 211.4 (Four winners, two seconds)
Neil - 146.0 (Three wins, one second)
Cod - 144.9 (Three wins, one second)
Bob - 133.9 (Three wins, two seconds)
Martin - 132.9 (Three wins)
Steve - 132.9 (Three wins)
Cliff - 80.7 (Two wins, two seconds)

2018/19 Jumps Issue 17 - Cheltenham week shakes things up

Headlines

Tiger Savages Rivals in Cross Country

Game is Tops in RSA

Le Breuil Lands 4 miler

Altior Retains Crown in Queen Mother

Frodon Flys home in Ryanair

Defi defies Rivals in JLT

Report

We start at Cheltenham on Tuesday where in the 2m grade 1 Champion Hurdle Melon ( Cod, Peej, Tony), went to post, Led until 2 out, no impression on winner before not fluent last, edged right flat, being closed on by 3rd close home, held on , finishing 2^nd beaten 15l. He gets 12 points.

In the 4m novice chase, Le Breil (Martin), took his chance, Mid-division, close up 15th, went 2nd before 5 out, driven to lead narrowly 3 out, headed narrowly last, ridden and stayed on gamely to regain lead inside final 100 yards, all out, winning by ½ l. He gets 79.4 points.

On Wednesday in the 3m Grade 1 RSA novice chase, Topofthegame ( Martin, Peej, Steve), Santini ( Bob, Martin, Steve) took their chances,Topofthegame,  In touch in mid-division, headway from 4 out, challenged last, soon led, driven and edged right flat, holding 2nd towards finish, stayed on well, winning by ½ l. He gets 54.3 points. Santini, tracked leaders, stumbled just after 4 out, challenged 3 out, led after next, headed soon after last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2^nd ½ l. He gets 12 points.

In the 2m Grdae 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase, Altior (All), Politolouge ( Bob, Martin, Steve), took their chances. Altior, Jumped left at few times, tracked leader, mistake 7th (water), led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, edged left into rival and led again flat, stayed on well and asserting towards finish, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 51.4 points. Politolouge, Chased leaders, effort from 3 out, driven and stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2^nd beaten 1 ¾ l. He gets 12 points.

In the 3m 5f Cross Country Chase Tiger Roll (Cod), went to post, Mid-division, took closer order 7th, went 2nd at 22nd, led after 4 out, drew easily clear from next, in no danger after, winning  impressively by 22l. He gets 54.2 points.

Today at Cheltenham in the 2m 4f grade 1 novice chase Defi Du Seuil ( Bob), went to post, Held up in touch, went 2nd at 11th until before 3 out, tracked front pair, driven after next, rallied and almost upsides last, ridden to lead flat, asserted near finish, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 57.2 points.

In the 2m 5f grade 1 Ryanair chase Frodon ( Cod), took his chance, Led, big jump 12th, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to regain lead flat, all out near finish, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 84.6 points.

Friday Preview

In the County Hurdle we only have We Have A Dream, , who finally got his head in front last time out. He has a lot of weight, but has place claims at his best.

In the Alberty Bartlett we have Commander of Fleet and again, he won last time out, and at 7/1 is a solid e./w chance.

In the Gold Cup we have Bellshill, Bristol De Mai, Clan Des Obeaux, Elegant Escape, Kemboy, Might Bite, Presenting Percy, Native River.

As I said last week, I don’t like Presenting Percy’s preparation and whilst it would not be a surprise if he wins, he is no price. The Money has come for Native River, who is now favourite, and who I see as the winner again. . Conditions should suit Bristol De Mai but he generally disappoints away from Haydock, Bellshill won a really soft Irish Gold Cup, and Might Bite might choke. I can’t quite see Clan Des Obeaux doing it, though would be best result for the Editor, whilst I think Kemboy was flattered when he sprinted clear close home in Ireland, Elegant Escape is the one who could spring a surprise, he stays all day and Colin Tizzard seems very bullish about his chances, and is certainly worth an e/w saver around 18/1.

Theo is in the grand Annual chase, and a 40/1 shot, so if he wins, Cod will be at the bar in the 9 Elms !  He was 2^nd last time and from a shrewd yard and off a low weight, could just sneak in the frame.

If You Say Run  20/1 is in the final event , along with Pym,12/1.  Both are solid e/w shouts.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 March                     Total

Bob            132.6                        836.7

Cod         202.3                            816.8

Steve         129.7                         790.4

Cliff          51.4                           662

Peej           117.7                           635.2

Martin      209.1                        550.7

Tony      63.4                                       513

Neil         51.4                               497.4

News

Ms Parfois holds an entry in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday