Policeman takes Control at Fairyhouse
Classico Performance from Chianti at Ascot
D’Orhy Pics off Rivals at Ascot
Dawn is Bright at Haydock
Bridge becomes Famous at Haydock
Warrior Slays rivals at Punchestown
Man makes a State ment at Punchestown
Slow is Still too Fast for Galopin Des Champs
Report
We start at Fairyhouse on Friday where in the 2m Beginners Chase Mister Policeman ( Martin, Steve), took his chance, Pressed leaders, went second from 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden after last, ran on to lead towards finish, winning by ¾ l. He gets 11.3 points.
At Ascot in the 3m limited handicap chase, where Chianti Classico ( Peej), went to post, Pressed leader, pecked on landing 1st, raced in third from 8th, pressed leaders 4 out, led narrowly but jumped slightly left from 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on , winning He gets 23.6 points.
In the 2m 5f grade 2 chase Pic D’Orhy (Steve), took his chance, Raced in second, pressed leader from 7th, led 11th, went clear before 2 out, soon pushed along, winning comfortably by 16 l. He gets 47 points.
At Haydock in the 2m 5f graduation chase Grey Dawning (Steve), went to post, in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, went second 5th, led just after 8th, not fluent 12th, went clear after 5 out, good jump 4 out, kept on well from last, winning readily by 9 ½ l. He gets 26 points.
In the 3m 1f handicap chase Famous Bridge (Cliff), went to post, Midfield, headway and in touch with leaders after halfway, ridden after 3 out, disputing second 2 out, led last, stayed on, winning by 1l. He gets 26.5 points.
At Punchestown in the 2m 3f Beginners Chase Gaelic Warrior (Bob), went to post, Took keen hold, raced in second, led after 4th, soon clear, went further clear after 8th, hit 9th, 28 lengths ahead 3 out, eased down after last winning in a canter by 15l. He gets 22.6 points.
In the 2m grade 1 Morgiana hurdle State Man ( Peej, Martin), went to post, Raced in second, bit short of room but led and going best home turn, went clear last, ran on well, comfortably (jockey said gelding suffered interference turning in), winning by 5l. Peej gets 52.2 points, Martin 26.1
On Sunday at Punchestown in the 2m 3f grade 1 John Durkan chase Fast Or Slow (Bob) took his chance, Took keen hold early, pressed leaders, not fluent 5th, not fluent 8th, went second before 5 out, ridden when outpaced before last, stayed on to lead when jockey dropped whip after last, pushed out, wining readily by ½ l. He gets 64.4 points.
John Torpey Memorial Trophy
November Total
Steve 130.75 130.75
Peej 115.8 115.8
Bob 87 87
Martin 81.65 81.65
Cliff 26.5 26.5
News
The Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle could come under consideration for Shishkin after Nicky Henderson’s star chaser refused to start at Ascot on Saturday. Henderson reported his charge to be none the worse on Sunday morning, but is now in a quandary as to what to do next. “He’s fine, he’s actually been out for a little day out and a hack canter this morning,” said the Seven Barrows handler.
“We’ve got to think what we’re going to do, I haven’t got that far yet. There’s very little he can do, to be honest with you. I don’t know, perhaps they’ll start the King George in starting stalls!”
Dan Skelton is keen to get Protektorat back on the racecourse “relatively quickly” following his disappointing defence of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. Skelton reported his star chaser to have emerged relatively unscathed on Sunday morning and he plans to give him another run before the end of 2023, after which a tilt at the the £165,000 Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield on January 21 is on the agenda. “He’s a bit stiff, but he’s fine. We’ll get him right and go again,” said the Alcester-based trainer.
Willie Mullins has hailed Gaelic Warrior's chase debut as "extraordinary" and is toying with the idea of dropping back to the minimum trip rather than stepping up to three miles again in the near future.
Gaelic Warrior is as short as 3-1 favourite with some firms for the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, and he did win the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle over three miles at the Punchestown festival in April. But Mullins is thinking shorter rather than longer distances for the five-year-old's next start after he bolted up by 15 lengths in the 2m3f beginners' chase back at Punchestown on Saturday.
Weekend Entries
Friday
Newbury
12.10 Jericho Du Reponet
1.50 Nickle Back
2.25 Iron Bridge
3.00 Marie’s Rock
3.35 Hyland
Saturday
Newcastle
1.55 Constitution Hill, Youwearitwell
3.05 Bill Baxter, Datsalrightgino, Shishkin
Newbury
11.55 Dysart Eynos
12.30 Iron Bridge
1.05 Jericho Du Reponet, Masaccio
1.40 Langer Dan
2.15 Under Control
2.50 Bill Baxter, Kitty’s Light, Datsalrightgino
Fairyhouse
2.00 Ballyburn, Dr Eggman, Mirazur West,
Sunday
Leicester
3.00 Dr TJ Eckleburg
Fairyhouse
1.25 An Tobar, Brighterdaysahead
2.35 Impaire Et Passe , Irish Point, Sire Du Berlais, Teauphoo
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
