Epatante is a Kempton Christmas Cracker
Man is Brave again at Kempton
Sir Gerhard off the Mark at Leopardstown
Ferney puts Rivals in the Hollow
Shiskin lands Desert Orchid chase
Paddy Rewards Envoi Allen at Leopardstown
Eric chops Rivals to Bits in Ireland
River Swamps Rivals at Wetherby
Galvin takes Savill Chase
Galopin Des Champs Begins well at Leopardstown
Sharjah stars at Leopardstown,
Journey could have Cheltenham as the Destination
Luna Rises at Newbury
Palais is a Grand winner of Mandarin Chase
Star takes Centre Stage at Newbury
We start at Kempton on Boxing Day, where in the 3m grade 1 Kauto Star novice chase, Bravemansgame ( Peej, Steve), went to post, Chased leader, pecked on landing 14th, made challenge going easily before 2 out, led 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, ridden out, winning by 7 ½ l. He gets 52.2 points.
In the 2m 1f grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, Ferney Hollow ( Peej), took his chance, Jumped right on occasions, took keen hold, made all, hard pressed after last (usual 2 out), ridden omitted last, kept on well, always doing enough, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 78.4 points.
At Kempton in the 3m grade 1 King George V1 chase, Clan Des Obeaux ( Cod, Neil, Steve), took his chance, Held up in behind leaders, chased leader before 12th, made challenge on inner home turn, disputed lead 3 out, led before 2 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, weakened quickly and held approaching last, left in second last, no match for winner 2nd beaten 9l. He gets 13.6 points.
At Kempton on Monday in the 2m grade 2 chase, Shishkin ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Steve, Peej), took his chance, Tracked leaders, headway and challenging 3 out, soon nudged along, led and went clear, eased towards finish, winning impressively by 10l. Cliff gets 42.9 points, Martin, Neil, Peej, Steve 21.45
At Leopardstown in the 2m 1f grade 1 chase, Envoi Allen ( Bob, Cliff, Martin, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Disputed lead on outer, led 2nd, joined 4th, slight lead before 6th, joined 4 out, not fluent and pecked on landing 2 out, soon ridden and faced sustained challenge, bumped when led narrowly home turn, went clear run-in, workmanlike, winning by 7 ½ l. He gets 26.2 points.
At Limerick in the 2m 7f grade 2 novice hurdle Eric Bloodaxe (Neil), went to post, Chased leaders, mistake and dropped to midfield 4 out, switched right and good headway on inner home turn, ridden to lead 2 out, clear approaching last, ridden out run-in, winning by 7 ½ l. He gets 44.6 points.
At Wetherby in the 2m 3f limited novice handicap chase, Midnight River (Martin), took his chance, Wandered at early obstacles, led, ridden after 4 out, faced challenge 3 out, headed last, rallied and led again final 110yds, just did enough, winning gamely by a neck. He gets 26 points.
On Tuesday at Leopardstown ion the 3m grade 1 Savill’s chase Galvin (Neil, Steve), went to post, Tracked leader, pressed leader when pushed along and bit short of room after 2 out, soon lost second when outpaced and switched right, jumped slightly left last, ridden and ran on towards near side run-in, led final strides, winning by a short head. Steve gets 89.8 points, Neil 57.4
In the 2m 5f beginners chase Galopin Des Champs, ( Cod, Peej), took his chance, Jumped well, prominent, led and made rest from 1st, went clear 6th, 5 lengths ahead halfway, soon went further clear, unchallenged, winning impressively by 22l. He gets 11.2 points.
Yesterday at Leopardstown in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Journey With Me ( Cod), went to post, Disputed lead, led before 2nd, shaken up under 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, winning by 3 ½ l. He gets 28.4 points.
In the 2m Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle, Sharjah (Cod), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway and went fourth halfway, bit short of room and switched left 2 out (usual 3 out), niggled along after last (usual 2 out), raced wide home turn, smooth headway and made challenge run-in, ridden to lead towards finish, all out, winning by a neck. He gets 53 points.
At Newbury in the 2m handicap hurdle Gran Luna (Bob) went to post, Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, 1 length down last, kept on well run-in, led final 110yds, ridden out winning by a head. He gets 28.68 points.
In the 3m 2f handicap chase, Saint Palais (Bob), went to post, Held up in rear, nudged along after 13th, headway 17th, close up 4 out, made strong challenge 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, ridden run-in, stayed on, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 25.5 points.
In the 2m 4f grade 1 Challow Hurdle Stage Star (Peej), took his chance, Held up in behind leaders, pushed along and switched right after 3 out, soon led, 4 lengths ahead last, winning comfortably by 6 ½ l. He gets 54.5 points.
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
December Total
Peej 348.55 592.52
Steve 360.68 508.8
Cod 295 .2 408.25
Cliff 232.53 368.82
Neil 196.93 295.13
Bob 199.37 282.58
Martin 170.29 221.69
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
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
Star novice chaser My Drogo, who had been a 7-1 shot for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Trainer Dan Skelton told The Punter on Monday morning: "Unfortunately My Drogo will miss the remainder of the season. We scanned him this morning after feeling heat in his near-fore tendon and whilst it is a very small lesion and will heal, it just requires time.
The eagerly anticipated clash between Shishkin and Energumene could yet happen before the Champion Chase in March after both horses appeared among the 11 entries for the SBK Clarence House Chase at Ascot next month.
Journey With Me surged to the head of the ante-post market for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle after the highly touted youngster lived up to his billing in a top-class maiden hurdle at Leopardstown.
Paul Nicholls remains hopeful McFabulous can make his long-awaited return to action a triumphant one by successfully defending his Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle crown at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.The 12-times champion trainer believes the Grade Two contest is an “obvious” starting point for the son of Milan, who has not been sighted since April after meeting with a setback earlier in the campaign.
Weekend Entries
Cheltenham Saturday
2.00 Coole Cody
3.10 Mcfabulous
Exeter
12.40 Easy As That
3.35 Gran Luna
Fairyhouse
12.20 Journey With Me
2.40 Put The Kettle On
Tramore
2.20 Annamix
