Ten To Follow Jumps 04.01.22

Christmas & New Year Update

• 9 winners over the festive period 
• A TTF bonus race
• The much anticipated return of Shishkin

The point scoring action got underway at Ascot on Friday 17th where Jonbon continued to build his reputation, easily landing the Grade 2 Howden Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle. 

Saturday 18th provided us with the first bonus race of the festive period in the form of the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle. Old adversaries Thyme Hill and Paisley Park both lined up, but it was Champ who lived up to his name to win for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr. This result scored 55 points for 19 TTF teams. 

The final race on the card was the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy. The competitive looking affair saw the likes of Goshen, No Ordinary Joe and Tritonic line-up and it was the latter that got home in front to win for Alan King and Adrian Heskin. 

After Christmas it was all eyes on Kempton Park and Chepstow. Starting at Kempton Bravemansgame comfortably won the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, beating SP favourite Ahoy Senor by seven and a half lengths. Earlier in the competition we saw Epatante dead-heat with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth, but there was no need for the photo-finish camera in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle as Epatante won easily with over a two length advantage on second place. The final point scoring opportunity at Kempton came in the King George, however no players had selected Tornado Flyer so no points were scored. 

Day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival saw the much anticipated return of Shishkin to the track. Nicky Henderson appeared nervous before the off, but he needn't have been as Shishkin put in a brilliant performance to win by ten lengths. Shishkin is the most popular horse in this year's competition and the win scored 30 points for 128 TTF teams. 

Over at Chepstow it was Welsh Grand National day, and Porticello ran away with the Grade 1 race on the card winning by over 8 lengths for Jamie and Gary Moore. 

The final winners from the festive period came at Newbury and Doncaster. The Grade 1 Challow Hurdle was won well by Stage Star for Paul Nicholls and the Owners Group, and Zambella easily won the Yorkshire Silver Vase Listed Race at Doncaster for team Twiston-Davies. 

With all these winners there has been lots of movement on the leader board. Grenville Davies now occupies first, second and joint-third places, however it's very tight at the top with just 10 points separating the top 6 players. 

The full standings can be viewed here.